Osaka as a Water Metropolis

In ancient times, Japan had its capital in a place called Naniwa-zu. Naniwa-zu served as a hub for trade and interaction with the Seto Inland Sea region, Kyushu(southern part of Japan), and the continent. Through such trade and interaction, new technologies and cultures were brought into Osaka.
In the 16th century, the feudal lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi excavated the Higashi-Yokobori canal as the outer moat of Osaka Castle. From then until the 18th century, numerous canals were excavated as part of urban development. These canals served as logistical arteries for Osaka, then dubbed the "Kitchen of the Nation."
During the Edo period(1603-1867), merchant ships traveled back and forth between Hokkaido(northern part of Japan), Edo (today's Tokyo) and Osaka. Along the Yodo-gawa and Yamato-gawa rivers, hundreds of boats transported people and goods to and from Kyoto and Nara.
In the Edo period, Osaka was called the "city with 808 bridges," while Tokyo was dubbed the "city with 808 towns." The bridges in Osaka at the time constituted important elements of the backgrounds of joruri puppet plays and other theatrical performances. The bridges were as much symbols of Osaka as its rivers.
After the war, with the advance of motorization, many rivers and canals were filled to reclaim the land. Over long years of history, rivers have always played an essential role in people's livelihoods. From the era of Naniwa-zu through the Edo period to the modern age, Osaka benefited from its crisscrossing canals immeasurably.
In view of these legacies, an initiative has begun to revitalize Osaka as a Water Metropolis.

Water Corridors Symbolize Osaka as a Water Metropolis

Osaka has square-shaped "corridors" formed by five rivers. It is very rare in Japan, or even around the world, that such corridors of rivers exist in an urban center.
Centering on the Water Corridors, various development projects and revitalization projects utilizing the riverfronts are now underway. This is exemplified by an ongoing project to redevelop Nakanoshima Park- a historical and cultural center of Osaka located at the top of the Water Corridor-as a water-oriented park, as well as a project to redevelop Hachikenya-hama as a terminal for river and land transportation.
In May 2008, when Fukushima Port was opened, exemplifying the private sector's active development initiatives featuring waterfronts. All of these efforts contribute to the development of areas symbolizing Osaka as a Water Metropolis.

AQUA METROPOLIS OSAKA 2009 pamphlet English[PDF size 3,955KB]