Osaka is a designated city in the Kansai region of Japan. Located at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, it is known for its modern architecture, rip-roaring nightlife and delectable street food.
Historically a merchant city, Osaka is traditionally considered the "nation's kitchen" (天下の台所 tenka no daidokoro) or the gourmet food capital of Japan that served as a center for the rice trade during the Edo period. The city has a long history and is home to many ancient shrines and temples, and to the famous Osaka Castle, built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the late sixteenth century.