| Outline |
Nakanoshima, blessed with abundant waters and green landscapes, is the center of political, business, and cultural facilities in Osaka. Nakanoshima is a strip of island, measuring approximately 3 km from east to west and 50 ha in area, located between the Dojimagawa River and the Tosaborigawa River. In Nakanoshima, a number of convention facilities, international cultural facilities, and office/business facilities are concentrated, with the background of a beautiful waterfront cityscape in an urban center. In the Edo period, kurayashiki (incorporating warehouse, sales office, and residence) maintained by daimyo (feudal lord) around the country were concentrated in Nakanoshima, where rice and other products were traded. This is why Osaka was dubbed the “kitchen of the country” in those days. Since the Meiji period, a number of cultural facilities, such as the Nakanoshima Library and the Central Public Hall, were established. Nakanoshima has thus played an important role as the key center of commerce, information, and culture in the modern period. Recently, further development has been promoted in this district; in addition to the Osaka University Nakanoshima Center completed in 2004, the Asahi Broadcasting Corporation building and Keihan Nakanoshima Line, connecting Yodoyabashi and the Osaka International Convention Center, are being constructed. After their completion and opening scheduled for 2008, Nakanoshima is expected to further enhance its functionality as the central district in Osaka.
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