The city also played an important role as the terminal for Kitamae-bune cargo ships that traveled trade routes in the Sea of Japan, a relay station for trading goods that were exported through Nagasaki, as well as the center of distribution by water along the Yodogawa River to the city of Kyo (Kyoto).
また、北前船の終着地、あるいは、長崎貿易の交易品の中継地としての役割や、淀川を利用した京への水運の拠点としての役割も大きかった。