Osaka-Kyoto-Nara: the Heart of Ancient and Modern Japan through the centuries, the Kansai cities are important: • 5th century: Osaka flourished as the political/economic center of Japan. • 7th century: Osaka's Naniwa-no-miya Palace was built: it's considered to be the oldest palace in Japan. • 710-90: Japan's capital moved to Nara, beginning an era of adoption of Chinese culture and forms of government, specifically, of Confucianism. During this time, Bhuddism flowered in Japan. • 795-1192: royal capital moved to Kyoto, then called Heian-kyo: the Heian era spans four centuries and is marked by lack of civil war, rise of the court and great advances in culture. • 17th-19th centuries: during the Tokugawa or Edo period, Osaka led Japan's economic development and was the gateway used by foreign trading partners. • 1964: first Shinkansen (bullet train) route connects Osaka with Tokyo, with trains reaching speeds of 200 kilometers per hour. • 1970: Osaka Expo '70, the first world exposition held in Asia. • 1994: Kansai International Airport built on a landfill island in Osaka Bay.