Osaka: From the Center of Japanese History to Japan's Leading Commercial City! Volume 3 of the [World City Exploration Comic History & General Knowledge] series takes readers to Osaka, a city that rose from the heart of Japanese history to become Japan's top commercial hub. This "City Treasure Hunt: Osaka" edition uses maps, photos, and text to give readers an at-a-glance view of Osaka's key landmarks, along with essential facts about the city's population, climate, and geography. It also covers Osaka's history and travel trivia as it grew into Japan's leading commercial city, plus current-events knowledge about Japanese corporate culture. At the end of each chapter, related information and photos tie into the story, and a hidden-picture game set against the famous Dotonbori tourist district — an "Osaka Amusement Park" feature — adds extra fun as readers explore every corner of the city. Osaka, the largest city in Japan's Kansai region, served as Japan's gateway city and held a central role in politics, economy, and culture right up until the Meiji Restoration in the 19th century. Its importance grew especially after 1583, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified Japan and led political and economic development centered on Osaka. The grand and magnificent Osaka Castle, ranked among Japan's three great castles, was also built during this time as Hideyoshi made Osaka his base of operations. Osaka's coastal location and well-developed waterways allowed people and goods to gather and disperse easily, helping the city grow into a thriving center of commerce. Thanks to its historical traditions, unique culture, and countless attractions and culinary delights, Osaka has become a fascinating city loved by travelers from around the world. A New Treasure Hunt Series: [World City Exploration History & General Knowledge] Osaka: From the Center of Japanese History to Japan's Leading Commercial City! The beloved Treasure Hunt comic series — known for its lively characters, solid storytelling, and rich historical knowledge — continues its journey. After [World Exploration Comic History & General Knowledge], which traveled through different countries to learn about their cultures, [Korean History Exploration Comic History & General Knowledge], which uncovered shining moments in Korean history, and [World History Exploration Comic History & General Knowledge], which explored major events in world history, the series now continues with a brand-new installment: [World City Exploration Comic History & General Knowledge]! Join the grand treasure-hunting adventure through cities that represent their countries — historic cities and beautiful cities alike! The third stop on this journey is Osaka, Japan — a city that rose from the center of history to become Japan's leading commercial hub. ▣ What Kind of City Is Osaka? Known as the "Kitchen of the Nation" and home to the saying "kuidaore" (to ruin oneself by eating too well), Osaka is a food lover's paradise. It's also a city of commerce, home to Kongo Gumi — the world's oldest company — along with countless shops and businesses that have thrived for over a century. As a historic city that was among the first in Japan to receive advanced culture from the Korean Peninsula and mainland China, there's no end to the ways one could describe Osaka. As Japan's second-largest city, Osaka held a central, gateway-city role in Japan until the 17th century, when the political center shifted to Edo (present-day Tokyo). In particular, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who unified Japan, made Osaka his base and built the grand, magnificent Osaka Castle in 1583, cementing the city's status as the true political and economic center of Japan. While Japanese politics later centered around Tokyo, Osaka has continued to play a vital role as the economic heart of Japan to this day. Building on this foundation, the people of Osaka cultivated their own open-minded and rational entrepreneurial spirit, unbound by old customs and fixed ideas, helping to develop Osaka into Japan's leading commercial city. Today, thanks to its historical traditions, unique culture, and abundant attractions and cuisine, Osaka is also newly establishing itself as a beloved tourist destination for people around the world. ▣ Inside the Book The [World City Exploration Comic History & General Knowledge] series includes related information at the end of each chapter to reinforce learning and make the knowledge stick. [Treasure Hunt in Osaka] uses maps, photos, and text to highlight Osaka's most important locations at a glance.