Osaka's midpoint

When driving around a country you will find signs telling you the distance to surrounding places. People use these signs without much thought, but of course such a measurement needs to be based on something. In the case of Osaka, it is a shiny golden pin.

The Datum was installed in 1922 after the installation of the 1919 road act. It was at the start and end of seven national roads. The current marker dates back to 1957, but its granite plate dates back all the way to 1919.