Prefecture Osaka (大阪府), Japan

 144 hours in Sakai City, Osaka-Japan

 Introduction 

Osaka Prefecture (大阪府-Ōsaka-fu) is a prefecture located in the Kansai region on Honshu Island, the main island in Japan. Osaka is the capital city of Osaka Prefecture, the city was designated as one of the Chosen City by the Local Autonomy Law. Osaka is the third most populous city in Japan after Tokyo and Yokohama. It is located at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay. Osaka is the largest city in the region as an industrial center and Keihanshin port for Osaka metropolitan area-Kobe-Kyoto. In the east, Osaka near to Kyoto and Nara, in the west near to Kobe city. Osaka also known as Gate of International Trading.

Sakai City (堺市)

Sakai City (堺市-Sakai-shi) is second biggest city located in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. It has been one of the largest and most important seaports of Japan since the Medieval era. 
Sakai is also known as hometown of Nintoku-Tenno-Ryo Kofun, Ancient Tumulus.  The largest of Daisen Kofun is believed to be the grave of the Emperor Nintoku which keyhole-shaped tumulus and it is the largest grave in the world by area.

Town of Knives

Once known for samurai sword, Sakai is now famous for the quality of its kitchen knives, the most high-quality Japanese cutlery originates in Sakai. Its production is a major traditional industry in the city. Sakai Knives are popular and widely respected among professional chefs, whose skill is said to be reflected by their choice of knife.

Town of Bicycles

Sakai was the biggest firearms-producing are in the Azuchi-Momoyama period (late 16th c.). The gunsmith's techniques were fully employed in the repair of imported bicycle and the production of parts during the Meiji period (late 19th c.). Sakai produced the first bicycles in Japan and still commands a nearly 40% share of domestically-made bicycles. In Sakai city, there is also a Bicycle Museum Cycle Center where models from the world's oldest bicycle to the latest Olympic-grade bicycles are displayed.

Birthplace of Sen-no-Rikyu and Wabi-Cha

Sen-no-Rikyu or Sen Rikyu (千利休- 1522- April 21, 1591) was born in Sakai and he is also a tea ceremony master who perfected the art, culture and tradition while serving as the tea ceremony instructor for the famous warlords. He introduces several key aspects of the ceremony, including rustic simplicity, directness of approach and honesty of self.

Japanese Garden (Moss Garden)

Japanese gardens (日本庭園-Nihon Teien) are traditional gardens in Sakai city that create miniature idealized landscapes, often in a highly abstract and stylized way. The gardens of the Emperors and nobles were designed for recreation and aesthetic pleasure, while the gardens of Buddhist temples were designed for contemplation and meditation. Japanese garden styles include Karesansui, Zen gardens which are meditation gardens where white sand replaces water, roji, simple, rustic gardens with teahouses where the Japanese tea ceremony is conducted. Japanese gardens were developed under the influences of the Chinese gardens. A 26,000 sq miles garden created by traditional Japanese method. It's displayed the moon bridge, various elegent Chinese style buildings, quiet ponds, clear streams, and more by enjoying to taste Japanese tea while overlooking the garden.