Hokkaido Toyako Summit
Venues
The site of the Mausoleum of Emperor Nintoku, which is the world's largest tomb in terms of area, and of Naniwa Palace, considered to have been Japan's oldest palace, Osaka has flourished from ancient times as gateway linking Japan with the Asian continent. Osaka also possesses a wealth of other important historic places and linkages, beginning with Shitennoji Temple, which was built by Prince Shotoku.
In the Middle Ages, the port city of Sakai prospered as a free city. In the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who achieved control over the whole country, constructed Osaka Castle and made the city of Osaka Japan's premier political and economic center. Then throughout the Edo Period, Osaka became known as "the Nation's Kitchen," playing a prominent role as a nationwide economic and distribution base.
Later, at the start of the Meiji Era, Osaka became the stage for several major historic events including the Osaka Conference of 1875, which determined the policy for forming Japan's first national representative assembly.
