Obama was once part of Wakasa Province, one of sixty-eight administrative divisions of Japan under the system that was used until 1868. For many centuries, Wakasa was a miketsukuni (“food province”), designated as a provider of foodstuffs to the imperial court of Nara and then Kyoto. Obama was also an important seaport that served as a gateway for trade and cultural exchange with the Asian mainland, attracting numerous visitors by land and sea. As a result, the city gained a reputation for its beautiful scenery and delicious food.