The Inland Sea of Japan: the Bingo Nada, with Yosima Island and Villages, 1868. Engraving of a sketch Mr. G. R. Lawrenson, Assistant Surgeon, R.N. of H.M. ship Leopard. The Tsuwa-Nada, or Inland Sea, lying between the three large islands, Niphon, Sikok [Shikoku], and Kiu-Siu [Kyushu], which make up Japan, is a piece of water nearly 240 miles long from east to west, and varying in width from fifteen to sixty. It is everywhere navigable, and affords good anchorage. The internal trade of Japan is chiefly carried on by thousands of small vessels, which ply to and fro upon this sea between the populous and busy cities on its shores. Of those cities, the most important is Osaca [Osaka]...The port of Hiogo, which forms the approach to Osaca by sea, and is fifteen miles from that city, has just been opened, by order of the Tycoon, to all British and other European vessels, as well as to those of the United States...This port was formally opened, on the 1st of January, by the British squadron under Sir Harry Keppel, K.C.B., consisting of H.M.S. Rodney, the flagship, Ocean Basilisk, Rinaldo, Rattle, Cormorant, Sylvia, Serpent, Adventure Salamis, Manilla, and the Snap gun-boat; with an American squadron. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.