Post by washi on Apr 9, 2015 7:43:07 GMT
Many long-distance travelers like to book lodging near the airport for their first or last night’s stay. Anyone visiting the Kinki Area of Japan will have much to see, and I certainly would not recommend Sakai over the scores of beautiful and historic places in Kyoto and Nara. But, should your trip involve a stay near Kansai International Airport, the Sakai area can provide an interesting area to decompress, either after a long international flight or a hurried week or two of sightseeing.
Although Jōmon and Yayoi Period archeological sites indicate that the Sakai area has been inhabited for many millennia, it first came into prominence in the 5th century, when several Great Kings (now called Emperors) chose to be interred in the area. Their massive tombs are among the largest in Japan, and if you haven’t seen Kofun (as they are called) before, Sakai is a very convenient place to see some. Sakai was also a very important place in the 16th century, before there was anything like a city in Osaka. It was Japan’s primary international port and manufacturing town, and its wealthy merchants produced a flourishing culture. Because it was an important manufacturing center, (especially of firearms) the unifiers of Japan kept it under their direct control. This allowed it a greater measure of self government than most other towns and cities. The Tokugawa forces burned the city during the Summer Siege of Osaka Castle in 1615, but it quickly rebuilt and remains to this day an important manufacturing center.
This folder began as part of a post for the History Forum on the Mozu Kofun Group, but when I found I was making placemarks about many things in the kofun area that were interesting but not related to kofun, I decided to post them separately. The placemarks are all close to Daisen Park and the kofun area, but the historic city center (on the coast to the west of the Daisen area) also offers many places worthy of investigation. Additional information in English about Sakai may be found at this WEB SITE.
Download FilePost last revised March 11, 2023.
