Map of Osaka, a major port and commercial city in Japan
During the reign of the great Emperor Kotoku (VI-VII centuries), Osaka was the capital of Japan and was called Naniwa. It was at this time that the magnificent Imperial Palace was erected here. Osaka is located on the island of Honshu, 500 km from the capital of Tokyo. It is the country's largest port and has been Japan's main commercial and industrial center for centuries. Local residents are optimistic, energetic, cheerful and sociable with strangers. It is not for nothing that this prefecture of the country is called "Japanese Italy".
