On the Japanese island of Honshu, Osaka is a major port city and commercial centre. It's known for its cutting-edge architecture, vibrant nightlife, and hearty street fare. Its major historical attraction is the 16th-century shogun ate Osaka Castle, which has undergone many restorations. A moat and a park with plum, peach, and cherry-blossom trees surround it.Sumiyoshi-taisha is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan. Osaka, one of Japan's most populous cities, is located on the south coast of western Honshu, where the Yodo River flows into the wide sweep of Osaka Bay, which opens out into the Pacific.Osaka has received the moniker "Venice of the East" for its position on the Yodo delta, with its network of watercourses and canals spanned by more than a thousand bridges. Although Osaka's roots can be traced back to the mythological beginnings of the Japanese Empire, it is now unquestionably one of Japan's most modern cities, with a sleek skyline along with countless impressive examples of modern architecture.Its world-class status is bolstered by a plethora of cultural institutions, ranging from world-class museums and art galleries to cutting-edge entertainment, theater, and music venues, all of which add up to an endless list of interesting things to do. Osaka has long been regarded as Japan's economic centre.It had grown into a significant regional port by the Kofun era (300–538), and it briefly served as the imperial capital in the 7th and 8th centuries. During the Edo era (1603–1867), Osaka flourished and became established as a cultural centre in Japan. Osaka's population grew dramatically after the Meiji Restoration, and the city saw rapid industrialization. Osaka was formally constituted as a township in 1889. Osaka is now a major financial hub in Japan.It is home to the Osaka Securities Exchange as well as Panasonic and Sharp, two global electronics companies. Osaka Castle, which played a key role in the Siege of Osaka and was included in the 1980 American television mini-series Shogun, and Shitenn-ji, Japan's oldest Buddhist temple, are both famous landmarks in the city.