Timeline of Osaka
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The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Osaka, Japan.


Prior to 19th century

* 211 CE – Sumiyoshi taisha (shrine) founded. * 593 CE – Shitennō-ji (temples) founded. * 645 CE – Capital of Japan relocated to Naniwa-kyō; Kōtoku in power. * 672 –
Tenmu was the 40th emperor of Japan, Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 天武天皇 (40) retrieved 2013-8-22. according to the traditional order of succession. Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). ''The Imperial House of Japan'', p. 53. Tenmu's r ...
in power. * 724 – Shōmu in power. * 794 – Japanese capital relocated from Naniwa to
Heian-kyō Heian-kyō was one of several former names for the city now known as Kyoto. It was the official capital of Japan for over one thousand years, from 794 to 1868 with an interruption in 1180. Emperor Kanmu established it as the capital in 794, mov ...
. * 1496 – Ishiyama Hongan-ji construction begins (approximate date). * 1583 – Osaka Castle construction begins. * 1614 – November: Siege of Osaka begins. * 1615 ** June: Siege of Osaka ends. **
Dōtonbori is one of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka, Japan, running along the Dōtonbori canal from Dōtonboribashi Bridge to Nipponbashi Bridge in the Namba district of the city's Chuo ward. Historically a theater district, it is now a popula ...
(canal) built. * 1684 –
Takemoto-za The Takemoto-za (竹本座) was a ''bunraku'' theatre in Osaka, founded in 1684 by Takemoto Gidayū. Plays by many famous playwrights were performed there, including works by Chikamatsu Monzaemon, Namiki Sōsuke, and Takeda Izumo I. Many of the pla ...
puppet theatre opens. * 1720 – Sasa-se theatre fan club founded. * 1724 –
Kaitokudō The Kaitokudō (Japanese:懐徳堂) was a merchant academy located in Osaka, Japan, during the Tokugawa period. Although it opened its doors in 1724, it was founded officially in 1726 by Nakai Shūan. It remained a public institution until 1868, a ...
merchant academy established. File:Sumiyoshi-taisha,_keidai-2.jpg, Sumiyoshi Taisha Grand Shrine File:Shitennoji07s3200.jpg, Shitennoji File:Naniwa-no-miya-ato,_zenkei-2.jpg, Remains of Naniwa-no-Miya Palace (2017)


19th century

* 1805 – Bunrakuza puppet theatre opens (approximate date). * 1837 – Economic/social unrest led by Ōshio Heihachirō. * 1838 – Tekijuku (school) opens. * 1868 ** European commerce begins. ** City becomes part of Osaka Municipal Prefecture. * 1869 – Tokyo-Osaka steamship line begins operating. * 1871 ** Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka postal service begins. ** Imperial Mint built. * 1874 –
Kobe Kobe ( , ; officially , ) is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture Japan. With a population around 1.5 million, Kobe is Japan's seventh-largest city and the third-largest port city after Tokyo and Yokohama. It is located in Kansai region, whic ...
-Osaka railway begins operating; Ōsaka Station (with clocktower) opens. * 1875 – Meiji political Osaka Conference of 1875 held. * 1876 – ''Osaka Nippō'' (newspaper) begins publication. * 1878 – Osaka Stock Exchange and

ref name="europa2004" /> established. * 1879 – '' Asahi Shimbun'' (newspaper) begins publication. * 1880 – established. * 1881 –
Osaka Iron Works is a major Japanese industrial and engineering corporation. It produces waste treatment plants, industrial plants, precision machinery, industrial machinery, steel mill process equipment, steel structures, Heavy equipment (construction), construc ...
established. * 1882 ** Osaka Boseki Kaisha (spinning mill) in business. ** Population: 332,425. * 1884 –
Osaka Shosen Kaisha Mitsui O.S.K. Lines ( ja, 株式会社商船三井, Kabushiki-gaisha Shōsen Mitsui; abbreviated MOL) is a Japanese transport company headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It is one of the largest shipping companies in the world. MO ...
(shipping firm) in business. * 1887 – Population: 426,846. * 1888 – ' (newspaper) begins publication. * 1890 – Nakanoshima Park opens. * 1892 ** December 20: Fire. ** Population: 479,895. * 1895 ** Sumitomo Bank established. ** Kyōbashi Station built. * 1897 ** Parts of and annexed to Osaka city. ** Demonstration of Lumière "projected pictures" at the Nanchi Embujo theatre. ** Population: 758,285. * 1900 – Population: 881,344 city; 1,678,422
prefecture A prefecture (from the Latin ''Praefectura'') is an administrative jurisdiction traditionally governed by an appointed prefect. This can be a regional or local government subdivision in various countries, or a subdivision in certain international ...
.


20th century


1900s–1940s

* 1901 – Satirical begins publication. * 1903 – held in Osaka. * 1904 – Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library opens. * 1905 – Maruki-go bakery in business. * 1909 – Tennōji Park established. * 1910 – Population: 1,239,373 city; 2,197,201
prefecture A prefecture (from the Latin ''Praefectura'') is an administrative jurisdiction traditionally governed by an appointed prefect. This can be a regional or local government subdivision in various countries, or a subdivision in certain international ...
. * 1915 –
Tennōji Zoo is a 11-hectare (27-acre) zoo located at Tennōji Park in Tennōji-ku, Osaka, Japan, opened on January 1, 1915. It is the third zoo to be built in Japan and is located southwest of the Shitennō-ji temple, the first Buddhist temple in Japan. ...
founded. * 1917 – City planning committee formed. * 1918 ** City Social Bureau established. ** built. * 1919 – Miki Hall (concert venue) opens. * 1920 ** Shirokiya department store built. ** Population: 1,768,295. * 1922 – Daimaru department store built. * 1923 **
Sharp Sharp or SHARP may refer to: Acronyms * SHARP (helmet ratings) (Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme), a British motorcycle helmet safety rating scheme * Self Help Addiction Recovery Program, a charitable organisation founded in 199 ...
in business. ** becomes mayor. * 1924 – Osaka Photographic Science Society founded. * 1925 ** City wards established: Higashinari, Higashiyodogawa, Konohana,
Minato Minato (港 or 湊) is Japanese for 'harbor', and may refer to: Places * Minato, Tokyo or Minato City, a special ward in Tokyo, Japan * Minato-ku, Nagoya, a ward of Nagoya, Japan * Minato-ku, Osaka, a ward of Osaka, Japan * Minato (湊), a neig ...
, Naniwa, Nishinari, Nishiyodogawa, Sumiyoshi, and Tennōji. ** "Public radio broadcasting commences." **
Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nomura Holdings, Inc. (NHI), which forms part of the Nomura Group. It plays a central role in the securities business, the Group's core business. Nomura is a financial services group and global investment bank. Bas ...
established. ** Population: 2,114,804. * 1926 – Asahi Kaikan (concert hall) opens. * 1927 – (bridge) built over Dojima River. * 1928 –
Osaka University of Commerce , abbreviated to , is a private university located in Higashiosaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. History The origin was founded in 1928 as Osaka Joto School of Commerce (大阪城東商業学校) by Noboru Tanioka (谷岡登, 1894–197 ...
active. * 1929 **
Kosobe Conservatory The was a botanical garden that forms part of the , Kyoto University (京都大学大学院 農学研究科附属農場), located at 2-30 Kosobe, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan. The conservatory was established in January 1929 to educate undergraduate an ...
(garden) established. **
Hankyu Department Store is a Japanese department store chain owned by , a subsidiary of H2O Retailing Corporation. Stores *Umeda, Osaka - Main Store (''Honten'') **Hankyu Men's *Kobe **formerly Sogo Department Stores * Takarazuka * Kawanishi * Senri *Takatsuki, Takat ...
opens in Umeda Station. * 1930 – Population: 2,453,573 city; 3,540,017
prefecture A prefecture (from the Latin ''Praefectura'') is an administrative jurisdiction traditionally governed by an appointed prefect. This can be a regional or local government subdivision in various countries, or a subdivision in certain international ...
. * 1931 – National Defense Women's Association founded in Osaka. * 1932 – City wards established: Asahi and Taishō. * 1933 ** Subway Midōsuji Line begins operating. ** Sanwa Bank established. * 1936 **
Osaka Tigers The Hanshin Tigers (Japanese: 阪神タイガース ''Hanshin Taigāsu'') are a Nippon Professional Baseball team playing in the Central League. The team is based in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, and is owned by Hanshin Electric Railway ...
baseball team formed. ** opens. * 1940 ** January 28: Train crash at Ajikawaguchi Station. ** Population: 3,252,340 city; 4,843,032
prefecture A prefecture (from the Latin ''Praefectura'') is an administrative jurisdiction traditionally governed by an appointed prefect. This can be a regional or local government subdivision in various countries, or a subdivision in certain international ...
. * 1942 ** ' (newspaper) in publication. ** Subway Yotsubashi Line begins operating. * 1943 ** City wards established: Abeno,
Fukushima may refer to: Japan * Fukushima Prefecture, Japanese prefecture **Fukushima, Fukushima, capital city of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan *** Fukushima University, national university in Japan *** Fukushima Station (Fukushima) in Fukushima, Fukushim ...
, Higashisumiyoshi, Ikuno, Jōtō, and Miyakojima. ** Hitachi Zosen Corporation in business. * 1945 ** March 13:
Bombing of Osaka The bombing of Osaka during World War II first took place from the middle of the night on March 13, 1945, to the early morning of the next day. There were also bomb raids on June 1, 6, 7, 15, 26, July 10, 24, and August 14, the last day of the war ...
during World War II begins. ** August 14: Bombing of Osaka ends. ** Population: 1,102,959. ** Osaka Municipal Transportation Bureau established. * 1947 ** Kansai Symphony Orchestra founded. ** Population: 1,559,310. * 1948 – Grand Sumo tournament begins. * 1949 – Osaka City University and Osaka Securities Exchange active.


1950s–1990s

* 1950 – Population: 1,956,136. * 1955 ** Cinerama Gekijo opens. ** '' Sankei Sports'' newspaper begins publication. ** Population: 2,547,321. * 1956 **
Tsūtenkaku , owned by , is a tower and well-known landmark of Osaka, Japan and advertises Hitachi. It is located in the Shinsekai district of Naniwa-ku, Osaka. Its total height is 103 m; the main observation deck is at a height of 91 m. History The cu ...
(tower) built. ** Osaka designated a government ordinance city. * 1957 – Sister city relationship established with San Francisco, USA. * 1958 –
Radio Osaka is an AM radio station of National Radio Network (NRN) in Osaka, Japan, and it is known as "Radio Osaka (ラジオ大阪 ''Rajio Ōsaka'')". It is also a company of Sankei Shimbun Group in Fujisankei Communications Group. Radio Osaka starte ...
begins broadcasting. * 1961 ** September: Typhoon Muroto II occurs. ** Subway Chūō Line begins operating. * 1964 ** Tokyo-Osaka Tōkaidō Shinkansen (hi-speed train) begins operating. ** Nagai Stadium opens. * 1967 – Subway Tanimachi Line begins operating. * 1968 – newspaper in publication. * 1969 – Subway
Sakaisuji Line The is an underground rapid transit line in Osaka, Japan, operated by Osaka Metro. Its official name is , and in MLIT publications, it is written as . The Sakaisuji Line is unique in the Osaka Metro system in that despite being regulated as ...
and
Sennichimae Line is an underground rapid transit line in Osaka, Japan. It is one of the lines of Osaka Metro. It links the northwestern district of Fukushima-ku and the southeastern district of Ikuno-ku with the central commercial and entertainment district ...
begin operating. * 1970 ** April: Gas explosion in Kita-ku. ** Expo '70 (world's fair) held in Osaka. * 1972 ** May 13: Sennichi Department Store Building fire. **
Osaka Expo '70 Stadium , also called Osaka Expo '70 Stadium, is an athletics stadium located in the Expo Commemoration Park, the site of Expo '70, in the city of Suita, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. It has a capacity of around about 21,000. The stadium was the home ground o ...
opens. * 1974 – City wards established: Hirano, Suminoe, Tsurumi, and Yodogawa. * 1975 – Population: 2,780,000. * 1977 – National Museum of Art, Osaka opens. * 1979 – Capsule Inn Osaka in business. * 1980 – established. * 1982 **
Osaka International Ladies Marathon The is an annual marathon road race for women over the classic distance of 42.195 kilometres which is held on the 4th or 5th Sunday of January in the city of Osaka, Japan, and hosted by Japan Association of Athletics Federations, Kansai T ...
begins. **
Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka The is a Japanese art museum and regarded as one of the best ceramic-collections in the world. This museum collects, studies, conserves, exhibits and interprets East Asian ceramics, which mainly came from ancient China and Korea. The world-famo ...
established. * 1983 – Osaka-jō Hall (arena) opens. * 1984 – National Bunraku Theatre opens. * 1987 – Kincho Stadium opens. * 1989 ** City wards established: Chūō and Kita. ** Osaka Science Museum opens. * 1990 ** Subway
Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line The is an underground rapid transit system in Osaka, Japan, operated by Osaka Metro. It was the first linear motor rapid transit line constructed in Japan (and the first outside North America, predated only by the Intermediate Capacity Transit ...
begins operating. **
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan The is an aquarium located in the ward of Minato in Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, near Osaka Bay. When it first opened, it was the largest public aquarium in the world. It is a member of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The a ...
opens. ** Garden and Greenery Exposition held in city. * 1993 – Umeda Sky Building constructed. * 1995 ** January 17: The 6.9 Great Hanshin earthquake shakes the southern
Hyōgo Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of Honshu. Hyōgo Prefecture has a population of 5,469,762 () and has a geographic area of . Hyōgo Prefecture borders Kyoto Prefecture to the east, Osaka Prefecture to the southeast, an ...
with a maximum Shindo of VII, leaving 5,502–6,434 people dead, and 251,301–310,000 displaced in the region. **
Takafumi Isomura was a Japanese politician. He served as the former mayor of Osaka from 1995 until 2003 and professor emeritus of Osaka City University. Isomura was born in the city of Osaka and graduated from Osaka City University. Isomura initially began his ...
becomes mayor. * 1996 – Osaka Prefectural Central Library opens. * 1997 –
Tempozan Ferris Wheel Tempozan Ferris Wheel is a 112 meter tall ferris wheel located in Osaka, Japan, at Tempozan Harbor Village, next to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the largest aquariums in the world. The wheel has a height of and diameter of . Description Tem ...
and Kyocera Dome open. * 1999 –
Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum CupNoodles Museum may refer to one of two museums in Japan: * CupNoodles Museum Osaka Ikeda * CupNoodles Museum Yokohama is a museum dedicated to instant noodles and Cup Noodles, as well as its creator and founder, Momofuku Ando. Located at Yoko ...
opens in nearby Ikeda.


21st century

* 2001 – June 8: Ikeda school massacre occurs in nearby Ikeda. * 2006 – Subway Imazatosuji Line begins operating. * 2007 –
Kunio Hiramatsu was the mayor of Osaka in Japan. He was elected in 2007 with centre-left support from the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), People's New Party and the Social Democratic Party, defeating the centre-right supported incumbent Jun'ichi Seki by 50,000 ...
becomes mayor. * 2009 – Kansai Music Conference begins. * 2010 – Population: 2,665,314. * 2011 –
Tōru Hashimoto is a Japanese TV personality, politician and lawyer. He was the mayor of Osaka city and is a member of Nippon Ishin no Kai and the Osaka Restoration Association. He is one of Japan's leading right-wing conservative-populist politicians. Early ...
becomes mayor. * 2013 – Festival Hall opens. * 2014 – Population: 2,685,218. * 2021 – December 17: A fire occurs in Kita ward.


See also

* Osaka history * Osaka history (in Japanese; includes timeline) *


References

''This article incorporates information from the Japanese Wikipedia.''


Bibliography

;Published in the 19th century * ;Published in the 20th century * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ;Published in the 21st century * * * * * (first published in 1987)


External links


Items related to Osaka
various dates (via Europeana).
Items related to Osaka
various dates (via Digital Public Library of America). {{Authority control Osaka History of Osaka Prefecture Osaka Years in Japan Osaka