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| Boilerpipe Text | This article is about the city in Japan. For the prefecture with the same name where this city is located, see
Osaka Prefecture
. For other uses, see
Osaka (disambiguation)
.
Osaka
大阪市
Prefecture capital
and
Designated city
Osaka City
Osaka Castle
and
Osaka Business Park
Tsūtenkaku
tower in
Shinsekai
Dōtonbori
Sumiyoshi Taisha
Shitennō-ji
Midōsuji
Nakanoshima
Flag
Emblem
Location of Osaka in
Osaka Prefecture
Osaka
Location in the
Kansai region
Osaka
Osaka (Kansai region)
Osaka
Osaka (Japan)
Osaka
Osaka (Asia)
Coordinates:
34°41′38″N
135°30′8″E
/
34.69389°N 135.50222°E
Country
Japan
Region
Kansai
Prefecture
Osaka Prefecture
Island
Honshu
Government
• Body
Osaka City Council
•
Mayor
Hideyuki Yokoyama
(
ORA
)
[
2
]
Area
•
Prefecture capital
and
Designated city
225.21 km
2
(86.95 sq mi)
Population
(
Estimated population as of October 1, 2025
)
•
Prefecture capital
and
Designated city
2,816,247
[
1
]
• Rank
3rd in Japan
• Density
12,505/km
2
(32,390/sq mi)
•
Metro
[
3
]
(
2015
)
19,302,746 (
2nd
)
Time zone
UTC+9
(
Japan Standard Time
)
Flower
Cherry blossom
and
Pansy
[
4
]
Address
Osaka City Hall: 1-3-20 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu
530-8201
Phone number
06-6208-8181
Website
city
.osaka
.lg
.jp
Osaka
Japanese name
Kanji
大阪
(obsolete)
大坂
Transcriptions
Revised Hepburn
Ōsaka
Kunrei-shiki
Ôsaka
Osaka
(
Japanese
:
大阪市
,
Hepburn
:
Ōsaka-shi
;
pronounced
[oː.sa.kaꜜ.ɕi]
; commonly just
大阪
,
Ōsaka
[oː.sa.ka]
ⓘ
)
is a
designated city
in the
Kansai region
of
Honshu
in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in
Osaka Prefecture
, and the
third-most populous city
in Japan, following the
special wards of Tokyo
and
Yokohama
. With an estimated population of 2,816,247 as of October 1, 2025
[
5
]
and a population density of about 12,505 people per square kilometer, it is the largest component of the
Keihanshin Metropolitan Area
, the
second-largest metropolitan area in Japan
[
6
]
and the 10th-
largest urban area
in the world with more than 19 million inhabitants.
[
3
]
Osaka was traditionally considered Japan's economic hub. By the
Kofun period
(300–538) it had developed into an important regional port, and in the 7th and 8th centuries, it served briefly as the imperial capital. Osaka continued to flourish during the
Edo period
(1603–1867) and became known as a center of Japanese culture. Following the
Meiji Restoration
, Osaka greatly expanded in size and underwent rapid industrialization. The construction boom accelerated population growth throughout the following decades, and by the 1900s, Osaka was the industrial hub in the
Meiji
and
Taishō eras
. Osaka made noted contributions to redevelopment, urban planning and zoning standards in the postwar period, and the city developed rapidly as one of the major financial centers in the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area.
Osaka is a major financial center of Japan, and it is recognized as one of the most multicultural and
cosmopolitan
cities in Japan. The city is home to the
Osaka Exchange
as well as the headquarters of multinational
electronics
corporations such as
Panasonic
and
Sharp
. Osaka is an international center of research and development and is represented by several major universities, notably
Osaka University
,
Osaka Metropolitan University
, and
Kansai University
. Famous landmarks in the city include
Osaka Castle
,
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
,
Dōtonbori
,
Tsūtenkaku
in
Shinsekai
,
Tennōji Park
,
Abeno Harukas
,
Sumiyoshi Taisha Grand Shrine
, and
Shitennō-ji
, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan.
Ōsaka
means "large hill" or "large slope". It is unclear when this name gained prominence over Naniwa, but the oldest written evidence for the name dates back to 1496.
[
7
]
[
8
]
By the
Edo period
,
大坂
(
Ōsaka
) and
大阪
(
Ōsaka
) were mixed use, and the writer
Hamamatsu Utakuni
[
ja
]
, in his book
Setsuyo Ochiboshu
published in 1808, states that the
kanji
坂
was abhorred because it means "returns to the earth," and thus
阪
was used. The kanji
土
(earth) is also similar to the word
士
(knight), and
反
means against, so
坂
can be understood as "samurai rebellion."
[
citation needed
]
阪
became the official name in 1868 after the
Meiji Restoration
. The older kanji (坂) is still in very limited use, usually only in historical contexts. When used as an abbreviation, the modern kanji
阪
han
refers to Osaka City or
Osaka Prefecture
.
Origins: Jōmon and Yayoi period
[
edit
]
During the
Jōmon period
(7,000 BCE), present-day Osaka was mostly submerged, and the
Uemachi Plateau
(
上町台地
,
Uemachi Daichi
)
formed a 12 km long and 2.5 km wide peninsula separating
Kawachi Bay
from the
Seto Inland Sea
.
[
9
]
[
10
]
It is considered one of the first places where inhabitants of Japan settled, both for the favorable geological conditions, rich in fresh water and lush vegetation, and because its position was defensible against military attack.
[
9
]
Ancient shells found in the Morinomiya kaizuka (
Jomon period
)
The earliest evidence of settlements in the Osaka area are the Morinomiya ruins
(
森ノ宮遺跡
,
Morinomiya iseki
)
which is located in the central
Chuo-ku
district.
[
9
]
Buried human skeletons and a kaizuka (a mound containing remains) were found, as well as shell mounds, oysters, and other interesting archeological discoveries from the Jomon period.
[
9
]
In addition to the remains of consumed food, there were arrow heads, stone tools, fishing hooks and crockery with remains from rice processing. It is estimated that the ruins contain 2,000-year-old debris between the
Jomon
and
Yayoi period
. The findings of the archeological sites are exhibited in an adjacent building.
[
11
]
[
9
]
In the years between the end of the Jōmon period and the beginning of the Yayoi period, the sediments that were deposited north of the Uemachi peninsula / plateau transformed Kawachi Bay into a lagoon.
[
10
]
During the
Yayoi period
(300 BCE-250 CE), permanent habitation on the plains grew as rice farming became popular.
[
11
]
At the beginning of the third century CE the grand shrine of
Sumiyoshi-taisha
was inaugurated near the harbor, commissioned by consort
Empress Jingū
. This
Shinto
shrine structure survived historical events,
[
12
]
which inaugurated a new style in the construction of Shinto shrines, called
Sumiyoshi-zukuri
.
[
13
]
The maritime panorama enjoyed from the shrine gardens inspired several artists, and nowadays the representations of that type of landscape are called
Sumiyoshi drawings
.
Towards the end of the Yayoi period the Uemachi plateau-peninsula expanded further, transforming the Kawachi Lagoon into a lake (河内湖) connected to the mouth of the
Yodo River
, which had widened to the south.
[
10
]
By the
Kofun period
, Osaka developed into a hub port connecting the region to the western part of Japan. The port of Naniwa-tsu was established and became the most important in Japan.
[
14
]
Trade with other areas of the country and the Asian continent intensified.
[
14
]
The large numbers of increasingly larger keyhole-shaped
Kofun
mounds found in the plains of Osaka are evidence of political-power concentration, leading to the formation of a state.
[
11
]
[
15
]
The findings in the neighboring plains, including the mausoleum of
Emperor Nintoku
was discovered nearby in
Sakai
testify to the status of imperial city that Osaka had reached. Four of these mounds can be seen in Osaka, in which important members of the nobility are buried. They are located in the southern districts of the city and date back to the 5th century.
[
14
]
A group of megalithic tombs called
Mozu Tombs
are located in
Sakai
, Osaka Prefecture.
[
16
]
Important works of the Kofun period is the excavation that diverted the course of the
Yamato River
, whose floods caused extensive damage, and the construction of important roads in the direction of
Sakai
and
Nara
.
[
11
]
[
17
]
Maritime traffic connected to the port of Naniwa-tsu increased in such a way that huge warehouses were built to stow material arriving and departing.
[
11
]
Asuka and Nara period
[
edit
]
The
Kojiki
records that during 390–430 CE, there was an imperial palace located at Osumi, in what is present day
Higashiyodogawa ward
, but it may have been a secondary imperial residence rather than a capital.
[
18
]
In 645,
Emperor Kōtoku
built his
Naniwa Nagara-Toyosaki Palace
in what is now Osaka,
[
19
]
making it the capital of Japan. The city now known as Osaka was at this time referred to as Naniwa (written as
浪華
or
浪花
) and this name and derivations of it are still in use for districts in central Osaka such as
Naniwa
(
浪速
) and
Namba
(
難波
). Although the capital was moved to
Asuka
(in
Nara Prefecture
today) in 655, Naniwa remained a vital connection, by land and sea, between
Yamato
(modern day
Nara Prefecture
),
Korea
, and
China
.
[
11
]
[
20
]
Naniwa was declared the capital again in 744 by order of
Emperor Shōmu
, and remained so until 745, when the Imperial Court moved back to
Heijō-kyō
(now
Nara
). By the end of the Nara period, Naniwa's seaport roles had been gradually taken over by neighboring areas, but it remained a lively center of river, channel, and land transportation between
Heian-kyō
(Kyoto today) and other destinations.
Sumiyoshi Taisha
Grand Shrine was founded by Tamomi no Sukune in 211 CE.
[
21
]
Shitennō-ji
was first built in 593 CE and is the oldest
Buddhist
temple in Japan.
[
22
]
Gallery
Remains of Naniwa-no-Miya Palace (2017)
Heian to Edo period
[
edit
]
In 1496,
Jōdo Shinshū
Buddhists
established their headquarters in the heavily fortified
Ishiyama Hongan-ji
, located directly on the site of the old Naniwa Imperial Palace.
Oda Nobunaga
began a decade-long siege campaign on the temple in 1570 which ultimately resulted in the surrender of the monks and subsequent razing of the temple.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
constructed
Osaka Castle
in its place in 1583.
[
23
]
Osaka Castle played a pivotal role in the
Siege of Osaka
(1614–1615).
Osaka was long considered Japan's primary economic center,
[
24
]
with a large percentage of the population belonging to the merchant class (see
Four divisions of society
). Over the course of the
Edo period
(1603–1867), Osaka grew into one of Japan's major cities and returned to its ancient role as a lively and important port.
Daimyōs
(feudal lords) received most of their income in the form of rice.
Merchants
in Osaka thus began to organize
storehouses
where they would store a
daimyō
'
s rice in exchange for a fee, trading it for either coin or a form of receipt; essentially a precursor to
paper money
. Many if not all of these
rice brokers
also made loans, and would actually become quite wealthy and powerful. Osaka merchants coalesced their shops around
Dōjima
, where the
Rice Exchange
was established in 1697 and where the world's first
futures
market would come to exist to sell rice that was not yet harvested.
[
25
]
The popular culture of Osaka
[
26
]
was closely related to
ukiyo-e
depictions of life in
Edo
. By 1780, Osaka had cultivated a vibrant arts culture, as typified by its famous
Kabuki
and
Bunraku
theaters.
[
27
]
In 1837,
Ōshio Heihachirō
, a low-ranking
samurai
, led a peasant insurrection in response to the city's unwillingness to support the many poor and suffering families in the area. Approximately one-quarter of the city was razed before shogunal officials put down the rebellion, after which Ōshio killed himself.
[
28
]
Osaka was opened to foreign trade by the government of the
Bakufu
at the same time as
Hyogo Town
(modern
Kobe
) on January 1, 1868, just before the advent of the
Boshin War
and the
Meiji Restoration
.
[
29
]
The
Kawaguchi foreign settlement
, now the Kawaguchi subdistrict, is a legacy of the foreign presence in Osaka.
Osaka residents were stereotyped in Edo literature from at least the 18th century.
Jippensha Ikku
in 1802 depicted Osakans as stingy almost beyond belief. In 1809, the derogatory term "Kamigata zeeroku" was used by Edo residents to characterize inhabitants of the Osaka region in terms of calculation, shrewdness, lack of civic spirit, and the vulgarity of Osaka dialect. Edo writers aspired to samurai culture, and saw themselves as poor but generous, chaste, and public spirited. Edo writers by contrast saw "zeeroku" as obsequious apprentices, stingy, greedy, gluttonous, and lewd. To some degree, Osaka residents are still stigmatized by Tokyo observers in the same way today, especially in terms of gluttony, evidenced in the phrase, "Residents of Osaka devour their food until they collapse"
(
大阪は食倒れ
,
"Ōsaka wa kuidaore"
)
.
[
30
]
Gallery
Osaka Castle
, first built in 1583
The Sumiyoshi-matsuri in the 16th century
Japanese painting of the
Siege of Osaka
, 1615
A 1686 map of Osaka
Dōjima Rice Exchange ukiyo-e by Yoshimitsu Sasaki
Meiji to Heisei period
[
edit
]
With the enormous changes that characterized the country after the
Meiji Restoration
(1868), and the relocation of the capital from
Kyoto
to Tokyo, Osaka entered a period of decline. From being the capital of the economy and finance, it became a predominantly industrial center.
[
31
]
The modern municipality was established
[
31
]
in 1889 by
government ordinance
, with an initial area of 15 square kilometres (6 sq mi), overlapping today's
Chuo
and
Nishi
wards. Later, the city went through three major expansions to reach its current size of 223 square kilometres (86 sq mi). Osaka was the industrial center most clearly defined in the development of capitalism in Japan. It became known as the "
Manchester
and
Melbourne
of the Orient".
[
31
]
In 1925, it was the largest and most populous city in Japan and the sixth largest in the world.
[
31
]
The rapid industrialization attracted many Asian immigrants (Indians, Chinese, and Koreans), who set up a life apart for themselves.
[
32
]
The political system was pluralistic, with a strong emphasis on promoting industrialization and modernization.
[
33
]
Literacy was high and the educational system expanded rapidly, producing a middle class with a taste for literature and a willingness to support the arts.
[
34
]
In 1927,
General Motors
operated a factory called
Osaka Assembly
until 1941, manufacturing
Chevrolet
,
Cadillac
,
Pontiac
,
Oldsmobile
, and
Buick
vehicles, operated and staffed by Japanese workers and managers.
[
35
]
In the nearby city of
Ikeda
in Osaka Prefecture is the headquarters of
Daihatsu
, one of Japan's oldest automobile manufacturers.
Like its European and American counterparts, Osaka displayed slums, unemployment, and poverty. In Japan it was here that municipal government first introduced a comprehensive system of poverty relief, copied in part from British models. Osaka policymakers stressed the importance of family formation and mutual assistance as the best way to combat poverty. This minimized the cost of welfare programs.
[
36
]
During
World War II
,
Osaka came under air raids
in 1945 by the
United States Army Air Forces
as part of the
air raids on Japan
. On March 13, 1945, a total of 329
Boeing B-29 Superfortress
heavy bombers
took part in the raid against Osaka. According to an American
prisoner of war
who was held in the city, the air raid took almost the entire night and destroyed 25 square miles (65 km
2
) of the city. The U.S. bombed the city again twice in June 1945 and again on August 14, a day before
Japan's surrender
.
[
37
]
In the decades following World War II, Osaka's reconstruction efforts and the industriousness of its residents brought the city even greater prosperity than before the war. Its population surpassed three million in the 1960s, initiating large-scale suburbanization within the prefecture, and eventually doubled to six million by the 1990s. With factories rebuilt and trade revived, Osaka rapidly developed into a major multicultural and financial center from
the 1950s through the 1980s
. Osaka Prefecture was chosen as the venue for the prestigious
Expo '70
, the first
world's fair
ever held in an Asian country. Since then, numerous international events have been held in Osaka, including the 1995
APEC Summit
.
The modern municipality, which when it was established in 1889 occupied an area of just 15 km
2
including the districts of Chūō and Nishi, following three successive expansions has reached an area of 222 km
2
. It was one of the first cities in Japan to obtain
designated city
status in 1956.
[
38
]
21st century to present
[
edit
]
The plan to reorganize Osaka and its province into a
metropolis
like Tokyo was met with stiff opposition in some municipalities, particularly the highly populated
Sakai
.
Tōru Hashimoto
then fell back on a project that included the suppression of the 24 wards of Osaka, thus dividing the city into 5 new special districts with a status similar to that of the 23
Special wards of Tokyo
. It was introduced by former mayor
Tōru Hashimoto
, leader of the reform party
Osaka Restoration Association
which he founded. The May 2015 referendum for the approval of this project saw the narrow victory of no, and consequently Hashimoto announced his withdrawal from politics.
[
39
]
A second referendum for a merger into 4 semi-autonomous wards was narrowly voted down by 692,996 (50.6%).
[
40
]
According to the
Forbes
list of
The World's Most Expensive Places To Live 2009
, Osaka was the second most expensive in the world after Tokyo.
[
41
]
By 2020 it slipped to the 5th rank of most expensive cities.
[
42
]
In March 2014, the 300-metre tall
Abeno Harukas
opened, which became the tallest building in Japan (surpassing the
Yokohama Landmark Tower
in
Yokohama
), until it was in turn surpassed by the 330-metre tall
Azabudai Hills Main Tower
in Tokyo following its completion in 2022.
[
43
]
Expo 2025
was held at
Yumeshima
Island,
Konohana-ku
from April to October 2025. Osaka is the third city to host the
World Expo
twice, previously hosting
Expo '70
. It is also the fourth
World's Fair
held in Japan following
Expo '90
and
Expo 2005
in
Aichi Prefecture
. With Expo 2025, the event returned to its traditional 5-year scheduling cycle after the
Expo 2020
in
Dubai
was delayed to 2021 due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
.
[
44
]
The projected visitor count is approximately 28 million.
[
45
]
On same site where Expo 2025 was held,
MGM Resorts
began construction on
MGM Osaka
in April 2025. MGM Osaka will be the first
integrated resort
in Japan. It will include 2,300 hotel rooms, a casino, shopping and dining options, convention space and a 3,500-seat theatre.
[
46
]
[
47
]
Gallery
Skyscrapers in the
Umeda
district
The Sennichimae area in 1916
Osaka after the
bombing in 1945
Abeno Harukas
, the second-tallest building in Japan
A satellite image of Osaka
Osaka's west side is open to
Osaka Bay
, and is otherwise completely surrounded by more than ten satellite cities, all of them in
Osaka Prefecture
, with one exception: the city of
Amagasaki
, belonging to
Hyōgo Prefecture
, in the northwest. The city occupies a larger area (about 13%) than any other city or village within Osaka Prefecture.
[
48
]
When Osaka was established in 1889, it occupied roughly the area known today as the Chuo and Nishi wards, 15.27 square kilometres (6 mi
2
) that grew into today's 222.30 square kilometres (86 mi
2
) via incremental expansions. The largest was a single 126.01-square-kilometre (49 mi
2
) expansion in 1925. Osaka's highest point, located in
Tsurumi-ku
, is 37.5 metres (123.0 ft) above
Tokyo Peil
. The lowest point, in
Nishiyodogawa-ku
, is −2.2 metres (−7.2 ft) below Tokyo Peil. Osaka is situated at a
latitude
of 34.67°, near the
35th parallel north
, a latitude farther south than
Rome
(41.90°),
Madrid
(40.41°), San Francisco (37.77°) and
Seoul
(37.53°).
[
49
]
Osaka is located in the
humid subtropical climate
zone (
Köppen
Cfa
), with four distinct seasons. Its winters are generally mild. January is the coldest month, with an average high of 9.7 °C (49 °F). Osaka rarely sees snowfall during the winter. Spring in Osaka starts off mild, but ends up being hot and humid. Spring tends to be Osaka's wettest season, with the
tsuyu
(
梅雨
,
tsuyu
; "plum rain")
—the rainy season—occurring between early June and late July. The average starting and ending dates of the rainy season are June 7 and July 21 respectively.
[
50
]
Summers are very hot and humid. In August, the hottest month, the average daily high temperature reaches 33.7 °C (93 °F). Average nighttime low temperatures typically hover around 25.8 °C (78 °F). Fall in Osaka sees a cooling trend, with the early part of the season resembling summer, while the latter part of fall resembles winter.
Precipitation is abundant. Winter is the driest season. Monthly rainfall peaks in June with the "tsuyu" rainy season, which typically ends in mid to late July. From late July to the end of August, summer's heat and humidity peak, and rainfall decreases somewhat. Osaka has a second rainy period in September and early October, when tropical weather systems, including typhoons, coming from the south or southwest are possible.
Climate data for Osaka (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1883–present)
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
Record high °C (°F)
19.1
(66.4)
23.7
(74.7)
26.1
(79.0)
30.7
(87.3)
32.7
(90.9)
36.1
(97.0)
38.4
(101.1)
39.1
(102.4)
36.4
(97.5)
33.1
(91.6)
27.9
(82.2)
24.5
(76.1)
39.1
(102.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)
9.7
(49.5)
10.5
(50.9)
14.2
(57.6)
19.9
(67.8)
24.9
(76.8)
28.0
(82.4)
31.8
(89.2)
33.7
(92.7)
29.5
(85.1)
23.7
(74.7)
17.8
(64.0)
12.3
(54.1)
21.3
(70.3)
Daily mean °C (°F)
6.2
(43.2)
6.6
(43.9)
9.9
(49.8)
15.2
(59.4)
20.1
(68.2)
23.6
(74.5)
27.7
(81.9)
29.0
(84.2)
25.2
(77.4)
19.5
(67.1)
13.8
(56.8)
8.7
(47.7)
17.1
(62.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)
3.0
(37.4)
3.2
(37.8)
6.0
(42.8)
10.9
(51.6)
16.0
(60.8)
20.3
(68.5)
24.6
(76.3)
25.8
(78.4)
21.9
(71.4)
16.0
(60.8)
10.2
(50.4)
5.3
(41.5)
13.6
(56.5)
Record low °C (°F)
−7.5
(18.5)
−6.5
(20.3)
−5.2
(22.6)
−2.6
(27.3)
3.5
(38.3)
8.9
(48.0)
14.8
(58.6)
13.6
(56.5)
10.4
(50.7)
3.0
(37.4)
−2.2
(28.0)
−4.5
(23.9)
−7.5
(18.5)
Average
precipitation
mm (inches)
47.0
(1.85)
60.5
(2.38)
103.1
(4.06)
101.9
(4.01)
136.5
(5.37)
185.1
(7.29)
174.4
(6.87)
113.0
(4.45)
152.8
(6.02)
136.0
(5.35)
72.5
(2.85)
55.5
(2.19)
1,338.3
(52.69)
Average snowfall cm (inches)
0
(0)
1
(0.4)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
0
(0)
1
(0.4)
Average precipitation days
(≥ 0.5 mm)
6.4
7.3
10.3
10.0
10.4
12.3
11.3
7.8
10.6
9.2
7.0
7.1
109.7
Average
relative humidity
(%)
61
60
59
58
61
68
70
66
67
65
64
62
63
Mean monthly
sunshine hours
146.5
140.6
172.2
192.6
203.7
154.3
184.0
222.4
161.6
166.1
152.6
152.1
2,048.6
Average
ultraviolet index
3
4
6
8
9
10
11
10
8
6
3
2
7
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency
[
51
]
and Weather Atlas
[
52
]
Osaka's sprawling cityscape has been described as "only surpassed by Tokyo as a showcase of the Japanese urban phenomenon".
[
53
]
Central Osaka looking north from the Abeno Harukas observation deck (2014)
Osaka skyline towards Umeda (2014)
Central Osaka is roughly divided into downtown and uptown areas known as
Kita
(
キタ
; "north")
and
Minami
(
ミナミ
; "south")
.
[
54
]
[
55
]
Kita is home to the
Umeda
district and its immediate surrounding neighborhoods, a major business and retail hub that plays host to
Osaka Station City
and a large subterranean network of shopping arcades.
[
54
]
Kita and nearby
Nakanoshima
contain a prominent portion of the city's skyscrapers and are often featured in photographs of Osaka's skyline.
Minami, though meaning "south", is essentially in Chūō Ward
(
中央区
,
Chūō-ku
)
and geographically central within the city.
[
55
]
Well known districts here include
Namba
and
Shinsaibashi
shopping areas, the
Dōtonbori
canal entertainment area,
Nipponbashi
Den Den Town, as well as arts and fashion culture-oriented areas such as
Amerikamura
and Horie. The 300-meter tall
Abeno Harukas
was the tallest skyscraper in the country from 2014 until 2023.
[
43
]
The business districts between Kita and Minami such as
Honmachi
[
ja
]
and
Yodoyabashi
[
ja
]
, called
Semba
(
船場
)
, house the regional headquarters of many large-scale banks and corporations. The
Midōsuji
boulevard runs through Semba and connects Kita and Minami.
Further south of Minami are neighborhoods such as
Shinsekai
(with its
Tsūtenkaku
tower),
Tennoji
and
Abeno
(with
Tennoji Zoo
,
Shitennō-ji
and
Abeno Harukas
), and the
Kamagasaki
slums, the largest slum in Japan.
[
56
]
The city's west side is a prominent
bay area
[
57
]
which serves as its main port as well as a tourist destination with attractions such as
Kyocera Dome
,
Universal Studios Japan
and the
Tempozan Harbor Village
.
Higashiosaka
is zoned as a separate city, although the east side of Osaka city proper contains numerous residential neighborhoods including
Tsuruhashi
KoreaTown, as well as the
Osaka Castle Park
,
Osaka Business Park
and the hub
Kyōbashi Station
.
Osaka contains numerous urban canals and bridges, many of which serve as the namesake for their surrounding neighborhoods.
[
58
]
The phrase "808 bridges of Naniwa" was an expression in old Japan used to indicate impressiveness and the "uncountable". Osaka numbered roughly 200 bridges by the Edo period
[
59
]
and 1,629 bridges by 1925. As many of the city's canals were gradually filled in, the number dropped to 872, of which 760 are currently managed by Osaka City.
[
58
]
Gallery
Nakanoshima
, a boundary of Kita (right) and Semba (left)
Umeda
district (2019)
There are currently 24
wards
in Osaka:
Name
Kanji
Population
[
60
]
Land area in km
2
Pop. density
per km
2
Map of Osaka
1
Abeno-ku
阿倍野区
113,200
5.99
18,890
A map of Osaka's Wards
2
Asahi-ku
旭区
91,284
6.32
14,446
3
Chūō-ku
中央区
119,445
8.87
13,466
4
Fukushima-ku
福島区
82,384
4.67
17,633
5
Higashinari-ku
東成区
88,250
4.54
19,441
6
Higashisumiyoshi-ku
東住吉区
134,834
9.75
13,831
7
Higashiyodogawa-ku
東淀川区
177,809
13.27
13,339
8
Hirano-ku
平野区
187,248
15.28
12,250
9
Ikuno-ku
生野区
127,792
8.37
15,263
10
Jōtō-ku
城東区
171,005
8.38
20,399
11
Kita-ku
(administrative center)
北区
143,809
10.34
13,908
12
Konohana-ku
此花区
64,037
19.25
3,327
13
Minato-ku
港区
80,647
7.86
10,259
14
Miyakojima-ku
都島区
107,774
6.08
17,723
15
Naniwa-ku
浪速区
80,070
4.39
18,246
16
Nishi-ku
西区
112,706
5.21
21,636
17
Nishinari-ku
西成区
105,351
7.37
14,293
18
Nishiyodogawa-ku
西淀川区
98,641
14.22
6,937
19
Suminoe-ku
住之江区
117,417
20.61
5,699
20
Sumiyoshi-ku
住吉区
152,986
9.40
16,279
21
Taishō-ku
大正区
61,891
9.43
6,563
22
Tennōji-ku
天王寺区
85,711
4.84
17,709
23
Tsurumi-ku
鶴見区
111,570
8.17
13,652
24
Yodogawa-ku
淀川区
187,245
12.64
14,812
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1870
271,992
—
1880
292,636
+7.6%
1890
483,609
+65.3%
1900
881,344
+82.2%
1910
1,239,373
+40.6%
1920
1,798,295
+45.1%
1925
2,135,248
+18.7%
1930
2,477,959
+16.1%
1935
3,022,425
+22.0%
1940
3,300,714
+9.2%
1945
1,614,632
−51.1%
1950
2,015,350
+24.8%
1955
2,547,316
+26.4%
1960
3,011,563
+18.2%
1965
3,156,222
+4.8%
1970
2,980,487
−5.6%
1975
2,778,987
−6.8%
1980
2,648,180
−4.7%
1985
2,636,249
−0.5%
1990
2,623,801
−0.5%
1995
2,602,421
−0.8%
2000
2,598,774
−0.1%
2005
2,628,811
+1.2%
2010
2,666,371
+1.4%
2015
2,691,185
+0.9%
2020
2,752,024
+2.3%
Population numbers have been recorded in Osaka since as early as 1873, in the early
Meiji era
.
[
61
]
According to the census in 2005, there were 2,628,811 residents in Osaka, an increase of 30,037 or 1.2% from 2000.
[
62
]
There were 1,280,325 households with approximately 2.1 persons per household. The population density was 11,836 persons per km
2
. The
Great Kantō earthquake
caused a mass migration to Osaka between 1920 and 1930, and the city became Japan's largest city in 1930 with 2,453,573 people, outnumbering even Tokyo, which had a population of 2,070,913. The population peaked at 3,252,340 in 1940, and had a post-war peak of 3,156,222 in 1965, but has declined since, as the residents moved out to the suburbs.
[
63
]
There were 144,123 registered foreigners, the two largest groups being Korean (60,110) and Chinese (39,551).
[
64
]
Ikuno
, with its Tsuruhashi district, is the home to one of the largest population of Korean residents in Japan, with 20,397 registered
Zainichi Koreans
.
[
65
]
[
66
]
[
67
]
The commonly spoken dialect of this area is
Osaka-ben
, a typical sub-dialect of
Kansai-ben
. Of the many other particularities that characterize Osaka-ben, examples include using the copula
ya
instead of
da
, and the suffix
-hen
instead of
-nai
in negative verb forms.
Local administration
The Mayor and the Council
Osaka City Hall
Mayor:
Ichiro Matsui
Vice Mayors:
Toru Takahashi,
Shin Asakawa,
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto
City Council
President:
Toshifumi Tagaya
(LDP)
Members:
83 councilors (7 vacant)
Factions:
Osaka Restoration Association
(36),
Liberal Democratic Party
and Citizen's Club (20),
Komei Party
(19),
Japanese Communist Party
(9),
Go OSAKA (1)
Osaka Abe (1)
Seats by districts:
Ward (no. of seats)
Abeno-ku
(4),
Asahi-ku
(4),
Chūō-ku
(2),
Fukushima-ku
(2),
Higashinari-ku
(3),
Higashisumiyoshi-ku
(5),
Higashiyodogawa-ku
(6),
Hirano-ku
(6),
Ikuno-ku
(5),
Jōtō-ku
(5),
Kita-ku
(3),
Konohana-ku
(3),
Minato-ku
(3),
Miyakojima-ku
(3),
Naniwa-ku
(2),
Nishi-ku
(2),
Nishinari-ku
(5),
Nishiyodogawa-ku
(3),
Suminoe-ku
(4),
Sumiyoshi-ku
(6),
Taishō-ku
(3),
Tennōji-ku
(2),
Tsurumi-ku
(3),
Yodogawa-ku
(5)
Website
Osaka City Council
Note: As of October 27, 2017
The
Osaka City Council
is the city's local government formed under the
Local Autonomy Law
. The council has eighty-nine seats, allocated to the twenty-four wards proportional to their population and re-elected by the citizens every four years. The council elects its president and Vice President. Toshifumi Tagaya (
LDP
) is the current and 104th president since May 2008.
The mayor of Osaka is directly elected by the citizens every four years, in accordance with the Local Autonomy Law.
Hideyuki Yokoyama
is the current mayor of Osaka having won the mayoral election in
2023
and
2026
. The mayor is supported by two vice mayors.
[
68
]
Osaka also houses several agencies of the Japanese government. Below is a list of governmental offices housed in Osaka.
Japan Coast Guard
, Fifth Regional Headquarters
Japan Fair Trade Commission; Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku Office
Kinki Regional Finance Bureau
Kinki Regional Economy, Trade and Industry Bureau
Kinki Regional Transportation Bureau
Kinki Communications Bureau
Kinki Regional Development Bureau
Kinki Regional Police Bureau
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Osaka Office
Osaka Customs
Osaka District Court
Osaka Family Court
Osaka High Court
Osaka Immigration
Osaka Labour Bureau
Osaka Meteorological Observatory
Osaka Public Prosecutors Office
Osaka Regional Aerospace Bureau
Osaka Regional Law Bureau
Osaka Regional Taxation Bureau
Osaka Summary Court
In July 2012, a joint multi-party bill was submitted to the Diet that would allow for implementation of the
Osaka Metropolis plan
as pursued by the mayor of Osaka city, the governor of Osaka and
their party
. If implemented, Osaka City, neighboring
Sakai
City and possibly other surrounding municipalities would dissolve and be reorganized as four
special wards
of Osaka prefecture – similar to former
Tokyo City
's successor wards within Tokyo prefecture. Special wards are municipal-level administrative units that leave some otherwise municipal administrative responsibilities and
revenues
to the prefectural administration.
[
69
]
In October 2018, the city of Osaka officially ended
[
70
]
its sister city relationship with San Francisco in the United States after the latter permitted a monument memorializing "comfort women" to remain on a city-owned property, circulating in the process a 10-page, 3,800-word letter in English addressed to San Francisco mayor
London Breed
.
[
71
]
In November 2020, a second referendum to merge Osaka's 24 wards into 4 semi-autonomous wards was narrowly voted down. There were 692,996 (50.6%) votes against and 675,829 (49.4%) votes supported it.
[
40
]
Osaka mayor and Osaka Ishin co-leader
Ichiro Matsui
said he would resign when his term ended in 2023.
[
40
]
In February 2012, three Kansai cities,
Kyoto
, Osaka, and
Kobe
, jointly asked
Kansai Electric Power Company
to break its dependence on nuclear power. In a letter to KEPCO they also requested to disclose information on the demand and supply of electricity, and for lower and stable prices. The three cities were stockholders of the plant: Osaka owned 9% of the shares, Kobe had 3% and Kyoto 0.45%. In June 2012, Toru Hashimoto, the mayor of Osaka, announced a proposal to minimize the dependence on nuclear power for the shareholders meeting.
[
72
]
In March 2012, the city of Osaka decided that as the largest shareholder of Kansai Electric Power Co, that at the next shareholders-meeting in June 2012 it would demand a series of changes:
that Kansai Electric would be split into two companies, separating power generation from power transmission.
a reduction of the number of the utility's executives and employees.
the implementation of absolutely secure measurements to ensuring the safety of the nuclear facilities.
the disposing of spent fuel.
the installation of new kind of thermal power generation to secure non-nuclear supply of energy.
selling all unnecessary assets including the stock holdings of KEPCO.
In this action, Osaka secured the support of two other cities and shareholders:
Kyoto
and
Kobe
. With their combined voting-rights of 12.5 percent, they were not certain of the ultimate outcome. Two-thirds of the shareholders would be needed to agree to revise the corporate charter.
[
73
]
At a meeting held on April 10, 2012, by the "energy strategy council", formed by the city of Osaka and the governments of the prefectures, it became clear that at the end of the fiscal year 2011 some 69 employees of Kansai Electric Power Company were former public servants. "
Amakudari
" is the Japanese name for this practice of rewarding, by hiring officials that formerly controlled and supervised the firm. Such people included the following:
13 ex-officials of the: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
3 ex-officials of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry,
2 ex-officials of the Ministry of the Environment,
16 former policemen,
10 former fire-fighters,
13 former civil engineers.
Besides this, it became known that Kansai Electric had made about 600 external financial donations, to a total sum of about 1.695 billion yen:
70 donations were paid to local governments: to a total of 699 million yen
100 donations to public-service organizations: 443 million yen,
430 donations to various organizations and foundations: a total of 553 million yen
During this meeting ,some 8 conditions were compiled, that needed to be fulfilled before a restart of the No.3 and No.4 reactors Oi Nuclear Power Plant:
the consent of the local people and government within 100 kilometer from the plant
the installation of a new independent regulatory agency
a nuclear safety agreement
the establishment of new nuclear safety standards
stress tests and evaluations based on these new safety rules
[
74
]
A street in Umeda, Osaka
The gross city product of Osaka in fiscal year 2004 was ¥21.3 trillion, an increase of 1.2% over the previous year. The figure accounts for about 55% of the total output in the Osaka Prefecture and 26.5% in the Kinki region. In 2004, commerce, services, and manufacturing have been the three major industries, accounting for 30%, 26%, and 11% of the total, respectively. The per capita income in the city was about ¥3.3 million, 10% higher than that of the Osaka Prefecture.
[
75
]
MasterCard
Worldwide reported that Osaka ranks 19th among the world's leading cities and plays an important role in the global economy.
[
76
]
Osaka's GDP per capita (Nominal) was $59,958.($1=\120.13)
[
77
]
[
78
]
However, by 2020, Osaka ranked as the 5th most expensive city due to flatlining consumer prices and government subsidies of public transportation.
[
42
]
Osaka Exchange
in the Kitahama district of Osaka
Historically, Osaka was the center of commerce in Japan, especially in the middle and pre-modern ages.
Nomura Securities
, the first brokerage firm in Japan, was founded in the city in 1925, and Osaka still houses a leading futures exchange. Many major companies have since moved their main offices to Tokyo. However, several major companies, such as
Panasonic
,
Sharp
, and
Sanyo
, are still headquartered in Osaka. In the 2017
Global Financial Centres Index
, Osaka was ranked as having the 15th most competitive financial center in the world and fifth most competitive in Asia (after
Singapore
,
Hong Kong
,
Tokyo
, and
Shanghai
).
[
79
]
The
Osaka Securities Exchange
, specializing in derivatives such as
Nikkei 225
futures, is based in Osaka. The merger with
JASDAQ
will help the Osaka Securities Exchange become the largest exchange in Japan for start-up companies.
[
80
]
According to global consulting firm Mercer, Osaka was the second
most expensive city for expatriate employees
in the world in 2009. It jumped up nine places from 11th place in 2008 and was the eighth most expensive city in 2007. However, it was not ranked in the top ten places of the list in 2013.
[
81
]
[
82
]
The
Economist Intelligence Unit
(EIU) ranked Osaka as the second most expensive city in the world in its 2013 Cost of Living study.
[
83
]
Osaka is part of the
metropolitan region
called
Keihanshin
(also known as Greater Osaka) in the
Kansai region
. The Keihanshin region includes the prefectures of
Osaka
,
Kyoto
,
Hyōgo
(
Kobe
),
Nara
,
Shiga
,
Wakayama
, and
Sakai
.
[
6
]
The Keihanshin region has a population (as of 2015
) of 19,303,000 (15% of Japan's population) which covers 13,228 km
2
(5,107 sq mi).
[
3
]
It is ranked the second most
urban region in Japan
after the
Greater Tokyo area
and 10th
largest urban area in the world
.
[
3
]
Keihanshin has a GDP of approximately $953.9 billion in 2012 (16th largest in the world).
[
84
]
Osaka-Kobe has a GDP of $681 billion (2015), which is a bit more than Paris or
Greater London
.
[
85
]
Greater Osaka (without Kyoto)
Metropolitan Employment Area
Keihanshin with
Osaka
(red),
Kobe
(green), and
Kyoto
(blue)
Greater Osaka has an extensive network of railway lines, comparable to that of Greater Tokyo. Major stations within the city include
Umeda
(
梅田
)
,
Namba
(
難波
)
,
Shinsaibashi
(
心斎橋
)
,
Tennōji
(
天王寺
)
,
Kyōbashi
(
京橋
)
, and
Yodoyabashi
(
淀屋橋
)
.
Osaka connects to its surrounding cities and suburbs via the
JR West
Urban Network
as well as numerous private lines such as
Keihan Electric Railway
,
Hankyu Railway
,
Hanshin Electric Railway
,
Kintetsu Railway
, and
Nankai Electric Railway
.
The
Osaka Metro
system alone ranks 8th in the world by annual passenger ridership, serving over 912 million people annually (a quarter of Greater Osaka Rail System's 4 billion annual riders), despite being only 8 of more than 70 lines in the metro area.
All
Shinkansen
trains including
Nozomi
stop at
Shin-Osaka Station
and provide access to other major cities in Japan, such as Kobe, Kyoto, Nagoya, Yokohama, and Tokyo.
Regular bus services are provided by
Osaka City Bus
, as well Hankyu, Hanshin and Kintetsu, providing a dense network covering most parts of the city.
Osaka is served by two airports situated just outside the city,
Kansai International Airport
(
IATA
:
KIX
) which handles primarily international passenger flights and international cargo flights and the nearby
Osaka Itami Airport
(
IATA
:
ITM
) which handles mostly domestic services.
Due to its geographical position, Osaka's international ferry connections are far greater than that of Tokyo, with international service to Shanghai,
Tianjin
, and
Busan
along with domestic routes to
Kitakyushu
,
Kagoshima
,
Miyazaki
and
Okinawa
.
Culture and lifestyle
[
edit
]
A chef prepares for the evening rush in Umeda.
Takoyaki
(たこ焼き)
The
Glico Man
among numerous signboards at
Dōtonbori
Grand Front Osaka
Chayamachi district in Kita-ku
Dōtonbori street scene
The
National Museum of Art
, a subterranean museum of Japanese and international art
The
Osaka Dome
, home to the Orix Buffaloes and Hanshin Tigers
Amerikamura
in Chuo-ku
Nipponbashi
in Naniwa-ku
NHK Osaka
Osaka has a large number of wholesalers and retail shops: 25,228 and 34,707 respectively in 2004.
[
86
]
Many of them are concentrated in the wards of Chuō (10,468 shops) and Kita (6,335 shops). Types of shops vary from malls to conventional
shōtengai
shopping arcades, built both above- and underground.
[
87
]
Shōtengai are seen across Japan, and Osaka has the longest one in the country.
[
88
]
The Tenjinbashi-suji arcade stretches from the road approaching the
Tenmangū shrine
and continues for 2.6 km (1.6 miles) going north to south. The stores along the arcade include commodities, clothing, and catering outlets.
Other shopping areas include
Den Den Town
, the electronic and manga/anime district, which is comparable to Akihabara in Tokyo, the
Umeda
district, which has the Hankyu Sanbangai shopping mall and
Yodobashi Camera
, a huge electrical appliance store that offers a vast range of fashion stores, restaurants, and a Shonen Jump store. Osaka is known for its food, in Japan and abroad. Author
Michael Booth
and food critic
François Simon
of
Le Figaro
have suggested that Osaka is the food capital of the world.
[
89
]
Osakans' love for the culinary is made apparent in the old saying "Kyotoites are financially ruined by overspending on clothing, Osakans are ruined by spending on food."
[
90
]
Regional cuisine includes
okonomiyaki
(
お好み焼き
; pan-fried batter cake)
,
takoyaki
(
たこ焼き
;
octopus
in fried batter)
,
udon
(
うどん
; a noodle dish)
, as well as the traditional
oshizushi
(
押し寿司
; pressed sushi)
, particularly
battera
(
バッテラ
; pressed mackerel sushi)
.
Osaka is known for its fine sake, which is made with fresh water from the prefecture's mountains.
[
91
]
Osaka's culinary prevalence is the result of regional access to high-quality ingredients, a high population of merchants, and proximity to the ocean and waterway trade.
[
92
]
In recent years, Osaka has started to garner more attention from foreigners with the increased popularity of cooking and dining in popular culture.
[
93
]
Other shopping districts include:
American Village (Amerika-mura or "Ame-mura")
– fashion for young people
Dōtonbori
– part of Namba district and considered heart of the city
Namba
– main shopping, sightseeing, and restaurant area
Shinsaibashi
– luxury goods and department stores
Osaka market
Umeda
– theaters, boutiques, and department stores near the train station
Entertainment and performing arts
[
edit
]
Osaka is home to the
National Bunraku Theater
,
[
94
]
where traditional puppet plays,
bunraku
, are performed.
At Osaka Shochiku-za, close to Namba station,
kabuki
can be enjoyed as well as
manzai
.
At Shin Kabuki-za, formerly near Namba and now near
Uehommachi
area,
enka
concerts and Japanese dramas are performed.
Yoshimoto Kogyo
, a Japanese entertainment conglomerate operates a hall in the city for manzai and other comedy shows: the Namba Grand Kagetsu hall.
The Hanjō-tei opened in 2006, dedicated to
rakugo
. The theater is in the
Ōsaka Tenman-gū
area.
Umeda Arts Theater
opened in 2005 after relocating from its former 46-year-old Umeda Koma Theater. The theater has a main hall with 1,905 seats and a smaller theater-drama hall with 898 seats. Umeda Arts Theater stages various type of performances including musicals, music concerts, dramas, rakugo, and others.
The Symphony Hall, built in 1982, is the first hall in Japan designed specially for classical music concerts. The Hall was opened with a concert by the
Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra
, which is based in the city. Orchestras such as the
Berlin Philharmonic
and
Vienna Philharmonic
have played here during their world tours as well.
Osaka-jō Hall
is a multi-purpose arena in
Osaka-jō park
with a capacity for up to 16,000 people. The hall has hosted numerous events and concerts including both Japanese and international artists.
Nearby City Hall in
Nakanoshima Park
, is Osaka Central Public Hall, a
Neo-Renaissance
-style building first opened in 1918. Re-opened in 2002 after major renovation, it serves as a multi-purpose rental facility for citizen events.
The
Osaka Shiki Theater
[
95
]
is one of the nine private halls operated nationwide by the
Shiki Theater
, staging straight plays and musicals.
Festival Hall
was a hall hosting various performances including
noh
,
kyōgen
, kabuki, ballets as well as classic concerts. The Bolshoi Ballet and the
Philharmonia
are among the many that were welcomed on stage in the past. The hall has closed at the end of 2008, planned to re-open in 2013 in a new facility.
Tenjin Matsuri
One of the most famous festivals held in Osaka, the
Tenjin Matsuri
, is held on July 24 and 25 (
Osaka Tenmangū
). Other festivals in Osaka include the Aizen Matsuri (June 30 – July 2, Shōman-in Temple), the Sumiyoshi Matsuri (July 30 – August 1,
Sumiyoshi Taisha
), Shōryō-e (April 22,
Shitennō-ji
) and Tōka-Ebisu (January 9–10, Imamiya Ebisu Jinja). The annual
Osaka Asian Film Festival
takes place in Osaka every March while the Midosuji Parade takes place in October.
[
96
]
Museums and galleries
[
edit
]
The
National Museum of Art
(NMAO) is a subterranean Japanese and international art museum, housing mainly collections from the post-war era and regularly welcoming temporary exhibitions.
Osaka Science Museum
is in a five storied building next to the National Museum of Art, with a planetarium and an
OMNIMAX
theater. The
Museum of Oriental Ceramics
holds more than 2,000 pieces of ceramics, from China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam, featuring displays of some of their Korean
celadon
under natural light.
Osaka Municipal Museum of Art
is inside
Tennōji Park
, housing over 8,000 pieces of Japanese and Chinese paintings and sculptures. The
Osaka Museum of History
, opened in 2001, is located in a 13-story modern building providing a view of
Osaka Castle
. Its exhibits cover the history of Osaka from pre-history to the present day. Osaka Museum of Natural History houses a collection related to natural history and life.
Osaka hosts four professional sport teams: one of them is the
Orix Buffaloes
, a
Nippon Professional Baseball
team, playing its home games at
Kyocera Dome Osaka
. Another baseball team, the
Hanshin Tigers
, although based in
Nishinomiya, Hyōgo
, plays a part of its home games in
Kyocera Dome Osaka
as well, when their homeground
Koshien Stadium
is occupied with the annual
National High School Baseball Championship
games during summer season.
There are two
J.League
clubs,
Gamba Osaka
, plays its home games at
Suita City Football Stadium
. Another club
Cerezo Osaka
, plays its home games at
Yanmar Stadium Nagai
. The city is home to
Osaka Evessa
, a basketball team that plays in the
B.League
. Evessa has won the first three championships of the league since its establishment.
Kintetsu Liners
, a
rugby union
team, play in the
Top League
. After winning promotion in 2008–09, they will again remain in the competition for the 2009–10 season. Their base is the
Hanazono Rugby Stadium
.
The
Haru Basho
(
春場所
; "Spring Tournament")
, one of the six regular tournaments of professional
sumo
, is held annually in Osaka at
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
.
Another major annual sporting event that takes place in Osaka is
Osaka International Ladies Marathon
. Held usually at the end of January every year, the 42.195 km (26.219-mile) race starts from Nagai Stadium, runs through
Nakanoshima
,
Midōsuji
and
Osaka Castle
park, and returns to the stadium. Another yearly event held at Nagai Stadium is the Osaka Gran Prix Athletics games operated by the
International Association of Athletics Federations
(IAAF) in May. The Osaka GP is the only IAAF games annually held in Japan.
Osaka made the bid for the
2008 Summer Olympics
and the
2008 Summer Paralympics
but was eliminated in the first round of the vote on July 13, 2001, which awarded the game to Beijing.
Osaka was one of the host cities of the official
Women's Volleyball World Championship
for its
1998
,
2006
and
2010
editions.
Osaka is the home of the 2011 created
Japan Bandy Federation
and the introduction of
bandy
, in the form of
rink bandy
, was made in the city.
[
97
]
In July 2012 the first Japan Bandy Festival was organized.
[
98
]
Osaka serves as one of the media hubs for Japan, housing headquarters of many media-related companies. Abundant television production takes place in the city and every nationwide TV network (with the exception of TXN network) registers its secondary-key station in Osaka. All five nationwide newspaper majors also house their regional headquarters, and most local newspapers nationwide have branches in Osaka. However major film productions are uncommon in the city. Most major films are produced in nearby
Kyoto
or in Tokyo. The
Ad Council Japan
was founded in 1971 is based in Osaka, now it is the Osaka branch.
All five major national newspapers of Japan,
The Asahi Shimbun
,
Mainichi Shimbun
,
Nihon Keizai Shimbun
,
Sankei Shimbun
and
Yomiuri Shimbun
,
[
99
]
have their regional headquarters in Osaka and issue their regional editions. Furthermore, Osaka houses Osaka Nichi-nichi Shimbun, its newspaper press. Other newspaper-related companies located in Osaka include the regional headquarters of FujiSankei Business i.;Houchi Shimbunsha;
Nikkan Sports
;
Sports Nippon
, and offices of
Kyodo News
Jiji Press
;
Reuters
;
Bloomberg L.P.
The five TV networks are represented by
Asahi Broadcasting Corporation
(
ANN
),
Kansai Telecasting Corporation
(
FNN
),
Mainichi Broadcasting System
, Inc. (
JNN
),
Television Osaka
, Inc. (
TXN
) and
Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation
(
NNN
), headquartered in Osaka.
NHK
has also its regional station based in the city. AM Radio services are provided by NHK as well as the ABC Radio (Asahi Broadcasting Corporation), MBS Radio (Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc.) and Radio Osaka (
Osaka Broadcasting Corporation
) and headquartered in the city. FM services are available from NHK,
FM OSAKA
,
FM802
and
FM Cocolo
, the last providing programs in multiple languages including English.
Publishing companies
[
edit
]
Osaka is home to many publishing companies, including Examina, Izumi Shoin, Kaihou Shuppansha, Keihanshin Elmagazine, Seibundo Shuppan, Sougensha, and Toho Shuppan.
Kansai University
Osaka Metropolitan University
Public elementary and junior high schools in Osaka are operated by the city of Osaka. Its supervisory organization on educational matters is Osaka City Board of Education.
[
100
]
Likewise, public high schools are operated by the
Osaka Prefectural Board of Education
.
Osaka once had a large number of universities and high schools, but because of growing campuses and the need for larger area, many chose to move to the suburbs, including
Osaka University
.
[
101
]
Historically foreign expatriates in the Kansai region preferred to live in
Kobe
rather than Osaka. As a result, until 1991 the Osaka area had no schools catering to expatriate children.
[
102
]
Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin
, founded in 1991, is located in nearby
Minoh
,
[
103
]
and it was the first international school in the Osaka area.
[
102
]
The
Great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake
of 1995 caused a decline in demand for international schools, as there were about 2,500 U.S. nationals resident in Osaka after the earthquake while the pre-earthquake number was about 5,000.
American Chamber of Commerce in Japan
(ACCJ) Kansai chapter president Norman Solberg stated that since 2002 the numbers of expatriates in Kansai were recovering "but the fact is there is still a persistent exodus to Tokyo."
[
104
]
In 2001 the city of Osaka and
YMCA
established the
Osaka YMCA International School
.
[
102
]
Colleges and universities include:
Kansai University
Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences
Osaka Metropolitan University
Osaka University of Economics
Osaka Institute of Technology
Osaka Jogakuin College
Osaka Seikei University
Osaka University of Arts
,
Minamikawachi District, Osaka
Osaka University of Comprehensive Children education
Osaka University of Education
Soai University
Tokiwakai Gakuen University
University of Osaka
International Institute for Children's Literature, Osaka
[
105
]
Osaka Municipal Central Library
Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library
The Japanese Academy of
Family Medicine
"Important cultural property" (重要文化財) after the name of a facility indicates an important cultural property designated by the country.
Leisure facilities and high-rise buildings
[
edit
]
Universal Studios Japan
Abeno Harukas
Asia Pacific Trade Center
[
ja
]
Festivalgate
Intex Osaka
Namba Parks
OAP Tower
Osaka Business Park
Osaka Garden City
[
ja
]
Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building
Tempozan Harbor Village
[
ja
]
Tsūtenkaku
(Registered Tangible Cultural Property)
Umeda Sky Building
Universal Studios Japan
Hirano
[
ja
]
Horijo
[
ja
]
Kawaguchi foreign settlement
Ruins of Naniwanomiya Palace
[
ja
]
Osaka Castle
Tekijuku
(important cultural property)
Hakubo Memorial Park Tsurumi Ryokuchi
[
ja
]
Keitaku Garden
[
ja
]
Nagai Park
Nakanoshima Park
Ogimachi Park
[
ja
]
Osaka Castle Park
Osaka Nanko Bird Sanctuary
[
ja
]
Sakuranomiya Park
[
ja
]
Shirokita Park
[
ja
]
Suminoe Park
[
ja
]
Sumiyoshi Park
Tennoji Park
Utsubo Park
Yodogawa River Park
[
ja
]
Gallery
Yodogawa Riverside Park
Ancient architecture
[
edit
]
Sumiyoshi Taisha
main shrine (national treasure)
Modern architecture
[
edit
]
Around Umeda
Osaka Central Post Office
[
ja
]
–
Central Electric Club
[
ja
]
–
Oe Building
[
ja
]
Nakanoshima
Osaka City Central Public Hall
(Important Cultural Property) –
Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library
(Important Cultural Property) –
Bank of Japan
Osaka Branch Old Building
Around Osaka Castle
Old Mint Foundry Front Entrance
[
ja
]
(Former Youth Art Gallery) (Important Cultural Property) –
Senpukan
(Important Cultural Property) –
Osaka Castle
(registered tangible cultural property) – former
Osaka City Museum
–
Osaka Prefectural Government Office
[
ja
]
Kitasenba, Minamisenba
Kitahama Retro Building
[
ja
]
(Registered Tangible Cultural Property) –
Osaka Securities Exchange
–
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking
Osaka (Sumitomo Building) –
Arai Building
[
ja
]
(Registration Tangible Cultural Property) –
Osaka Municipal Aizuku Kindergarten
[
ja
]
(Important Cultural Property) –
Nippon Life
Insurance Head Office Building –
Osaka Club
[
ja
]
(registered tangible cultural property) –
Sumitomo Mitsui Bank Osaka Central Branch
–
Koraibashi Nomura Building
[
ja
]
–
Nippon Christian Church Naniwa Church
[
ja
]
–
Aoyama Building
[
ja
]
(Registered Tangible Cultural property) –
Fushimi Building
[
ja
]
(registered tangible cultural property) –
former Konishi Gisuke store building
[
ja
]
(important cultural property) –
Osaka Gas Building
[
ja
]
(registered tangible cultural property) –
Ikoma Building
[
ja
]
(registered tangible cultural property) –
Cotton Industry Hall
[
ja
]
(Important Cultural Property) –
Meidi-Ya
building –
Miki Musical Instrument Headquarters
[
ja
]
(Registered Tangible Cultural Properties) –
Harada Industry
[
ja
]
Shimojoba (Nishisenba)
Japanese Christian Church Osaka Church
[
ja
]
(registered tangible cultural property) – Yamauchi Building (registered tangible cultural property) – Edobori Kodama Building (registered tangible cultural property)
Shinsaibashi/Namba
Daimaru
Shinsaibashi –
Takashimaya
Osaka (Nankai Namba) –
Takashimaya
East Annex –
Miki Instruments Main Store Kaiseikan
[
ja
]
(registered tangible cultural property)
Osaka Port/Kawaguchi
Tsuki Port Red Brick Warehouse
[
ja
]
–
Sumitomo Warehouse Tsuki Port
[
ja
]
– MOL Mitsui Tsuki Port Building (
Osaka Merchant Ship
[
ja
]
) – Japan Anglican Church Kawaguchi Christian Church (Registered Tangible Cultural Property) –
Mitsui Warehouse
[
ja
]
–
Osaka Municipal Transportation Bureau
(Osaka City Electricity Bureau)
Izumi Hall
[
ja
]
Umeda Arts Theater
Morinomiya Piloti Hall
[
ja
]
NHK Osaka Hall
Osaka International Convention Center
Osaka Shiki Theater
[
ja
]
Osaka Castle Music Hall
[
ja
]
Osaka-jō Hall
Orix Theater
National Bunraku Theatre
The Symphony Hall
[
ja
]
Theater BRAVA!
[
ja
]
New Kabukiza
[
ja
]
Zepp Osaka
Tenma Tenjin Hanjotei
[
ja
]
Namba Grand Kagetsu
[
ja
]
Festival Hall, Osaka
Gallery
Nagai Park
is visible in the center
Ogimachi Pool
[
ja
]
Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
Maruzen Intec Osaka Pool
Kyocera Dome Osaka
Nagai Park
Yanmar Stadium Nagai
Yanmar Field Nagai
Yodoko Sakura Stadium
Maishima Sports Island
Religious facilities
[
edit
]
Shrines
Sumiyoshi Taisha
Osaka Tenmangu
Goryo Shrine
[
ja
]
Zama Shrine
Namba Shrine
[
ja
]
Ikukunitama Shrine
Tamatsukuri Inari Shrine
Kōzu-gū
Mitsu Hachimangu
[
ja
]
Namba Yasaka Shrine
[
ja
]
Shinmei Shrine
[
ja
]
Imamiya Shrine
Abe Seimei Shrine
[
ja
]
Kumata Shrine
[
ja
]
Tsuyunoten Shrine
[
ja
]
Tsunashiki Tenjin Shrine
Asahi Shinmeisha
[
ja
]
Temples
Shitennō-ji
Shitennoji Honbo Garden
[
ja
]
Shomanin
[
ja
]
Dainenbutsu-ji
Taishokannonji
[
ja
]
Isshin-ji
Taiyū-ji
Hozenji
[
ja
]
Honganji Tsumura Betsuin
[
ja
]
Shinshu Buddhist Otani-ha Sect Namba Betsuin Temple
[
ja
]
Churches
United Church of Christ in Japan (UCCJ) Naniwa Church
[
ja
]
Grand Cathedral of the Virgin Mary of Osaka
[
ja
]
Japan Anglican Church
Japan Christian Church Osaka Fukushima Church
Japan Evangelical Lutheran Osaka Church
International relations
[
edit
]
Osaka is
twinned
with:
[
106
]
Aksaray
, Turkey
Chicago, Illinois, United States (since November 1973)
Hamburg
, Germany (since May 1989)
Lyon
,
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
, France (since May 1984)
Manchester
, England, United Kingdom (since September 2025)
Melbourne
, Australia (since April 1978)
Milan
, Lombardy, Italy (since June 1981)
Saint Petersburg
, Russia (since August 1979)
San Francisco, California, United States (former partnership, October 1957 – October 2018)
São Paulo
, Brazil (since October 1969)
Shanghai, China (since April 1974)
Toronto
, Ontario, Canada (since June 1994)
Friendship cooperation cities
[
edit
]
Osaka also cooperates with:
[
106
]
Business partner cities
[
edit
]
Osaka's business partner cities, mostly in the Asia-Pacific region, are:
[
106
]
Auckland
, New Zealand
Bangkok
, Thailand
Brisbane
,
Queensland
, Australia
Hamburg
, Germany
Ho Chi Minh City
, Vietnam
Hong Kong, China
Jakarta
, Indonesia
Kuala Lumpur
, Malaysia
Los Angeles, California, United States
Manila
, Philippines
Melbourne
, Australia
Mumbai
, Maharashtra, India
Seoul
, South Korea
Shanghai, China
Singapore
Tianjin
, China
Osaka's sister ports are:
[
106
]
Expo '70
Expo 2025
List of metropolitan areas by population
^
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[1]
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Project MUSE
Look up
大阪
or
Ōsaka
in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Osaka City official website
Official Osaka Tourist Guide
"Osaka"
.
The New Student's Reference Work
. 1914.
Geographic data related to
Osaka
at
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## Contents
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- [(Top)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka)
- [1 Etymology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Etymology)
- [2 History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#History)
Toggle History subsection
- [2\.1 Origins: Jōmon and Yayoi period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Origins:_J%C5%8Dmon_and_Yayoi_period)
- [2\.2 Kofun period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Kofun_period)
- [2\.3 Asuka and Nara period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Asuka_and_Nara_period)
- [2\.4 Heian to Edo period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Heian_to_Edo_period)
- [2\.5 Meiji to Heisei period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Meiji_to_Heisei_period)
- [2\.6 21st century to present](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#21st_century_to_present)
- [3 Geography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Geography)
Toggle Geography subsection
- [3\.1 Climate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Climate)
- [4 Cityscape](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Cityscape)
Toggle Cityscape subsection
- [4\.1 Neighborhoods](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Neighborhoods)
- [5 List of wards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#List_of_wards)
- [6 Demographics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Demographics)
Toggle Demographics subsection
- [6\.1 Dialect](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Dialect)
- [7 Government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Government)
Toggle Government subsection
- [7\.1 Developments](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Developments)
- [7\.2 Energy policies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Energy_policies)
- [7\.2.1 Nuclear power](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Nuclear_power)
- [8 Economy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Economy)
Toggle Economy subsection
- [8\.1 Keihanshin region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Keihanshin_region)
- [9 Transportation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Transportation)
- [10 Culture and lifestyle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Culture_and_lifestyle)
Toggle Culture and lifestyle subsection
- [10\.1 Shopping and food](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Shopping_and_food)
- [10\.2 Entertainment and performing arts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Entertainment_and_performing_arts)
- [10\.3 Annual festivals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Annual_festivals)
- [10\.4 Museums and galleries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Museums_and_galleries)
- [10\.5 Sports](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Sports)
- [10\.6 Media](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Media)
- [10\.6.1 Newspapers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Newspapers)
- [10\.6.2 Broadcasting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Broadcasting)
- [10\.6.3 Publishing companies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Publishing_companies)
- [11 Education](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Education)
Toggle Education subsection
- [11\.1 Libraries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Libraries)
- [11\.2 Learned society](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Learned_society)
- [12 Facilities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Facilities)
Toggle Facilities subsection
- [12\.1 Leisure facilities and high-rise buildings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Leisure_facilities_and_high-rise_buildings)
- [12\.2 Historical site](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Historical_site)
- [12\.3 Parks and gardens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Parks_and_gardens)
- [12\.4 Ancient architecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Ancient_architecture)
- [12\.5 Modern architecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Modern_architecture)
- [12\.6 Theaters and halls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Theaters_and_halls)
- [12\.7 Sport venues](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Sport_venues)
- [12\.8 Religious facilities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Religious_facilities)
- [13 International relations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#International_relations)
Toggle International relations subsection
- [13\.1 Sister cities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Sister_cities)
- [13\.2 Friendship cooperation cities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Friendship_cooperation_cities)
- [13\.3 Business partner cities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Business_partner_cities)
- [13\.4 Sister ports](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Sister_ports)
- [14 See also](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#See_also)
- [15 References](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#References)
- [16 Further reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#Further_reading)
- [17 External links](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#External_links)
Toggle the table of contents
# Osaka
173 languages
- [Адыгабзэ](https://ady.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Adyghe")
- [Afrikaans](https://af.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Afrikaans")
- [አማርኛ](https://am.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%8A%A6%E1%88%B3%E1%8A%AB "ኦሳካ – Amharic")
- [Aragonés](https://an.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Aragonese")
- [Ænglisc](https://ang.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Csaca "Ōsaca – Old English")
- [العربية](https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A3%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%A7 "أوساكا – Arabic")
- [مصرى](https://arz.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%A7 "اوساكا – Egyptian Arabic")
- [Asturianu](https://ast.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Asturian")
- [Azərbaycanca](https://az.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Azerbaijani")
- [تۆرکجه](https://azb.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%A7 "اوساکا – South Azerbaijani")
- [Башҡортса](https://ba.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Bashkir")
- [Basa Bali](https://ban.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Balinese")
- [Boarisch](https://bar.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Bavarian")
- [Žemaitėška](https://bat-smg.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Samogitian")
- [Bikol Central](https://bcl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Central Bikol")
- [Беларуская (тарашкевіца)](https://be-tarask.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Belarusian (Taraškievica orthography)")
- [Беларуская](https://be.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Belarusian")
- [Betawi](https://bew.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Betawi")
- [Български](https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Bulgarian")
- [বাংলা](https://bn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A6%93%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE "ওসাকা – Bangla")
- [Brezhoneg](https://br.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Breton")
- [Bosanski](https://bs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Bosnian")
- [Буряад](https://bxr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Russia Buriat")
- [Català](https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Catalan")
- [Нохчийн](https://ce.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Chechen")
- [Cebuano](https://ceb.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Csaka-shi_\(kapital_sa_prepektura\) "Ōsaka-shi (kapital sa prepektura) – Cebuano")
- [Chamoru](https://ch.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Chamorro")
- [ᏣᎳᎩ](https://chr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%8E%A3%E1%8F%8C%E1%8E%A7 "ᎣᏌᎧ – Cherokee")
- [Tsetsêhestâhese](https://chy.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Cheyenne")
- [کوردی](https://ckb.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A6%DB%86%D8%B3%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%A7 "ئۆساکا – Central Kurdish")
- [Čeština](https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%93saka "Ósaka – Czech")
- [Чӑвашла](https://cv.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Chuvash")
- [Cymraeg](https://cy.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Welsh")
- [Dansk](https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Danish")
- [Deutsch](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – German")
- [Zazaki](https://diq.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Dimli")
- [Dolnoserbski](https://dsb.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Lower Sorbian")
- [Kadazandusun](https://dtp.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Central Dusun")
- [डोटेली](https://dty.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%93%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE "ओसाका – Doteli")
- [Eʋegbe](https://ee.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Ewe")
- [Ελληνικά](https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%9F%CF%83%CE%AC%CE%BA%CE%B1 "Οσάκα – Greek")
- [Emiliàn e rumagnòl](https://eml.wikipedia.org/wiki/U%C5%9B%C3%A0ka "Uśàka – Emiliano-Romagnolo")
- [Esperanto](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osako "Osako – Esperanto")
- [Español](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Spanish")
- [Eesti](https://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Csaka "Ōsaka – Estonian")
- [Euskara](https://eu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Basque")
- [فارسی](https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%A7 "اوساکا – Persian")
- [Suomi](https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Finnish")
- [Na Vosa Vakaviti](https://fj.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Fijian")
- [Føroyskt](https://fo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Faroese")
- [Français](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – French")
- [Nordfriisk](https://frr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Northern Frisian")
- [Frysk](https://fy.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Western Frisian")
- [Gaeilge](https://ga.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%93saca "Ósaca – Irish")
- [Gàidhlig](https://gd.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Scottish Gaelic")
- [Galego](https://gl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaca "Osaca – Galician")
- [Bahasa Hulontalo](https://gor.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Gorontalo")
- [𐌲𐌿𐍄𐌹𐍃𐌺](https://got.wikipedia.org/wiki/%F0%90%8D%89%F0%90%8D%83%F0%90%8C%B0%F0%90%8C%BA%F0%90%8C%B0 "𐍉𐍃𐌰𐌺𐌰 – Gothic")
- [Hausa](https://ha.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Hausa")
- [客家語 / Hak-kâ-ngî](https://hak.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai-f%C3%A1n-s%E1%B9%B3 "Thai-fán-sṳ – Hakka Chinese")
- [עברית](https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%90%D7%95%D7%A1%D7%A7%D7%94 "אוסקה – Hebrew")
- [हिन्दी](https://hi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%93%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE "ओसाका – Hindi")
- [Hrvatski](https://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Croatian")
- [Hornjoserbsce](https://hsb.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Upper Sorbian")
- [Magyar](https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oszaka "Oszaka – Hungarian")
- [Հայերեն](https://hy.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D5%95%D5%BD%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A1 "Օսակա – Armenian")
- [Interlingua](https://ia.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Interlingua")
- [Jaku Iban](https://iba.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Iban")
- [Bahasa Indonesia](https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Indonesian")
- [Interlingue](https://ie.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Interlingue")
- [Iñupiatun](https://ik.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Inupiaq")
- [Ilokano](https://ilo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Iloko")
- [Ido](https://io.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Ido")
- [Íslenska](https://is.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Csaka "Ōsaka – Icelandic")
- [Italiano](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Italian")
- [ᐃᓄᒃᑎᑐᑦ / inuktitut](https://iu.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%90%86%E1%93%B4%E1%91%B2 "ᐆᓴᑲ – Inuktitut")
- [日本語](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%B8%82 "大阪市 – Japanese")
- [Jawa](https://jv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Javanese")
- [ქართული](https://ka.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%83%9D%E1%83%A1%E1%83%90%E1%83%99%E1%83%90 "ოსაკა – Georgian")
- [Qaraqalpaqsha](https://kaa.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Kara-Kalpak")
- [Taqbaylit](https://kab.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Kabyle")
- [Gĩkũyũ](https://ki.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Kikuyu")
- [Қазақша](https://kk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0_\(%D2%9B%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B0\) "Осака (қала) – Kazakh")
- [ಕನ್ನಡ](https://kn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B2%92%E0%B2%B8%E0%B2%BE%E0%B2%95%E0%B2%BE "ಒಸಾಕಾ – Kannada")
- [Yerwa Kanuri](https://knc.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Central Kanuri")
- [한국어](https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EC%98%A4%EC%82%AC%EC%B9%B4%EC%8B%9C "오사카시 – Korean")
- [کٲشُر](https://ks.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%A7 "اوساکا – Kashmiri")
- [Ripoarisch](https://ksh.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Colognian")
- [Kurdî](https://ku.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Kurdish")
- [Кыргызча](https://ky.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Kyrgyz")
- [Latina](https://la.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozaca "Ozaca – Latin")
- [Lëtzebuergesch](https://lb.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Luxembourgish")
- [Luganda](https://lg.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Ganda")
- [Lombard](https://lmo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Lombard")
- [Lietuvių](https://lt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Lithuanian")
- [Latviešu](https://lv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Latvian")
- [Мокшень](https://mdf.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Moksha")
- [Malagasy](https://mg.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Malagasy")
- [Олык марий](https://mhr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Eastern Mari")
- [Māori](https://mi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Māori")
- [Македонски](https://mk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Macedonian")
- [മലയാളം](https://ml.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B4%93%E0%B4%B8%E0%B4%95 "ഓസക – Malayalam")
- [Монгол](https://mn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Mongolian")
- [मराठी](https://mr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%93%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE "ओसाका – Marathi")
- [Bahasa Melayu](https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Malay")
- [Malti](https://mt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Maltese")
- [မြန်မာဘာသာ](https://my.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%80%A1%E1%80%AD%E1%80%AF%E1%80%86%E1%80%AC%E1%80%80%E1%80%AC%E1%80%99%E1%80%BC%E1%80%AD%E1%80%AF%E1%80%B7 "အိုဆာကာမြို့ – Burmese")
- [Эрзянь](https://myv.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Erzya")
- [مازِرونی](https://mzn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%A7 "اوساکا – Mazanderani")
- [नेपाली](https://ne.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%93%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE "ओसाका – Nepali")
- [Nederlands](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_\(stad\) "Osaka (stad) – Dutch")
- [Norsk nynorsk](https://nn.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Norwegian Nynorsk")
- [Norsk bokmål](https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Norwegian Bokmål")
- [Novial](https://nov.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Novial")
- [Chi-Chewa](https://ny.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Nyanja")
- [Ирон](https://os.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%C3%A6 "Осакæ – Ossetic")
- [ਪੰਜਾਬੀ](https://pa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A8%93%E0%A8%B8%E0%A8%BE%E0%A8%95%E0%A8%BE "ਓਸਾਕਾ – Punjabi")
- [Polski](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Polish")
- [Piemontèis](https://pms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Piedmontese")
- [پنجابی](https://pnb.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%A7 "اوساکا – Western Punjabi")
- [Ποντιακά](https://pnt.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%9F%CF%83%CE%AC%CE%BA%CE%B1 "Οσάκα – Pontic")
- [پښتو](https://ps.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%A7 "اوساکا – Pashto")
- [Português](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Portuguese")
- [Runa Simi](https://qu.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Csaka "Ōsaka – Quechua")
- [Română](https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Romanian")
- [Русский](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Russian")
- [Русиньскый](https://rue.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Rusyn")
- [Саха тыла](https://sah.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Yakut")
- [ᱥᱟᱱᱛᱟᱲᱤ](https://sat.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%B1%B3%E1%B1%A5%E1%B1%9F%E1%B1%A0%E1%B1%9F "ᱳᱥᱟᱠᱟ – Santali")
- [Sardu](https://sc.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Csaka "Ōsaka – Sardinian")
- [Sicilianu](https://scn.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Sicilian")
- [Scots](https://sco.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Scots")
- [سنڌي](https://sd.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%A7%DA%AA%D8%A7 "اوساڪا – Sindhi")
- [Davvisámegiella](https://se.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Northern Sami")
- [Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски](https://sh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Csaka "Ōsaka – Serbo-Croatian")
- [සිංහල](https://si.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B6%95%E0%B7%83%E0%B6%9A%E0%B7%8F "ඕසකා – Sinhala")
- [Simple English](https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Simple English")
- [Slovenčina](https://sk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_\(mesto\) "Osaka (mesto) – Slovak")
- [Slovenščina](https://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Slovenian")
- [Српски / srpski](https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Serbian")
- [SiSwati](https://ss.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOsaka "IOsaka – Swati")
- [Sunda](https://su.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Sundanese")
- [Svenska](https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Swedish")
- [Kiswahili](https://sw.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Swahili")
- [Ślůnski](https://szl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Silesian")
- [தமிழ்](https://ta.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%AE%93%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE "ஓசக்கா – Tamil")
- [Тоҷикӣ](https://tg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Tajik")
- [ไทย](https://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B0 "โอซากะ – Thai")
- [Türkmençe](https://tk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Turkmen")
- [Tagalog](https://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Tagalog")
- [Tolışi](https://tly.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Talysh")
- [Setswana](https://tn.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Tswana")
- [Toki pona](https://tok.wikipedia.org/wiki/ma_tomo_Osaka "ma tomo Osaka – Toki Pona")
- [Türkçe](https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Turkish")
- [Татарча / tatarça](https://tt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Tatar")
- [ChiTumbuka](https://tum.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Tumbuka")
- [Twi](https://tw.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Twi")
- [Удмурт](https://udm.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Udmurt")
- [ئۇيغۇرچە / Uyghurche](https://ug.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A6%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%A7 "ئوساكا – Uyghur")
- [Українська](https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Осака – Ukrainian")
- [اردو](https://ur.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%A7 "اوساکا – Urdu")
- [Oʻzbekcha / ўзбекча](https://uz.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Uzbek")
- [Vepsän kel’](https://vep.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osak "Osak – Veps")
- [Tiếng Việt](https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Csaka_\(th%C3%A0nh_ph%E1%BB%91\) "Ōsaka (thành phố) – Vietnamese")
- [Volapük](https://vo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Volapük")
- [Winaray](https://war.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Waray")
- [Wolof](https://wo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Wolof")
- [吴语](https://wuu.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%B8%82 "大阪市 – Wu")
- [Zeêuws](https://zea.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "Osaka – Zeelandic")
- [文言](https://zh-classical.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%B8%82 "大阪市 – Literary Chinese")
- [閩南語 / Bân-lâm-gí](https://zh-min-nan.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C4%81i-p%C3%A1n-chh%C4%AB "Tāi-pán-chhī – Minnan")
- [粵語](https://zh-yue.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA "大阪 – Cantonese")
- [中文](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%B8%82 "大阪市 – Chinese")
[Edit links](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q35765#sitelinks-wikipedia "Edit interlanguage links")
- [Article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka "View the content page [c]")
- [Talk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Osaka "Discuss improvements to the content page [t]")
English
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[Coordinates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographic_coordinate_system "Geographic coordinate system"): [34°41′38″N 135°30′8″E / 34\.69389°N 135.50222°E / 34\.69389; 135.50222](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Osaka¶ms=34_41_38_N_135_30_8_E_type:city\(2668586\)_region:JP-27)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Designated city in Kansai, Japan
This article is about the city in Japan. For the prefecture with the same name where this city is located, see [Osaka Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefecture "Osaka Prefecture"). For other uses, see [Osaka (disambiguation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_\(disambiguation\) "Osaka (disambiguation)").
Prefecture capital and Designated city in Kansai, Japan
| Osaka 大阪市 | |
|---|---|
| [Prefecture capital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_capitals_in_Japan "List of capitals in Japan") and [Designated city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_designated_by_government_ordinance_of_Japan "Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan") | |
| Osaka City | |
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Castle_02bs3200.jpg) [Osaka Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle "Osaka Castle") and [Osaka Business Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Business_Park "Osaka Business Park") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shinsekai_and_Tsutenkaku_Tower.jpg) [Tsūtenkaku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ts%C5%ABtenkaku "Tsūtenkaku") tower in [Shinsekai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinsekai "Shinsekai") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Dotonbori_Ebisu_Bridge.jpg) [Dōtonbori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dtonbori "Dōtonbori") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sumiyoshi-taisha,_keidai-2.jpg) [Sumiyoshi Taisha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi-taisha "Sumiyoshi-taisha") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shitennoji_%26_Abeno_Harukas.jpg) [Shitennō-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shitenn%C5%8D-ji "Shitennō-ji") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Autumn_in_Mido-suji_Osaka02n.jpg) [Midōsuji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid%C5%8Dsuji "Midōsuji") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nakanoshima_Skyscrapers_in_201504_001.jpg) [Nakanoshima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakanoshima "Nakanoshima") | |
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Osaka,_Osaka.svg "Flag of Osaka") Flag [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Emblem_of_Osaka,_Osaka.svg "Official seal of Osaka") Emblem | |
| []() | |
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_in_Osaka_Prefecture_Ja.svg "Location of Osaka in Osaka Prefecture")Location of Osaka in [Osaka Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefecture "Osaka Prefecture") | |
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_g%C3%A9olocalisation.svg "Osaka is located in Osaka Prefecture")  Osaka Location in the [Kansai region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_region "Kansai region") Show map of Osaka Prefecture [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Japan_Kansai_location_map.svg "Osaka is located in Kansai region")  Osaka Osaka (Kansai region) Show map of Kansai region [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Japan_location_map_with_side_map_of_the_Ryukyu_Islands.svg "Osaka is located in Japan")  Osaka Osaka (Japan) Show map of Japan [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Asia_laea_location_map.svg "Osaka is located in Asia")  Osaka Osaka (Asia) Show map of Asia | |
| Coordinates: [34°41′38″N 135°30′8″E / 34\.69389°N 135.50222°E / 34\.69389; 135.50222](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Osaka¶ms=34_41_38_N_135_30_8_E_type:city\(2668586\)_region:JP-27) | |
| Country | Japan |
| [Region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_regions_of_Japan "List of regions of Japan") | [Kansai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_region "Kansai region") |
| [Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prefectures_of_Japan "Prefectures of Japan") | [Osaka Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefecture "Osaka Prefecture") |
| [Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_islands_of_Japan "List of islands of Japan") | [Honshu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honshu "Honshu") |
| Government | |
| • Body | [Osaka City Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_City_Council "Osaka City Council") |
| • [Mayor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Osaka_City "Politics of Osaka City") | [Hideyuki Yokoyama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hideyuki_Yokoyama "Hideyuki Yokoyama") ([ORA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Restoration_Association "Osaka Restoration Association"))[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-2) |
| Area | |
| • [Prefecture capital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_capitals_in_Japan "List of capitals in Japan") and [Designated city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_designated_by_government_ordinance_of_Japan "Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan") | 225\.21 km2 (86.95 sq mi) |
| Population(*Estimated population as of October 1, 2025*) | |
| • [Prefecture capital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_capitals_in_Japan "List of capitals in Japan") and [Designated city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_designated_by_government_ordinance_of_Japan "Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan") | 2,816,247[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-1) |
| • Rank | [3rd in Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_Japan "List of cities in Japan") |
| • Density | 12,505/km2 (32,390/sq mi) |
| • [Metro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_area "Metropolitan area")[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-japan2-3) ([2015](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_metropolitan_areas_in_Japan_by_population "List of metropolitan areas in Japan by population")) | 19,302,746 ([2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_metropolitan_areas_in_Japan "List of metropolitan areas in Japan")) |
| [Time zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_zone "Time zone") | [UTC+9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UTC%2B9 "UTC+9") ([Japan Standard Time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Standard_Time "Japan Standard Time")) |
| [Flower](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_flowers "List of national flowers") | [Cherry blossom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_blossom "Cherry blossom") and [Pansy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pansy "Pansy")[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-4) |
| Address | Osaka City Hall: 1-3-20 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu 530-8201 |
| Phone number | 06-6208-8181 |
| Website | [city.osaka.lg.jp](http://city.osaka.lg.jp/) |
| Osaka | |
|---|---|
| Japanese name | |
| [Kanji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanji "Kanji") | 大阪 (obsolete) 大坂 |
| Transcriptions | |
| [Revised Hepburn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepburn_romanization "Hepburn romanization") | Ōsaka |
| [Kunrei-shiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunrei-shiki_romanization "Kunrei-shiki romanization") | Ôsaka |
**Osaka** ([Japanese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_language "Japanese language"): 大阪市, [Hepburn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepburn_romanization "Hepburn romanization"): *Ōsaka-shi*; pronounced [\[oː.sa.kaꜜ.ɕi\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Japanese "Help:IPA/Japanese"); commonly just 大阪, *Ōsaka* [\[oː.sa.ka\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Japanese "Help:IPA/Japanese") [ⓘ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ja-Osaka.ogg "File:Ja-Osaka.ogg")) is a [designated city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_designated_by_government_ordinance_of_Japan "Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan") in the [Kansai region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_region "Kansai region") of [Honshu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honshu "Honshu") in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in [Osaka Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefecture "Osaka Prefecture"), and the [third-most populous city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_Japan "List of cities in Japan") in Japan, following the [special wards of Tokyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_wards_of_Tokyo "Special wards of Tokyo") and [Yokohama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokohama "Yokohama"). With an estimated population of 2,816,247 as of October 1, 2025[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-5) and a population density of about 12,505 people per square kilometer, it is the largest component of the [Keihanshin Metropolitan Area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keihanshin "Keihanshin"), the [second-largest metropolitan area in Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_metropolitan_areas_in_Japan "List of metropolitan areas in Japan")[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-stats-boj-6) and the 10th-[largest urban area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_urban_areas_by_population "List of urban areas by population") in the world with more than 19 million inhabitants.[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-japan2-3)
Osaka was traditionally considered Japan's economic hub. By the [Kofun period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kofun_period "Kofun period") (300–538) it had developed into an important regional port, and in the 7th and 8th centuries, it served briefly as the imperial capital. Osaka continued to flourish during the [Edo period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edo_period "Edo period") (1603–1867) and became known as a center of Japanese culture. Following the [Meiji Restoration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Restoration "Meiji Restoration"), Osaka greatly expanded in size and underwent rapid industrialization. The construction boom accelerated population growth throughout the following decades, and by the 1900s, Osaka was the industrial hub in the [Meiji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_era "Meiji era") and [Taishō eras](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taish%C5%8D_era "Taishō era"). Osaka made noted contributions to redevelopment, urban planning and zoning standards in the postwar period, and the city developed rapidly as one of the major financial centers in the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area.
Osaka is a major financial center of Japan, and it is recognized as one of the most multicultural and [cosmopolitan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmopolitanism "Cosmopolitanism") cities in Japan. The city is home to the [Osaka Exchange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Exchange "Osaka Exchange") as well as the headquarters of multinational [electronics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronics "Electronics") corporations such as [Panasonic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panasonic "Panasonic") and [Sharp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharp_Corporation "Sharp Corporation"). Osaka is an international center of research and development and is represented by several major universities, notably [Osaka University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_University "Osaka University"), [Osaka Metropolitan University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Metropolitan_University "Osaka Metropolitan University"), and [Kansai University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_University "Kansai University"). Famous landmarks in the city include [Osaka Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle "Osaka Castle"), [Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Aquarium_Kaiyukan "Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan"), [Dōtonbori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dtonbori "Dōtonbori"), [Tsūtenkaku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ts%C5%ABtenkaku "Tsūtenkaku") in [Shinsekai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinsekai "Shinsekai"), [Tennōji Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenn%C5%8Dji_Park "Tennōji Park"), [Abeno Harukas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abenobashi_Terminal_Building "Abenobashi Terminal Building"), [Sumiyoshi Taisha Grand Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi_Taisha "Sumiyoshi Taisha"), and [Shitennō-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shitenn%C5%8D-ji "Shitennō-ji"), one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan.
## Etymology
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=1 "Edit section: Etymology")\]
*Ōsaka* means "large hill" or "large slope". It is unclear when this name gained prominence over Naniwa, but the oldest written evidence for the name dates back to 1496.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-7)[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-8)
By the [Edo period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edo_period "Edo period"), 大坂 (*Ōsaka*) and 大阪 (*Ōsaka*) were mixed use, and the writer [Hamamatsu Utakuni](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hamamatsu_Utakuni&action=edit&redlink=1 "Hamamatsu Utakuni (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B5%9C%E6%9D%BE%E6%AD%8C%E5%9B%BD "ja:浜松歌国")\], in his book *Setsuyo Ochiboshu* published in 1808, states that the [kanji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanji "Kanji") 坂 was abhorred because it means "returns to the earth," and thus 阪 was used. The kanji 土 (earth) is also similar to the word 士 (knight), and 反 means against, so 坂 can be understood as "samurai rebellion."\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\] 阪 became the official name in 1868 after the [Meiji Restoration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Restoration "Meiji Restoration"). The older kanji (坂) is still in very limited use, usually only in historical contexts. When used as an abbreviation, the modern kanji 阪 *han* refers to Osaka City or [Osaka Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefecture "Osaka Prefecture").
## History
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=2 "Edit section: History")\]
For a chronological guide, see [Timeline of Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Osaka "Timeline of Osaka").
### Origins: Jōmon and Yayoi period
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=3 "Edit section: Origins: Jōmon and Yayoi period")\]
During the [Jōmon period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C5%8Dmon_period "Jōmon period") (7,000 BCE), present-day Osaka was mostly submerged, and the [Uemachi Plateau](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uemachi_Plateau "Uemachi Plateau") (上町台地, *Uemachi Daichi*) formed a 12 km long and 2.5 km wide peninsula separating [Kawachi Bay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawachi_Bay "Kawachi Bay") from the [Seto Inland Sea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seto_Inland_Sea "Seto Inland Sea").[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Uemachidaichi-9)[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-plain-10) It is considered one of the first places where inhabitants of Japan settled, both for the favorable geological conditions, rich in fresh water and lush vegetation, and because its position was defensible against military attack.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Uemachidaichi-9)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Corbicula_sandai_-_Osaka_Museum_of_Natural_History_-_DSC07755.JPG)
Ancient shells found in the Morinomiya kaizuka ([Jomon period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jomon_period "Jomon period"))
The earliest evidence of settlements in the Osaka area are the Morinomiya ruins (森ノ宮遺跡, *Morinomiya iseki*) which is located in the central [Chuo-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%AB%C5%8D-ku,_Osaka "Chūō-ku, Osaka") district.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Uemachidaichi-9) Buried human skeletons and a kaizuka (a mound containing remains) were found, as well as shell mounds, oysters, and other interesting archeological discoveries from the Jomon period.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Uemachidaichi-9) In addition to the remains of consumed food, there were arrow heads, stone tools, fishing hooks and crockery with remains from rice processing. It is estimated that the ruins contain 2,000-year-old debris between the [Jomon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jomon_period "Jomon period") and [Yayoi period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yayoi_period "Yayoi period"). The findings of the archeological sites are exhibited in an adjacent building.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osakahist-11)[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Uemachidaichi-9)
In the years between the end of the Jōmon period and the beginning of the Yayoi period, the sediments that were deposited north of the Uemachi peninsula / plateau transformed Kawachi Bay into a lagoon.[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-plain-10) During the [Yayoi period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yayoi_period "Yayoi period") (300 BCE-250 CE), permanent habitation on the plains grew as rice farming became popular.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osakahist-11)
At the beginning of the third century CE the grand shrine of [Sumiyoshi-taisha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi-taisha "Sumiyoshi-taisha") was inaugurated near the harbor, commissioned by consort [Empress Jingū](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empress_Jing%C5%AB "Empress Jingū"). This [Shinto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinto "Shinto") shrine structure survived historical events,[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-12) which inaugurated a new style in the construction of Shinto shrines, called [Sumiyoshi-zukuri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi-zukuri "Sumiyoshi-zukuri").[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-13) The maritime panorama enjoyed from the shrine gardens inspired several artists, and nowadays the representations of that type of landscape are called *Sumiyoshi drawings*.
Towards the end of the Yayoi period the Uemachi plateau-peninsula expanded further, transforming the Kawachi Lagoon into a lake (河内湖) connected to the mouth of the [Yodo River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yodo_River "Yodo River"), which had widened to the south.[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-plain-10)
### Kofun period
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=4 "Edit section: Kofun period")\]
By the [Kofun period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kofun_period "Kofun period"), Osaka developed into a hub port connecting the region to the western part of Japan. The port of Naniwa-tsu was established and became the most important in Japan.[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-sumiyoshi-14) Trade with other areas of the country and the Asian continent intensified.[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-sumiyoshi-14) The large numbers of increasingly larger keyhole-shaped [Kofun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kofun "Kofun") mounds found in the plains of Osaka are evidence of political-power concentration, leading to the formation of a state.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osakahist-11)[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-15) The findings in the neighboring plains, including the mausoleum of [Emperor Nintoku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Nintoku "Emperor Nintoku") was discovered nearby in [Sakai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai "Sakai") testify to the status of imperial city that Osaka had reached. Four of these mounds can be seen in Osaka, in which important members of the nobility are buried. They are located in the southern districts of the city and date back to the 5th century.[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-sumiyoshi-14) A group of megalithic tombs called [Mozu Tombs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozu_Tombs "Mozu Tombs") are located in [Sakai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai "Sakai"), Osaka Prefecture.[\[16\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-16)
Important works of the Kofun period is the excavation that diverted the course of the [Yamato River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamato_River "Yamato River"), whose floods caused extensive damage, and the construction of important roads in the direction of [Sakai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai "Sakai") and [Nara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara_Prefecture "Nara Prefecture").[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osakahist-11)[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-17) Maritime traffic connected to the port of Naniwa-tsu increased in such a way that huge warehouses were built to stow material arriving and departing.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osakahist-11)
### Asuka and Nara period
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=5 "Edit section: Asuka and Nara period")\]
The [Kojiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kojiki "Kojiki") records that during 390–430 CE, there was an imperial palace located at Osumi, in what is present day [Higashiyodogawa ward](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashiyodogawa-ku,_Osaka "Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka"), but it may have been a secondary imperial residence rather than a capital.[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-18)
In 645, [Emperor Kōtoku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_K%C5%8Dtoku "Emperor Kōtoku") built his [Naniwa Nagara-Toyosaki Palace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naniwa_Nagara-Toyosaki_Palace "Naniwa Nagara-Toyosaki Palace") in what is now Osaka,[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-19) making it the capital of Japan. The city now known as Osaka was at this time referred to as Naniwa (written as 浪華 or 浪花) and this name and derivations of it are still in use for districts in central Osaka such as [Naniwa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naniwa-ku,_Osaka "Naniwa-ku, Osaka") (浪速) and [Namba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namba "Namba") (難波). Although the capital was moved to [Asuka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asuka,_Yamato "Asuka, Yamato") (in [Nara Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara_Prefecture "Nara Prefecture") today) in 655, Naniwa remained a vital connection, by land and sea, between [Yamato](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamato_Province "Yamato Province") (modern day [Nara Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara_Prefecture "Nara Prefecture")), [Korea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_history_of_Korea "Naval history of Korea"), and [China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_history_of_China "Naval history of China").[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osakahist-11)[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-20)
Naniwa was declared the capital again in 744 by order of [Emperor Shōmu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Sh%C5%8Dmu "Emperor Shōmu"), and remained so until 745, when the Imperial Court moved back to [Heijō-kyō](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heij%C5%8D-ky%C5%8D "Heijō-kyō") (now [Nara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara_\(city\) "Nara (city)")). By the end of the Nara period, Naniwa's seaport roles had been gradually taken over by neighboring areas, but it remained a lively center of river, channel, and land transportation between [Heian-kyō](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto "Kyoto") (Kyoto today) and other destinations. [Sumiyoshi Taisha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi_Taisha "Sumiyoshi Taisha") Grand Shrine was founded by Tamomi no Sukune in 211 CE.[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-21) [Shitennō-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shitenn%C5%8D-ji "Shitennō-ji") was first built in 593 CE and is the oldest [Buddhist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism "Buddhism") temple in Japan.[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-22)
- Gallery
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sumiyoshi-taisha,_keidai-2.jpg "Sumiyoshi Taisha Grand Shrine")
[Sumiyoshi Taisha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi_Taisha "Sumiyoshi Taisha") Grand Shrine
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shitennoji07s3200.jpg "Shitennō-ji")
[Shitennō-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shitenn%C5%8D-ji "Shitennō-ji")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Naniwa-no-miya-ato,_zenkei-2.jpg "Remains of Naniwa-no-Miya Palace (2017)")
Remains of Naniwa-no-Miya Palace (2017)
### Heian to Edo period
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=6 "Edit section: Heian to Edo period")\]
In 1496, [Jōdo Shinshū](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C5%8Ddo_Shinsh%C5%AB "Jōdo Shinshū") [Buddhists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism "Buddhism") established their headquarters in the heavily fortified [Ishiyama Hongan-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishiyama_Hongan-ji "Ishiyama Hongan-ji"), located directly on the site of the old Naniwa Imperial Palace. [Oda Nobunaga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oda_Nobunaga "Oda Nobunaga") began a decade-long siege campaign on the temple in 1570 which ultimately resulted in the surrender of the monks and subsequent razing of the temple. [Toyotomi Hideyoshi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyotomi_Hideyoshi "Toyotomi Hideyoshi") constructed [Osaka Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle "Osaka Castle") in its place in 1583.[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-23) Osaka Castle played a pivotal role in the [Siege of Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Osaka "Siege of Osaka") (1614–1615).
Osaka was long considered Japan's primary economic center,[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-24) with a large percentage of the population belonging to the merchant class (see [Four divisions of society](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_divisions_of_society "Four divisions of society")). Over the course of the [Edo period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edo_period "Edo period") (1603–1867), Osaka grew into one of Japan's major cities and returned to its ancient role as a lively and important port. *[Daimyōs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimy%C5%8D "Daimyō")* (feudal lords) received most of their income in the form of rice. [Merchants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chonin "Chonin") in Osaka thus began to organize [storehouses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warehouse "Warehouse") where they would store a *daimyō*'s rice in exchange for a fee, trading it for either coin or a form of receipt; essentially a precursor to [paper money](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banknote "Banknote"). Many if not all of these [rice brokers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice_brokers "Rice brokers") also made loans, and would actually become quite wealthy and powerful. Osaka merchants coalesced their shops around [Dōjima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Djima "Dōjima"), where the [Rice Exchange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Djima_Rice_Exchange "Dōjima Rice Exchange") was established in 1697 and where the world's first [futures](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futures_exchange "Futures exchange") market would come to exist to sell rice that was not yet harvested.[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-25)
The popular culture of Osaka[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-26) was closely related to *[ukiyo-e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukiyo-e "Ukiyo-e")* depictions of life in [Edo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edo_\(Tokyo\) "Edo (Tokyo)"). By 1780, Osaka had cultivated a vibrant arts culture, as typified by its famous [Kabuki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabuki "Kabuki") and [Bunraku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunraku "Bunraku") theaters.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-27) In 1837, [Ōshio Heihachirō](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Cshio_Heihachir%C5%8D "Ōshio Heihachirō"), a low-ranking [samurai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai "Samurai"), led a peasant insurrection in response to the city's unwillingness to support the many poor and suffering families in the area. Approximately one-quarter of the city was razed before shogunal officials put down the rebellion, after which Ōshio killed himself.[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-28) Osaka was opened to foreign trade by the government of the [Bakufu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakufu "Bakufu") at the same time as [Hyogo Town](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hy%C5%8Dgo_Prefecture "Hyōgo Prefecture") (modern [Kobe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe "Kobe")) on January 1, 1868, just before the advent of the [Boshin War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boshin_War "Boshin War") and the [Meiji Restoration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Restoration "Meiji Restoration").[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-29) The [Kawaguchi foreign settlement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawaguchi_foreign_settlement "Kawaguchi foreign settlement"), now the Kawaguchi subdistrict, is a legacy of the foreign presence in Osaka.
Osaka residents were stereotyped in Edo literature from at least the 18th century. [Jippensha Ikku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jippensha_Ikku "Jippensha Ikku") in 1802 depicted Osakans as stingy almost beyond belief. In 1809, the derogatory term "Kamigata zeeroku" was used by Edo residents to characterize inhabitants of the Osaka region in terms of calculation, shrewdness, lack of civic spirit, and the vulgarity of Osaka dialect. Edo writers aspired to samurai culture, and saw themselves as poor but generous, chaste, and public spirited. Edo writers by contrast saw "zeeroku" as obsequious apprentices, stingy, greedy, gluttonous, and lewd. To some degree, Osaka residents are still stigmatized by Tokyo observers in the same way today, especially in terms of gluttony, evidenced in the phrase, "Residents of Osaka devour their food until they collapse" (大阪は食倒れ, *"Ōsaka wa kuidaore"*).[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-30)
- Gallery
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Castle_02bs3200.jpg "Osaka Castle, first built in 1583")
[Osaka Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle "Osaka Castle"), first built in 1583
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka-zu_byobu.jpg "The Sumiyoshi-matsuri in the 16th century")
The Sumiyoshi-matsuri in the 16th century
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Siege_of_Osaka_Castle.jpg "Japanese painting of the Siege of Osaka, 1615")
Japanese painting of the [Siege of Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Osaka "Siege of Osaka"), 1615
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Newly_compiled_and_enlarged_plan_of_%C5%8Csaka_\(14042582876\).jpg "A 1686 map of Osaka")
A 1686 map of Osaka
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dojima-Rice-Exchange-Osaka-by-Yoshimitsu-Sasaki.png "Dōjima Rice Exchange ukiyo-e by Yoshimitsu Sasaki")
Dōjima Rice Exchange ukiyo-e by Yoshimitsu Sasaki
### Meiji to Heisei period
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=7 "Edit section: Meiji to Heisei period")\]
With the enormous changes that characterized the country after the [Meiji Restoration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Restoration "Meiji Restoration") (1868), and the relocation of the capital from [Kyoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto "Kyoto") to Tokyo, Osaka entered a period of decline. From being the capital of the economy and finance, it became a predominantly industrial center.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osaka-info.jp-31) The modern municipality was established[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osaka-info.jp-31) in 1889 by [government ordinance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_designated_by_government_ordinance "City designated by government ordinance"), with an initial area of 15 square kilometres (6 sq mi), overlapping today's [Chuo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%AB%C5%8D-ku,_Osaka "Chūō-ku, Osaka") and [Nishi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishi-ku,_Osaka "Nishi-ku, Osaka") wards. Later, the city went through three major expansions to reach its current size of 223 square kilometres (86 sq mi). Osaka was the industrial center most clearly defined in the development of capitalism in Japan. It became known as the "[Manchester](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester "Manchester") and [Melbourne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne "Melbourne") of the Orient".[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osaka-info.jp-31) In 1925, it was the largest and most populous city in Japan and the sixth largest in the world.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osaka-info.jp-31)
The rapid industrialization attracted many Asian immigrants (Indians, Chinese, and Koreans), who set up a life apart for themselves.[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-32) The political system was pluralistic, with a strong emphasis on promoting industrialization and modernization.[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-33) Literacy was high and the educational system expanded rapidly, producing a middle class with a taste for literature and a willingness to support the arts.[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-34) In 1927, [General Motors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors "General Motors") operated a factory called [Osaka Assembly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_General_Motors_factories "List of General Motors factories") until 1941, manufacturing [Chevrolet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet "Chevrolet"), [Cadillac](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadillac "Cadillac"), [Pontiac](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_\(automobile\) "Pontiac (automobile)"), [Oldsmobile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile "Oldsmobile"), and [Buick](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick "Buick") vehicles, operated and staffed by Japanese workers and managers.[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-35) In the nearby city of [Ikeda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikeda,_Osaka "Ikeda, Osaka") in Osaka Prefecture is the headquarters of [Daihatsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daihatsu "Daihatsu"), one of Japan's oldest automobile manufacturers.
Like its European and American counterparts, Osaka displayed slums, unemployment, and poverty. In Japan it was here that municipal government first introduced a comprehensive system of poverty relief, copied in part from British models. Osaka policymakers stressed the importance of family formation and mutual assistance as the best way to combat poverty. This minimized the cost of welfare programs.[\[36\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-36)
During [World War II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II "World War II"), [Osaka came under air raids](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Osaka "Bombing of Osaka") in 1945 by the [United States Army Air Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army_Air_Forces "United States Army Air Forces") as part of the [air raids on Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_raids_on_Japan "Air raids on Japan"). On March 13, 1945, a total of 329 [Boeing B-29 Superfortress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_B-29_Superfortress "Boeing B-29 Superfortress") [heavy bombers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_bombers "Heavy bombers") took part in the raid against Osaka. According to an American [prisoner of war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisoner_of_war "Prisoner of war") who was held in the city, the air raid took almost the entire night and destroyed 25 square miles (65 km2) of the city. The U.S. bombed the city again twice in June 1945 and again on August 14, a day before [Japan's surrender](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan%27s_surrender "Japan's surrender").[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-37)
In the decades following World War II, Osaka's reconstruction efforts and the industriousness of its residents brought the city even greater prosperity than before the war. Its population surpassed three million in the 1960s, initiating large-scale suburbanization within the prefecture, and eventually doubled to six million by the 1990s. With factories rebuilt and trade revived, Osaka rapidly developed into a major multicultural and financial center from [the 1950s through the 1980s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_economic_miracle "Japanese economic miracle"). Osaka Prefecture was chosen as the venue for the prestigious [Expo '70](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_%2770 "Expo '70"), the first [world's fair](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_fair "World's fair") ever held in an Asian country. Since then, numerous international events have been held in Osaka, including the 1995 [APEC Summit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia-Pacific_Economic_Cooperation "Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation").
The modern municipality, which when it was established in 1889 occupied an area of just 15 km2 including the districts of Chūō and Nishi, following three successive expansions has reached an area of 222 km2. It was one of the first cities in Japan to obtain [designated city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_designated_by_government_ordinance_of_Japan "Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan") status in 1956.[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-38)
### 21st century to present
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=8 "Edit section: 21st century to present")\]
The plan to reorganize Osaka and its province into a [metropolis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Metropolis_Plan "Osaka Metropolis Plan") like Tokyo was met with stiff opposition in some municipalities, particularly the highly populated [Sakai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai "Sakai"). [Tōru Hashimoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%8Dru_Hashimoto "Tōru Hashimoto") then fell back on a project that included the suppression of the 24 wards of Osaka, thus dividing the city into 5 new special districts with a status similar to that of the 23 [Special wards of Tokyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_wards_of_Tokyo "Special wards of Tokyo"). It was introduced by former mayor [Tōru Hashimoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%8Dru_Hashimoto "Tōru Hashimoto"), leader of the reform party [Osaka Restoration Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Restoration_Association "Osaka Restoration Association") which he founded. The May 2015 referendum for the approval of this project saw the narrow victory of no, and consequently Hashimoto announced his withdrawal from politics.[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-39) A second referendum for a merger into 4 semi-autonomous wards was narrowly voted down by 692,996 (50.6%).[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-metropolis-2020-40)
According to the [Forbes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbes "Forbes") list of *The World's Most Expensive Places To Live 2009*, Osaka was the second most expensive in the world after Tokyo.[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-41) By 2020 it slipped to the 5th rank of most expensive cities.[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-forbes-2020-42)
In March 2014, the 300-metre tall [Abeno Harukas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abeno_Harukas "Abeno Harukas") opened, which became the tallest building in Japan (surpassing the [Yokohama Landmark Tower](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokohama_Landmark_Tower "Yokohama Landmark Tower") in [Yokohama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokohama "Yokohama")), until it was in turn surpassed by the 330-metre tall [Azabudai Hills Main Tower](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azabudai_Hills "Azabudai Hills") in Tokyo following its completion in 2022.[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Tallest_high-rise_nears_completion-43)
[Expo 2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_2025 "Expo 2025") was held at [Yumeshima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yumeshima "Yumeshima") Island, [Konohana-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konohana-ku,_Osaka "Konohana-ku, Osaka") from April to October 2025. Osaka is the third city to host the [World Expo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Expo "World Expo") twice, previously hosting [Expo '70](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_%2770 "Expo '70"). It is also the fourth [World's Fair](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_Fair "World's Fair") held in Japan following [Expo '90](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_%2790 "Expo '90") and [Expo 2005](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_2005 "Expo 2005") in [Aichi Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aichi_Prefecture "Aichi Prefecture"). With Expo 2025, the event returned to its traditional 5-year scheduling cycle after the [Expo 2020](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_2020 "Expo 2020") in [Dubai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai "Dubai") was delayed to 2021 due to the [COVID-19 pandemic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic "COVID-19 pandemic").[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-44) The projected visitor count is approximately 28 million.[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-about-45)
On same site where Expo 2025 was held, [MGM Resorts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MGM_Resorts "MGM Resorts") began construction on [MGM Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MGM_Osaka "MGM Osaka") in April 2025. MGM Osaka will be the first [integrated resort](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_resort "Integrated resort") in Japan. It will include 2,300 hotel rooms, a casino, shopping and dining options, convention space and a 3,500-seat theatre.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-46)[\[47\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-47)
- Gallery
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Umeda_Sky_Building_Panoramablick_05.jpg "Skyscrapers in the Umeda district")
Skyscrapers in the [Umeda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeda "Umeda") district
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sennichimae_Osaka_ca1916.JPG "The Sennichimae area in 1916")
The Sennichimae area in 1916
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_after_the_1945_air_raid.JPG "Osaka after the bombing in 1945")
Osaka after the [bombing in 1945](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Osaka "Bombing of Osaka")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Abeno_Harukas_20140507-002.jpg "Abeno Harukas, the second-tallest building in Japan")
[Abeno Harukas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abeno_Harukas "Abeno Harukas"), the second-tallest building in Japan
## Geography
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=9 "Edit section: Geography")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_by_Sentinel-2,_2020-10-27.jpg)
A satellite image of Osaka
Osaka's west side is open to [Osaka Bay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Bay "Osaka Bay"), and is otherwise completely surrounded by more than ten satellite cities, all of them in [Osaka Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefecture "Osaka Prefecture"), with one exception: the city of [Amagasaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amagasaki "Amagasaki"), belonging to [Hyōgo Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hy%C5%8Dgo_Prefecture "Hyōgo Prefecture"), in the northwest. The city occupies a larger area (about 13%) than any other city or village within Osaka Prefecture.[\[48\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-48)
When Osaka was established in 1889, it occupied roughly the area known today as the Chuo and Nishi wards, 15.27 square kilometres (6 mi2) that grew into today's 222.30 square kilometres (86 mi2) via incremental expansions. The largest was a single 126.01-square-kilometre (49 mi2) expansion in 1925. Osaka's highest point, located in [Tsurumi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsurumi-ku,_Osaka "Tsurumi-ku, Osaka"), is 37.5 metres (123.0 ft) above [Tokyo Peil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geospatial_Information_Authority_of_Japan#Japanese_water_height_reference_point "Geospatial Information Authority of Japan"). The lowest point, in [Nishiyodogawa-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishiyodogawa-ku,_Osaka "Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka"), is −2.2 metres (−7.2 ft) below Tokyo Peil. Osaka is situated at a [latitude](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latitude "Latitude") of 34.67°, near the [35th parallel north](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/35th_parallel_north "35th parallel north"), a latitude farther south than [Rome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome "Rome") (41.90°), [Madrid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madrid "Madrid") (40.41°), San Francisco (37.77°) and [Seoul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul "Seoul") (37.53°).[\[49\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-49)
### Climate
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=10 "Edit section: Climate")\]
Osaka is located in the [humid subtropical climate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humid_subtropical_climate "Humid subtropical climate") zone ([Köppen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B6ppen_climate_classification "Köppen climate classification") *Cfa*), with four distinct seasons. Its winters are generally mild. January is the coldest month, with an average high of 9.7 °C (49 °F). Osaka rarely sees snowfall during the winter. Spring in Osaka starts off mild, but ends up being hot and humid. Spring tends to be Osaka's wettest season, with the *[tsuyu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Asian_rainy_season "East Asian rainy season")* (梅雨, *tsuyu*; "plum rain")—the rainy season—occurring between early June and late July. The average starting and ending dates of the rainy season are June 7 and July 21 respectively.[\[50\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-50)
Summers are very hot and humid. In August, the hottest month, the average daily high temperature reaches 33.7 °C (93 °F). Average nighttime low temperatures typically hover around 25.8 °C (78 °F). Fall in Osaka sees a cooling trend, with the early part of the season resembling summer, while the latter part of fall resembles winter.
Precipitation is abundant. Winter is the driest season. Monthly rainfall peaks in June with the "tsuyu" rainy season, which typically ends in mid to late July. From late July to the end of August, summer's heat and humidity peak, and rainfall decreases somewhat. Osaka has a second rainy period in September and early October, when tropical weather systems, including typhoons, coming from the south or southwest are possible.
| Climate data for Osaka (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1883–present) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 19\.1 (66.4) | 23\.7 (74.7) | 26\.1 (79.0) | 30\.7 (87.3) | 32\.7 (90.9) | 36\.1 (97.0) | 38\.4 (101.1) | 39\.1 (102.4) | 36\.4 (97.5) | 33\.1 (91.6) | 27\.9 (82.2) | 24\.5 (76.1) | 39\.1 (102.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 9\.7 (49.5) | 10\.5 (50.9) | 14\.2 (57.6) | 19\.9 (67.8) | 24\.9 (76.8) | 28\.0 (82.4) | 31\.8 (89.2) | 33\.7 (92.7) | 29\.5 (85.1) | 23\.7 (74.7) | 17\.8 (64.0) | 12\.3 (54.1) | 21\.3 (70.3) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 6\.2 (43.2) | 6\.6 (43.9) | 9\.9 (49.8) | 15\.2 (59.4) | 20\.1 (68.2) | 23\.6 (74.5) | 27\.7 (81.9) | 29\.0 (84.2) | 25\.2 (77.4) | 19\.5 (67.1) | 13\.8 (56.8) | 8\.7 (47.7) | 17\.1 (62.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 3\.0 (37.4) | 3\.2 (37.8) | 6\.0 (42.8) | 10\.9 (51.6) | 16\.0 (60.8) | 20\.3 (68.5) | 24\.6 (76.3) | 25\.8 (78.4) | 21\.9 (71.4) | 16\.0 (60.8) | 10\.2 (50.4) | 5\.3 (41.5) | 13\.6 (56.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −7.5 (18.5) | −6.5 (20.3) | −5.2 (22.6) | −2.6 (27.3) | 3\.5 (38.3) | 8\.9 (48.0) | 14\.8 (58.6) | 13\.6 (56.5) | 10\.4 (50.7) | 3\.0 (37.4) | −2.2 (28.0) | −4.5 (23.9) | −7.5 (18.5) |
| Average [precipitation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precipitation "Precipitation") mm (inches) | 47\.0 (1.85) | 60\.5 (2.38) | 103\.1 (4.06) | 101\.9 (4.01) | 136\.5 (5.37) | 185\.1 (7.29) | 174\.4 (6.87) | 113\.0 (4.45) | 152\.8 (6.02) | 136\.0 (5.35) | 72\.5 (2.85) | 55\.5 (2.19) | 1,338.3 (52.69) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 0 (0) | 1 (0.4) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (0.4) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.5 mm) | 6\.4 | 7\.3 | 10\.3 | 10\.0 | 10\.4 | 12\.3 | 11\.3 | 7\.8 | 10\.6 | 9\.2 | 7\.0 | 7\.1 | 109\.7 |
| Average [relative humidity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relative_humidity "Relative humidity") (%) | 61 | 60 | 59 | 58 | 61 | 68 | 70 | 66 | 67 | 65 | 64 | 62 | 63 |
| Mean monthly [sunshine hours](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshine_duration "Sunshine duration") | 146\.5 | 140\.6 | 172\.2 | 192\.6 | 203\.7 | 154\.3 | 184\.0 | 222\.4 | 161\.6 | 166\.1 | 152\.6 | 152\.1 | 2,048.6 |
| Average [ultraviolet index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet_index "Ultraviolet index") | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-51) and Weather Atlas[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-52) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
## Cityscape
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=11 "Edit section: Cityscape")\]
Osaka's sprawling cityscape has been described as "only surpassed by Tokyo as a showcase of the Japanese urban phenomenon".[\[53\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-53)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Central_Osaka.jpg "Central Osaka looking north from the Abeno Harukas observation deck (2014)")
Central Osaka looking north from the Abeno Harukas observation deck (2014)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ufoto-wiki-01_Osaka-Skyline_May2014.jpg "Osaka skyline towards Umeda (2014)")
Osaka skyline towards Umeda (2014)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Dusk_Skyline.png "Osaka skyline at night from Umeda Sky Building (2016)")
Osaka skyline at night from [Umeda Sky Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeda_Sky_Building "Umeda Sky Building") (2016)
### Neighborhoods
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=12 "Edit section: Neighborhoods")\]
Central Osaka is roughly divided into downtown and uptown areas known as **Kita** ([キタ](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AD%E3%82%BF "ja:キタ"); "north") and **Minami** ([ミナミ](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%9F%E3%83%8A%E3%83%9F "ja:ミナミ"); "south").[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-japan-guide.com-54)[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-japan-guide.com1-55)
Kita is home to the [Umeda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeda "Umeda") district and its immediate surrounding neighborhoods, a major business and retail hub that plays host to [Osaka Station City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Csaka_Station "Ōsaka Station") and a large subterranean network of shopping arcades.[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-japan-guide.com-54) Kita and nearby [Nakanoshima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakanoshima "Nakanoshima") contain a prominent portion of the city's skyscrapers and are often featured in photographs of Osaka's skyline.
Minami, though meaning "south", is essentially in Chūō Ward (中央区, *Chūō-ku*) and geographically central within the city.[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-japan-guide.com1-55) Well known districts here include [Namba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namba "Namba") and [Shinsaibashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinsaibashi "Shinsaibashi") shopping areas, the [Dōtonbori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dtonbori "Dōtonbori") canal entertainment area, [Nipponbashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nipponbashi "Nipponbashi") Den Den Town, as well as arts and fashion culture-oriented areas such as [Amerikamura](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amerikamura "Amerikamura") and Horie. The 300-meter tall [Abeno Harukas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abenobashi_Terminal_Building "Abenobashi Terminal Building") was the tallest skyscraper in the country from 2014 until 2023.[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Tallest_high-rise_nears_completion-43)
The business districts between Kita and Minami such as [Honmachi](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Honmachi_\(Osaka\)&action=edit&redlink=1 "Honmachi (Osaka) (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9C%AC%E7%94%BA_\(%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%B8%82\) "ja:本町 (大阪市)")\] and [Yodoyabashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yodoyabashi&action=edit&redlink=1 "Yodoyabashi (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B7%80%E5%B1%8B%E6%A9%8B "ja:淀屋橋")\], called **Semba** ([船場](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%88%B9%E5%A0%B4_\(%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%B8%82\) "ja:船場 (大阪市)")), house the regional headquarters of many large-scale banks and corporations. The [Midōsuji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid%C5%8Dsuji "Midōsuji") boulevard runs through Semba and connects Kita and Minami.
Further south of Minami are neighborhoods such as [Shinsekai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinsekai "Shinsekai") (with its [Tsūtenkaku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsutenkaku "Tsutenkaku") tower), [Tennoji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenn%C5%8Dji-ku,_Osaka "Tennōji-ku, Osaka") and [Abeno](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abeno-ku,_Osaka "Abeno-ku, Osaka") (with [Tennoji Zoo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenn%C5%8Dji_Zoo "Tennōji Zoo"), [Shitennō-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shitenn%C5%8D-ji "Shitennō-ji") and [Abeno Harukas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abenobashi_Terminal_Building "Abenobashi Terminal Building")), and the [Kamagasaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamagasaki "Kamagasaki") slums, the largest slum in Japan.[\[56\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-56)
The city's west side is a prominent [bay area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Bay "Osaka Bay")[\[57\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-57) which serves as its main port as well as a tourist destination with attractions such as [Kyocera Dome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyocera_Dome "Kyocera Dome"), [Universal Studios Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Studios_Japan "Universal Studios Japan") and the [Tempozan Harbor Village](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Tenp%C5%8D "Mount Tenpō"). [Higashiosaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashi%C5%8Dsaka,_Osaka "Higashiōsaka, Osaka") is zoned as a separate city, although the east side of Osaka city proper contains numerous residential neighborhoods including [Tsuruhashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsuruhashi_Station "Tsuruhashi Station") KoreaTown, as well as the [Osaka Castle Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle_Park "Osaka Castle Park"), [Osaka Business Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Business_Park "Osaka Business Park") and the hub [Kyōbashi Station](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ky%C5%8Dbashi_Station_\(Osaka\) "Kyōbashi Station (Osaka)").
Osaka contains numerous urban canals and bridges, many of which serve as the namesake for their surrounding neighborhoods.[\[58\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Eiichi_Watanabe-2004-58) The phrase "808 bridges of Naniwa" was an expression in old Japan used to indicate impressiveness and the "uncountable". Osaka numbered roughly 200 bridges by the Edo period[\[59\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-59) and 1,629 bridges by 1925. As many of the city's canals were gradually filled in, the number dropped to 872, of which 760 are currently managed by Osaka City.[\[58\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Eiichi_Watanabe-2004-58)
- Gallery
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nakanoshima_Skyscrapers_in_201504_001.jpg "Nakanoshima, a boundary of Kita (right) and Semba (left)")
[Nakanoshima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakanoshima "Nakanoshima"), a boundary of Kita (right) and Semba (left)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aerial_photo_of_Umeda_14-Aug-2019.jpg "Umeda district (2019)")
[Umeda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeda "Umeda") district (2019)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Dotonbori_Ebisu_Bridge.jpg "Dōtonbori bridge")
[Dōtonbori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dtonbori "Dōtonbori") bridge
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Namba_20150531.JPG "Namba (2015)")
[Namba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namba "Namba") (2015)
## List of wards
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=13 "Edit section: List of wards")\]
There are currently 24 [wards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wards_of_Japan "Wards of Japan") in Osaka:
| | Name | [Kanji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanji "Kanji") | Population[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-60) | *Land area in km2* | Pop. density *per km2* | Map of Osaka |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Abeno-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abeno-ku,_Osaka "Abeno-ku, Osaka") | 阿倍野区 | 113,200 | 5\.99 | 18,890 | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Wards.png "A map of Osaka's Wards") A map of Osaka's Wards |
| 2 | [Asahi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asahi-ku,_Osaka "Asahi-ku, Osaka") | 旭区 | 91,284 | 6\.32 | 14,446 | |
| 3 | [Chūō-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%AB%C5%8D-ku,_Osaka "Chūō-ku, Osaka") | 中央区 | 119,445 | 8\.87 | 13,466 | |
| 4 | [Fukushima-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima-ku,_Osaka "Fukushima-ku, Osaka") | 福島区 | 82,384 | 4\.67 | 17,633 | |
| 5 | [Higashinari-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashinari-ku,_Osaka "Higashinari-ku, Osaka") | 東成区 | 88,250 | 4\.54 | 19,441 | |
| 6 | [Higashisumiyoshi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashisumiyoshi-ku,_Osaka "Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osaka") | 東住吉区 | 134,834 | 9\.75 | 13,831 | |
| 7 | [Higashiyodogawa-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashiyodogawa-ku,_Osaka "Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka") | 東淀川区 | 177,809 | 13\.27 | 13,339 | |
| 8 | [Hirano-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirano-ku,_Osaka "Hirano-ku, Osaka") | 平野区 | 187,248 | 15\.28 | 12,250 | |
| 9 | [Ikuno-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikuno-ku,_Osaka "Ikuno-ku, Osaka") | 生野区 | 127,792 | 8\.37 | 15,263 | |
| 10 | [Jōtō-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C5%8Dt%C5%8D-ku,_Osaka "Jōtō-ku, Osaka") | 城東区 | 171,005 | 8\.38 | 20,399 | |
| 11 | [Kita-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kita-ku,_Osaka "Kita-ku, Osaka") (administrative center) | 北区 | 143,809 | 10\.34 | 13,908 | |
| 12 | [Konohana-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konohana-ku,_Osaka "Konohana-ku, Osaka") | 此花区 | 64,037 | 19\.25 | 3,327 | |
| 13 | [Minato-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minato-ku,_Osaka "Minato-ku, Osaka") | 港区 | 80,647 | 7\.86 | 10,259 | |
| 14 | [Miyakojima-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miyakojima-ku,_Osaka "Miyakojima-ku, Osaka") | 都島区 | 107,774 | 6\.08 | 17,723 | |
| 15 | [Naniwa-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naniwa-ku,_Osaka "Naniwa-ku, Osaka") | 浪速区 | 80,070 | 4\.39 | 18,246 | |
| 16 | [Nishi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishi-ku,_Osaka "Nishi-ku, Osaka") | 西区 | 112,706 | 5\.21 | 21,636 | |
| 17 | [Nishinari-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishinari-ku,_Osaka "Nishinari-ku, Osaka") | 西成区 | 105,351 | 7\.37 | 14,293 | |
| 18 | [Nishiyodogawa-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishiyodogawa-ku,_Osaka "Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka") | 西淀川区 | 98,641 | 14\.22 | 6,937 | |
| 19 | [Suminoe-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suminoe-ku,_Osaka "Suminoe-ku, Osaka") | 住之江区 | 117,417 | 20\.61 | 5,699 | |
| 20 | [Sumiyoshi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi-ku,_Osaka "Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka") | 住吉区 | 152,986 | 9\.40 | 16,279 | |
| 21 | [Taishō-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taish%C5%8D-ku,_Osaka "Taishō-ku, Osaka") | 大正区 | 61,891 | 9\.43 | 6,563 | |
| 22 | [Tennōji-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenn%C5%8Dji-ku,_Osaka "Tennōji-ku, Osaka") | 天王寺区 | 85,711 | 4\.84 | 17,709 | |
| 23 | [Tsurumi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsurumi-ku,_Osaka "Tsurumi-ku, Osaka") | 鶴見区 | 111,570 | 8\.17 | 13,652 | |
| 24 | [Yodogawa-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yodogawa-ku,_Osaka "Yodogawa-ku, Osaka") | 淀川区 | 187,245 | 12\.64 | 14,812 | |
## Demographics
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=14 "Edit section: Demographics")\]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 271,992 | — |
| 1880 | 292,636 | \+7.6% |
| 1890 | 483,609 | \+65.3% |
| 1900 | 881,344 | \+82.2% |
| 1910 | 1,239,373 | \+40.6% |
| 1920 | 1,798,295 | \+45.1% |
| 1925 | 2,135,248 | \+18.7% |
| 1930 | 2,477,959 | \+16.1% |
| 1935 | 3,022,425 | \+22.0% |
| 1940 | 3,300,714 | \+9.2% |
| 1945 | 1,614,632 | −51.1% |
| 1950 | 2,015,350 | \+24.8% |
| 1955 | 2,547,316 | \+26.4% |
| 1960 | 3,011,563 | \+18.2% |
| 1965 | 3,156,222 | \+4.8% |
| 1970 | 2,980,487 | −5.6% |
| 1975 | 2,778,987 | −6.8% |
| 1980 | 2,648,180 | −4.7% |
| 1985 | 2,636,249 | −0.5% |
| 1990 | 2,623,801 | −0.5% |
| 1995 | 2,602,421 | −0.8% |
| 2000 | 2,598,774 | −0.1% |
| 2005 | 2,628,811 | \+1.2% |
| 2010 | 2,666,371 | \+1.4% |
| 2015 | 2,691,185 | \+0.9% |
| 2020 | 2,752,024 | \+2.3% |
Population numbers have been recorded in Osaka since as early as 1873, in the early [Meiji era](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_era "Meiji era").[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-61) According to the census in 2005, there were 2,628,811 residents in Osaka, an increase of 30,037 or 1.2% from 2000.[\[62\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-62) There were 1,280,325 households with approximately 2.1 persons per household. The population density was 11,836 persons per km2. The [Great Kantō earthquake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1923_Great_Kant%C5%8D_earthquake "1923 Great Kantō earthquake") caused a mass migration to Osaka between 1920 and 1930, and the city became Japan's largest city in 1930 with 2,453,573 people, outnumbering even Tokyo, which had a population of 2,070,913. The population peaked at 3,252,340 in 1940, and had a post-war peak of 3,156,222 in 1965, but has declined since, as the residents moved out to the suburbs.[\[63\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-63)
There were 144,123 registered foreigners, the two largest groups being Korean (60,110) and Chinese (39,551).[\[64\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-64) [Ikuno](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikuno-ku,_Osaka "Ikuno-ku, Osaka"), with its Tsuruhashi district, is the home to one of the largest population of Korean residents in Japan, with 20,397 registered [Zainichi Koreans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zainichi_Koreans "Zainichi Koreans").[\[65\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-65)[\[66\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-66)[\[67\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-67)
### Dialect
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=15 "Edit section: Dialect")\]
See also: [Kansai dialect](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_dialect "Kansai dialect")
The commonly spoken dialect of this area is *Osaka-ben*, a typical sub-dialect of *Kansai-ben*. Of the many other particularities that characterize Osaka-ben, examples include using the copula *ya* instead of *da*, and the suffix *\-hen* instead of *\-nai* in negative verb forms.
## Government
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=16 "Edit section: Government")\]
See also: [Local Autonomy Law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Autonomy_Law "Local Autonomy Law"), [Municipalities of Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_Japan "Municipalities of Japan"), and [Politics of Osaka City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Osaka_City "Politics of Osaka City")
| Local administration | |
|---|---|
| The Mayor and the Council | |
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_City_Hall_-_01.JPG)Osaka City Hall | |
| Mayor: | [Ichiro Matsui](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichiro_Matsui "Ichiro Matsui") |
| Vice Mayors: | Toru Takahashi, Shin Asakawa, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto |
| City Council | |
| President: | Toshifumi Tagaya [(LDP)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Democratic_Party_\(Japan\) "Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)") |
| Members: | 83 councilors (7 vacant) |
| Factions: | [Osaka Restoration Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Restoration_Association "Osaka Restoration Association") (36), [Liberal Democratic Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Democratic_Party_\(Japan\) "Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)") and Citizen's Club (20), [Komei Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Komeito_Party "New Komeito Party") (19), [Japanese Communist Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Communist_Party "Japanese Communist Party") (9), Go OSAKA (1) Osaka Abe (1) |
| Seats by districts: | Ward (no. of seats) [Abeno-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abeno-ku,_Osaka "Abeno-ku, Osaka") (4), [Asahi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asahi-ku,_Osaka "Asahi-ku, Osaka") (4), [Chūō-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%AB%C5%8D-ku,_Osaka "Chūō-ku, Osaka") (2), [Fukushima-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima-ku,_Osaka "Fukushima-ku, Osaka") (2), [Higashinari-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashinari-ku,_Osaka "Higashinari-ku, Osaka") (3), [Higashisumiyoshi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashisumiyoshi-ku,_Osaka "Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osaka") (5), [Higashiyodogawa-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashiyodogawa-ku,_Osaka "Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka") (6), [Hirano-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirano-ku,_Osaka "Hirano-ku, Osaka") (6), [Ikuno-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikuno-ku,_Osaka "Ikuno-ku, Osaka") (5), [Jōtō-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C5%8Dt%C5%8D-ku,_Osaka "Jōtō-ku, Osaka") (5), [Kita-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kita-ku,_Osaka "Kita-ku, Osaka") (3), [Konohana-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konohana-ku,_Osaka "Konohana-ku, Osaka") (3), [Minato-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minato-ku,_Osaka "Minato-ku, Osaka") (3), [Miyakojima-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miyakojima-ku,_Osaka "Miyakojima-ku, Osaka") (3), [Naniwa-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naniwa-ku,_Osaka "Naniwa-ku, Osaka") (2), [Nishi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishi-ku,_Osaka "Nishi-ku, Osaka") (2), [Nishinari-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishinari-ku,_Osaka "Nishinari-ku, Osaka") (5), [Nishiyodogawa-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishiyodogawa-ku,_Osaka "Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka") (3), [Suminoe-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suminoe-ku,_Osaka "Suminoe-ku, Osaka") (4), [Sumiyoshi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi-ku,_Osaka "Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka") (6), [Taishō-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taish%C5%8D-ku,_Osaka "Taishō-ku, Osaka") (3), [Tennōji-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenn%C5%8Dji-ku,_Osaka "Tennōji-ku, Osaka") (2), [Tsurumi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsurumi-ku,_Osaka "Tsurumi-ku, Osaka") (3), [Yodogawa-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yodogawa-ku,_Osaka "Yodogawa-ku, Osaka") (5) |
| Website | [Osaka City Council](http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/shikai/english/) |
| Note: As of October 27, 2017 | |
The [Osaka City Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_City_Council "Osaka City Council") is the city's local government formed under the [Local Autonomy Law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Autonomy_Law "Local Autonomy Law"). The council has eighty-nine seats, allocated to the twenty-four wards proportional to their population and re-elected by the citizens every four years. The council elects its president and Vice President. Toshifumi Tagaya ([LDP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Democratic_Party_\(Japan\) "Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)")) is the current and 104th president since May 2008.
The mayor of Osaka is directly elected by the citizens every four years, in accordance with the Local Autonomy Law. [Hideyuki Yokoyama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hideyuki_Yokoyama "Hideyuki Yokoyama") is the current mayor of Osaka having won the mayoral election in [2023](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Osaka_mayoral_election "2023 Osaka mayoral election") and [2026](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Osaka_mayoral_election "2026 Osaka mayoral election"). The mayor is supported by two vice mayors.[\[68\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-68)
Osaka also houses several agencies of the Japanese government. Below is a list of governmental offices housed in Osaka.
- [Japan Coast Guard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Coast_Guard "Japan Coast Guard"), Fifth Regional Headquarters
- Japan Fair Trade Commission; Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku Office
- Kinki Regional Finance Bureau
- Kinki Regional Economy, Trade and Industry Bureau
- Kinki Regional Transportation Bureau
- Kinki Communications Bureau
- Kinki Regional Development Bureau
- [Kinki Regional Police Bureau](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Police_Agency_\(Japan\) "National Police Agency (Japan)")
- [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Osaka Office](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Foreign_Affairs_\(Japan\) "Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan)")
- Osaka Customs
- Osaka District Court
- Osaka Family Court
- Osaka High Court
- Osaka Immigration
- Osaka Labour Bureau
- Osaka Meteorological Observatory
- Osaka Public Prosecutors Office
- Osaka Regional Aerospace Bureau
- Osaka Regional Law Bureau
- Osaka Regional Taxation Bureau
- Osaka Summary Court
### Developments
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=17 "Edit section: Developments")\]
In July 2012, a joint multi-party bill was submitted to the Diet that would allow for implementation of the [Osaka Metropolis plan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Metropolis_plan "Osaka Metropolis plan") as pursued by the mayor of Osaka city, the governor of Osaka and [their party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Restoration_Association_\(1st\) "Osaka Restoration Association (1st)"). If implemented, Osaka City, neighboring [Sakai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai,_Osaka "Sakai, Osaka") City and possibly other surrounding municipalities would dissolve and be reorganized as four [special wards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_wards_of_Tokyo "Special wards of Tokyo") of Osaka prefecture – similar to former [Tokyo City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_City "Tokyo City")'s successor wards within Tokyo prefecture. Special wards are municipal-level administrative units that leave some otherwise municipal administrative responsibilities and [revenues](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revenues "Revenues") to the prefectural administration.[\[69\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-69)
In October 2018, the city of Osaka officially ended[\[70\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-70) its sister city relationship with San Francisco in the United States after the latter permitted a monument memorializing "comfort women" to remain on a city-owned property, circulating in the process a 10-page, 3,800-word letter in English addressed to San Francisco mayor [London Breed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Breed "London Breed").[\[71\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-71)
In November 2020, a second referendum to merge Osaka's 24 wards into 4 semi-autonomous wards was narrowly voted down. There were 692,996 (50.6%) votes against and 675,829 (49.4%) votes supported it.[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-metropolis-2020-40) Osaka mayor and Osaka Ishin co-leader [Ichiro Matsui](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichiro_Matsui "Ichiro Matsui") said he would resign when his term ended in 2023.[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-metropolis-2020-40)
### Energy policies
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=18 "Edit section: Energy policies")\]
#### Nuclear power
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=19 "Edit section: Nuclear power")\]
In February 2012, three Kansai cities, [Kyoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto "Kyoto"), Osaka, and [Kobe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe "Kobe"), jointly asked [Kansai Electric Power Company](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_Electric_Power_Company "Kansai Electric Power Company") to break its dependence on nuclear power. In a letter to KEPCO they also requested to disclose information on the demand and supply of electricity, and for lower and stable prices. The three cities were stockholders of the plant: Osaka owned 9% of the shares, Kobe had 3% and Kyoto 0.45%. In June 2012, Toru Hashimoto, the mayor of Osaka, announced a proposal to minimize the dependence on nuclear power for the shareholders meeting.[\[72\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-72)
In March 2012, the city of Osaka decided that as the largest shareholder of Kansai Electric Power Co, that at the next shareholders-meeting in June 2012 it would demand a series of changes:
- that Kansai Electric would be split into two companies, separating power generation from power transmission.
- a reduction of the number of the utility's executives and employees.
- the implementation of absolutely secure measurements to ensuring the safety of the nuclear facilities.
- the disposing of spent fuel.
- the installation of new kind of thermal power generation to secure non-nuclear supply of energy.
- selling all unnecessary assets including the stock holdings of KEPCO.
In this action, Osaka secured the support of two other cities and shareholders: [Kyoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto "Kyoto") and [Kobe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe "Kobe"). With their combined voting-rights of 12.5 percent, they were not certain of the ultimate outcome. Two-thirds of the shareholders would be needed to agree to revise the corporate charter.[\[73\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-73)
At a meeting held on April 10, 2012, by the "energy strategy council", formed by the city of Osaka and the governments of the prefectures, it became clear that at the end of the fiscal year 2011 some 69 employees of Kansai Electric Power Company were former public servants. "[Amakudari](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amakudari "Amakudari")" is the Japanese name for this practice of rewarding, by hiring officials that formerly controlled and supervised the firm. Such people included the following:
- 13 ex-officials of the: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
- 3 ex-officials of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry,
- 2 ex-officials of the Ministry of the Environment,
- 16 former policemen,
- 10 former fire-fighters,
- 13 former civil engineers.
Besides this, it became known that Kansai Electric had made about 600 external financial donations, to a total sum of about 1.695 billion yen:
- 70 donations were paid to local governments: to a total of 699 million yen
- 100 donations to public-service organizations: 443 million yen,
- 430 donations to various organizations and foundations: a total of 553 million yen
During this meeting ,some 8 conditions were compiled, that needed to be fulfilled before a restart of the No.3 and No.4 reactors Oi Nuclear Power Plant:
- the consent of the local people and government within 100 kilometer from the plant
- the installation of a new independent regulatory agency
- a nuclear safety agreement
- the establishment of new nuclear safety standards
- stress tests and evaluations based on these new safety rules[\[74\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-74)
## Economy
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=20 "Edit section: Economy")\]
Main articles: [Hanshin Industrial Region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanshin_Industrial_Region "Hanshin Industrial Region") and [Keihanshin industrial region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keihanshin_industrial_region "Keihanshin industrial region")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_umeda06s3200.jpg)
A street in Umeda, Osaka
The gross city product of Osaka in fiscal year 2004 was ¥21.3 trillion, an increase of 1.2% over the previous year. The figure accounts for about 55% of the total output in the Osaka Prefecture and 26.5% in the Kinki region. In 2004, commerce, services, and manufacturing have been the three major industries, accounting for 30%, 26%, and 11% of the total, respectively. The per capita income in the city was about ¥3.3 million, 10% higher than that of the Osaka Prefecture.[\[75\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-75) [MasterCard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MasterCard "MasterCard") Worldwide reported that Osaka ranks 19th among the world's leading cities and plays an important role in the global economy.[\[76\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-76) Osaka's GDP per capita (Nominal) was \$59,958.(\$1=\\120.13)[\[77\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-77)[\[78\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-78) However, by 2020, Osaka ranked as the 5th most expensive city due to flatlining consumer prices and government subsidies of public transportation.[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-forbes-2020-42)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka-Securities-Exchange-01.jpg)
[Osaka Exchange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Exchange "Osaka Exchange") in the Kitahama district of Osaka
Historically, Osaka was the center of commerce in Japan, especially in the middle and pre-modern ages. [Nomura Securities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nomura_Securities "Nomura Securities"), the first brokerage firm in Japan, was founded in the city in 1925, and Osaka still houses a leading futures exchange. Many major companies have since moved their main offices to Tokyo. However, several major companies, such as [Panasonic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panasonic "Panasonic"), [Sharp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharp_Corporation "Sharp Corporation"), and [Sanyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanyo "Sanyo"), are still headquartered in Osaka. In the 2017 [Global Financial Centres Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Financial_Centres_Index "Global Financial Centres Index"), Osaka was ranked as having the 15th most competitive financial center in the world and fifth most competitive in Asia (after [Singapore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Singapore#Banking "Economy of Singapore"), [Hong Kong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong#Financial_centre "Hong Kong"), [Tokyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo#Economy "Tokyo"), and [Shanghai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai#Economy "Shanghai")).[\[79\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-79)
The [Osaka Securities Exchange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Securities_Exchange "Osaka Securities Exchange"), specializing in derivatives such as [Nikkei 225](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikkei_225 "Nikkei 225") futures, is based in Osaka. The merger with [JASDAQ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JASDAQ "JASDAQ") will help the Osaka Securities Exchange become the largest exchange in Japan for start-up companies.[\[80\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-80)
According to global consulting firm Mercer, Osaka was the second [most expensive city for expatriate employees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_expensive_cities_for_expatriate_employees "List of most expensive cities for expatriate employees") in the world in 2009. It jumped up nine places from 11th place in 2008 and was the eighth most expensive city in 2007. However, it was not ranked in the top ten places of the list in 2013.[\[81\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-81)[\[82\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-82) The [Economist Intelligence Unit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economist_Intelligence_Unit "Economist Intelligence Unit") (EIU) ranked Osaka as the second most expensive city in the world in its 2013 Cost of Living study.[\[83\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-83)
### Keihanshin region
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=21 "Edit section: Keihanshin region")\]
Osaka is part of the [metropolitan region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_region "Metropolitan region") called [Keihanshin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keihanshin "Keihanshin") (also known as Greater Osaka) in the [Kansai region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_region "Kansai region"). The Keihanshin region includes the prefectures of [Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefecture "Osaka Prefecture"), [Kyoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Prefecture "Kyoto Prefecture"), [Hyōgo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hy%C5%8Dgo_Prefecture "Hyōgo Prefecture") ([Kobe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe "Kobe")), [Nara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara_Prefecture "Nara Prefecture"), [Shiga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiga_Prefecture "Shiga Prefecture"), [Wakayama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakayama_Prefecture "Wakayama Prefecture"), and [Sakai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai,_Osaka "Sakai, Osaka").[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-stats-boj-6) The Keihanshin region has a population (as of 2015[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit)) of 19,303,000 (15% of Japan's population) which covers 13,228 km2 (5,107 sq mi).[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-japan2-3) It is ranked the second most [urban region in Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Largest_Japanese_metropolitan_areas "Largest Japanese metropolitan areas") after the [Greater Tokyo area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Tokyo_area "Greater Tokyo area") and 10th [largest urban area in the world](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_urban_areas_by_population "List of urban areas by population").[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-japan2-3) Keihanshin has a GDP of approximately \$953.9 billion in 2012 (16th largest in the world).[\[84\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-84) Osaka-Kobe has a GDP of \$681 billion (2015), which is a bit more than Paris or [Greater London](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_London "Greater London").[\[85\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-85)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Metropolitan_Employment_Area_2015.png "Greater Osaka (without Kyoto) Metropolitan Employment Area")
Greater Osaka (without Kyoto) [Metropolitan Employment Area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_Employment_Area "Urban Employment Area")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Keihanshin_MEAs_2015.png "Keihanshin with Osaka (red), Kobe (green), and Kyoto (blue)")
Keihanshin with [Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefecture "Osaka Prefecture") (red), [Kobe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_Prefecture "Kobe Prefecture") (green), and [Kyoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Prefecture "Kyoto Prefecture") (blue)
## Transportation
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=22 "Edit section: Transportation")\]
Main article: [Transport in Keihanshin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_in_Keihanshin "Transport in Keihanshin")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Urban_Railway_network.svg)
The black lines represent the [commuter rail](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commuter_rail "Commuter rail") network serving the Osaka metropolitan area. The pink lines represent the [Osaka Metro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Metro "Osaka Metro") system. The blue lines represent three rail extension projects: the [Osaka Monorail Main Line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Monorail_Main_Line "Osaka Monorail Main Line") (right), the [Naniwasuji Line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naniwasuji_Line "Naniwasuji Line") (center), and the [Osaka Port Transport System Hokkō Line](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Port_Transport_System_Hokk%C5%8D_Line&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Port Transport System Hokkō Line (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E6%B8%AF%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B9%E3%83%9D%E3%83%BC%E3%83%88%E3%82%B7%E3%82%B9%E3%83%86%E3%83%A0%E5%8C%97%E6%B8%AF%E3%83%86%E3%82%AF%E3%83%8E%E3%83%9D%E3%83%BC%E3%83%88%E7%B7%9A "ja:大阪港トランスポートシステム北港テクノポート線")\] (left).
Greater Osaka has an extensive network of railway lines, comparable to that of Greater Tokyo. Major stations within the city include [Umeda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeda_Station "Umeda Station") (梅田), [Namba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namba_Station "Namba Station") (難波), [Shinsaibashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinsaibashi_Station "Shinsaibashi Station") (心斎橋), [Tennōji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenn%C5%8Dji_Station "Tennōji Station") (天王寺), [Kyōbashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ky%C5%8Dbashi_Station_\(Osaka\) "Kyōbashi Station (Osaka)") (京橋), and [Yodoyabashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yodoyabashi_Station "Yodoyabashi Station") (淀屋橋).
Osaka connects to its surrounding cities and suburbs via the [JR West](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JR_West "JR West") [Urban Network](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_Network "Urban Network") as well as numerous private lines such as [Keihan Electric Railway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keihan_Electric_Railway "Keihan Electric Railway"), [Hankyu Railway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hankyu_Railway "Hankyu Railway"), [Hanshin Electric Railway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanshin_Electric_Railway "Hanshin Electric Railway"), [Kintetsu Railway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintetsu_Railway "Kintetsu Railway"), and [Nankai Electric Railway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nankai_Electric_Railway "Nankai Electric Railway").
The [Osaka Metro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Metro "Osaka Metro") system alone ranks 8th in the world by annual passenger ridership, serving over 912 million people annually (a quarter of Greater Osaka Rail System's 4 billion annual riders), despite being only 8 of more than 70 lines in the metro area.
All [Shinkansen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinkansen "Shinkansen") trains including *[Nozomi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nozomi_\(train\) "Nozomi (train)")* stop at [Shin-Osaka Station](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shin-%C5%8Csaka_Station "Shin-Ōsaka Station") and provide access to other major cities in Japan, such as Kobe, Kyoto, Nagoya, Yokohama, and Tokyo.
Regular bus services are provided by [Osaka City Bus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Municipal_Transportation_Bureau "Osaka Municipal Transportation Bureau"), as well Hankyu, Hanshin and Kintetsu, providing a dense network covering most parts of the city.
Osaka is served by two airports situated just outside the city, [Kansai International Airport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_International_Airport "Kansai International Airport") ([IATA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IATA "IATA"): **KIX**) which handles primarily international passenger flights and international cargo flights and the nearby [Osaka Itami Airport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_International_Airport "Osaka International Airport") ([IATA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IATA "IATA"): **ITM**) which handles mostly domestic services.
Due to its geographical position, Osaka's international ferry connections are far greater than that of Tokyo, with international service to Shanghai, [Tianjin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianjin "Tianjin"), and [Busan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busan "Busan") along with domestic routes to [Kitakyushu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitakyushu "Kitakyushu"), [Kagoshima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kagoshima "Kagoshima"), [Miyazaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miyazaki,_Miyazaki "Miyazaki, Miyazaki") and [Okinawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okinawa_Prefecture "Okinawa Prefecture").
## Culture and lifestyle
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=23 "Edit section: Culture and lifestyle")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Hanyku_Grand.tif)
A chef prepares for the evening rush in Umeda.
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Takoyaki-osk.jpg)
[Takoyaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takoyaki "Takoyaki") (たこ焼き)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dotonbori_19.jpg)
The [Glico Man](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezaki_Glico "Ezaki Glico") among numerous signboards at [Dōtonbori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dtonbori "Dōtonbori")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Grand_Front_Osaka_and_Yodobashi_Umeda_in_201504_001.JPG)
Grand Front Osaka
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chayamachi_Osaka.jpg)
Chayamachi district in Kita-ku
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_street_scene.jpg)
Dōtonbori street scene
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:National_Museum_of_Art,_Osaka.jpg)
The [National Museum of Art](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_Art,_Osaka "National Museum of Art, Osaka"), a subterranean museum of Japanese and international art
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kyocera_Dome_Osaka1.jpg)
The [Osaka Dome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Dome "Osaka Dome"), home to the Orix Buffaloes and Hanshin Tigers
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Amerikamura_2014.jpg)
[Amerikamura](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amerikamura "Amerikamura") in Chuo-ku
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nipponbashi_Osaka_Japan01-r.jpg)
[Nipponbashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nipponbashi "Nipponbashi") in Naniwa-ku
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NHK_Osaka_Broadcasting_Station_Bldg_20060604-001.jpg)
NHK Osaka
### Shopping and food
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=24 "Edit section: Shopping and food")\]
Osaka has a large number of wholesalers and retail shops: 25,228 and 34,707 respectively in 2004.[\[86\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-86) Many of them are concentrated in the wards of Chuō (10,468 shops) and Kita (6,335 shops). Types of shops vary from malls to conventional [shōtengai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Dtengai "Shōtengai") shopping arcades, built both above- and underground.[\[87\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-87) Shōtengai are seen across Japan, and Osaka has the longest one in the country.[\[88\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-88) The Tenjinbashi-suji arcade stretches from the road approaching the [Tenmangū shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Csaka_Tenman-g%C5%AB "Ōsaka Tenman-gū") and continues for 2.6 km (1.6 miles) going north to south. The stores along the arcade include commodities, clothing, and catering outlets.
Other shopping areas include [Den Den Town](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nipponbashi "Nipponbashi"), the electronic and manga/anime district, which is comparable to Akihabara in Tokyo, the [Umeda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeda "Umeda") district, which has the Hankyu Sanbangai shopping mall and [Yodobashi Camera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yodobashi_Camera "Yodobashi Camera"), a huge electrical appliance store that offers a vast range of fashion stores, restaurants, and a Shonen Jump store. Osaka is known for its food, in Japan and abroad. Author [Michael Booth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Booth_\(writer\) "Michael Booth (writer)") and food critic [François Simon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_Simon_\(food_critic\) "François Simon (food critic)") of *[Le Figaro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Figaro "Le Figaro")* have suggested that Osaka is the food capital of the world.[\[89\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-89)
Osakans' love for the culinary is made apparent in the old saying "Kyotoites are financially ruined by overspending on clothing, Osakans are ruined by spending on food."[\[90\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-90) Regional cuisine includes **[okonomiyaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okonomiyaki "Okonomiyaki")** (お好み焼き; pan-fried batter cake), **[takoyaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takoyaki "Takoyaki")** (たこ焼き; [octopus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octopus_as_food "Octopus as food") in fried batter), **[udon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udon "Udon")** (うどん; a noodle dish), as well as the traditional **[oshizushi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshizushi "Oshizushi")** (押し寿司; pressed sushi), particularly *battera* (バッテラ; pressed mackerel sushi). Osaka is known for its fine sake, which is made with fresh water from the prefecture's mountains.[\[91\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-91)
Osaka's culinary prevalence is the result of regional access to high-quality ingredients, a high population of merchants, and proximity to the ocean and waterway trade.[\[92\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-92) In recent years, Osaka has started to garner more attention from foreigners with the increased popularity of cooking and dining in popular culture.[\[93\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-93)
Other shopping districts include:
- [American Village (Amerika-mura or "Ame-mura")](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amerikamura "Amerikamura") – fashion for young people
- [Dōtonbori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dtonbori "Dōtonbori") – part of Namba district and considered heart of the city
- [Namba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namba "Namba") – main shopping, sightseeing, and restaurant area
- [Shinsaibashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinsaibashi "Shinsaibashi") – luxury goods and department stores
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_market.jpg)
Osaka market
[Umeda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeda "Umeda") – theaters, boutiques, and department stores near the train station
### Entertainment and performing arts
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=25 "Edit section: Entertainment and performing arts")\]
See also: [Kamigata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamigata "Kamigata")
- Osaka is home to the [National Bunraku Theater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Bunraku_Theatre "National Bunraku Theatre"),[\[94\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-94) where traditional puppet plays, [bunraku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunraku "Bunraku"), are performed.
- At Osaka Shochiku-za, close to Namba station, [kabuki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabuki "Kabuki") can be enjoyed as well as [manzai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manzai "Manzai").
- At Shin Kabuki-za, formerly near Namba and now near [Uehommachi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Csaka_Uehommachi_Station "Ōsaka Uehommachi Station") area, [enka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enka "Enka") concerts and Japanese dramas are performed.
- [Yoshimoto Kogyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshimoto_Kogyo "Yoshimoto Kogyo"), a Japanese entertainment conglomerate operates a hall in the city for manzai and other comedy shows: the Namba Grand Kagetsu hall.
- The Hanjō-tei opened in 2006, dedicated to [rakugo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakugo "Rakugo"). The theater is in the [Ōsaka Tenman-gū](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Csaka_Tenman-g%C5%AB "Ōsaka Tenman-gū") area.
- [Umeda Arts Theater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeda_Arts_Theater "Umeda Arts Theater") opened in 2005 after relocating from its former 46-year-old Umeda Koma Theater. The theater has a main hall with 1,905 seats and a smaller theater-drama hall with 898 seats. Umeda Arts Theater stages various type of performances including musicals, music concerts, dramas, rakugo, and others.
- The Symphony Hall, built in 1982, is the first hall in Japan designed specially for classical music concerts. The Hall was opened with a concert by the [Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Philharmonic_Orchestra "Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra"), which is based in the city. Orchestras such as the [Berlin Philharmonic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Philharmonic "Berlin Philharmonic") and [Vienna Philharmonic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna_Philharmonic "Vienna Philharmonic") have played here during their world tours as well.
- [Osaka-jō Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka-j%C5%8D_Hall "Osaka-jō Hall") is a multi-purpose arena in [Osaka-jō park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle_Park "Osaka Castle Park") with a capacity for up to 16,000 people. The hall has hosted numerous events and concerts including both Japanese and international artists.
- Nearby City Hall in [Nakanoshima Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakanoshima_Park "Nakanoshima Park"), is Osaka Central Public Hall, a [Neo-Renaissance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-Renaissance "Neo-Renaissance")\-style building first opened in 1918. Re-opened in 2002 after major renovation, it serves as a multi-purpose rental facility for citizen events.
- The [Osaka Shiki Theater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiki_Theatre_Company "Shiki Theatre Company")[\[95\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-95) is one of the nine private halls operated nationwide by the [Shiki Theater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiki_Theatre_Company "Shiki Theatre Company"), staging straight plays and musicals.
- [Festival Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festival_Hall,_Osaka "Festival Hall, Osaka") was a hall hosting various performances including [noh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noh "Noh"), [kyōgen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ky%C5%8Dgen "Kyōgen"), kabuki, ballets as well as classic concerts. The Bolshoi Ballet and the [Philharmonia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philharmonia_Orchestra "Philharmonia Orchestra") are among the many that were welcomed on stage in the past. The hall has closed at the end of 2008, planned to re-open in 2013 in a new facility.
### Annual festivals
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=26 "Edit section: Annual festivals")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tenjinmatsuri.JPG)
Tenjin Matsuri
One of the most famous festivals held in Osaka, the [Tenjin Matsuri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenjin_Matsuri "Tenjin Matsuri"), is held on July 24 and 25 ([Osaka Tenmangū](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Tenmang%C5%AB "Osaka Tenmangū")). Other festivals in Osaka include the Aizen Matsuri (June 30 – July 2, Shōman-in Temple), the Sumiyoshi Matsuri (July 30 – August 1, [Sumiyoshi Taisha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi_Taisha "Sumiyoshi Taisha")), Shōryō-e (April 22, [Shitennō-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shitenn%C5%8D-ji "Shitennō-ji")) and Tōka-Ebisu (January 9–10, Imamiya Ebisu Jinja). The annual [Osaka Asian Film Festival](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Asian_Film_Festival "Osaka Asian Film Festival") takes place in Osaka every March while the Midosuji Parade takes place in October.[\[96\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-96)
### Museums and galleries
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=27 "Edit section: Museums and galleries")\]
See also: [Museums in Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Museums_in_Osaka "Category:Museums in Osaka")
The [National Museum of Art](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_Art,_Osaka "National Museum of Art, Osaka") (NMAO) is a subterranean Japanese and international art museum, housing mainly collections from the post-war era and regularly welcoming temporary exhibitions. [Osaka Science Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Science_Museum "Osaka Science Museum") is in a five storied building next to the National Museum of Art, with a planetarium and an [OMNIMAX](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OMNIMAX "OMNIMAX") theater. The [Museum of Oriental Ceramics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_of_Oriental_Ceramics,_Osaka "Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka") holds more than 2,000 pieces of ceramics, from China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam, featuring displays of some of their Korean [celadon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celadon "Celadon") under natural light. [Osaka Municipal Museum of Art](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Municipal_Museum_of_Art "Osaka Municipal Museum of Art") is inside [Tennōji Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenn%C5%8Dji_Park "Tennōji Park"), housing over 8,000 pieces of Japanese and Chinese paintings and sculptures. The [Osaka Museum of History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Museum_of_History "Osaka Museum of History"), opened in 2001, is located in a 13-story modern building providing a view of [Osaka Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle "Osaka Castle"). Its exhibits cover the history of Osaka from pre-history to the present day. Osaka Museum of Natural History houses a collection related to natural history and life.
### Sports
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=28 "Edit section: Sports")\]
Osaka hosts four professional sport teams: one of them is the [Orix Buffaloes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orix_Buffaloes "Orix Buffaloes"), a [Nippon Professional Baseball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nippon_Professional_Baseball "Nippon Professional Baseball") team, playing its home games at [Kyocera Dome Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Dome "Osaka Dome"). Another baseball team, the [Hanshin Tigers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanshin_Tigers "Hanshin Tigers"), although based in [Nishinomiya, Hyōgo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishinomiya,_Hy%C5%8Dgo "Nishinomiya, Hyōgo"), plays a part of its home games in [Kyocera Dome Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Dome "Osaka Dome") as well, when their homeground [Koshien Stadium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koshien_Stadium "Koshien Stadium") is occupied with the annual [National High School Baseball Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_High_School_Baseball_Championship "Japanese High School Baseball Championship") games during summer season.
There are two [J.League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J.League "J.League") clubs, [Gamba Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamba_Osaka "Gamba Osaka"), plays its home games at [Suita City Football Stadium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suita_City_Football_Stadium "Suita City Football Stadium"). Another club [Cerezo Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerezo_Osaka "Cerezo Osaka"), plays its home games at [Yanmar Stadium Nagai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yanmar_Stadium_Nagai "Yanmar Stadium Nagai"). The city is home to [Osaka Evessa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Evessa "Osaka Evessa"), a basketball team that plays in the [B.League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B.League "B.League"). Evessa has won the first three championships of the league since its establishment. [Kintetsu Liners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintetsu_Liners "Kintetsu Liners"), a [rugby union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_union "Rugby union") team, play in the [Top League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Rugby_League_One "Japan Rugby League One"). After winning promotion in 2008–09, they will again remain in the competition for the 2009–10 season. Their base is the [Hanazono Rugby Stadium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintetsu_Hanazono_Rugby_Stadium "Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium").
The **Haru Basho** (春場所; "Spring Tournament"), one of the six regular tournaments of professional [sumo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumo "Sumo"), is held annually in Osaka at [Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefectural_Gymnasium "Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium").
Another major annual sporting event that takes place in Osaka is [Osaka International Ladies Marathon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_International_Ladies_Marathon "Osaka International Ladies Marathon"). Held usually at the end of January every year, the 42.195 km (26.219-mile) race starts from Nagai Stadium, runs through [Nakanoshima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakanoshima "Nakanoshima"), [Midōsuji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid%C5%8Dsuji "Midōsuji") and [Osaka Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle "Osaka Castle") park, and returns to the stadium. Another yearly event held at Nagai Stadium is the Osaka Gran Prix Athletics games operated by the [International Association of Athletics Federations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Association_of_Athletics_Federations "International Association of Athletics Federations") (IAAF) in May. The Osaka GP is the only IAAF games annually held in Japan.
Osaka made the bid for the [2008 Summer Olympics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Summer_Olympics "2008 Summer Olympics") and the [2008 Summer Paralympics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Summer_Paralympics "2008 Summer Paralympics") but was eliminated in the first round of the vote on July 13, 2001, which awarded the game to Beijing.
Osaka was one of the host cities of the official [Women's Volleyball World Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_Volleyball_World_Championship "Women's Volleyball World Championship") for its [1998](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_FIVB_Volleyball_Women%27s_World_Championship "1998 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship"), [2006](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_FIVB_Volleyball_Women%27s_World_Championship "2006 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship") and [2010](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIVB_Volleyball_Women%27s_World_Championship "2010 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship") editions.
Osaka is the home of the 2011 created [Japan Bandy Federation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Bandy_Federation "Japan Bandy Federation") and the introduction of [bandy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandy "Bandy"), in the form of [rink bandy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rink_bandy "Rink bandy"), was made in the city.[\[97\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-97) In July 2012 the first Japan Bandy Festival was organized.[\[98\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-98)
### Media
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=29 "Edit section: Media")\]
Osaka serves as one of the media hubs for Japan, housing headquarters of many media-related companies. Abundant television production takes place in the city and every nationwide TV network (with the exception of TXN network) registers its secondary-key station in Osaka. All five nationwide newspaper majors also house their regional headquarters, and most local newspapers nationwide have branches in Osaka. However major film productions are uncommon in the city. Most major films are produced in nearby [Kyoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto "Kyoto") or in Tokyo. The [Ad Council Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_Council_Japan "Ad Council Japan") was founded in 1971 is based in Osaka, now it is the Osaka branch.
#### Newspapers
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=30 "Edit section: Newspapers")\]
All five major national newspapers of Japan, *[The Asahi Shimbun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Asahi_Shimbun "The Asahi Shimbun")*, *[Mainichi Shimbun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainichi_Shimbun "Mainichi Shimbun")*, *[Nihon Keizai Shimbun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nihon_Keizai_Shimbun "Nihon Keizai Shimbun")*, *[Sankei Shimbun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sankei_Shimbun "Sankei Shimbun")* and *[Yomiuri Shimbun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yomiuri_Shimbun "Yomiuri Shimbun")*,[\[99\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-99) have their regional headquarters in Osaka and issue their regional editions. Furthermore, Osaka houses Osaka Nichi-nichi Shimbun, its newspaper press. Other newspaper-related companies located in Osaka include the regional headquarters of FujiSankei Business i.;Houchi Shimbunsha; [Nikkan Sports](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikkan_Sports "Nikkan Sports"); [Sports Nippon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_Nippon "Sports Nippon"), and offices of [Kyodo News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyodo_News "Kyodo News") [Jiji Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiji_Press "Jiji Press"); [Reuters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuters "Reuters"); [Bloomberg L.P.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomberg_L.P. "Bloomberg L.P.")
#### Broadcasting
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=31 "Edit section: Broadcasting")\]
The five TV networks are represented by [Asahi Broadcasting Corporation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asahi_Broadcasting_Corporation "Asahi Broadcasting Corporation") ([ANN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-Nippon_News_Network "All-Nippon News Network")), [Kansai Telecasting Corporation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_Telecasting_Corporation "Kansai Telecasting Corporation") ([FNN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuji_News_Network "Fuji News Network")), [Mainichi Broadcasting System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainichi_Broadcasting_System "Mainichi Broadcasting System"), Inc. ([JNN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_News_Network "Japan News Network")), [Television Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_Osaka "Television Osaka"), Inc. ([TXN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TX_Network "TX Network")) and [Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yomiuri_Telecasting_Corporation "Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation") ([NNN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nippon_News_Network "Nippon News Network")), headquartered in Osaka. [NHK](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHK "NHK") has also its regional station based in the city. AM Radio services are provided by NHK as well as the ABC Radio (Asahi Broadcasting Corporation), MBS Radio (Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc.) and Radio Osaka ([Osaka Broadcasting Corporation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Broadcasting_Corporation "Osaka Broadcasting Corporation")) and headquartered in the city. FM services are available from NHK, [FM OSAKA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FM_OSAKA "FM OSAKA"), [FM802](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FM802 "FM802") and [FM Cocolo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FM_Cocolo "FM Cocolo"), the last providing programs in multiple languages including English.
#### Publishing companies
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=32 "Edit section: Publishing companies")\]
Osaka is home to many publishing companies, including Examina, Izumi Shoin, Kaihou Shuppansha, Keihanshin Elmagazine, Seibundo Shuppan, Sougensha, and Toho Shuppan.
## Education
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=33 "Edit section: Education")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:KansaiUV1.JPG)
[Kansai University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_University "Kansai University")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_City_University_Main_Building_20190818.jpg)
[Osaka Metropolitan University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Metropolitan_University "Osaka Metropolitan University")
Public elementary and junior high schools in Osaka are operated by the city of Osaka. Its supervisory organization on educational matters is Osaka City Board of Education.[\[100\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-100) Likewise, public high schools are operated by the [Osaka Prefectural Board of Education](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefectural_Board_of_Education "Osaka Prefectural Board of Education").
Osaka once had a large number of universities and high schools, but because of growing campuses and the need for larger area, many chose to move to the suburbs, including [Osaka University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_University "Osaka University").[\[101\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-101)
Historically foreign expatriates in the Kansai region preferred to live in [Kobe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe "Kobe") rather than Osaka. As a result, until 1991 the Osaka area had no schools catering to expatriate children.[\[102\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Stewartp43-102) [Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_International_School_of_Kwansei_Gakuin "Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin"), founded in 1991, is located in nearby [Minoh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minoh,_Osaka "Minoh, Osaka"),[\[103\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-103) and it was the first international school in the Osaka area.[\[102\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Stewartp43-102) The [Great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Hanshin_earthquake "Great Hanshin earthquake") of 1995 caused a decline in demand for international schools, as there were about 2,500 U.S. nationals resident in Osaka after the earthquake while the pre-earthquake number was about 5,000. [American Chamber of Commerce in Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Chamber_of_Commerce_in_Japan "American Chamber of Commerce in Japan") (ACCJ) Kansai chapter president Norman Solberg stated that since 2002 the numbers of expatriates in Kansai were recovering "but the fact is there is still a persistent exodus to Tokyo."[\[104\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-104) In 2001 the city of Osaka and [YMCA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YMCA "YMCA") established the [Osaka YMCA International School](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_YMCA_International_School "Osaka YMCA International School").[\[102\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Stewartp43-102)
Colleges and universities include:
- [Kansai University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_University "Kansai University")
- [Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morinomiya_University_of_Medical_Sciences "Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences")
- [Osaka Metropolitan University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Metropolitan_University "Osaka Metropolitan University")
- [Osaka University of Economics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_University_of_Economics "Osaka University of Economics")
- [Osaka Institute of Technology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Institute_of_Technology "Osaka Institute of Technology")
- [Osaka Jogakuin College](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Jogakuin_College "Osaka Jogakuin College")
- [Osaka Seikei University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Seikei_University "Osaka Seikei University")
- [Osaka University of Arts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_University_of_Arts "Osaka University of Arts"), [Minamikawachi District, Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamikawachi_District,_Osaka "Minamikawachi District, Osaka")
- [Osaka University of Comprehensive Children education](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_University_of_Comprehensive_Children_education "Osaka University of Comprehensive Children education")
- [Osaka University of Education](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_University_of_Education "Osaka University of Education")
- [Soai University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soai_University "Soai University")
- [Tokiwakai Gakuen University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokiwakai_Gakuen_University "Tokiwakai Gakuen University")
- [University of Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Osaka "University of Osaka")
### Libraries
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=34 "Edit section: Libraries")\]
- International Institute for Children's Literature, Osaka[\[105\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-105)
- Osaka Municipal Central Library
- [Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefectural_Nakanoshima_Library "Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library")
### Learned society
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=35 "Edit section: Learned society")\]
- The Japanese Academy of [Family Medicine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Medicine "Family Medicine")
## Facilities
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=36 "Edit section: Facilities")\]
"Important cultural property" (重要文化財) after the name of a facility indicates an important cultural property designated by the country.
### Leisure facilities and high-rise buildings
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=37 "Edit section: Leisure facilities and high-rise buildings")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USJ_5years.JPG)
[Universal Studios Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Studios_Japan "Universal Studios Japan")
- [Abeno Harukas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abeno_Harukas "Abeno Harukas")
- [Asia Pacific Trade Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Asia_Pacific_Trade_Center&action=edit&redlink=1 "Asia Pacific Trade Center (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%A2%E3%82%B8%E3%82%A2%E5%A4%AA%E5%B9%B3%E6%B4%8B%E3%83%88%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89%E3%82%BB%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC "ja:アジア太平洋トレードセンター")\]
- [Festivalgate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festivalgate "Festivalgate")
- [Intex Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intex_Osaka "Intex Osaka")
- [Namba Parks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namba_Parks "Namba Parks")
- [OAP Tower](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OAP_Tower "OAP Tower")
- [Osaka Business Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Business_Park "Osaka Business Park")
- [Osaka Garden City](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Garden_City&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Garden City (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AA%E3%82%AA%E3%82%B5%E3%82%AB%E3%82%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%87%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B7%E3%83%86%E3%82%A3 "ja:オオサカガーデンシティ")\]
- [Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefectural_Government_Sakishima_Building "Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building")
- [Tempozan Harbor Village](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tempozan_Harbor_Village&action=edit&redlink=1 "Tempozan Harbor Village (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A9%E4%BF%9D%E5%B1%B1%E3%83%8F%E3%83%BC%E3%83%90%E3%83%BC%E3%83%93%E3%83%AC%E3%83%83%E3%82%B8 "ja:天保山ハーバービレッジ")\]
- [Tsūtenkaku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ts%C5%ABtenkaku "Tsūtenkaku") (Registered Tangible Cultural Property)
- [Umeda Sky Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeda_Sky_Building "Umeda Sky Building")
- [Universal Studios Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Studios_Japan "Universal Studios Japan")
### Historical site
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=38 "Edit section: Historical site")\]
- [Hirano](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hirano_\(Osaka\)&action=edit&redlink=1 "Hirano (Osaka) (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B9%B3%E9%87%8E_\(%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%B8%82\) "ja:平野 (大阪市)")\]
- [Horijo](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Horijo&action=edit&redlink=1 "Horijo (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A0%80%E5%9F%8E "ja:堀城")\]
- [Kawaguchi foreign settlement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawaguchi_foreign_settlement "Kawaguchi foreign settlement")
- [Ruins of Naniwanomiya Palace](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ruins_of_Naniwanomiya_Palace&action=edit&redlink=1 "Ruins of Naniwanomiya Palace (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%9B%A3%E6%B3%A2%E5%AE%AE "ja:難波宮")\]
- [Osaka Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle "Osaka Castle")
- [Tekijuku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tekijuku "Tekijuku") (important cultural property)
### Parks and gardens
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=39 "Edit section: Parks and gardens")\]
- [Hakubo Memorial Park Tsurumi Ryokuchi](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hakubo_Memorial_Park_Tsurumi_Ryokuchi&action=edit&redlink=1 "Hakubo Memorial Park Tsurumi Ryokuchi (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%8A%B1%E5%8D%9A%E8%A8%98%E5%BF%B5%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%E9%B6%B4%E8%A6%8B%E7%B7%91%E5%9C%B0 "ja:花博記念公園鶴見緑地")\]
- [Keitaku Garden](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Keitaku_Garden&action=edit&redlink=1 "Keitaku Garden (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%85%B6%E6%B2%A2%E5%9C%92 "ja:慶沢園")\]
- [Nagai Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagai_Park "Nagai Park")
- [Nakanoshima Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakanoshima_Park "Nakanoshima Park")
- [Ogimachi Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ogimachi_Park&action=edit&redlink=1 "Ogimachi Park (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%89%87%E7%94%BA%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92 "ja:扇町公園")\]
- [Osaka Castle Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle_Park "Osaka Castle Park")
- [Osaka Nanko Bird Sanctuary](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Nanko_Bird_Sanctuary&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Nanko Bird Sanctuary (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%8D%97%E6%B8%AF%E9%87%8E%E9%B3%A5%E5%9C%92 "ja:大阪南港野鳥園")\]
- [Sakuranomiya Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sakuranomiya_Park&action=edit&redlink=1 "Sakuranomiya Park (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%A1%9C%E4%B9%8B%E5%AE%AE%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92 "ja:桜之宮公園")\]
- [Shirokita Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shirokita_Park&action=edit&redlink=1 "Shirokita Park (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9F%8E%E5%8C%97%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92 "ja:城北公園")\]
- [Suminoe Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Suminoe_Park&action=edit&redlink=1 "Suminoe Park (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BD%8F%E4%B9%8B%E6%B1%9F%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92 "ja:住之江公園")\]
- [Sumiyoshi Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi_Park "Sumiyoshi Park")
- [Tennoji Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennoji_Park "Tennoji Park")
- [Utsubo Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utsubo_Park "Utsubo Park")
- [Yodogawa River Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yodogawa_River_Park&action=edit&redlink=1 "Yodogawa River Park (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B7%80%E5%B7%9D%E6%B2%B3%E5%B7%9D%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92 "ja:淀川河川公園")\]
- Gallery
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:UtsuboPark-RoseGarden02.jpg "Utsubo Park")
[Utsubo Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utsubo_Park "Utsubo Park")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Castle_03bs3200.jpg "Osaka Castle Park")
[Osaka Castle Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle_Park "Osaka Castle Park")
- [![Sakuranomiya Park \[ja\]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Sakuranomiya-Park_02.jpg/330px-Sakuranomiya-Park_02.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sakuranomiya-Park_02.jpg "Sakuranomiya Park [ja]")
[Sakuranomiya Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sakuranomiya_Park&action=edit&redlink=1 "Sakuranomiya Park (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%A1%9C%E4%B9%8B%E5%AE%AE%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92 "ja:桜之宮公園")\]
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Yodogawa_Kasen_Park_Juso_area_IMG_5195-2_20190114.jpg "Yodogawa Riverside Park")
Yodogawa Riverside Park
### Ancient architecture
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=40 "Edit section: Ancient architecture")\]
- [Sumiyoshi Taisha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi_Taisha "Sumiyoshi Taisha") main shrine (national treasure)
### Modern architecture
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=41 "Edit section: Modern architecture")\]
- Around Umeda
- [Osaka Central Post Office](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Central_Post_Office&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Central Post Office (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E4%B8%AD%E5%A4%AE%E9%83%B5%E4%BE%BF%E5%B1%80 "ja:大阪中央郵便局")\] – [Central Electric Club](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Central_Electric_Club&action=edit&redlink=1 "Central Electric Club (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%AD%E5%A4%AE%E9%9B%BB%E6%B0%97%E5%80%B6%E6%A5%BD%E9%83%A8 "ja:中央電気倶楽部")\] – [Oe Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oe_Building&action=edit&redlink=1 "Oe Building (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E6%B1%9F%E3%83%93%E3%83%AB%E3%83%82%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0 "ja:大江ビルヂング")\]
- Nakanoshima
- [Osaka City Central Public Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_City_Central_Public_Hall "Osaka City Central Public Hall") (Important Cultural Property) – [Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefectural_Nakanoshima_Library "Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library") (Important Cultural Property) – [Bank of Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_of_Japan "Bank of Japan") Osaka Branch Old Building
- Around Osaka Castle
- [Old Mint Foundry Front Entrance](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Old_Mint_Foundry_Front_Entrance&action=edit&redlink=1 "Old Mint Foundry Front Entrance (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%97%A7%E9%80%A0%E5%B9%A3%E5%AF%AE%E9%8B%B3%E9%80%A0%E6%89%80%E6%AD%A3%E9%9D%A2%E7%8E%84%E9%96%A2 "ja:旧造幣寮鋳造所正面玄関")\] (Former Youth Art Gallery) (Important Cultural Property) – [Senpukan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senpukan "Senpukan") (Important Cultural Property) – [Osaka Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle "Osaka Castle") (registered tangible cultural property) – former [Osaka City Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_City_Museum "Osaka City Museum") – [Osaka Prefectural Government Office](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Prefectural_Government_Office&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Prefectural Government Office (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%BA%9C%E5%BA%81%E8%88%8E "ja:大阪府庁舎")\]
- Kitasenba, Minamisenba
- [Kitahama Retro Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kitahama_Retro_Building&action=edit&redlink=1 "Kitahama Retro Building (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8C%97%E6%B5%9C%E3%83%AC%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%E3%83%93%E3%83%AB%E3%83%82%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0 "ja:北浜レトロビルヂング")\] (Registered Tangible Cultural Property) – [Osaka Securities Exchange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Securities_Exchange "Osaka Securities Exchange") – [Sumitomo Mitsui Banking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumitomo_Mitsui_Banking "Sumitomo Mitsui Banking") Osaka (Sumitomo Building) – [Arai Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Arai_Building&action=edit&redlink=1 "Arai Building (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%96%B0%E4%BA%95%E3%83%93%E3%83%AB "ja:新井ビル")\] (Registration Tangible Cultural Property) – [Osaka Municipal Aizuku Kindergarten](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Municipal_Aizuku_Kindergarten&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Municipal Aizuku Kindergarten (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%B8%82%E7%AB%8B%E6%84%9B%E7%8F%A0%E5%B9%BC%E7%A8%9A%E5%9C%92 "ja:大阪市立愛珠幼稚園")\] (Important Cultural Property) – [Nippon Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nippon_Life "Nippon Life") Insurance Head Office Building – [Osaka Club](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Club&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Club (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%80%B6%E6%A5%BD%E9%83%A8 "ja:大阪倶楽部")\] (registered tangible cultural property) – [Sumitomo Mitsui Bank Osaka Central Branch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumitomo_Mitsui_Banking_Corporation "Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation") – [Koraibashi Nomura Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Koraibashi_Nomura_Building&action=edit&redlink=1 "Koraibashi Nomura Building (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%AB%98%E9%BA%97%E6%A9%8B%E9%87%8E%E6%9D%91%E3%83%93%E3%83%AB "ja:高麗橋野村ビル")\] – [Nippon Christian Church Naniwa Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nippon_Christian_Church_Naniwa_Church&action=edit&redlink=1 "Nippon Christian Church Naniwa Church (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E5%9F%BA%E7%9D%A3%E6%95%99%E5%9B%A3%E6%B5%AA%E8%8A%B1%E6%95%99%E4%BC%9A "ja:日本基督教団浪花教会")\] – [Aoyama Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aoyama_Building&action=edit&redlink=1 "Aoyama Building (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%9D%92%E5%B1%B1%E3%83%93%E3%83%AB "ja:青山ビル")\] (Registered Tangible Cultural property) – [Fushimi Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fushimi_Building&action=edit&redlink=1 "Fushimi Building (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BC%8F%E8%A6%8B%E3%83%93%E3%83%AB "ja:伏見ビル")\] (registered tangible cultural property) – [former Konishi Gisuke store building](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Former_Konishi_Gisuke_store_building&action=edit&redlink=1 "Former Konishi Gisuke store building (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B3%E3%83%8B%E3%82%B7 "ja:コニシ")\] (important cultural property) – [Osaka Gas Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Gas_Building&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Gas Building (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E7%93%A6%E6%96%AF%E3%83%93%E3%83%AB%E3%83%82%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0 "ja:大阪瓦斯ビルヂング")\] (registered tangible cultural property) – [Ikoma Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ikoma_Building&action=edit&redlink=1 "Ikoma Building (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%94%9F%E9%A7%92%E3%83%93%E3%83%AB%E3%83%82%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0 "ja:生駒ビルヂング")\] (registered tangible cultural property) – [Cotton Industry Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cotton_Industry_Hall&action=edit&redlink=1 "Cotton Industry Hall (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%B6%BF%E6%A5%AD%E4%BC%9A%E9%A4%A8 "ja:綿業会館")\] (Important Cultural Property) – [Meidi-Ya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meidi-Ya "Meidi-Ya") building – [Miki Musical Instrument Headquarters](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Miki_Musical_Instrument_Headquarters&action=edit&redlink=1 "Miki Musical Instrument Headquarters (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%89%E6%9C%A8%E6%A5%BD%E5%99%A8 "ja:三木楽器")\] (Registered Tangible Cultural Properties) – [Harada Industry](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Harada_Industry&action=edit&redlink=1 "Harada Industry (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8E%9F%E7%94%B0%E7%94%A3%E6%A5%AD "ja:原田産業")\]
- Shimojoba (Nishisenba)
- [Japanese Christian Church Osaka Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Japanese_Christian_Church_Osaka_Church&action=edit&redlink=1 "Japanese Christian Church Osaka Church (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E5%9F%BA%E7%9D%A3%E6%95%99%E5%9B%A3%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E6%95%99%E4%BC%9A "ja:日本基督教団大阪教会")\] (registered tangible cultural property) – Yamauchi Building (registered tangible cultural property) – Edobori Kodama Building (registered tangible cultural property)
- Shinsaibashi/Namba
- [Daimaru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimaru "Daimaru") Shinsaibashi – [Takashimaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takashimaya "Takashimaya") Osaka (Nankai Namba) – [Takashimaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takashimaya "Takashimaya") East Annex – [Miki Instruments Main Store Kaiseikan](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Miki_Instruments_Main_Store_Kaiseikan&action=edit&redlink=1 "Miki Instruments Main Store Kaiseikan (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%89%E6%9C%A8%E6%A5%BD%E5%99%A8 "ja:三木楽器")\] (registered tangible cultural property)
- Osaka Port/Kawaguchi
- [Tsuki Port Red Brick Warehouse](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tsuki_Port_Red_Brick_Warehouse&action=edit&redlink=1 "Tsuki Port Red Brick Warehouse (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%AF%89%E6%B8%AF%E8%B5%A4%E3%83%AC%E3%83%B3%E3%82%AC%E5%80%89%E5%BA%AB "ja:築港赤レンガ倉庫")\] – [Sumitomo Warehouse Tsuki Port](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sumitomo_Warehouse_Tsuki_Port&action=edit&redlink=1 "Sumitomo Warehouse Tsuki Port (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BD%8F%E5%8F%8B%E5%80%89%E5%BA%AB "ja:住友倉庫")\] – MOL Mitsui Tsuki Port Building ([Osaka Merchant Ship](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Merchant_Ship&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Merchant Ship (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%95%86%E8%88%B9 "ja:大阪商船")\]) – Japan Anglican Church Kawaguchi Christian Church (Registered Tangible Cultural Property) – [Mitsui Warehouse](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mitsui_Warehouse&action=edit&redlink=1 "Mitsui Warehouse (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%89%E4%BA%95%E5%80%89%E5%BA%AB%E3%83%9B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0%E3%82%B9 "ja:三井倉庫ホールディングス")\] – [Osaka Municipal Transportation Bureau](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Municipal_Transportation_Bureau "Osaka Municipal Transportation Bureau") (Osaka City Electricity Bureau)
### Theaters and halls
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=42 "Edit section: Theaters and halls")\]
- [Izumi Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Izumi_Hall&action=edit&redlink=1 "Izumi Hall (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%81%84%E3%81%9A%E3%81%BF%E3%83%9B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB "ja:いずみホール")\]
- [Umeda Arts Theater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeda_Arts_Theater "Umeda Arts Theater")
- [Morinomiya Piloti Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Morinomiya_Piloti_Hall&action=edit&redlink=1 "Morinomiya Piloti Hall (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%A3%AE%E3%83%8E%E5%AE%AE%E3%83%94%E3%83%AD%E3%83%86%E3%82%A3%E3%83%9B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB "ja:森ノ宮ピロティホール")\]
- [NHK Osaka Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHK_Osaka_Hall "NHK Osaka Hall")
- [Osaka International Convention Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_International_Convention_Center "Osaka International Convention Center")
- [Osaka Shiki Theater](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Shiki_Theater&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Shiki Theater (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%9B%9B%E5%AD%A3%E5%8A%87%E5%A0%B4 "ja:大阪四季劇場")\]
- [Osaka Castle Music Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Castle_Music_Hall&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Castle Music Hall (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%9F%8E%E9%9F%B3%E6%A5%BD%E5%A0%82 "ja:大阪城音楽堂")\]
- [Osaka-jō Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka-j%C5%8D_Hall "Osaka-jō Hall")
- [Orix Theater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orix_Theater "Orix Theater")
- [National Bunraku Theatre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Bunraku_Theatre "National Bunraku Theatre")
- [The Symphony Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Symphony_Hall&action=edit&redlink=1 "The Symphony Hall (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B6%E3%83%BB%E3%82%B7%E3%83%B3%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%8B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB "ja:ザ・シンフォニーホール")\]
- [Theater BRAVA\!](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theater_BRAVA!&action=edit&redlink=1 "Theater BRAVA! (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B7%E3%82%A2%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BCBRAVA! "ja:シアターBRAVA!")\]
- [New Kabukiza](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=New_Kabukiza&action=edit&redlink=1 "New Kabukiza (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%96%B0%E6%AD%8C%E8%88%9E%E4%BC%8E%E5%BA%A7_\(%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA\) "ja:新歌舞伎座 (大阪)")\]
- [Zepp Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zepp_Osaka "Zepp Osaka")
- [Tenma Tenjin Hanjotei](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tenma_Tenjin_Hanjotei&action=edit&redlink=1 "Tenma Tenjin Hanjotei (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A9%E6%BA%80%E5%A4%A9%E7%A5%9E%E7%B9%81%E6%98%8C%E4%BA%AD "ja:天満天神繁昌亭")\]
- [Namba Grand Kagetsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Namba_Grand_Kagetsu&action=edit&redlink=1 "Namba Grand Kagetsu (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%81%AA%E3%82%93%E3%81%B0%E3%82%B0%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%83%89%E8%8A%B1%E6%9C%88 "ja:なんばグランド花月")\]
- [Festival Hall, Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festival_Hall,_Osaka "Festival Hall, Osaka")
- Gallery
- [![Izumi Hall \[ja\]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/Izumi_Hall_Osaka01n3200.jpg/330px-Izumi_Hall_Osaka01n3200.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Izumi_Hall_Osaka01n3200.jpg "Izumi Hall [ja]")
[Izumi Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Izumi_Hall&action=edit&redlink=1 "Izumi Hall (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%81%84%E3%81%9A%E3%81%BF%E3%83%9B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB "ja:いずみホール")\]
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka-jo_Hall_in_201408.JPG "Osaka-jō Hall")
[Osaka-jō Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka-j%C5%8D_Hall "Osaka-jō Hall")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:National_Bunraku_Theatre_in_201408.JPG "National Bunraku Theater")
[National Bunraku Theater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Bunraku_Theatre "National Bunraku Theatre")
- [![Tenma Tenjin Hanjotei \[ja\]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/91/Temma-Tenjin_Hanjo-tei_in_201407.JPG/500px-Temma-Tenjin_Hanjo-tei_in_201407.JPG)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Temma-Tenjin_Hanjo-tei_in_201407.JPG "Tenma Tenjin Hanjotei [ja]")
[Tenma Tenjin Hanjotei](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tenma_Tenjin_Hanjotei&action=edit&redlink=1 "Tenma Tenjin Hanjotei (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A9%E6%BA%80%E5%A4%A9%E7%A5%9E%E7%B9%81%E6%98%8C%E4%BA%AD "ja:天満天神繁昌亭")\]
### Sport venues
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=43 "Edit section: Sport venues")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Views_from_Abeno_Harukas_in_201512_008.JPG)
[Nagai Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagai_Park "Nagai Park") is visible in the center
- [Ogimachi Pool](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ogimachi_Pool&action=edit&redlink=1 "Ogimachi Pool (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%89%87%E7%94%BA%E3%83%97%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB "ja:扇町プール")\]
- [Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Municipal_Central_Gymnasium "Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium")
- [Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefectural_Gymnasium "Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium")
- [Maruzen Intec Osaka Pool](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maruzen_Intec_Osaka_Pool "Maruzen Intec Osaka Pool")
- [Kyocera Dome Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyocera_Dome_Osaka "Kyocera Dome Osaka")
- [Nagai Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagai_Park "Nagai Park")
- [Yanmar Stadium Nagai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yanmar_Stadium_Nagai "Yanmar Stadium Nagai")
- [Yanmar Field Nagai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yanmar_Field_Nagai "Yanmar Field Nagai")
- [Yodoko Sakura Stadium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yodoko_Sakura_Stadium "Yodoko Sakura Stadium")
- [Maishima Sports Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maishima_Sports_Island "Maishima Sports Island")
### Religious facilities
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=44 "Edit section: Religious facilities")\]
Shrines
- [Sumiyoshi Taisha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi_Taisha "Sumiyoshi Taisha")
- [Osaka Tenmangu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Tenmangu "Osaka Tenmangu")
- [Goryo Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Goryo_Shrine&action=edit&redlink=1 "Goryo Shrine (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%BE%A1%E9%9C%8A%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE_\(%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%B8%82\) "ja:御霊神社 (大阪市)")\]
- [Zama Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zama_Shrine "Zama Shrine")
- [Namba Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Namba_Shrine&action=edit&redlink=1 "Namba Shrine (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%9B%A3%E6%B3%A2%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE "ja:難波神社")\]
- [Ikukunitama Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikukunitama_Shrine "Ikukunitama Shrine")
- [Tamatsukuri Inari Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamatsukuri_Inari_Shrine "Tamatsukuri Inari Shrine")
- [Kōzu-gū](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Dzu-g%C5%AB "Kōzu-gū")
- [Mitsu Hachimangu](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mitsu_Hachimangu&action=edit&redlink=1 "Mitsu Hachimangu (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%BE%A1%E6%B4%A5%E5%AE%AE "ja:御津宮")\]
- [Namba Yasaka Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Namba_Yasaka_Shrine&action=edit&redlink=1 "Namba Yasaka Shrine (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%9B%A3%E6%B3%A2%E5%85%AB%E9%98%AA%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE "ja:難波八阪神社")\]
- [Shinmei Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shinmei_Shrine_\(Osaka\)&action=edit&redlink=1 "Shinmei Shrine (Osaka) (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%A5%9E%E6%98%8E%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE_\(%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%B8%82\) "ja:神明神社 (大阪市)")\]
- [Imamiya Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imamiya_Shrine "Imamiya Shrine")
- [Abe Seimei Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abe_Seimei_Shrine&action=edit&redlink=1 "Abe Seimei Shrine (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%98%BF%E5%80%8D%E7%8E%8B%E5%AD%90%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE "ja:阿倍王子神社")\]
- [Kumata Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kumata_Shrine&action=edit&redlink=1 "Kumata Shrine (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9D%AD%E5%85%A8%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE "ja:杭全神社")\]
- [Tsuyunoten Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tsuyunoten_Shrine&action=edit&redlink=1 "Tsuyunoten Shrine (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%9C%B2%E5%A4%A9%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE "ja:露天神社")\]
- [Tsunashiki Tenjin Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsunashiki_Tenjin_Shrine "Tsunashiki Tenjin Shrine")
- [Asahi Shinmeisha](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Asahi_Shinmeisha&action=edit&redlink=1 "Asahi Shinmeisha (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9C%9D%E6%97%A5%E7%A5%9E%E6%98%8E%E7%A4%BE "ja:朝日神明社")\]
Temples
- [Shitennō-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shitenn%C5%8D-ji "Shitennō-ji")
- [Shitennoji Honbo Garden](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shitennoji_Honbo_Garden&action=edit&redlink=1 "Shitennoji Honbo Garden (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9B%9B%E5%A4%A9%E7%8E%8B%E5%AF%BA%E6%9C%AC%E5%9D%8A%E5%BA%AD%E5%9C%92 "ja:四天王寺本坊庭園")\]
- [Shomanin](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shomanin&action=edit&redlink=1 "Shomanin (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8B%9D%E9%AC%98%E9%99%A2 "ja:勝鬘院")\]
- [Dainenbutsu-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dainenbutsu-ji "Dainenbutsu-ji")
- [Taishokannonji](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taishokannonji&action=edit&redlink=1 "Taishokannonji (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E8%81%96%E8%A6%B3%E9%9F%B3%E5%AF%BA "ja:大聖観音寺")\]
- [Isshin-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isshin-ji "Isshin-ji")
- [Taiyū-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiy%C5%AB-ji "Taiyū-ji")
- [Hozenji](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hozenji&action=edit&redlink=1 "Hozenji (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B3%95%E5%96%84%E5%AF%BA "ja:法善寺")\]
- [Honganji Tsumura Betsuin](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Honganji_Tsumura_Betsuin&action=edit&redlink=1 "Honganji Tsumura Betsuin (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9C%AC%E9%A1%98%E5%AF%BA%E6%B4%A5%E6%9D%91%E5%88%A5%E9%99%A2 "ja:本願寺津村別院")\]
- [Shinshu Buddhist Otani-ha Sect Namba Betsuin Temple](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shinshu_Buddhist_Otani-ha_Sect_Namba_Betsuin_Temple&action=edit&redlink=1 "Shinshu Buddhist Otani-ha Sect Namba Betsuin Temple (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%9C%9F%E5%AE%97%E5%A4%A7%E8%B0%B7%E6%B4%BE%E9%9B%A3%E6%B3%A2%E5%88%A5%E9%99%A2 "ja:真宗大谷派難波別院")\]
Churches
- [United Church of Christ in Japan (UCCJ) Naniwa Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=United_Church_of_Christ_in_Japan_\(UCCJ\)_Naniwa_Church&action=edit&redlink=1 "United Church of Christ in Japan (UCCJ) Naniwa Church (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E5%9F%BA%E7%9D%A3%E6%95%99%E5%9B%A3%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E6%95%99%E4%BC%9A "ja:日本基督教団大阪教会")\]
- [Grand Cathedral of the Virgin Mary of Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Grand_Cathedral_of_the_Virgin_Mary_of_Osaka&action=edit&redlink=1 "Grand Cathedral of the Virgin Mary of Osaka (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E3%82%AB%E3%83%86%E3%83%89%E3%83%A9%E3%83%AB%E8%81%96%E3%83%9E%E3%83%AA%E3%82%A2%E5%A4%A7%E8%81%96%E5%A0%82 "ja:大阪カテドラル聖マリア大聖堂")\]
- Japan Anglican Church
- Japan Christian Church Osaka Fukushima Church
- Japan Evangelical Lutheran Osaka Church
## International relations
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=45 "Edit section: International relations")\]
See also: [List of twin towns and sister cities in Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_twin_towns_and_sister_cities_in_Japan "List of twin towns and sister cities in Japan")
### Sister cities
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=46 "Edit section: Sister cities")\]
Osaka is [twinned](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sister_city "Sister city") with:[\[106\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-sisters-106)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey "Turkey") [Aksaray](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aksaray "Aksaray"), Turkey
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States") Chicago, Illinois, United States (since November 1973)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany "Germany") [Hamburg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamburg "Hamburg"), Germany (since May 1989)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France "France") [Lyon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyon "Lyon"), [Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auvergne-Rh%C3%B4ne-Alpes "Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes"), France (since May 1984)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom "United Kingdom") [Manchester](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester "Manchester"), England, United Kingdom (since September 2025)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia "Australia") [Melbourne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne "Melbourne"), Australia (since April 1978)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy "Italy") [Milan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milan "Milan"), Lombardy, Italy (since June 1981)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia "Russia") [Saint Petersburg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Petersburg "Saint Petersburg"), Russia (since August 1979)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States") San Francisco, California, United States (former partnership, October 1957 – October 2018)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil "Brazil") [São Paulo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Paulo "São Paulo"), Brazil (since October 1969)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China "China") Shanghai, China (since April 1974)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada "Canada") [Toronto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto "Toronto"), Ontario, Canada (since June 1994)
### Friendship cooperation cities
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=47 "Edit section: Friendship cooperation cities")\]
Osaka also cooperates with:[\[106\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-sisters-106)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungary "Hungary") [Budapest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest "Budapest"), Hungary (1998)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea "South Korea") [Busan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busan "Busan"), South Korea (2008)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina "Argentina") [Buenos Aires](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buenos_Aires "Buenos Aires"), Argentina (1998)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukraine "Ukraine") [Dnipro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dnipro "Dnipro"), Ukraine (2022)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States") [Seattle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle "Seattle"), United States
### Business partner cities
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=48 "Edit section: Business partner cities")\]
Osaka's business partner cities, mostly in the Asia-Pacific region, are:[\[106\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-sisters-106)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand "New Zealand") [Auckland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland "Auckland"), New Zealand
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand "Thailand") [Bangkok](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok "Bangkok"), Thailand
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia "Australia") [Brisbane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brisbane "Brisbane"), [Queensland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland "Queensland"), Australia
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany "Germany") [Hamburg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamburg "Hamburg"), Germany
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam "Vietnam") [Ho Chi Minh City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho_Chi_Minh_City "Ho Chi Minh City"), Vietnam
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong "Hong Kong") Hong Kong, China
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia "Indonesia") [Jakarta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakarta "Jakarta"), Indonesia
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysia "Malaysia") [Kuala Lumpur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuala_Lumpur "Kuala Lumpur"), Malaysia
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States") Los Angeles, California, United States
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines "Philippines") [Manila](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila "Manila"), Philippines
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia "Australia") [Melbourne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne "Melbourne"), Australia
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India "India") [Mumbai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai "Mumbai"), Maharashtra, India
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea "South Korea") [Seoul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul "Seoul"), South Korea
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China "China") Shanghai, China
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore "Singapore") Singapore
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China "China") [Tianjin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianjin "Tianjin"), China
### Sister ports
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=49 "Edit section: Sister ports")\]
Osaka's sister ports are:[\[106\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-sisters-106)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea "South Korea") [Port of Busan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Busan "Port of Busan"), South Korea
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France "France") [Port of Le Havre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Le_Havre "Port of Le Havre"), France
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia "Australia") [Port of Melbourne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Melbourne "Port of Melbourne"), Australia
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam "Vietnam") [Saigon Port](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saigon_Port "Saigon Port"), Vietnam
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States") [Port of San Francisco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_San_Francisco "Port of San Francisco"), United States
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China "China") [Port of Shanghai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Shanghai "Port of Shanghai") (friendship port treaty)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spain "Spain") [Port of Valencia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Valencia "Port of Valencia"), Spain
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile "Chile") [Port of Valparaiso](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valparaiso "Valparaiso"), Chile
## See also
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=50 "Edit section: See also")\]
- [Expo '70](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_%2770 "Expo '70")
- [Expo 2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_2025 "Expo 2025")
- [List of metropolitan areas by population](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_metropolitan_areas_by_population "List of metropolitan areas by population")
## References
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=51 "Edit section: References")\]
1. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-1)**
["大阪市 推計人口（毎月1日現在）・人口異動"](https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/toshikeikaku/page/0000541634.html). *大阪市トップページ*. City of Osaka. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
2. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-2)**
Johnston, Eric (April 8, 2019). ["Osaka leaders win in elections to swap roles, but merger prospects unclear"](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/04/08/national/politics-diplomacy/osaka-leaders-projected-win-elections-swap-roles/) – via Japan Times Online.
3. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-japan2_3-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-japan2_3-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-japan2_3-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-japan2_3-3)
["Table 2.10 Population of Three Major Metropolitan Areas"](http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/handbook/pdf/2019all.pdf) (PDF). Statistics Bureau of Japan. p. 21. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
4. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-4)**
["市の花"](https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/kensetsu/page/0000009518.html). *大阪市トップページ*. City of Osaka. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
5. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-5)**
["大阪市 推計人口（毎月1日現在）・人口異動"](https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/toshikeikaku/page/0000541634.html). *大阪市トップページ*. City of Osaka. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
6. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-stats-boj_6-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-stats-boj_6-1)
["2015 Census Final Data"](https://www.e-stat.go.jp/stat-search/files?page=1&layout=datalist&toukei=00200521&tstat=000001080615&cycle=0&tclass1=000001110216&second=1&second2=1&). Statistics Bureau of Japan.
7. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-7)**
Gyūichi, Ōta (2011). [*The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga*](https://books.google.com/books?id=pJHArhRVYEoC&pg=PA154). Brill Publishers. pp. 153–154\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-90-04-20162-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-90-04-20162-0 "Special:BookSources/978-90-04-20162-0")
. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
8. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-8)**
Ring, Trudy; Watson, Noelle; Schellinger, Paul, eds. (1996). [*Asia & Oceania: International Dictionary of Historic Places*](https://books.google.com/books?id=voerPYsAB5wC&pg=PA650). Routledge. p. 650. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[1-884964-04-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-884964-04-4 "Special:BookSources/1-884964-04-4")
. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
9. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-Uemachidaichi_9-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-Uemachidaichi_9-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-Uemachidaichi_9-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-Uemachidaichi_9-3) [***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-Uemachidaichi_9-4)
["Uemachidaichi – A journey to ancient osaka"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121228011113/http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/culture/2007may/01.html). *www.osaka-info.jp*. May 1, 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/culture/2007may/01.html) on December 28, 2012.
10. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-plain_10-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-plain_10-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-plain_10-2)
Hikotaro, Kajiyama; Minoru, Itihara (1972). ["The Developmental History of the Osaka Plain"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030528/https://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/110003025552). *地質学論集* (7): 101–112\. Archived from [the original](http://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/110003025552) on December 1, 2017.
11. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-osakahist_11-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-osakahist_11-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-osakahist_11-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-osakahist_11-3) [***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-osakahist_11-4) [***f***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-osakahist_11-5)
["Historical Overview, the City of Osaka official homepage"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090322141953/http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/english/for_tourists/c_historical_overview.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/english/for_tourists/c_historical_overview.html) on March 22, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
Navigate to the equivalent Japanese page (大阪市の歴史 タイムトリップ20,000年 \[History of Osaka, A timetrip back 20,000 years\])[\[1\]](http://www.city.osaka.jp/city/history/history.html/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090226221108/http://www.city.osaka.jp/city/history/history.html) February 26, 2009, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") for additional information.
12. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-12)** [templi](http://www.treccani.it/vocabolario/tempio/) www.treccani.it
13. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-13)**
["Sumiyoshi Ward"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030241/https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/sumiyoshi/english/view/view.html). *www.city.osaka.lg.jp*. April 21, 2011. Archived from [the original](http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/sumiyoshi/english/view/view.html) on December 1, 2017.
14. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-sumiyoshi_14-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-sumiyoshi_14-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-sumiyoshi_14-2)
["Tezukayama Ancient Burial Mound"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032332/https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/sumiyoshi/english/attract/attrac01.html). *www.city.osaka.lg.jp*. April 15, 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/sumiyoshi/english/attract/attrac01.html) on December 1, 2017.
15. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-15)**
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Yoshimura, Hirofumi (October 2, 2018). ["Termination of Sister City Relationship"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181003000128/http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/hodoshiryo/cmsfiles/contents/0000448/448185/letter.pdf) (PDF). Letter to London Breed, Mayor of San Francisco. City of Osaka. Archived from [the original](https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/hodoshiryo/cmsfiles/contents/0000448/448185/letter.pdf) (PDF) on October 3, 2018. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
72. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-72)** The Mainichi Shimbun (February 27, 2012)[3 major Kansai cities aim to break dependence on nuclear power](http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20120227p2g00m0dm044000c.html) [Deprecated link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Archive.today_guidance "Wikipedia:Archive.today guidance") archived July 10, 2012, at [archive.today](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archive.today "Archive.today")
73. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-73)**
The Mainichi Shimbun (March 19, 2012). ["Osaka aims to end Kansai Electric's nuclear power ops as shareholder"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120319172039/http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20120319p2g00m0dm011000c.html). mainichi.jp. Archived from [the original](http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20120319p2g00m0dm011000c.html) on March 19, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
74. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-74)** The Mainichi Shimbun (April 10, 2012) [Kansai Electric, affiliates had 69 ex-bureaucrats employed as execs as of end of fiscal 2011](http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20120410p2a00m0na014000c.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120414140532/http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20120410p2a00m0na014000c.html) April 14, 2012, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")
75. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-75)**
[大阪市データネット 市民経済計算](https://web.archive.org/web/20061207175629/http://www.city.osaka.jp/keikakuchousei/toukei/E000/Ea00/Ea00.html)
\[Osaka City Datanet: Osaka City Economy\] (in Japanese). Archived from [the original](http://www.city.osaka.jp/keikakuchousei/toukei/E000/Ea00/Ea00.html) on December 7, 2006. Retrieved March 25, 2007.
76. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-76)**
["Mastercard – Global Leading Company in Payment Solutions Offering Credit, Debit, Prepaid Cards & More"](http://www.mastercard.com/us/company/en/insights/pdfs/2008/MCWW_WCoC-Report_2008.pdf) (PDF). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080624211344/http://www.mastercard.com/us/company/en/insights/pdfs/2008/MCWW_WCoC-Report_2008.pdf) (PDF) from the original on June 24, 2008.
77. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-77)**
["Osaka GDP"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180822145454/http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/toshikeikaku/cmsfiles/contents/0000410/410210/gaiyou2016-6.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/toshikeikaku/cmsfiles/contents/0000410/410210/gaiyou2016-6.pdf) (PDF) on August 22, 2018. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
78. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-78)**
["平成27年国勢調査＜人口等基本集計結果（大阪市）＞"](https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/toshikeikaku/page/0000379310.html). *大阪市*. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
79. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-79)**
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80. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-80)**
経営に資する統合的内部監査 (June 11, 2008).
[大証との経営統合、ようやく決着 ジャスダック : J-CASTニュース](http://www.j-cast.com/2008/06/11021633.html)
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81. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-81)**
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82. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-82)**
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83. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-83)**
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84. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-84)**
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85. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-85)** [Brookings Institution report 2015](https://www.brookings.edu/research/redefining-global-cities/), retrieved August 23, 2015
86. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-86)**
["大阪市データネット 1 主要指標"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070510223307/http://www.city.osaka.jp/keikakuchousei/toukei/G000/Gyh17/Ga00/Ga00.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.city.osaka.jp/keikakuchousei/toukei/G000/Gyh17/Ga00/Ga00.html) on May 10, 2007. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
87. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-87)**
Reiber, Beth; Janie Spencer (2008). [*Frommer's Japan*](https://books.google.com/books?id=CtVJf_gocJUC&q=Osaka+shopping+malls&pg=PA388). Frommer's. p. 388. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-470-18100-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-470-18100-3 "Special:BookSources/978-0-470-18100-3")
.
88. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-88)** [\[2\]](http://www.kansai.gr.jp/KansaiWindowhtml/Collection/English/000232.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081222175100/http://www.kansai.gr.jp/KansaiWindowhtml/Collection/English/000232.html) December 22, 2008, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")
89. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-89)**
Booth, Michael (July 13, 2009). ["Osaka – the world's greatest food city"](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2009/jul/13/osaka-japan-best-food-city). *The Guardian*.
90. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-90)**
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91. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-91)**
["Superior brand sake: Food Library – Kuidaore Osaka"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150327011119/http://www.kuidaore-osaka.com/en/taste/sake/). Archived from [the original](http://www.kuidaore-osaka.com/en/taste/sake/) on March 27, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
92. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-92)**
["The Roots: Food Library – Kuidaore Osaka"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150327011053/http://www.kuidaore-osaka.com/en/roots/). Archived from [the original](http://www.kuidaore-osaka.com/en/roots/) on March 27, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
93. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-93)** [Osaka Food Guide](http://thecitylane.com/osaka-food-guide/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141020054652/http://thecitylane.com/osaka-food-guide/) October 20, 2014, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), The City Lane
94. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-94)**
["National Theatre of Japan"](http://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/english/index.html). Ntj.jac.go.jp. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20021004001515/http://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/english/index.html) from the original on October 4, 2002. Retrieved May 5, 2010.
95. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-95)**
[劇団四季 サイトインフォメーション Theatres](https://web.archive.org/web/20100813120320/http://www.shiki.gr.jp/siteinfo/english/theatres/osakashiki.html)
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96. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-96)**
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97. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-97)**
["Bandy came to Japan!"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120502200433/http://www.worldbandy.com/news.asp?newsid=50&title=Bandy%20came%20to%20Japan!). Archived from [the original](http://www.worldbandy.com/news.asp?newsid=50&title=Bandy%20came%20to%20Japan!) on May 2, 2012.
98. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-98)**
["BANDY Festival 2012 in OSAKA"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121016043725/http://www.worldbandy.com/news.asp?newsid=138&title=BANDY%20Festival%202012%20in%20OSAKA). Archived from [the original](http://www.worldbandy.com/news.asp?newsid=138&title=BANDY%20Festival%202012%20in%20OSAKA) on October 16, 2012.
99. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-99)**
The five largest newspapers by number of circulation in Japan in alphabetical order.
Mooney, Sean; ebrary, Inc (2000). [*5,110 Days in Tokyo and Everything's Hunky-dory*](https://books.google.com/books?id=Fkt8CkTejUAC). Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 99–104\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-1-56720-361-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-56720-361-5 "Special:BookSources/978-1-56720-361-5")
.
100. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-100)**
["大阪市教育委員会 Osaka City Boad of Education (JA)"](https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/kyoiku/). *www.city.osaka.lg.jp*. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
101. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-101)**
[大阪市の教育史](https://web.archive.org/web/20090406021719/http://www.geocities.jp/kyouiku_hiroba/02/osaka-city-education-history.html)
\[History of Education in Osaka\] (in Japanese). Archived from [the original](http://www.geocities.jp/kyouiku_hiroba/02/osaka-city-education-history.html) on April 6, 2009. Retrieved February 18, 2009.
102. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-Stewartp43_102-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-Stewartp43_102-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-Stewartp43_102-2) Stewart, Alex. "[educating kansai](https://web.archive.org/web/20040921130423/http://www.accj.or.jp/document_library/Journal/1070851088.pdf)" ([Archive](https://web.archive.org/web/20040921130423/http://www.accj.or.jp/document_library/Journal/1070851088.pdf)). *The Journal of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan* (*Jānaru*), Volume 40, Issues 7–12. [The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_American_Chamber_of_Commerce_in_Japan "The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan") (ACCJ), 2003. p. 43.
103. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-103)** "[School Profile 2014–2015](http://yayoi.senri.ed.jp/downloads/1409_School%20profile%202014-2015.pdf)" ([Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160306100142/http://yayoi.senri.ed.jp/downloads/1409_School%20profile%202014-2015.pdf) March 6, 2016, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")). [Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_International_School_of_Kwansei_Gakuin "Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin"). Retrieved on November 1, 2015.
104. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-104)** Stewart, Alex. "[education kansai](https://web.archive.org/web/20040921130423/http://www.accj.or.jp/document_library/Journal/1070851088.pdf)" ([Archive](https://web.archive.org/web/20040921130423/http://www.accj.or.jp/document_library/Journal/1070851088.pdf)). *The Journal of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan* (*Jānaru*), Volume 40, Issues 7–12. [The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_American_Chamber_of_Commerce_in_Japan "The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan") (ACCJ), 2003. p. 41.
105. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-105)**
["IICLO / INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CHILDREN'S LITERATURE,OSAKA"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080214043955/http://www.iiclo.or.jp/english/english.htm). *www.iiclo.or.jp*. Archived from [the original](http://www.iiclo.or.jp/english/english.htm) on February 14, 2008. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
106. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-sisters_106-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-sisters_106-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-sisters_106-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-sisters_106-3)
["The City of Osaka's International Network"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210415203553/https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/keizaisenryaku/english/international_network.html). *city.osaka.lg.jp*. Osaka. Archived from [the original](https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/keizaisenryaku/english/international_network.html) on April 15, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
## Further reading
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=52 "Edit section: Further reading")\]
See also: [Bibliography of the history of Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Osaka#Bibliography "Timeline of Osaka")
- Benesch, Oleg (2018). ["Castles and the Militarisation of Urban Society in Imperial Japan"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181120055147/http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/133333/1/Benesch_Castles_and_the_Militarisation_of_Urban_Society_in_Imperial_Japan_TRHS_Accepted_Manuscript.pdf) (PDF). *Transactions of the Royal Historical Society*. **28**: 107–134\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1017/S0080440118000063](https://doi.org/10.1017%2FS0080440118000063). [S2CID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S2CID_\(identifier\) "S2CID (identifier)") [158403519](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:158403519). Archived from [the original](http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/133333/1/Benesch_Castles_and_the_Militarisation_of_Urban_Society_in_Imperial_Japan_TRHS_Accepted_Manuscript.pdf) (PDF) on November 20, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
- De Lange, William (2021). *An Encyclopedia of Japanese Castles*. Groningen: Toyo Press. pp. 600 pages. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-94-92722-30-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-94-92722-30-0 "Special:BookSources/978-94-92722-30-0")
.
- De Lange, William. (2022). *The Siege of Osaka Castle: The Winter and Summer Campaigns*. Groningen: Toyo Press.
[ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-949-2722-386](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-949-2722-386 "Special:BookSources/978-949-2722-386")
- Gerstle, C. Andrew. *Kabuki Heroes on the Osaka Stage 1780–1830* (2005).
- Hanes, Jeffrey. *The City as Subject: Seki Hajime and the Reinvention of Modern Osaka* (2002) [online edition](https://www.questia.com/read/105859766?title=The%20City%20as%20Subject%3A%20%20Seki%20Hajime%20and%20the%20Reinvention%20of%20Modern%20Osaka) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120513171856/http://www.questia.com/read/105859766?title=The%20City%20as%20Subject%3A%20%20Seki%20Hajime%20and%20the%20Reinvention%20of%20Modern%20Osaka) May 13, 2012, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")
- Hauser, William B. "Osaka: a Commercial City in Tokugawa Japan." *Urbanism past and Present* 1977–1978 (5): 23–36.
- Hein, Carola, et al. *Rebuilding Urban Japan after 1945.* (2003). 274 pp.
- Hotta, Chisato. "The Construction of the Korean Community in Osaka between 1920 and 1945: A Cross-Cultural Perspective." PhD dissertation U. of Chicago 2005. 498 pp. DAI 2005 65(12): 4680-A. DA3158708 Fulltext: [ProQuest Dissertations & Theses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ProQuest_Dissertations_%26_Theses "ProQuest Dissertations & Theses")
- Lockyer, Angus. "The Logic of Spectacle C. 1970", *Art History,* Sept 2007, Vol. 30 Issue 4, p571-589, on the international exposition held in 1970
- McClain, James L. and Wakita, Osamu, eds. *Osaka: The Merchants' Capital of Early Modern Japan.* (1999). 295 pp. [online edition](https://www.questia.com/read/103760551?title=Osaka%2C%20the%20Merchant's%20Capital%20of%20Early%20Modern%20Japan) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120513031100/http://www.questia.com/read/103760551?title=Osaka%2C%20the%20Merchant%27s%20Capital%20of%20Early%20Modern%20Japan) May 13, 2012, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")
- *Michelin Red Guide Kyoto Osaka Kobe 2011* (2011)
- [Najita, Tetsuo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Najita,_Tetsuo "Najita, Tetsuo"). *Visions of Virtue in Tokugawa Japan: The Kaitokudo Merchant Academy of Osaka.* (1987). 334 pp. [online edition](https://web.archive.org/web/20120513171901/http://www.questia.com/read/34221399?title=Visions%20of%20Virtue%20in%20Tokugawa%20Japan%3A%20The%20Kaitokudo%20Merchant%20Academy%20of%20Osaka)
- Rimmer, Peter J. "Japan's World Cities: Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya or Tokaido Megalopolis?" *Development and Change* 1986 17(1): 121–157.
[ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0012-155X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0012-155X)
- Ropke, Ian Martin. Historical Dictionary of Osaka and Kyoto. 273pp Scarecrow Press (July 22, 1999)
[ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-8108-3622-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8108-3622-8 "Special:BookSources/978-0-8108-3622-8")
.
- Ruble, Blair A. *Second Metropolis: Pragmatic Pluralism in Gilded Age Chicago, Silver Age Moscow, and Meiji Osaka.* (2001). 464 pp.
- Torrance, Richard. "Literacy and Literature in Osaka, 1890–1940," *The Journal of Japanese Studies* 31\#1 (Winter 2005), pp. 27–60 in [Project MUSE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_MUSE "Project MUSE")
## External links
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=53 "Edit section: External links")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wiktionary-logo-en-v2.svg)
Look up ***[大阪](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA "wiktionary:大阪")*** or ***[Ōsaka](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%C5%8Csaka "wiktionary:Ōsaka")*** in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
- [Osaka City official website](https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/enjoy/en/index.html)
- [Official Osaka Tourist Guide](https://osaka-info.jp/en/)
- ["Osaka"](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_New_Student%27s_Reference_Work/Osaka) . [*The New Student's Reference Work*](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_New_Student%27s_Reference_Work) . 1914.
-  Geographic data related to [Osaka](https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/358674) at [OpenStreetMap](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenStreetMap "OpenStreetMap")
**Osaka** at Wikipedia's [sister projects](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikimedia_sister_projects "Wikipedia:Wikimedia sister projects"):
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Commons-logo.svg)**[Media](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%B8%82 "c:大阪市")** from Commons
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wikivoyage-Logo-v3-icon.svg)**[Travel guides](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Osaka "voy:Osaka")** from Wikivoyage
| Links to related articles | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Osaka "Template:Osaka") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Osaka "Template talk:Osaka") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Osaka "Special:EditPage/Template:Osaka")[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shadow_picture_of_Osaka_prefecture.png) [Osaka Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefecture "Osaka Prefecture") | | | | | |
| [Osaka]() ([capital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_capitals_in_Japan "List of capitals in Japan")) | | | | | |
| [Osaka]() | | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Osaka_Prefecture.svg "Flag of Osaka Prefecture") | | | |
| | | | | | |
| [Wards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wards_of_Japan "Wards of Japan") | [Abeno](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abeno-ku,_Osaka "Abeno-ku, Osaka") [Asahi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asahi-ku,_Osaka "Asahi-ku, Osaka") [Chūō](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%AB%C5%8D-ku,_Osaka "Chūō-ku, Osaka") [Fukushima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima-ku,_Osaka "Fukushima-ku, Osaka") [Higashinari](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashinari-ku,_Osaka "Higashinari-ku, Osaka") [Higashisumiyoshi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashisumiyoshi-ku,_Osaka "Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osaka") [Higashiyodogawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashiyodogawa-ku,_Osaka "Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka") [Hirano](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirano-ku,_Osaka "Hirano-ku, Osaka") [Ikuno](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikuno-ku,_Osaka "Ikuno-ku, Osaka") [Jōtō](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C5%8Dt%C5%8D-ku,_Osaka "Jōtō-ku, Osaka") [Kita](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kita-ku,_Osaka "Kita-ku, Osaka") [Konohana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konohana-ku,_Osaka "Konohana-ku, Osaka") [Minato](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minato-ku,_Osaka "Minato-ku, Osaka") [Miyakojima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miyakojima-ku,_Osaka "Miyakojima-ku, Osaka") [Naniwa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naniwa-ku,_Osaka "Naniwa-ku, Osaka") [Nishi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishi-ku,_Osaka "Nishi-ku, Osaka") [Nishinari](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishinari-ku,_Osaka "Nishinari-ku, Osaka") [Nishiyodogawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishiyodogawa-ku,_Osaka "Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka") [Suminoe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suminoe-ku,_Osaka "Suminoe-ku, Osaka") [Sumiyoshi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi-ku,_Osaka "Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka") [Taishō](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taish%C5%8D-ku,_Osaka "Taishō-ku, Osaka") [Tennōji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenn%C5%8Dji-ku,_Osaka "Tennōji-ku, Osaka") [Tsurumi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsurumi-ku,_Osaka "Tsurumi-ku, Osaka") [Yodogawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yodogawa-ku,_Osaka "Yodogawa-ku, Osaka") | | | | |
| [Sakai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai "Sakai") | | | | | |
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| Wards | [Higashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashi-ku,_Sakai "Higashi-ku, Sakai") [Kita](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kita-ku,_Sakai "Kita-ku, Sakai") [Naka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naka-ku,_Sakai "Naka-ku, Sakai") [Nishi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishi-ku,_Sakai "Nishi-ku, Sakai") [Mihara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mihara-ku,_Sakai "Mihara-ku, Sakai") [Minami](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minami-ku,_Sakai "Minami-ku, Sakai") [Sakai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai-ku,_Sakai "Sakai-ku, Sakai") | | | | |
| [Core cities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_cities_of_Japan "Core cities of Japan") | [Higashiōsaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashi%C5%8Dsaka "Higashiōsaka") [Hirakata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirakata "Hirakata") [Neyagawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neyagawa,_Osaka "Neyagawa, Osaka") [Suita](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suita "Suita") [Takatsuki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takatsuki "Takatsuki") [Toyonaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyonaka "Toyonaka") [Yao](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yao,_Osaka "Yao, Osaka") | | | | |
| [Special cities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_cities_of_Japan "Special cities of Japan") | [Ibaraki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibaraki,_Osaka "Ibaraki, Osaka") [Kishiwada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kishiwada,_Osaka "Kishiwada, Osaka")☆ | | | | |
| Cities | [Daitō](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dait%C5%8D,_Osaka "Daitō, Osaka") [Fujiidera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujiidera,_Osaka "Fujiidera, Osaka") [Habikino](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habikino "Habikino") [Hannan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannan,_Osaka "Hannan, Osaka") [Ikeda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikeda,_Osaka "Ikeda, Osaka") [Izumi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izumi,_Osaka "Izumi, Osaka") [Izumiōtsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izumi%C5%8Dtsu "Izumiōtsu") [Izumisano](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izumisano "Izumisano") [Kadoma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kadoma,_Osaka "Kadoma, Osaka") [Kaizuka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaizuka,_Osaka "Kaizuka, Osaka") [Kashiwara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashiwara "Kashiwara") [Katano](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katano "Katano") [Kawachinagano](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawachinagano "Kawachinagano") [Matsubara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsubara "Matsubara") [Minoh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minoh "Minoh") [Moriguchi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moriguchi,_Osaka "Moriguchi, Osaka") [Ōsakasayama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Csakasayama "Ōsakasayama") [Sennan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sennan,_Osaka "Sennan, Osaka") [Settsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Settsu,_Osaka "Settsu, Osaka") [Shijōnawate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shij%C5%8Dnawate "Shijōnawate") [Takaishi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takaishi,_Osaka "Takaishi, Osaka") [Tondabayashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tondabayashi "Tondabayashi") | | | | |
| Districts | [Minamikawachi District](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamikawachi_District,_Osaka "Minamikawachi District, Osaka") [Chihayaakasaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chihayaakasaka "Chihayaakasaka") [Kanan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanan,_Osaka "Kanan, Osaka") [Taishi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taishi,_Osaka "Taishi, Osaka") [Mishima District](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mishima_District,_Osaka "Mishima District, Osaka") [Shimamoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimamoto,_Osaka "Shimamoto, Osaka") [Senboku District](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senboku_District,_Osaka "Senboku District, Osaka") [Tadaoka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadaoka,_Osaka "Tadaoka, Osaka") [Sennan District](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sennan_District,_Osaka "Sennan District, Osaka") [Kumatori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumatori,_Osaka "Kumatori, Osaka") [Misaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misaki,_Osaka "Misaki, Osaka") [Tajiri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tajiri,_Osaka "Tajiri, Osaka") [Toyono District](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyono_District,_Osaka "Toyono District, Osaka") [Nose](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nose,_Osaka "Nose, Osaka") [Toyono](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyono,_Osaka "Toyono, Osaka") | | | | |
| [List of mergers in Osaka Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mergers_in_Osaka_Prefecture "List of mergers in Osaka Prefecture"); Note: ☆ - Cities to become core cities | | | | | |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Metropolitan_cities_of_Japan "Template:Metropolitan cities of Japan") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Metropolitan_cities_of_Japan "Template talk:Metropolitan cities of Japan") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Metropolitan_cities_of_Japan "Special:EditPage/Template:Metropolitan cities of Japan")[Metropolitan cities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_Japan "List of cities in Japan") of [Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan "Japan") | | | | | |
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| [Tokyo Metropolis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo "Tokyo") | [Special wards of Tokyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_wards_of_Tokyo "Special wards of Tokyo")※ [Adachi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adachi,_Tokyo "Adachi, Tokyo") [Arakawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arakawa,_Tokyo "Arakawa, Tokyo") [Bunkyō](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunky%C5%8D "Bunkyō") [Chiyoda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiyoda,_Tokyo "Chiyoda, Tokyo") [Chūō](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%AB%C5%8D,_Tokyo "Chūō, Tokyo") [Edogawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edogawa,_Tokyo "Edogawa, Tokyo") [Itabashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itabashi "Itabashi") [Katsushika](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katsushika "Katsushika") [Kita](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kita,_Tokyo "Kita, Tokyo") [Kōtō](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Dt%C5%8D "Kōtō") [Meguro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meguro "Meguro") [Minato](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minato,_Tokyo "Minato, Tokyo") [Nakano](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakano,_Tokyo "Nakano, Tokyo") [Nerima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerima "Nerima") [Ōta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Cta,_Tokyo "Ōta, Tokyo") [Setagaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setagaya "Setagaya") [Shibuya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibuya "Shibuya") [Shinagawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinagawa "Shinagawa") [Shinjuku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinjuku "Shinjuku") [Suginami](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suginami "Suginami") [Sumida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumida,_Tokyo "Sumida, Tokyo") [Toshima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toshima "Toshima") [Taitō](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tait%C5%8D "Taitō") | | | | |
| [Designated cities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Designated_cities "Designated cities") | [Chiba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiba_\(city\) "Chiba (city)")※ [Fukuoka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukuoka "Fukuoka")※ [Hamamatsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamamatsu "Hamamatsu") [Hiroshima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima "Hiroshima")※ [Kawasaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki,_Kanagawa "Kawasaki, Kanagawa") [Kitakyushu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitakyushu "Kitakyushu") [Kobe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe "Kobe")※ [Kumamoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumamoto "Kumamoto")※ [Kyoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto "Kyoto")※ [Nagoya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagoya "Nagoya")※ [Niigata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niigata_\(city\) "Niigata (city)")※ [Okayama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okayama "Okayama")※ [Osaka]()※ [Sagamihara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagamihara "Sagamihara") [Saitama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saitama_\(city\) "Saitama (city)")※ [Sakai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai "Sakai") [Sapporo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapporo "Sapporo")※ [Sendai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sendai "Sendai")※ [Shizuoka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shizuoka_\(city\) "Shizuoka (city)")※ [Yokohama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokohama "Yokohama")※ | | | | |
| [Core cities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_cities_of_Japan "Core cities of Japan") | [Akashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akashi,_Hy%C5%8Dgo "Akashi, Hyōgo") [Akita](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akita_\(city\) "Akita (city)")※ [Amagasaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amagasaki "Amagasaki") [Aomori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aomori "Aomori")※ [Asahikawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asahikawa "Asahikawa") [Fukui](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukui_\(city\) "Fukui (city)")※ [Fukushima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima_\(city\) "Fukushima (city)")※ [Fukuyama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukuyama,_Hiroshima "Fukuyama, Hiroshima") [Funabashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funabashi "Funabashi") [Gifu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gifu "Gifu")※ [Hachinohe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachinohe "Hachinohe") [Hachiōji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachi%C5%8Dji "Hachiōji") [Hakodate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakodate "Hakodate") [Higashiōsaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashi%C5%8Dsaka "Higashiōsaka") [Himeji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himeji "Himeji") [Hirakata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirakata "Hirakata") [Ichinomiya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichinomiya,_Aichi "Ichinomiya, Aichi") [Iwaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iwaki,_Fukushima "Iwaki, Fukushima") [Kagoshima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kagoshima "Kagoshima")※ [Kanazawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanazawa "Kanazawa")※ [Kashiwa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashiwa "Kashiwa") [Kawagoe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawagoe,_Saitama "Kawagoe, Saitama") [Kawaguchi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawaguchi,_Saitama "Kawaguchi, Saitama") [Kōchi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Dchi,_K%C5%8Dchi "Kōchi, Kōchi")※ [Kōfu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Dfu "Kōfu")※ [Kōriyama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Driyama "Kōriyama") [Koshigaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koshigaya "Koshigaya") [Kurashiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurashiki "Kurashiki") [Kure](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kure,_Hiroshima "Kure, Hiroshima") [Kurume](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurume "Kurume") [Maebashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maebashi "Maebashi")※ [Matsue](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsue "Matsue")※ [Matsumoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsumoto,_Nagano "Matsumoto, Nagano") [Matsuyama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsuyama "Matsuyama")※ [Miyazaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miyazaki_\(city\) "Miyazaki (city)")※ [Mito](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mito,_Ibaraki "Mito, Ibaraki")※ [Morioka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morioka "Morioka")※ [Naha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naha "Naha")※ [Nagano](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagano_\(city\) "Nagano (city)")※ [Nagasaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagasaki "Nagasaki")※ [Nara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara_\(city\) "Nara (city)")※ [Neyagawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neyagawa,_Osaka "Neyagawa, Osaka") [Nishinomiya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishinomiya "Nishinomiya") [Ōita](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Cita_\(city\) "Ōita (city)")※ [Okazaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okazaki,_Aichi "Okazaki, Aichi") [Ōtsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Ctsu "Ōtsu")※ [Sasebo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasebo "Sasebo") [Shimonoseki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimonoseki "Shimonoseki") [Suita](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suita "Suita") [Takamatsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takamatsu "Takamatsu")※ [Takasaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takasaki "Takasaki") [Takatsuki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takatsuki "Takatsuki") [Tottori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tottori_\(city\) "Tottori (city)")※ [Toyama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyama_\(city\) "Toyama (city)")※ [Toyohashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyohashi "Toyohashi") [Toyonaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyonaka "Toyonaka") [Toyota](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota,_Aichi "Toyota, Aichi") [Utsunomiya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utsunomiya "Utsunomiya")※ [Wakayama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakayama_\(city\) "Wakayama (city)")※ [Yao](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yao,_Osaka "Yao, Osaka") [Yamagata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamagata_\(city\) "Yamagata (city)")※ [Yokosuka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokosuka "Yokosuka") | | | | |
| [Special cities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_cities_of_Japan "Special cities of Japan") | [Atsugi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atsugi "Atsugi") [Chigasaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chigasaki,_Kanagawa "Chigasaki, Kanagawa")☆ [Fuji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuji,_Shizuoka "Fuji, Shizuoka")☆ [Hiratsuka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiratsuka "Hiratsuka") [Ibaraki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibaraki,_Osaka "Ibaraki, Osaka") [Isesaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isesaki "Isesaki") [Jōetsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C5%8Detsu,_Niigata "Jōetsu, Niigata") [Kakogawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakogawa,_Hy%C5%8Dgo "Kakogawa, Hyōgo") [Kasugai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasugai,_Aichi "Kasugai, Aichi") [Kasukabe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasukabe,_Saitama "Kasukabe, Saitama") [Kishiwada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kishiwada,_Osaka "Kishiwada, Osaka")☆ [Kumagaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumagaya "Kumagaya") [Nagaoka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagaoka,_Niigata "Nagaoka, Niigata") [Numazu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numazu "Numazu") [Odawara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odawara "Odawara")☆ [Ōta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Cta,_Gunma "Ōta, Gunma") [Saga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saga_\(city\) "Saga (city)")※ [Sōka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C5%8Dka "Sōka") [Takarazuka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takarazuka,_Hy%C5%8Dgo "Takarazuka, Hyōgo") [Tokorozawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokorozawa,_Saitama "Tokorozawa, Saitama")☆ [Tsukuba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsukuba "Tsukuba")☆ [Yamato](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamato,_Kanagawa "Yamato, Kanagawa") [Yokkaichi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokkaichi "Yokkaichi")☆ | | | | |
| [Prefectural capitals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_capitals_in_Japan "List of capitals in Japan") without designation | [Tsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsu,_Mie "Tsu, Mie") [Tokushima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokushima_\(city\) "Tokushima (city)") [Yamaguchi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaguchi_\(city\) "Yamaguchi (city)") | | | | |
| ※ also a [prefectural capital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_capitals_in_Japan "List of capitals in Japan"); ☆ to become core cities | | | | | |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:World%27s_most_populous_urban_areas "Template:World's most populous urban areas") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:World%27s_most_populous_urban_areas "Template talk:World's most populous urban areas") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:World%27s_most_populous_urban_areas "Special:EditPage/Template:World's most populous urban areas")World's 50 [most-populous urban areas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_cities "List of largest cities") | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | [Tokyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Tokyo_Area "Greater Tokyo Area") [Jakarta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakarta_metropolitan_area "Jakarta metropolitan area") [Delhi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Capital_Region_\(India\) "National Capital Region (India)") [Guangzhou](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guangzhou "Guangzhou")–[Foshan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foshan "Foshan") [Mumbai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai_Metropolitan_Region "Mumbai Metropolitan Region") [Manila](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Manila_Area "Greater Manila Area") [Shanghai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai "Shanghai") [Seoul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul_metropolitan_area "Seoul metropolitan area") [Cairo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Cairo "Greater Cairo") [Mexico City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Mexico_City "Greater Mexico City") | [Kolkata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata_metropolitan_area "Kolkata metropolitan area") [São Paulo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_S%C3%A3o_Paulo "Greater São Paulo") [New York](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_metropolitan_area "New York metropolitan area") [Karachi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karachi "Karachi") [Dhaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Dhaka "Greater Dhaka") [Bangkok](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok_Metropolitan_Region "Bangkok Metropolitan Region") [Beijing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing "Beijing") [Moscow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_metropolitan_area "Moscow metropolitan area") [Shenzhen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenzhen "Shenzhen") [Buenos Aires](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Buenos_Aires "Greater Buenos Aires") | [Los Angeles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Los_Angeles "Greater Los Angeles") [Johannesburg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannesburg "Johannesburg")–[Pretoria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretoria "Pretoria") [Bengaluru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengaluru "Bengaluru") [Chengdu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chengdu "Chengdu") [Ho Chi Minh City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho_Chi_Minh_City_metropolitan_area "Ho Chi Minh City metropolitan area") [Osaka–Kobe–Kyoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keihanshin "Keihanshin") [Lagos](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagos "Lagos") [Istanbul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul "Istanbul") [Lahore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lahore "Lahore") [Kinshasa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinshasa "Kinshasa")–[Brazzaville](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazzaville "Brazzaville") | [Tehran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Tehran "Greater Tehran") [Chongqing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chongqing "Chongqing") [Rio de Janeiro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Rio_de_Janeiro "Greater Rio de Janeiro") [Xi'an](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xi%27an "Xi'an") [Chennai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennai_metropolitan_area "Chennai metropolitan area") [Paris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_metropolitan_area "Paris metropolitan area") [Zhengzhou](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhengzhou "Zhengzhou") [Luanda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luanda "Luanda") [London](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_London_Built-up_Area "Greater London Built-up Area") [Dongguan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dongguan "Dongguan") | [Lima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lima_metropolitan_area "Lima metropolitan area") [Wuhan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wuhan "Wuhan") [Bogotá](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogot%C3%A1_metropolitan_area "Bogotá metropolitan area") [Tianjin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianjin "Tianjin") [Hyderabad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyderabad_Metropolitan_Region "Hyderabad Metropolitan Region") [Taipei](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taipei%E2%80%93Keelung_metropolitan_area "Taipei–Keelung metropolitan area") [Hangzhou](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangzhou "Hangzhou") [Nagoya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%ABky%C5%8D_metropolitan_area "Chūkyō metropolitan area") [Surabaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surabaya_metropolitan_area "Surabaya metropolitan area") [Bandung](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandung_metropolitan_area "Bandung metropolitan area") |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:World_Athletics_Championships_host_cities "Template:World Athletics Championships host cities") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:World_Athletics_Championships_host_cities "Template talk:World Athletics Championships host cities") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:World_Athletics_Championships_host_cities "Special:EditPage/Template:World Athletics Championships host cities")Host cities of the [World Athletics Championships](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Athletics_Championships "World Athletics Championships") | | | | | |
| [1983](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983_World_Championships_in_Athletics "1983 World Championships in Athletics"): [Helsinki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki "Helsinki") [1987](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1987_World_Championships_in_Athletics "1987 World Championships in Athletics"): [Rome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome "Rome") [1991](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_World_Championships_in_Athletics "1991 World Championships in Athletics"): [Tokyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo "Tokyo") [1993](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_World_Championships_in_Athletics "1993 World Championships in Athletics"): [Stuttgart](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuttgart "Stuttgart") [1995](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_World_Championships_in_Athletics "1995 World Championships in Athletics"): [Gothenburg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothenburg "Gothenburg") [1997](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_World_Championships_in_Athletics "1997 World Championships in Athletics"): [Athens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athens "Athens") [1999](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_World_Championships_in_Athletics "1999 World Championships in Athletics"): [Seville](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seville "Seville") [2001](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_World_Championships_in_Athletics "2001 World Championships in Athletics"): [Edmonton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmonton "Edmonton") [2003](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_World_Championships_in_Athletics "2003 World Championships in Athletics"): [Saint-Denis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Denis,_Seine-Saint-Denis "Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis") [2005](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_World_Championships_in_Athletics "2005 World Championships in Athletics"): [Helsinki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki "Helsinki") [2007](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_World_Championships_in_Athletics "2007 World Championships in Athletics"): [Osaka]() [2009](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_World_Championships_in_Athletics "2009 World Championships in Athletics"): [Berlin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin "Berlin") [2011](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_World_Championships_in_Athletics "2011 World Championships in Athletics"): [Daegu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daegu "Daegu") [2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_World_Championships_in_Athletics "2013 World Championships in Athletics"): [Moscow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow "Moscow") [2015](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_World_Championships_in_Athletics "2015 World Championships in Athletics"): [Beijing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing "Beijing") [2017](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_World_Championships_in_Athletics "2017 World Championships in Athletics"): [London](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London "London") [2019](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_World_Athletics_Championships "2019 World Athletics Championships"): [Doha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doha "Doha") [2022](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_World_Athletics_Championships "2022 World Athletics Championships"): [Eugene](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene,_Oregon "Eugene, Oregon") [2023](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_World_Athletics_Championships "2023 World Athletics Championships"): [Budapest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest "Budapest") [2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_World_Athletics_Championships "2025 World Athletics Championships"): *[Tokyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo "Tokyo")* [2027](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2027_World_Athletics_Championships "2027 World Athletics Championships"): *[Beijing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing "Beijing")* | | | | | |
| [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Most_populous_cities_in_Japan "Template:Most populous cities in Japan") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Most_populous_cities_in_Japan "Template talk:Most populous cities in Japan") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Most_populous_cities_in_Japan "Special:EditPage/Template:Most populous cities in Japan")[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan "Japan") [Cities in Japan with a population of 200,000+](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_Japan "List of cities in Japan") | | | | | |
| 2,000,000 and more | [Tokyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo "Tokyo") (capital) [Yokohama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokohama "Yokohama") [Osaka]() [Nagoya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagoya "Nagoya") | | | | |
| 1,000,000–1,999,999 | [Sapporo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapporo "Sapporo") [Fukuoka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukuoka "Fukuoka") [Kobe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe "Kobe") [Kyoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto "Kyoto") [Kawasaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki,_Kanagawa "Kawasaki, Kanagawa") [Saitama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saitama_\(city\) "Saitama (city)") [Hiroshima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima "Hiroshima") [Sendai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sendai "Sendai") | | | | |
| 500,000–999,999 | [Kitakyushu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitakyushu "Kitakyushu") [Chiba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiba_\(city\) "Chiba (city)") [Setagaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setagaya "Setagaya") [Sakai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai "Sakai") [Niigata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niigata_\(city\) "Niigata (city)") [Hamamatsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamamatsu "Hamamatsu") [Shizuoka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shizuoka_\(city\) "Shizuoka (city)") [Sagamihara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagamihara "Sagamihara") [Nerima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerima "Nerima") [Okayama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okayama "Okayama") [Ōta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Cta,_Tokyo "Ōta, Tokyo") [Kumamoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumamoto "Kumamoto") [Edogawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edogawa,_Tokyo "Edogawa, Tokyo") [Adachi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adachi,_Tokyo "Adachi, Tokyo") [Kagoshima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kagoshima "Kagoshima") [Funabashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funabashi "Funabashi") [Hachiōji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachi%C5%8Dji "Hachiōji") [Kawaguchi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawaguchi,_Saitama "Kawaguchi, Saitama") [Himeji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himeji "Himeji") [Suginami](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suginami "Suginami") [Itabashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itabashi "Itabashi") [Matsuyama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsuyama "Matsuyama") [Higashiōsaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashi%C5%8Dsaka "Higashiōsaka") [Utsunomiya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utsunomiya "Utsunomiya") | | | | |
| 200,000–499,999 | [Matsudo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsudo "Matsudo") [Nishinomiya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishinomiya "Nishinomiya") [Kurashiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurashiki "Kurashiki") [Ichikawa, Chiba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichikawa,_Chiba "Ichikawa, Chiba") [Oita](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Cita_\(city\) "Ōita (city)") [Fukuyama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukuyama,_Hiroshima "Fukuyama, Hiroshima") [Amagasaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amagasaki "Amagasaki") [Kanazawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanazawa "Kanazawa") [Nagasaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagasaki "Nagasaki") [Kōtō](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Dt%C5%8D "Kōtō") [Katsushika](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katsushika "Katsushika") [Yokosuka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokosuka "Yokosuka") [Toyama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyama_\(city\) "Toyama (city)") [Toyota](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota,_Aichi "Toyota, Aichi") [Takamatsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takamatsu,_Kagawa "Takamatsu, Kagawa") [Machida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machida,_Tokyo "Machida, Tokyo") [Gifu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gifu "Gifu") [Hirakata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirakata "Hirakata") [Fujisawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujisawa,_Kanagawa "Fujisawa, Kanagawa") [Kashiwa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashiwa "Kashiwa") [Toyonaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyonaka "Toyonaka") [Nagano](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagano_\(city\) "Nagano (city)") [Toyohashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyohashi "Toyohashi") [Ichinomiya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichinomiya,_Aichi "Ichinomiya, Aichi") [Wakayama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakayama_\(city\) "Wakayama (city)") [Okazaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okazaki,_Aichi "Okazaki, Aichi") [Miyazaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miyazaki_\(city\) "Miyazaki (city)") [Nara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara_\(city\) "Nara (city)") [Suita](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suita "Suita") [Takatsuki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takatsuki "Takatsuki") [Shinagawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinagawa "Shinagawa") [Asahikawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asahikawa "Asahikawa") [Iwaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iwaki,_Fukushima "Iwaki, Fukushima") [Kochi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Dchi_\(city\) "Kōchi (city)") [Takasaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takasaki "Takasaki") [Kōriyama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Driyama "Kōriyama") [Tokorozawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokorozawa,_Saitama "Tokorozawa, Saitama") [Kawagoe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawagoe,_Saitama "Kawagoe, Saitama") [Kita](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kita,_Tokyo "Kita, Tokyo") [Akita](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akita_\(city\) "Akita (city)") [Ōtsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Ctsu "Ōtsu") [Koshigaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koshigaya "Koshigaya") [Maebashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maebashi "Maebashi") [Naha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naha "Naha") [Nakano, Tokyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakano,_Tokyo "Nakano, Tokyo") [Shinjuku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinjuku "Shinjuku") [Yokkaichi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokkaichi "Yokkaichi") [Aomori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aomori "Aomori") [Kurume](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurume "Kurume") [Kasugai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasugai,_Aichi "Kasugai, Aichi") [Morioka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morioka "Morioka") [Akashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akashi,_Hy%C5%8Dgo "Akashi, Hyōgo") [Fukushima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima_\(city\) "Fukushima (city)") [Tsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsu,_Mie "Tsu, Mie") [Shimonoseki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shimonoseki "Shimonoseki") [Nagaoka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagaoka,_Niigata "Nagaoka, Niigata") [Ichihara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichihara,_Chiba "Ichihara, Chiba") [Hakodate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakodate "Hakodate") [Yao](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yao,_Osaka "Yao, Osaka") [Ibaraki, Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibaraki,_Osaka "Ibaraki, Osaka") [Fukui](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukui_\(city\) "Fukui (city)") [Meguro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meguro "Meguro") [Kakogawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakogawa,_Hy%C5%8Dgo "Kakogawa, Hyōgo") [Tokushima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokushima_\(city\) "Tokushima (city)") [Mito](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mito,_Ibaraki "Mito, Ibaraki") [Hiratsuka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiratsuka "Hiratsuka") [Toshima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toshima "Toshima") [Yamagata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamagata_\(city\) "Yamagata (city)") [Sasebo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasebo "Sasebo") [Fuchū, Tokyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuch%C5%AB,_Tokyo "Fuchū, Tokyo") [Kure, Hiroshima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kure,_Hiroshima "Kure, Hiroshima") [Hachinohe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachinohe "Hachinohe") [Saga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saga_\(city\) "Saga (city)") [Neyagawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neyagawa,_Osaka "Neyagawa, Osaka") [Sōka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C5%8Dka "Sōka") [Sumida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumida,_Tokyo "Sumida, Tokyo") [Fuji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuji,_Shizuoka "Fuji, Shizuoka") [Kasukabe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasukabe,_Saitama "Kasukabe, Saitama") [Chigasaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chigasaki,_Kanagawa "Chigasaki, Kanagawa") [Matsumoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsumoto,_Nagano "Matsumoto, Nagano") [Atsugi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atsugi "Atsugi") [Yamato](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamato,_Kanagawa "Yamato, Kanagawa") [Ageo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ageo "Ageo") [Takarazuka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takarazuka,_Hy%C5%8Dgo "Takarazuka, Hyōgo") [Chōfu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%8Dfu "Chōfu") [Ōta, Gunma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Cta,_Gunma "Ōta, Gunma") [Tsukuba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsukuba "Tsukuba") [Numazu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numazu "Numazu") [Joetsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C5%8Detsu,_Niigata "Jōetsu, Niigata") [Shibuya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibuya "Shibuya") [Minato](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minato,_Tokyo "Minato, Tokyo") [Kumagaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumagaya "Kumagaya") [Isesaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isesaki "Isesaki") [Nishitokyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishitokyo "Nishitokyo") [Kishiwada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kishiwada,_Osaka "Kishiwada, Osaka") [Tottori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tottori_\(city\) "Tottori (city)") | | | | |
| [Authority control databases](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Authority_control "Help:Authority control") [](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q35765#identifiers "Edit this at Wikidata") | |
|---|---|
| International | [ISNI](https://isni.org/isni/0000000406162721) [VIAF](https://viaf.org/viaf/122548794) [GND](https://d-nb.info/gnd/4043961-6) [FAST](https://id.worldcat.org/fast/1207884) [WorldCat](https://id.oclc.org/worldcat/entity/E39PBJcR9vvdQ33GvqwCyTjQv3) |
| National | [United States](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/n80022951) [France](https://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb15283394k) [BnF data](https://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb15283394k) [Japan](https://id.ndl.go.jp/auth/ndlna/00257146) [Czech Republic](https://aleph.nkp.cz/F/?func=find-c&local_base=aut&ccl_term=ica=ge283684&CON_LNG=ENG) [Spain](https://datos.bne.es/resource/XX5747781) [Portugal](http://id.bnportugal.gov.pt/aut/catbnp/164430) [Croatia](http://katalog.nsk.hr/F/?func=direct&doc_number=000646694&local_base=nsk10) [Greece](https://catalogue.nlg.gr/cgi-bin/koha/opac-authoritiesdetail.pl?authid=223272) [Sweden](https://libris.kb.se/97mpnl6t3rp3vj6) [Israel](https://www.nli.org.il/en/authorities/987007561931405171) |
| Geographic | [MusicBrainz area](https://musicbrainz.org/area/30bcaa92-9870-4798-be1a-4e0036755316) |
| Academics | [CiNii](https://ci.nii.ac.jp/author/DA00489840?l=en) |
| Other | [IdRef](https://www.idref.fr/027238202) [NARA](https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10044805) [Yale LUX](https://lux.collections.yale.edu/view/place/15ba0515-0d5d-493b-96a0-ffbb4dd53692) |
Retrieved from "<https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&oldid=1346096219>"
[Categories](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Category "Help:Category"):
- [Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Osaka "Category:Osaka")
- [Cities in Osaka Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Cities_in_Osaka_Prefecture "Category:Cities in Osaka Prefecture")
- [Port settlements in Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Port_settlements_in_Japan "Category:Port settlements in Japan")
- [Populated coastal places in Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Populated_coastal_places_in_Japan "Category:Populated coastal places in Japan")
- [Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Cities_designated_by_government_ordinance_of_Japan "Category:Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan")
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Osaka
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| Readable Markdown | This article is about the city in Japan. For the prefecture with the same name where this city is located, see [Osaka Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefecture "Osaka Prefecture"). For other uses, see [Osaka (disambiguation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_\(disambiguation\) "Osaka (disambiguation)").
| Osaka 大阪市 | |
|---|---|
| [Prefecture capital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_capitals_in_Japan "List of capitals in Japan") and [Designated city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_designated_by_government_ordinance_of_Japan "Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan") | |
| Osaka City | |
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Castle_02bs3200.jpg) [Osaka Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle "Osaka Castle") and [Osaka Business Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Business_Park "Osaka Business Park") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shinsekai_and_Tsutenkaku_Tower.jpg) [Tsūtenkaku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ts%C5%ABtenkaku "Tsūtenkaku") tower in [Shinsekai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinsekai "Shinsekai") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Dotonbori_Ebisu_Bridge.jpg) [Dōtonbori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dtonbori "Dōtonbori") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sumiyoshi-taisha,_keidai-2.jpg) [Sumiyoshi Taisha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi-taisha "Sumiyoshi-taisha") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shitennoji_%26_Abeno_Harukas.jpg) [Shitennō-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shitenn%C5%8D-ji "Shitennō-ji") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Autumn_in_Mido-suji_Osaka02n.jpg) [Midōsuji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid%C5%8Dsuji "Midōsuji") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nakanoshima_Skyscrapers_in_201504_001.jpg) [Nakanoshima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakanoshima "Nakanoshima") | |
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Osaka,_Osaka.svg "Flag of Osaka") Flag [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Emblem_of_Osaka,_Osaka.svg "Official seal of Osaka") Emblem | |
| []() | |
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_in_Osaka_Prefecture_Ja.svg "Location of Osaka in Osaka Prefecture")Location of Osaka in [Osaka Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefecture "Osaka Prefecture") | |
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_g%C3%A9olocalisation.svg "Osaka is located in Osaka Prefecture")  Osaka Location in the [Kansai region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_region "Kansai region") [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Japan_Kansai_location_map.svg "Osaka is located in Kansai region")  Osaka Osaka (Kansai region) [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Japan_location_map_with_side_map_of_the_Ryukyu_Islands.svg "Osaka is located in Japan")  Osaka Osaka (Japan) [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Asia_laea_location_map.svg "Osaka is located in Asia")  Osaka Osaka (Asia) | |
| Coordinates: [34°41′38″N 135°30′8″E / 34\.69389°N 135.50222°E](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Osaka¶ms=34_41_38_N_135_30_8_E_type:city\(2668586\)_region:JP-27) | |
| Country | Japan |
| [Region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_regions_of_Japan "List of regions of Japan") | [Kansai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_region "Kansai region") |
| [Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prefectures_of_Japan "Prefectures of Japan") | [Osaka Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefecture "Osaka Prefecture") |
| [Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_islands_of_Japan "List of islands of Japan") | [Honshu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honshu "Honshu") |
| Government | |
| • Body | [Osaka City Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_City_Council "Osaka City Council") |
| • [Mayor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Osaka_City "Politics of Osaka City") | [Hideyuki Yokoyama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hideyuki_Yokoyama "Hideyuki Yokoyama") ([ORA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Restoration_Association "Osaka Restoration Association"))[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-2) |
| Area | |
| • [Prefecture capital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_capitals_in_Japan "List of capitals in Japan") and [Designated city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_designated_by_government_ordinance_of_Japan "Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan") | 225\.21 km2 (86.95 sq mi) |
| Population(*Estimated population as of October 1, 2025*) | |
| • [Prefecture capital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_capitals_in_Japan "List of capitals in Japan") and [Designated city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_designated_by_government_ordinance_of_Japan "Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan") | 2,816,247[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-1) |
| • Rank | [3rd in Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_Japan "List of cities in Japan") |
| • Density | 12,505/km2 (32,390/sq mi) |
| • [Metro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_area "Metropolitan area")[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-japan2-3) ([2015](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_metropolitan_areas_in_Japan_by_population "List of metropolitan areas in Japan by population")) | 19,302,746 ([2nd](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_metropolitan_areas_in_Japan "List of metropolitan areas in Japan")) |
| [Time zone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_zone "Time zone") | [UTC+9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UTC%2B9 "UTC+9") ([Japan Standard Time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Standard_Time "Japan Standard Time")) |
| [Flower](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_flowers "List of national flowers") | [Cherry blossom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_blossom "Cherry blossom") and [Pansy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pansy "Pansy")[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-4) |
| Address | Osaka City Hall: 1-3-20 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu 530-8201 |
| Phone number | 06-6208-8181 |
| Website | [city.osaka.lg.jp](http://city.osaka.lg.jp/) |
| Osaka | |
|---|---|
| Japanese name | |
| [Kanji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanji "Kanji") | 大阪 (obsolete) 大坂 |
| Transcriptions | |
| [Revised Hepburn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepburn_romanization "Hepburn romanization") | Ōsaka |
| [Kunrei-shiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunrei-shiki_romanization "Kunrei-shiki romanization") | Ôsaka |
**Osaka** ([Japanese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_language "Japanese language"): 大阪市, [Hepburn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepburn_romanization "Hepburn romanization"): *Ōsaka-shi*; pronounced [\[oː.sa.kaꜜ.ɕi\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Japanese "Help:IPA/Japanese"); commonly just 大阪, *Ōsaka* [\[oː.sa.ka\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Japanese "Help:IPA/Japanese") [ⓘ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ja-Osaka.ogg "File:Ja-Osaka.ogg")) is a [designated city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_designated_by_government_ordinance_of_Japan "Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan") in the [Kansai region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_region "Kansai region") of [Honshu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honshu "Honshu") in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in [Osaka Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefecture "Osaka Prefecture"), and the [third-most populous city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_Japan "List of cities in Japan") in Japan, following the [special wards of Tokyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_wards_of_Tokyo "Special wards of Tokyo") and [Yokohama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokohama "Yokohama"). With an estimated population of 2,816,247 as of October 1, 2025[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-5) and a population density of about 12,505 people per square kilometer, it is the largest component of the [Keihanshin Metropolitan Area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keihanshin "Keihanshin"), the [second-largest metropolitan area in Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_metropolitan_areas_in_Japan "List of metropolitan areas in Japan")[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-stats-boj-6) and the 10th-[largest urban area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_urban_areas_by_population "List of urban areas by population") in the world with more than 19 million inhabitants.[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-japan2-3)
Osaka was traditionally considered Japan's economic hub. By the [Kofun period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kofun_period "Kofun period") (300–538) it had developed into an important regional port, and in the 7th and 8th centuries, it served briefly as the imperial capital. Osaka continued to flourish during the [Edo period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edo_period "Edo period") (1603–1867) and became known as a center of Japanese culture. Following the [Meiji Restoration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Restoration "Meiji Restoration"), Osaka greatly expanded in size and underwent rapid industrialization. The construction boom accelerated population growth throughout the following decades, and by the 1900s, Osaka was the industrial hub in the [Meiji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_era "Meiji era") and [Taishō eras](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taish%C5%8D_era "Taishō era"). Osaka made noted contributions to redevelopment, urban planning and zoning standards in the postwar period, and the city developed rapidly as one of the major financial centers in the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area.
Osaka is a major financial center of Japan, and it is recognized as one of the most multicultural and [cosmopolitan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmopolitanism "Cosmopolitanism") cities in Japan. The city is home to the [Osaka Exchange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Exchange "Osaka Exchange") as well as the headquarters of multinational [electronics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronics "Electronics") corporations such as [Panasonic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panasonic "Panasonic") and [Sharp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharp_Corporation "Sharp Corporation"). Osaka is an international center of research and development and is represented by several major universities, notably [Osaka University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_University "Osaka University"), [Osaka Metropolitan University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Metropolitan_University "Osaka Metropolitan University"), and [Kansai University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_University "Kansai University"). Famous landmarks in the city include [Osaka Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle "Osaka Castle"), [Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Aquarium_Kaiyukan "Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan"), [Dōtonbori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dtonbori "Dōtonbori"), [Tsūtenkaku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ts%C5%ABtenkaku "Tsūtenkaku") in [Shinsekai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinsekai "Shinsekai"), [Tennōji Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenn%C5%8Dji_Park "Tennōji Park"), [Abeno Harukas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abenobashi_Terminal_Building "Abenobashi Terminal Building"), [Sumiyoshi Taisha Grand Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi_Taisha "Sumiyoshi Taisha"), and [Shitennō-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shitenn%C5%8D-ji "Shitennō-ji"), one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan.
*Ōsaka* means "large hill" or "large slope". It is unclear when this name gained prominence over Naniwa, but the oldest written evidence for the name dates back to 1496.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-7)[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-8)
By the [Edo period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edo_period "Edo period"), 大坂 (*Ōsaka*) and 大阪 (*Ōsaka*) were mixed use, and the writer [Hamamatsu Utakuni](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hamamatsu_Utakuni&action=edit&redlink=1 "Hamamatsu Utakuni (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B5%9C%E6%9D%BE%E6%AD%8C%E5%9B%BD "ja:浜松歌国")\], in his book *Setsuyo Ochiboshu* published in 1808, states that the [kanji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanji "Kanji") 坂 was abhorred because it means "returns to the earth," and thus 阪 was used. The kanji 土 (earth) is also similar to the word 士 (knight), and 反 means against, so 坂 can be understood as "samurai rebellion."\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\] 阪 became the official name in 1868 after the [Meiji Restoration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Restoration "Meiji Restoration"). The older kanji (坂) is still in very limited use, usually only in historical contexts. When used as an abbreviation, the modern kanji 阪 *han* refers to Osaka City or [Osaka Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefecture "Osaka Prefecture").
### Origins: Jōmon and Yayoi period
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=3 "Edit section: Origins: Jōmon and Yayoi period")\]
During the [Jōmon period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C5%8Dmon_period "Jōmon period") (7,000 BCE), present-day Osaka was mostly submerged, and the [Uemachi Plateau](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uemachi_Plateau "Uemachi Plateau") (上町台地, *Uemachi Daichi*) formed a 12 km long and 2.5 km wide peninsula separating [Kawachi Bay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawachi_Bay "Kawachi Bay") from the [Seto Inland Sea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seto_Inland_Sea "Seto Inland Sea").[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Uemachidaichi-9)[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-plain-10) It is considered one of the first places where inhabitants of Japan settled, both for the favorable geological conditions, rich in fresh water and lush vegetation, and because its position was defensible against military attack.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Uemachidaichi-9)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Corbicula_sandai_-_Osaka_Museum_of_Natural_History_-_DSC07755.JPG)
Ancient shells found in the Morinomiya kaizuka ([Jomon period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jomon_period "Jomon period"))
The earliest evidence of settlements in the Osaka area are the Morinomiya ruins (森ノ宮遺跡, *Morinomiya iseki*) which is located in the central [Chuo-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%AB%C5%8D-ku,_Osaka "Chūō-ku, Osaka") district.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Uemachidaichi-9) Buried human skeletons and a kaizuka (a mound containing remains) were found, as well as shell mounds, oysters, and other interesting archeological discoveries from the Jomon period.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Uemachidaichi-9) In addition to the remains of consumed food, there were arrow heads, stone tools, fishing hooks and crockery with remains from rice processing. It is estimated that the ruins contain 2,000-year-old debris between the [Jomon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jomon_period "Jomon period") and [Yayoi period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yayoi_period "Yayoi period"). The findings of the archeological sites are exhibited in an adjacent building.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osakahist-11)[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Uemachidaichi-9)
In the years between the end of the Jōmon period and the beginning of the Yayoi period, the sediments that were deposited north of the Uemachi peninsula / plateau transformed Kawachi Bay into a lagoon.[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-plain-10) During the [Yayoi period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yayoi_period "Yayoi period") (300 BCE-250 CE), permanent habitation on the plains grew as rice farming became popular.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osakahist-11)
At the beginning of the third century CE the grand shrine of [Sumiyoshi-taisha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi-taisha "Sumiyoshi-taisha") was inaugurated near the harbor, commissioned by consort [Empress Jingū](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empress_Jing%C5%AB "Empress Jingū"). This [Shinto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinto "Shinto") shrine structure survived historical events,[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-12) which inaugurated a new style in the construction of Shinto shrines, called [Sumiyoshi-zukuri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi-zukuri "Sumiyoshi-zukuri").[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-13) The maritime panorama enjoyed from the shrine gardens inspired several artists, and nowadays the representations of that type of landscape are called *Sumiyoshi drawings*.
Towards the end of the Yayoi period the Uemachi plateau-peninsula expanded further, transforming the Kawachi Lagoon into a lake (河内湖) connected to the mouth of the [Yodo River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yodo_River "Yodo River"), which had widened to the south.[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-plain-10)
By the [Kofun period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kofun_period "Kofun period"), Osaka developed into a hub port connecting the region to the western part of Japan. The port of Naniwa-tsu was established and became the most important in Japan.[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-sumiyoshi-14) Trade with other areas of the country and the Asian continent intensified.[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-sumiyoshi-14) The large numbers of increasingly larger keyhole-shaped [Kofun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kofun "Kofun") mounds found in the plains of Osaka are evidence of political-power concentration, leading to the formation of a state.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osakahist-11)[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-15) The findings in the neighboring plains, including the mausoleum of [Emperor Nintoku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Nintoku "Emperor Nintoku") was discovered nearby in [Sakai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai "Sakai") testify to the status of imperial city that Osaka had reached. Four of these mounds can be seen in Osaka, in which important members of the nobility are buried. They are located in the southern districts of the city and date back to the 5th century.[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-sumiyoshi-14) A group of megalithic tombs called [Mozu Tombs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozu_Tombs "Mozu Tombs") are located in [Sakai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai "Sakai"), Osaka Prefecture.[\[16\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-16)
Important works of the Kofun period is the excavation that diverted the course of the [Yamato River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamato_River "Yamato River"), whose floods caused extensive damage, and the construction of important roads in the direction of [Sakai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai "Sakai") and [Nara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara_Prefecture "Nara Prefecture").[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osakahist-11)[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-17) Maritime traffic connected to the port of Naniwa-tsu increased in such a way that huge warehouses were built to stow material arriving and departing.[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osakahist-11)
### Asuka and Nara period
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=5 "Edit section: Asuka and Nara period")\]
The [Kojiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kojiki "Kojiki") records that during 390–430 CE, there was an imperial palace located at Osumi, in what is present day [Higashiyodogawa ward](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashiyodogawa-ku,_Osaka "Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka"), but it may have been a secondary imperial residence rather than a capital.[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-18)
In 645, [Emperor Kōtoku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_K%C5%8Dtoku "Emperor Kōtoku") built his [Naniwa Nagara-Toyosaki Palace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naniwa_Nagara-Toyosaki_Palace "Naniwa Nagara-Toyosaki Palace") in what is now Osaka,[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-19) making it the capital of Japan. The city now known as Osaka was at this time referred to as Naniwa (written as 浪華 or 浪花) and this name and derivations of it are still in use for districts in central Osaka such as [Naniwa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naniwa-ku,_Osaka "Naniwa-ku, Osaka") (浪速) and [Namba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namba "Namba") (難波). Although the capital was moved to [Asuka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asuka,_Yamato "Asuka, Yamato") (in [Nara Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara_Prefecture "Nara Prefecture") today) in 655, Naniwa remained a vital connection, by land and sea, between [Yamato](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamato_Province "Yamato Province") (modern day [Nara Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara_Prefecture "Nara Prefecture")), [Korea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_history_of_Korea "Naval history of Korea"), and [China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_history_of_China "Naval history of China").[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osakahist-11)[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-20)
Naniwa was declared the capital again in 744 by order of [Emperor Shōmu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Sh%C5%8Dmu "Emperor Shōmu"), and remained so until 745, when the Imperial Court moved back to [Heijō-kyō](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heij%C5%8D-ky%C5%8D "Heijō-kyō") (now [Nara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara_\(city\) "Nara (city)")). By the end of the Nara period, Naniwa's seaport roles had been gradually taken over by neighboring areas, but it remained a lively center of river, channel, and land transportation between [Heian-kyō](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto "Kyoto") (Kyoto today) and other destinations. [Sumiyoshi Taisha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi_Taisha "Sumiyoshi Taisha") Grand Shrine was founded by Tamomi no Sukune in 211 CE.[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-21) [Shitennō-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shitenn%C5%8D-ji "Shitennō-ji") was first built in 593 CE and is the oldest [Buddhist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism "Buddhism") temple in Japan.[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-22)
- Gallery
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sumiyoshi-taisha,_keidai-2.jpg "Sumiyoshi Taisha Grand Shrine")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shitennoji07s3200.jpg "Shitennō-ji")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Naniwa-no-miya-ato,_zenkei-2.jpg "Remains of Naniwa-no-Miya Palace (2017)")
Remains of Naniwa-no-Miya Palace (2017)
### Heian to Edo period
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=6 "Edit section: Heian to Edo period")\]
In 1496, [Jōdo Shinshū](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C5%8Ddo_Shinsh%C5%AB "Jōdo Shinshū") [Buddhists](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism "Buddhism") established their headquarters in the heavily fortified [Ishiyama Hongan-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishiyama_Hongan-ji "Ishiyama Hongan-ji"), located directly on the site of the old Naniwa Imperial Palace. [Oda Nobunaga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oda_Nobunaga "Oda Nobunaga") began a decade-long siege campaign on the temple in 1570 which ultimately resulted in the surrender of the monks and subsequent razing of the temple. [Toyotomi Hideyoshi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyotomi_Hideyoshi "Toyotomi Hideyoshi") constructed [Osaka Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle "Osaka Castle") in its place in 1583.[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-23) Osaka Castle played a pivotal role in the [Siege of Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Osaka "Siege of Osaka") (1614–1615).
Osaka was long considered Japan's primary economic center,[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-24) with a large percentage of the population belonging to the merchant class (see [Four divisions of society](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_divisions_of_society "Four divisions of society")). Over the course of the [Edo period](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edo_period "Edo period") (1603–1867), Osaka grew into one of Japan's major cities and returned to its ancient role as a lively and important port. *[Daimyōs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimy%C5%8D "Daimyō")* (feudal lords) received most of their income in the form of rice. [Merchants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chonin "Chonin") in Osaka thus began to organize [storehouses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warehouse "Warehouse") where they would store a *daimyō*'s rice in exchange for a fee, trading it for either coin or a form of receipt; essentially a precursor to [paper money](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banknote "Banknote"). Many if not all of these [rice brokers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice_brokers "Rice brokers") also made loans, and would actually become quite wealthy and powerful. Osaka merchants coalesced their shops around [Dōjima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Djima "Dōjima"), where the [Rice Exchange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Djima_Rice_Exchange "Dōjima Rice Exchange") was established in 1697 and where the world's first [futures](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futures_exchange "Futures exchange") market would come to exist to sell rice that was not yet harvested.[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-25)
The popular culture of Osaka[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-26) was closely related to *[ukiyo-e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukiyo-e "Ukiyo-e")* depictions of life in [Edo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edo_\(Tokyo\) "Edo (Tokyo)"). By 1780, Osaka had cultivated a vibrant arts culture, as typified by its famous [Kabuki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabuki "Kabuki") and [Bunraku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunraku "Bunraku") theaters.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-27) In 1837, [Ōshio Heihachirō](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Cshio_Heihachir%C5%8D "Ōshio Heihachirō"), a low-ranking [samurai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samurai "Samurai"), led a peasant insurrection in response to the city's unwillingness to support the many poor and suffering families in the area. Approximately one-quarter of the city was razed before shogunal officials put down the rebellion, after which Ōshio killed himself.[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-28) Osaka was opened to foreign trade by the government of the [Bakufu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakufu "Bakufu") at the same time as [Hyogo Town](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hy%C5%8Dgo_Prefecture "Hyōgo Prefecture") (modern [Kobe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe "Kobe")) on January 1, 1868, just before the advent of the [Boshin War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boshin_War "Boshin War") and the [Meiji Restoration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Restoration "Meiji Restoration").[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-29) The [Kawaguchi foreign settlement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawaguchi_foreign_settlement "Kawaguchi foreign settlement"), now the Kawaguchi subdistrict, is a legacy of the foreign presence in Osaka.
Osaka residents were stereotyped in Edo literature from at least the 18th century. [Jippensha Ikku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jippensha_Ikku "Jippensha Ikku") in 1802 depicted Osakans as stingy almost beyond belief. In 1809, the derogatory term "Kamigata zeeroku" was used by Edo residents to characterize inhabitants of the Osaka region in terms of calculation, shrewdness, lack of civic spirit, and the vulgarity of Osaka dialect. Edo writers aspired to samurai culture, and saw themselves as poor but generous, chaste, and public spirited. Edo writers by contrast saw "zeeroku" as obsequious apprentices, stingy, greedy, gluttonous, and lewd. To some degree, Osaka residents are still stigmatized by Tokyo observers in the same way today, especially in terms of gluttony, evidenced in the phrase, "Residents of Osaka devour their food until they collapse" (大阪は食倒れ, *"Ōsaka wa kuidaore"*).[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-30)
- Gallery
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Castle_02bs3200.jpg "Osaka Castle, first built in 1583")
[Osaka Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle "Osaka Castle"), first built in 1583
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka-zu_byobu.jpg "The Sumiyoshi-matsuri in the 16th century")
The Sumiyoshi-matsuri in the 16th century
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Siege_of_Osaka_Castle.jpg "Japanese painting of the Siege of Osaka, 1615")
Japanese painting of the [Siege of Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Osaka "Siege of Osaka"), 1615
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Newly_compiled_and_enlarged_plan_of_%C5%8Csaka_\(14042582876\).jpg "A 1686 map of Osaka")
A 1686 map of Osaka
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dojima-Rice-Exchange-Osaka-by-Yoshimitsu-Sasaki.png "Dōjima Rice Exchange ukiyo-e by Yoshimitsu Sasaki")
Dōjima Rice Exchange ukiyo-e by Yoshimitsu Sasaki
### Meiji to Heisei period
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=7 "Edit section: Meiji to Heisei period")\]
With the enormous changes that characterized the country after the [Meiji Restoration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Restoration "Meiji Restoration") (1868), and the relocation of the capital from [Kyoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto "Kyoto") to Tokyo, Osaka entered a period of decline. From being the capital of the economy and finance, it became a predominantly industrial center.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osaka-info.jp-31) The modern municipality was established[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osaka-info.jp-31) in 1889 by [government ordinance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_designated_by_government_ordinance "City designated by government ordinance"), with an initial area of 15 square kilometres (6 sq mi), overlapping today's [Chuo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%AB%C5%8D-ku,_Osaka "Chūō-ku, Osaka") and [Nishi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishi-ku,_Osaka "Nishi-ku, Osaka") wards. Later, the city went through three major expansions to reach its current size of 223 square kilometres (86 sq mi). Osaka was the industrial center most clearly defined in the development of capitalism in Japan. It became known as the "[Manchester](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester "Manchester") and [Melbourne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne "Melbourne") of the Orient".[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osaka-info.jp-31) In 1925, it was the largest and most populous city in Japan and the sixth largest in the world.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-osaka-info.jp-31)
The rapid industrialization attracted many Asian immigrants (Indians, Chinese, and Koreans), who set up a life apart for themselves.[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-32) The political system was pluralistic, with a strong emphasis on promoting industrialization and modernization.[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-33) Literacy was high and the educational system expanded rapidly, producing a middle class with a taste for literature and a willingness to support the arts.[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-34) In 1927, [General Motors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors "General Motors") operated a factory called [Osaka Assembly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_General_Motors_factories "List of General Motors factories") until 1941, manufacturing [Chevrolet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet "Chevrolet"), [Cadillac](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadillac "Cadillac"), [Pontiac](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_\(automobile\) "Pontiac (automobile)"), [Oldsmobile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile "Oldsmobile"), and [Buick](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick "Buick") vehicles, operated and staffed by Japanese workers and managers.[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-35) In the nearby city of [Ikeda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikeda,_Osaka "Ikeda, Osaka") in Osaka Prefecture is the headquarters of [Daihatsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daihatsu "Daihatsu"), one of Japan's oldest automobile manufacturers.
Like its European and American counterparts, Osaka displayed slums, unemployment, and poverty. In Japan it was here that municipal government first introduced a comprehensive system of poverty relief, copied in part from British models. Osaka policymakers stressed the importance of family formation and mutual assistance as the best way to combat poverty. This minimized the cost of welfare programs.[\[36\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-36)
During [World War II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II "World War II"), [Osaka came under air raids](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Osaka "Bombing of Osaka") in 1945 by the [United States Army Air Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army_Air_Forces "United States Army Air Forces") as part of the [air raids on Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_raids_on_Japan "Air raids on Japan"). On March 13, 1945, a total of 329 [Boeing B-29 Superfortress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_B-29_Superfortress "Boeing B-29 Superfortress") [heavy bombers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_bombers "Heavy bombers") took part in the raid against Osaka. According to an American [prisoner of war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prisoner_of_war "Prisoner of war") who was held in the city, the air raid took almost the entire night and destroyed 25 square miles (65 km2) of the city. The U.S. bombed the city again twice in June 1945 and again on August 14, a day before [Japan's surrender](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan%27s_surrender "Japan's surrender").[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-37)
In the decades following World War II, Osaka's reconstruction efforts and the industriousness of its residents brought the city even greater prosperity than before the war. Its population surpassed three million in the 1960s, initiating large-scale suburbanization within the prefecture, and eventually doubled to six million by the 1990s. With factories rebuilt and trade revived, Osaka rapidly developed into a major multicultural and financial center from [the 1950s through the 1980s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_economic_miracle "Japanese economic miracle"). Osaka Prefecture was chosen as the venue for the prestigious [Expo '70](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_%2770 "Expo '70"), the first [world's fair](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_fair "World's fair") ever held in an Asian country. Since then, numerous international events have been held in Osaka, including the 1995 [APEC Summit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia-Pacific_Economic_Cooperation "Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation").
The modern municipality, which when it was established in 1889 occupied an area of just 15 km2 including the districts of Chūō and Nishi, following three successive expansions has reached an area of 222 km2. It was one of the first cities in Japan to obtain [designated city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_designated_by_government_ordinance_of_Japan "Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan") status in 1956.[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-38)
### 21st century to present
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=8 "Edit section: 21st century to present")\]
The plan to reorganize Osaka and its province into a [metropolis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Metropolis_Plan "Osaka Metropolis Plan") like Tokyo was met with stiff opposition in some municipalities, particularly the highly populated [Sakai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai "Sakai"). [Tōru Hashimoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%8Dru_Hashimoto "Tōru Hashimoto") then fell back on a project that included the suppression of the 24 wards of Osaka, thus dividing the city into 5 new special districts with a status similar to that of the 23 [Special wards of Tokyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_wards_of_Tokyo "Special wards of Tokyo"). It was introduced by former mayor [Tōru Hashimoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%8Dru_Hashimoto "Tōru Hashimoto"), leader of the reform party [Osaka Restoration Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Restoration_Association "Osaka Restoration Association") which he founded. The May 2015 referendum for the approval of this project saw the narrow victory of no, and consequently Hashimoto announced his withdrawal from politics.[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-39) A second referendum for a merger into 4 semi-autonomous wards was narrowly voted down by 692,996 (50.6%).[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-metropolis-2020-40)
According to the [Forbes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbes "Forbes") list of *The World's Most Expensive Places To Live 2009*, Osaka was the second most expensive in the world after Tokyo.[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-41) By 2020 it slipped to the 5th rank of most expensive cities.[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-forbes-2020-42)
In March 2014, the 300-metre tall [Abeno Harukas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abeno_Harukas "Abeno Harukas") opened, which became the tallest building in Japan (surpassing the [Yokohama Landmark Tower](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokohama_Landmark_Tower "Yokohama Landmark Tower") in [Yokohama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yokohama "Yokohama")), until it was in turn surpassed by the 330-metre tall [Azabudai Hills Main Tower](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azabudai_Hills "Azabudai Hills") in Tokyo following its completion in 2022.[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Tallest_high-rise_nears_completion-43)
[Expo 2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_2025 "Expo 2025") was held at [Yumeshima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yumeshima "Yumeshima") Island, [Konohana-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konohana-ku,_Osaka "Konohana-ku, Osaka") from April to October 2025. Osaka is the third city to host the [World Expo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Expo "World Expo") twice, previously hosting [Expo '70](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_%2770 "Expo '70"). It is also the fourth [World's Fair](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_Fair "World's Fair") held in Japan following [Expo '90](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_%2790 "Expo '90") and [Expo 2005](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_2005 "Expo 2005") in [Aichi Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aichi_Prefecture "Aichi Prefecture"). With Expo 2025, the event returned to its traditional 5-year scheduling cycle after the [Expo 2020](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_2020 "Expo 2020") in [Dubai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai "Dubai") was delayed to 2021 due to the [COVID-19 pandemic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic "COVID-19 pandemic").[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-44) The projected visitor count is approximately 28 million.[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-about-45)
On same site where Expo 2025 was held, [MGM Resorts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MGM_Resorts "MGM Resorts") began construction on [MGM Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MGM_Osaka "MGM Osaka") in April 2025. MGM Osaka will be the first [integrated resort](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_resort "Integrated resort") in Japan. It will include 2,300 hotel rooms, a casino, shopping and dining options, convention space and a 3,500-seat theatre.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-46)[\[47\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-47)
- Gallery
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Umeda_Sky_Building_Panoramablick_05.jpg "Skyscrapers in the Umeda district")
Skyscrapers in the [Umeda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeda "Umeda") district
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sennichimae_Osaka_ca1916.JPG "The Sennichimae area in 1916")
The Sennichimae area in 1916
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_after_the_1945_air_raid.JPG "Osaka after the bombing in 1945")
Osaka after the [bombing in 1945](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Osaka "Bombing of Osaka")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Abeno_Harukas_20140507-002.jpg "Abeno Harukas, the second-tallest building in Japan")
[Abeno Harukas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abeno_Harukas "Abeno Harukas"), the second-tallest building in Japan
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_by_Sentinel-2,_2020-10-27.jpg)
A satellite image of Osaka
Osaka's west side is open to [Osaka Bay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Bay "Osaka Bay"), and is otherwise completely surrounded by more than ten satellite cities, all of them in [Osaka Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefecture "Osaka Prefecture"), with one exception: the city of [Amagasaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amagasaki "Amagasaki"), belonging to [Hyōgo Prefecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hy%C5%8Dgo_Prefecture "Hyōgo Prefecture"), in the northwest. The city occupies a larger area (about 13%) than any other city or village within Osaka Prefecture.[\[48\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-48)
When Osaka was established in 1889, it occupied roughly the area known today as the Chuo and Nishi wards, 15.27 square kilometres (6 mi2) that grew into today's 222.30 square kilometres (86 mi2) via incremental expansions. The largest was a single 126.01-square-kilometre (49 mi2) expansion in 1925. Osaka's highest point, located in [Tsurumi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsurumi-ku,_Osaka "Tsurumi-ku, Osaka"), is 37.5 metres (123.0 ft) above [Tokyo Peil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geospatial_Information_Authority_of_Japan#Japanese_water_height_reference_point "Geospatial Information Authority of Japan"). The lowest point, in [Nishiyodogawa-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishiyodogawa-ku,_Osaka "Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka"), is −2.2 metres (−7.2 ft) below Tokyo Peil. Osaka is situated at a [latitude](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latitude "Latitude") of 34.67°, near the [35th parallel north](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/35th_parallel_north "35th parallel north"), a latitude farther south than [Rome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome "Rome") (41.90°), [Madrid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madrid "Madrid") (40.41°), San Francisco (37.77°) and [Seoul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul "Seoul") (37.53°).[\[49\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-49)
Osaka is located in the [humid subtropical climate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humid_subtropical_climate "Humid subtropical climate") zone ([Köppen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B6ppen_climate_classification "Köppen climate classification") *Cfa*), with four distinct seasons. Its winters are generally mild. January is the coldest month, with an average high of 9.7 °C (49 °F). Osaka rarely sees snowfall during the winter. Spring in Osaka starts off mild, but ends up being hot and humid. Spring tends to be Osaka's wettest season, with the *[tsuyu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Asian_rainy_season "East Asian rainy season")* (梅雨, *tsuyu*; "plum rain")—the rainy season—occurring between early June and late July. The average starting and ending dates of the rainy season are June 7 and July 21 respectively.[\[50\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-50)
Summers are very hot and humid. In August, the hottest month, the average daily high temperature reaches 33.7 °C (93 °F). Average nighttime low temperatures typically hover around 25.8 °C (78 °F). Fall in Osaka sees a cooling trend, with the early part of the season resembling summer, while the latter part of fall resembles winter.
Precipitation is abundant. Winter is the driest season. Monthly rainfall peaks in June with the "tsuyu" rainy season, which typically ends in mid to late July. From late July to the end of August, summer's heat and humidity peak, and rainfall decreases somewhat. Osaka has a second rainy period in September and early October, when tropical weather systems, including typhoons, coming from the south or southwest are possible.
| Climate data for Osaka (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1883–present) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 19\.1 (66.4) | 23\.7 (74.7) | 26\.1 (79.0) | 30\.7 (87.3) | 32\.7 (90.9) | 36\.1 (97.0) | 38\.4 (101.1) | 39\.1 (102.4) | 36\.4 (97.5) | 33\.1 (91.6) | 27\.9 (82.2) | 24\.5 (76.1) | 39\.1 (102.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 9\.7 (49.5) | 10\.5 (50.9) | 14\.2 (57.6) | 19\.9 (67.8) | 24\.9 (76.8) | 28\.0 (82.4) | 31\.8 (89.2) | 33\.7 (92.7) | 29\.5 (85.1) | 23\.7 (74.7) | 17\.8 (64.0) | 12\.3 (54.1) | 21\.3 (70.3) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 6\.2 (43.2) | 6\.6 (43.9) | 9\.9 (49.8) | 15\.2 (59.4) | 20\.1 (68.2) | 23\.6 (74.5) | 27\.7 (81.9) | 29\.0 (84.2) | 25\.2 (77.4) | 19\.5 (67.1) | 13\.8 (56.8) | 8\.7 (47.7) | 17\.1 (62.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 3\.0 (37.4) | 3\.2 (37.8) | 6\.0 (42.8) | 10\.9 (51.6) | 16\.0 (60.8) | 20\.3 (68.5) | 24\.6 (76.3) | 25\.8 (78.4) | 21\.9 (71.4) | 16\.0 (60.8) | 10\.2 (50.4) | 5\.3 (41.5) | 13\.6 (56.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −7.5 (18.5) | −6.5 (20.3) | −5.2 (22.6) | −2.6 (27.3) | 3\.5 (38.3) | 8\.9 (48.0) | 14\.8 (58.6) | 13\.6 (56.5) | 10\.4 (50.7) | 3\.0 (37.4) | −2.2 (28.0) | −4.5 (23.9) | −7.5 (18.5) |
| Average [precipitation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precipitation "Precipitation") mm (inches) | 47\.0 (1.85) | 60\.5 (2.38) | 103\.1 (4.06) | 101\.9 (4.01) | 136\.5 (5.37) | 185\.1 (7.29) | 174\.4 (6.87) | 113\.0 (4.45) | 152\.8 (6.02) | 136\.0 (5.35) | 72\.5 (2.85) | 55\.5 (2.19) | 1,338.3 (52.69) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 0 (0) | 1 (0.4) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (0.4) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.5 mm) | 6\.4 | 7\.3 | 10\.3 | 10\.0 | 10\.4 | 12\.3 | 11\.3 | 7\.8 | 10\.6 | 9\.2 | 7\.0 | 7\.1 | 109\.7 |
| Average [relative humidity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relative_humidity "Relative humidity") (%) | 61 | 60 | 59 | 58 | 61 | 68 | 70 | 66 | 67 | 65 | 64 | 62 | 63 |
| Mean monthly [sunshine hours](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshine_duration "Sunshine duration") | 146\.5 | 140\.6 | 172\.2 | 192\.6 | 203\.7 | 154\.3 | 184\.0 | 222\.4 | 161\.6 | 166\.1 | 152\.6 | 152\.1 | 2,048.6 |
| Average [ultraviolet index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet_index "Ultraviolet index") | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| Source: Japan Meteorological Agency[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-51) and Weather Atlas[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-52) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Osaka's sprawling cityscape has been described as "only surpassed by Tokyo as a showcase of the Japanese urban phenomenon".[\[53\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-53)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Central_Osaka.jpg "Central Osaka looking north from the Abeno Harukas observation deck (2014)")
Central Osaka looking north from the Abeno Harukas observation deck (2014)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ufoto-wiki-01_Osaka-Skyline_May2014.jpg "Osaka skyline towards Umeda (2014)")
Osaka skyline towards Umeda (2014)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Dusk_Skyline.png "Osaka skyline at night from Umeda Sky Building (2016)")
Central Osaka is roughly divided into downtown and uptown areas known as **Kita** ([キタ](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AD%E3%82%BF "ja:キタ"); "north") and **Minami** ([ミナミ](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%9F%E3%83%8A%E3%83%9F "ja:ミナミ"); "south").[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-japan-guide.com-54)[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-japan-guide.com1-55)
Kita is home to the [Umeda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeda "Umeda") district and its immediate surrounding neighborhoods, a major business and retail hub that plays host to [Osaka Station City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Csaka_Station "Ōsaka Station") and a large subterranean network of shopping arcades.[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-japan-guide.com-54) Kita and nearby [Nakanoshima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakanoshima "Nakanoshima") contain a prominent portion of the city's skyscrapers and are often featured in photographs of Osaka's skyline.
Minami, though meaning "south", is essentially in Chūō Ward (中央区, *Chūō-ku*) and geographically central within the city.[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-japan-guide.com1-55) Well known districts here include [Namba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namba "Namba") and [Shinsaibashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinsaibashi "Shinsaibashi") shopping areas, the [Dōtonbori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dtonbori "Dōtonbori") canal entertainment area, [Nipponbashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nipponbashi "Nipponbashi") Den Den Town, as well as arts and fashion culture-oriented areas such as [Amerikamura](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amerikamura "Amerikamura") and Horie. The 300-meter tall [Abeno Harukas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abenobashi_Terminal_Building "Abenobashi Terminal Building") was the tallest skyscraper in the country from 2014 until 2023.[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Tallest_high-rise_nears_completion-43)
The business districts between Kita and Minami such as [Honmachi](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Honmachi_\(Osaka\)&action=edit&redlink=1 "Honmachi (Osaka) (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9C%AC%E7%94%BA_\(%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%B8%82\) "ja:本町 (大阪市)")\] and [Yodoyabashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yodoyabashi&action=edit&redlink=1 "Yodoyabashi (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B7%80%E5%B1%8B%E6%A9%8B "ja:淀屋橋")\], called **Semba** ([船場](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%88%B9%E5%A0%B4_\(%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%B8%82\) "ja:船場 (大阪市)")), house the regional headquarters of many large-scale banks and corporations. The [Midōsuji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid%C5%8Dsuji "Midōsuji") boulevard runs through Semba and connects Kita and Minami.
Further south of Minami are neighborhoods such as [Shinsekai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinsekai "Shinsekai") (with its [Tsūtenkaku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsutenkaku "Tsutenkaku") tower), [Tennoji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenn%C5%8Dji-ku,_Osaka "Tennōji-ku, Osaka") and [Abeno](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abeno-ku,_Osaka "Abeno-ku, Osaka") (with [Tennoji Zoo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenn%C5%8Dji_Zoo "Tennōji Zoo"), [Shitennō-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shitenn%C5%8D-ji "Shitennō-ji") and [Abeno Harukas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abenobashi_Terminal_Building "Abenobashi Terminal Building")), and the [Kamagasaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamagasaki "Kamagasaki") slums, the largest slum in Japan.[\[56\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-56)
The city's west side is a prominent [bay area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Bay "Osaka Bay")[\[57\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-57) which serves as its main port as well as a tourist destination with attractions such as [Kyocera Dome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyocera_Dome "Kyocera Dome"), [Universal Studios Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Studios_Japan "Universal Studios Japan") and the [Tempozan Harbor Village](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Tenp%C5%8D "Mount Tenpō"). [Higashiosaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashi%C5%8Dsaka,_Osaka "Higashiōsaka, Osaka") is zoned as a separate city, although the east side of Osaka city proper contains numerous residential neighborhoods including [Tsuruhashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsuruhashi_Station "Tsuruhashi Station") KoreaTown, as well as the [Osaka Castle Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle_Park "Osaka Castle Park"), [Osaka Business Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Business_Park "Osaka Business Park") and the hub [Kyōbashi Station](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ky%C5%8Dbashi_Station_\(Osaka\) "Kyōbashi Station (Osaka)").
Osaka contains numerous urban canals and bridges, many of which serve as the namesake for their surrounding neighborhoods.[\[58\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Eiichi_Watanabe-2004-58) The phrase "808 bridges of Naniwa" was an expression in old Japan used to indicate impressiveness and the "uncountable". Osaka numbered roughly 200 bridges by the Edo period[\[59\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-59) and 1,629 bridges by 1925. As many of the city's canals were gradually filled in, the number dropped to 872, of which 760 are currently managed by Osaka City.[\[58\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Eiichi_Watanabe-2004-58)
- Gallery
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nakanoshima_Skyscrapers_in_201504_001.jpg "Nakanoshima, a boundary of Kita (right) and Semba (left)")
[Nakanoshima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakanoshima "Nakanoshima"), a boundary of Kita (right) and Semba (left)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aerial_photo_of_Umeda_14-Aug-2019.jpg "Umeda district (2019)")
[Umeda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeda "Umeda") district (2019)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Dotonbori_Ebisu_Bridge.jpg "Dōtonbori bridge")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Namba_20150531.JPG "Namba (2015)")
There are currently 24 [wards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wards_of_Japan "Wards of Japan") in Osaka:
| | Name | [Kanji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanji "Kanji") | Population[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-60) | *Land area in km2* | Pop. density *per km2* | Map of Osaka |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Abeno-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abeno-ku,_Osaka "Abeno-ku, Osaka") | 阿倍野区 | 113,200 | 5\.99 | 18,890 | [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Wards.png "A map of Osaka's Wards") A map of Osaka's Wards |
| 2 | [Asahi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asahi-ku,_Osaka "Asahi-ku, Osaka") | 旭区 | 91,284 | 6\.32 | 14,446 | |
| 3 | [Chūō-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%AB%C5%8D-ku,_Osaka "Chūō-ku, Osaka") | 中央区 | 119,445 | 8\.87 | 13,466 | |
| 4 | [Fukushima-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima-ku,_Osaka "Fukushima-ku, Osaka") | 福島区 | 82,384 | 4\.67 | 17,633 | |
| 5 | [Higashinari-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashinari-ku,_Osaka "Higashinari-ku, Osaka") | 東成区 | 88,250 | 4\.54 | 19,441 | |
| 6 | [Higashisumiyoshi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashisumiyoshi-ku,_Osaka "Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osaka") | 東住吉区 | 134,834 | 9\.75 | 13,831 | |
| 7 | [Higashiyodogawa-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashiyodogawa-ku,_Osaka "Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka") | 東淀川区 | 177,809 | 13\.27 | 13,339 | |
| 8 | [Hirano-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirano-ku,_Osaka "Hirano-ku, Osaka") | 平野区 | 187,248 | 15\.28 | 12,250 | |
| 9 | [Ikuno-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikuno-ku,_Osaka "Ikuno-ku, Osaka") | 生野区 | 127,792 | 8\.37 | 15,263 | |
| 10 | [Jōtō-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C5%8Dt%C5%8D-ku,_Osaka "Jōtō-ku, Osaka") | 城東区 | 171,005 | 8\.38 | 20,399 | |
| 11 | [Kita-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kita-ku,_Osaka "Kita-ku, Osaka") (administrative center) | 北区 | 143,809 | 10\.34 | 13,908 | |
| 12 | [Konohana-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konohana-ku,_Osaka "Konohana-ku, Osaka") | 此花区 | 64,037 | 19\.25 | 3,327 | |
| 13 | [Minato-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minato-ku,_Osaka "Minato-ku, Osaka") | 港区 | 80,647 | 7\.86 | 10,259 | |
| 14 | [Miyakojima-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miyakojima-ku,_Osaka "Miyakojima-ku, Osaka") | 都島区 | 107,774 | 6\.08 | 17,723 | |
| 15 | [Naniwa-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naniwa-ku,_Osaka "Naniwa-ku, Osaka") | 浪速区 | 80,070 | 4\.39 | 18,246 | |
| 16 | [Nishi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishi-ku,_Osaka "Nishi-ku, Osaka") | 西区 | 112,706 | 5\.21 | 21,636 | |
| 17 | [Nishinari-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishinari-ku,_Osaka "Nishinari-ku, Osaka") | 西成区 | 105,351 | 7\.37 | 14,293 | |
| 18 | [Nishiyodogawa-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishiyodogawa-ku,_Osaka "Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka") | 西淀川区 | 98,641 | 14\.22 | 6,937 | |
| 19 | [Suminoe-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suminoe-ku,_Osaka "Suminoe-ku, Osaka") | 住之江区 | 117,417 | 20\.61 | 5,699 | |
| 20 | [Sumiyoshi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi-ku,_Osaka "Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka") | 住吉区 | 152,986 | 9\.40 | 16,279 | |
| 21 | [Taishō-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taish%C5%8D-ku,_Osaka "Taishō-ku, Osaka") | 大正区 | 61,891 | 9\.43 | 6,563 | |
| 22 | [Tennōji-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenn%C5%8Dji-ku,_Osaka "Tennōji-ku, Osaka") | 天王寺区 | 85,711 | 4\.84 | 17,709 | |
| 23 | [Tsurumi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsurumi-ku,_Osaka "Tsurumi-ku, Osaka") | 鶴見区 | 111,570 | 8\.17 | 13,652 | |
| 24 | [Yodogawa-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yodogawa-ku,_Osaka "Yodogawa-ku, Osaka") | 淀川区 | 187,245 | 12\.64 | 14,812 | |
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 271,992 | — |
| 1880 | 292,636 | \+7.6% |
| 1890 | 483,609 | \+65.3% |
| 1900 | 881,344 | \+82.2% |
| 1910 | 1,239,373 | \+40.6% |
| 1920 | 1,798,295 | \+45.1% |
| 1925 | 2,135,248 | \+18.7% |
| 1930 | 2,477,959 | \+16.1% |
| 1935 | 3,022,425 | \+22.0% |
| 1940 | 3,300,714 | \+9.2% |
| 1945 | 1,614,632 | −51.1% |
| 1950 | 2,015,350 | \+24.8% |
| 1955 | 2,547,316 | \+26.4% |
| 1960 | 3,011,563 | \+18.2% |
| 1965 | 3,156,222 | \+4.8% |
| 1970 | 2,980,487 | −5.6% |
| 1975 | 2,778,987 | −6.8% |
| 1980 | 2,648,180 | −4.7% |
| 1985 | 2,636,249 | −0.5% |
| 1990 | 2,623,801 | −0.5% |
| 1995 | 2,602,421 | −0.8% |
| 2000 | 2,598,774 | −0.1% |
| 2005 | 2,628,811 | \+1.2% |
| 2010 | 2,666,371 | \+1.4% |
| 2015 | 2,691,185 | \+0.9% |
| 2020 | 2,752,024 | \+2.3% |
Population numbers have been recorded in Osaka since as early as 1873, in the early [Meiji era](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_era "Meiji era").[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-61) According to the census in 2005, there were 2,628,811 residents in Osaka, an increase of 30,037 or 1.2% from 2000.[\[62\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-62) There were 1,280,325 households with approximately 2.1 persons per household. The population density was 11,836 persons per km2. The [Great Kantō earthquake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1923_Great_Kant%C5%8D_earthquake "1923 Great Kantō earthquake") caused a mass migration to Osaka between 1920 and 1930, and the city became Japan's largest city in 1930 with 2,453,573 people, outnumbering even Tokyo, which had a population of 2,070,913. The population peaked at 3,252,340 in 1940, and had a post-war peak of 3,156,222 in 1965, but has declined since, as the residents moved out to the suburbs.[\[63\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-63)
There were 144,123 registered foreigners, the two largest groups being Korean (60,110) and Chinese (39,551).[\[64\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-64) [Ikuno](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikuno-ku,_Osaka "Ikuno-ku, Osaka"), with its Tsuruhashi district, is the home to one of the largest population of Korean residents in Japan, with 20,397 registered [Zainichi Koreans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zainichi_Koreans "Zainichi Koreans").[\[65\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-65)[\[66\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-66)[\[67\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-67)
The commonly spoken dialect of this area is *Osaka-ben*, a typical sub-dialect of *Kansai-ben*. Of the many other particularities that characterize Osaka-ben, examples include using the copula *ya* instead of *da*, and the suffix *\-hen* instead of *\-nai* in negative verb forms.
| Local administration | |
|---|---|
| The Mayor and the Council | |
| [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_City_Hall_-_01.JPG)Osaka City Hall | |
| Mayor: | [Ichiro Matsui](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichiro_Matsui "Ichiro Matsui") |
| Vice Mayors: | Toru Takahashi, Shin Asakawa, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto |
| City Council | |
| President: | Toshifumi Tagaya [(LDP)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Democratic_Party_\(Japan\) "Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)") |
| Members: | 83 councilors (7 vacant) |
| Factions: | [Osaka Restoration Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Restoration_Association "Osaka Restoration Association") (36), [Liberal Democratic Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Democratic_Party_\(Japan\) "Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)") and Citizen's Club (20), [Komei Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Komeito_Party "New Komeito Party") (19), [Japanese Communist Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Communist_Party "Japanese Communist Party") (9), Go OSAKA (1) Osaka Abe (1) |
| Seats by districts: | Ward (no. of seats) [Abeno-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abeno-ku,_Osaka "Abeno-ku, Osaka") (4), [Asahi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asahi-ku,_Osaka "Asahi-ku, Osaka") (4), [Chūō-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%AB%C5%8D-ku,_Osaka "Chūō-ku, Osaka") (2), [Fukushima-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima-ku,_Osaka "Fukushima-ku, Osaka") (2), [Higashinari-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashinari-ku,_Osaka "Higashinari-ku, Osaka") (3), [Higashisumiyoshi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashisumiyoshi-ku,_Osaka "Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osaka") (5), [Higashiyodogawa-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higashiyodogawa-ku,_Osaka "Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka") (6), [Hirano-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirano-ku,_Osaka "Hirano-ku, Osaka") (6), [Ikuno-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikuno-ku,_Osaka "Ikuno-ku, Osaka") (5), [Jōtō-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C5%8Dt%C5%8D-ku,_Osaka "Jōtō-ku, Osaka") (5), [Kita-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kita-ku,_Osaka "Kita-ku, Osaka") (3), [Konohana-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konohana-ku,_Osaka "Konohana-ku, Osaka") (3), [Minato-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minato-ku,_Osaka "Minato-ku, Osaka") (3), [Miyakojima-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miyakojima-ku,_Osaka "Miyakojima-ku, Osaka") (3), [Naniwa-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naniwa-ku,_Osaka "Naniwa-ku, Osaka") (2), [Nishi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishi-ku,_Osaka "Nishi-ku, Osaka") (2), [Nishinari-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishinari-ku,_Osaka "Nishinari-ku, Osaka") (5), [Nishiyodogawa-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishiyodogawa-ku,_Osaka "Nishiyodogawa-ku, Osaka") (3), [Suminoe-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suminoe-ku,_Osaka "Suminoe-ku, Osaka") (4), [Sumiyoshi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi-ku,_Osaka "Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka") (6), [Taishō-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taish%C5%8D-ku,_Osaka "Taishō-ku, Osaka") (3), [Tennōji-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenn%C5%8Dji-ku,_Osaka "Tennōji-ku, Osaka") (2), [Tsurumi-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsurumi-ku,_Osaka "Tsurumi-ku, Osaka") (3), [Yodogawa-ku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yodogawa-ku,_Osaka "Yodogawa-ku, Osaka") (5) |
| Website | [Osaka City Council](http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/shikai/english/) |
| Note: As of October 27, 2017 | |
The [Osaka City Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_City_Council "Osaka City Council") is the city's local government formed under the [Local Autonomy Law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Autonomy_Law "Local Autonomy Law"). The council has eighty-nine seats, allocated to the twenty-four wards proportional to their population and re-elected by the citizens every four years. The council elects its president and Vice President. Toshifumi Tagaya ([LDP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Democratic_Party_\(Japan\) "Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)")) is the current and 104th president since May 2008.
The mayor of Osaka is directly elected by the citizens every four years, in accordance with the Local Autonomy Law. [Hideyuki Yokoyama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hideyuki_Yokoyama "Hideyuki Yokoyama") is the current mayor of Osaka having won the mayoral election in [2023](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Osaka_mayoral_election "2023 Osaka mayoral election") and [2026](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Osaka_mayoral_election "2026 Osaka mayoral election"). The mayor is supported by two vice mayors.[\[68\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-68)
Osaka also houses several agencies of the Japanese government. Below is a list of governmental offices housed in Osaka.
- [Japan Coast Guard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Coast_Guard "Japan Coast Guard"), Fifth Regional Headquarters
- Japan Fair Trade Commission; Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku Office
- Kinki Regional Finance Bureau
- Kinki Regional Economy, Trade and Industry Bureau
- Kinki Regional Transportation Bureau
- Kinki Communications Bureau
- Kinki Regional Development Bureau
- [Kinki Regional Police Bureau](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Police_Agency_\(Japan\) "National Police Agency (Japan)")
- [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Osaka Office](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Foreign_Affairs_\(Japan\) "Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan)")
- Osaka Customs
- Osaka District Court
- Osaka Family Court
- Osaka High Court
- Osaka Immigration
- Osaka Labour Bureau
- Osaka Meteorological Observatory
- Osaka Public Prosecutors Office
- Osaka Regional Aerospace Bureau
- Osaka Regional Law Bureau
- Osaka Regional Taxation Bureau
- Osaka Summary Court
In July 2012, a joint multi-party bill was submitted to the Diet that would allow for implementation of the [Osaka Metropolis plan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Metropolis_plan "Osaka Metropolis plan") as pursued by the mayor of Osaka city, the governor of Osaka and [their party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Restoration_Association_\(1st\) "Osaka Restoration Association (1st)"). If implemented, Osaka City, neighboring [Sakai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai,_Osaka "Sakai, Osaka") City and possibly other surrounding municipalities would dissolve and be reorganized as four [special wards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_wards_of_Tokyo "Special wards of Tokyo") of Osaka prefecture – similar to former [Tokyo City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_City "Tokyo City")'s successor wards within Tokyo prefecture. Special wards are municipal-level administrative units that leave some otherwise municipal administrative responsibilities and [revenues](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revenues "Revenues") to the prefectural administration.[\[69\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-69)
In October 2018, the city of Osaka officially ended[\[70\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-70) its sister city relationship with San Francisco in the United States after the latter permitted a monument memorializing "comfort women" to remain on a city-owned property, circulating in the process a 10-page, 3,800-word letter in English addressed to San Francisco mayor [London Breed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Breed "London Breed").[\[71\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-71)
In November 2020, a second referendum to merge Osaka's 24 wards into 4 semi-autonomous wards was narrowly voted down. There were 692,996 (50.6%) votes against and 675,829 (49.4%) votes supported it.[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-metropolis-2020-40) Osaka mayor and Osaka Ishin co-leader [Ichiro Matsui](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichiro_Matsui "Ichiro Matsui") said he would resign when his term ended in 2023.[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-metropolis-2020-40)
In February 2012, three Kansai cities, [Kyoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto "Kyoto"), Osaka, and [Kobe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe "Kobe"), jointly asked [Kansai Electric Power Company](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_Electric_Power_Company "Kansai Electric Power Company") to break its dependence on nuclear power. In a letter to KEPCO they also requested to disclose information on the demand and supply of electricity, and for lower and stable prices. The three cities were stockholders of the plant: Osaka owned 9% of the shares, Kobe had 3% and Kyoto 0.45%. In June 2012, Toru Hashimoto, the mayor of Osaka, announced a proposal to minimize the dependence on nuclear power for the shareholders meeting.[\[72\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-72)
In March 2012, the city of Osaka decided that as the largest shareholder of Kansai Electric Power Co, that at the next shareholders-meeting in June 2012 it would demand a series of changes:
- that Kansai Electric would be split into two companies, separating power generation from power transmission.
- a reduction of the number of the utility's executives and employees.
- the implementation of absolutely secure measurements to ensuring the safety of the nuclear facilities.
- the disposing of spent fuel.
- the installation of new kind of thermal power generation to secure non-nuclear supply of energy.
- selling all unnecessary assets including the stock holdings of KEPCO.
In this action, Osaka secured the support of two other cities and shareholders: [Kyoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto "Kyoto") and [Kobe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe "Kobe"). With their combined voting-rights of 12.5 percent, they were not certain of the ultimate outcome. Two-thirds of the shareholders would be needed to agree to revise the corporate charter.[\[73\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-73)
At a meeting held on April 10, 2012, by the "energy strategy council", formed by the city of Osaka and the governments of the prefectures, it became clear that at the end of the fiscal year 2011 some 69 employees of Kansai Electric Power Company were former public servants. "[Amakudari](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amakudari "Amakudari")" is the Japanese name for this practice of rewarding, by hiring officials that formerly controlled and supervised the firm. Such people included the following:
- 13 ex-officials of the: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
- 3 ex-officials of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry,
- 2 ex-officials of the Ministry of the Environment,
- 16 former policemen,
- 10 former fire-fighters,
- 13 former civil engineers.
Besides this, it became known that Kansai Electric had made about 600 external financial donations, to a total sum of about 1.695 billion yen:
- 70 donations were paid to local governments: to a total of 699 million yen
- 100 donations to public-service organizations: 443 million yen,
- 430 donations to various organizations and foundations: a total of 553 million yen
During this meeting ,some 8 conditions were compiled, that needed to be fulfilled before a restart of the No.3 and No.4 reactors Oi Nuclear Power Plant:
- the consent of the local people and government within 100 kilometer from the plant
- the installation of a new independent regulatory agency
- a nuclear safety agreement
- the establishment of new nuclear safety standards
- stress tests and evaluations based on these new safety rules[\[74\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-74)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_umeda06s3200.jpg)
A street in Umeda, Osaka
The gross city product of Osaka in fiscal year 2004 was ¥21.3 trillion, an increase of 1.2% over the previous year. The figure accounts for about 55% of the total output in the Osaka Prefecture and 26.5% in the Kinki region. In 2004, commerce, services, and manufacturing have been the three major industries, accounting for 30%, 26%, and 11% of the total, respectively. The per capita income in the city was about ¥3.3 million, 10% higher than that of the Osaka Prefecture.[\[75\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-75) [MasterCard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MasterCard "MasterCard") Worldwide reported that Osaka ranks 19th among the world's leading cities and plays an important role in the global economy.[\[76\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-76) Osaka's GDP per capita (Nominal) was \$59,958.(\$1=\\120.13)[\[77\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-77)[\[78\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-78) However, by 2020, Osaka ranked as the 5th most expensive city due to flatlining consumer prices and government subsidies of public transportation.[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-forbes-2020-42)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka-Securities-Exchange-01.jpg)
[Osaka Exchange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Exchange "Osaka Exchange") in the Kitahama district of Osaka
Historically, Osaka was the center of commerce in Japan, especially in the middle and pre-modern ages. [Nomura Securities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nomura_Securities "Nomura Securities"), the first brokerage firm in Japan, was founded in the city in 1925, and Osaka still houses a leading futures exchange. Many major companies have since moved their main offices to Tokyo. However, several major companies, such as [Panasonic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panasonic "Panasonic"), [Sharp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharp_Corporation "Sharp Corporation"), and [Sanyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanyo "Sanyo"), are still headquartered in Osaka. In the 2017 [Global Financial Centres Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Financial_Centres_Index "Global Financial Centres Index"), Osaka was ranked as having the 15th most competitive financial center in the world and fifth most competitive in Asia (after [Singapore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Singapore#Banking "Economy of Singapore"), [Hong Kong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong#Financial_centre "Hong Kong"), [Tokyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo#Economy "Tokyo"), and [Shanghai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai#Economy "Shanghai")).[\[79\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-79)
The [Osaka Securities Exchange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Securities_Exchange "Osaka Securities Exchange"), specializing in derivatives such as [Nikkei 225](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikkei_225 "Nikkei 225") futures, is based in Osaka. The merger with [JASDAQ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JASDAQ "JASDAQ") will help the Osaka Securities Exchange become the largest exchange in Japan for start-up companies.[\[80\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-80)
According to global consulting firm Mercer, Osaka was the second [most expensive city for expatriate employees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_expensive_cities_for_expatriate_employees "List of most expensive cities for expatriate employees") in the world in 2009. It jumped up nine places from 11th place in 2008 and was the eighth most expensive city in 2007. However, it was not ranked in the top ten places of the list in 2013.[\[81\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-81)[\[82\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-82) The [Economist Intelligence Unit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economist_Intelligence_Unit "Economist Intelligence Unit") (EIU) ranked Osaka as the second most expensive city in the world in its 2013 Cost of Living study.[\[83\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-83)
Osaka is part of the [metropolitan region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_region "Metropolitan region") called [Keihanshin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keihanshin "Keihanshin") (also known as Greater Osaka) in the [Kansai region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_region "Kansai region"). The Keihanshin region includes the prefectures of [Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefecture "Osaka Prefecture"), [Kyoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Prefecture "Kyoto Prefecture"), [Hyōgo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hy%C5%8Dgo_Prefecture "Hyōgo Prefecture") ([Kobe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe "Kobe")), [Nara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara_Prefecture "Nara Prefecture"), [Shiga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiga_Prefecture "Shiga Prefecture"), [Wakayama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakayama_Prefecture "Wakayama Prefecture"), and [Sakai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai,_Osaka "Sakai, Osaka").[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-stats-boj-6) The Keihanshin region has a population (as of 2015) of 19,303,000 (15% of Japan's population) which covers 13,228 km2 (5,107 sq mi).[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-japan2-3) It is ranked the second most [urban region in Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Largest_Japanese_metropolitan_areas "Largest Japanese metropolitan areas") after the [Greater Tokyo area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Tokyo_area "Greater Tokyo area") and 10th [largest urban area in the world](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_urban_areas_by_population "List of urban areas by population").[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-japan2-3) Keihanshin has a GDP of approximately \$953.9 billion in 2012 (16th largest in the world).[\[84\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-84) Osaka-Kobe has a GDP of \$681 billion (2015), which is a bit more than Paris or [Greater London](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_London "Greater London").[\[85\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-85)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Metropolitan_Employment_Area_2015.png "Greater Osaka (without Kyoto) Metropolitan Employment Area")
Greater Osaka (without Kyoto) [Metropolitan Employment Area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_Employment_Area "Urban Employment Area")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Keihanshin_MEAs_2015.png "Keihanshin with Osaka (red), Kobe (green), and Kyoto (blue)")
Keihanshin with [Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefecture "Osaka Prefecture") (red), [Kobe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_Prefecture "Kobe Prefecture") (green), and [Kyoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Prefecture "Kyoto Prefecture") (blue)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Urban_Railway_network.svg)
Greater Osaka has an extensive network of railway lines, comparable to that of Greater Tokyo. Major stations within the city include [Umeda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeda_Station "Umeda Station") (梅田), [Namba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namba_Station "Namba Station") (難波), [Shinsaibashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinsaibashi_Station "Shinsaibashi Station") (心斎橋), [Tennōji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenn%C5%8Dji_Station "Tennōji Station") (天王寺), [Kyōbashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ky%C5%8Dbashi_Station_\(Osaka\) "Kyōbashi Station (Osaka)") (京橋), and [Yodoyabashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yodoyabashi_Station "Yodoyabashi Station") (淀屋橋).
Osaka connects to its surrounding cities and suburbs via the [JR West](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JR_West "JR West") [Urban Network](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_Network "Urban Network") as well as numerous private lines such as [Keihan Electric Railway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keihan_Electric_Railway "Keihan Electric Railway"), [Hankyu Railway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hankyu_Railway "Hankyu Railway"), [Hanshin Electric Railway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanshin_Electric_Railway "Hanshin Electric Railway"), [Kintetsu Railway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintetsu_Railway "Kintetsu Railway"), and [Nankai Electric Railway](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nankai_Electric_Railway "Nankai Electric Railway").
The [Osaka Metro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Metro "Osaka Metro") system alone ranks 8th in the world by annual passenger ridership, serving over 912 million people annually (a quarter of Greater Osaka Rail System's 4 billion annual riders), despite being only 8 of more than 70 lines in the metro area.
All [Shinkansen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinkansen "Shinkansen") trains including *[Nozomi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nozomi_\(train\) "Nozomi (train)")* stop at [Shin-Osaka Station](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shin-%C5%8Csaka_Station "Shin-Ōsaka Station") and provide access to other major cities in Japan, such as Kobe, Kyoto, Nagoya, Yokohama, and Tokyo.
Regular bus services are provided by [Osaka City Bus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Municipal_Transportation_Bureau "Osaka Municipal Transportation Bureau"), as well Hankyu, Hanshin and Kintetsu, providing a dense network covering most parts of the city.
Osaka is served by two airports situated just outside the city, [Kansai International Airport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_International_Airport "Kansai International Airport") ([IATA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IATA "IATA"): **KIX**) which handles primarily international passenger flights and international cargo flights and the nearby [Osaka Itami Airport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_International_Airport "Osaka International Airport") ([IATA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IATA "IATA"): **ITM**) which handles mostly domestic services.
Due to its geographical position, Osaka's international ferry connections are far greater than that of Tokyo, with international service to Shanghai, [Tianjin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianjin "Tianjin"), and [Busan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busan "Busan") along with domestic routes to [Kitakyushu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitakyushu "Kitakyushu"), [Kagoshima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kagoshima "Kagoshima"), [Miyazaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miyazaki,_Miyazaki "Miyazaki, Miyazaki") and [Okinawa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okinawa_Prefecture "Okinawa Prefecture").
## Culture and lifestyle
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=23 "Edit section: Culture and lifestyle")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Hanyku_Grand.tif)
A chef prepares for the evening rush in Umeda.
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Takoyaki-osk.jpg)
[Takoyaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takoyaki "Takoyaki") (たこ焼き)
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dotonbori_19.jpg)
The [Glico Man](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezaki_Glico "Ezaki Glico") among numerous signboards at [Dōtonbori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dtonbori "Dōtonbori")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Grand_Front_Osaka_and_Yodobashi_Umeda_in_201504_001.JPG)
Grand Front Osaka
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chayamachi_Osaka.jpg)
Chayamachi district in Kita-ku
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_street_scene.jpg)
Dōtonbori street scene
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:National_Museum_of_Art,_Osaka.jpg)
The [National Museum of Art](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_Art,_Osaka "National Museum of Art, Osaka"), a subterranean museum of Japanese and international art
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kyocera_Dome_Osaka1.jpg)
The [Osaka Dome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Dome "Osaka Dome"), home to the Orix Buffaloes and Hanshin Tigers
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Amerikamura_2014.jpg)
[Amerikamura](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amerikamura "Amerikamura") in Chuo-ku
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nipponbashi_Osaka_Japan01-r.jpg)
[Nipponbashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nipponbashi "Nipponbashi") in Naniwa-ku
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NHK_Osaka_Broadcasting_Station_Bldg_20060604-001.jpg)
NHK Osaka
Osaka has a large number of wholesalers and retail shops: 25,228 and 34,707 respectively in 2004.[\[86\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-86) Many of them are concentrated in the wards of Chuō (10,468 shops) and Kita (6,335 shops). Types of shops vary from malls to conventional [shōtengai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Dtengai "Shōtengai") shopping arcades, built both above- and underground.[\[87\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-87) Shōtengai are seen across Japan, and Osaka has the longest one in the country.[\[88\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-88) The Tenjinbashi-suji arcade stretches from the road approaching the [Tenmangū shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Csaka_Tenman-g%C5%AB "Ōsaka Tenman-gū") and continues for 2.6 km (1.6 miles) going north to south. The stores along the arcade include commodities, clothing, and catering outlets.
Other shopping areas include [Den Den Town](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nipponbashi "Nipponbashi"), the electronic and manga/anime district, which is comparable to Akihabara in Tokyo, the [Umeda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeda "Umeda") district, which has the Hankyu Sanbangai shopping mall and [Yodobashi Camera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yodobashi_Camera "Yodobashi Camera"), a huge electrical appliance store that offers a vast range of fashion stores, restaurants, and a Shonen Jump store. Osaka is known for its food, in Japan and abroad. Author [Michael Booth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Booth_\(writer\) "Michael Booth (writer)") and food critic [François Simon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_Simon_\(food_critic\) "François Simon (food critic)") of *[Le Figaro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Figaro "Le Figaro")* have suggested that Osaka is the food capital of the world.[\[89\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-89)
Osakans' love for the culinary is made apparent in the old saying "Kyotoites are financially ruined by overspending on clothing, Osakans are ruined by spending on food."[\[90\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-90) Regional cuisine includes **[okonomiyaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okonomiyaki "Okonomiyaki")** (お好み焼き; pan-fried batter cake), **[takoyaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takoyaki "Takoyaki")** (たこ焼き; [octopus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octopus_as_food "Octopus as food") in fried batter), **[udon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udon "Udon")** (うどん; a noodle dish), as well as the traditional **[oshizushi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshizushi "Oshizushi")** (押し寿司; pressed sushi), particularly *battera* (バッテラ; pressed mackerel sushi). Osaka is known for its fine sake, which is made with fresh water from the prefecture's mountains.[\[91\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-91)
Osaka's culinary prevalence is the result of regional access to high-quality ingredients, a high population of merchants, and proximity to the ocean and waterway trade.[\[92\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-92) In recent years, Osaka has started to garner more attention from foreigners with the increased popularity of cooking and dining in popular culture.[\[93\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-93)
Other shopping districts include:
- [American Village (Amerika-mura or "Ame-mura")](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amerikamura "Amerikamura") – fashion for young people
- [Dōtonbori](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dtonbori "Dōtonbori") – part of Namba district and considered heart of the city
- [Namba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namba "Namba") – main shopping, sightseeing, and restaurant area
- [Shinsaibashi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinsaibashi "Shinsaibashi") – luxury goods and department stores
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_market.jpg)
Osaka market
[Umeda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeda "Umeda") – theaters, boutiques, and department stores near the train station
### Entertainment and performing arts
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=25 "Edit section: Entertainment and performing arts")\]
- Osaka is home to the [National Bunraku Theater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Bunraku_Theatre "National Bunraku Theatre"),[\[94\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-94) where traditional puppet plays, [bunraku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunraku "Bunraku"), are performed.
- At Osaka Shochiku-za, close to Namba station, [kabuki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabuki "Kabuki") can be enjoyed as well as [manzai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manzai "Manzai").
- At Shin Kabuki-za, formerly near Namba and now near [Uehommachi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Csaka_Uehommachi_Station "Ōsaka Uehommachi Station") area, [enka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enka "Enka") concerts and Japanese dramas are performed.
- [Yoshimoto Kogyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshimoto_Kogyo "Yoshimoto Kogyo"), a Japanese entertainment conglomerate operates a hall in the city for manzai and other comedy shows: the Namba Grand Kagetsu hall.
- The Hanjō-tei opened in 2006, dedicated to [rakugo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakugo "Rakugo"). The theater is in the [Ōsaka Tenman-gū](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Csaka_Tenman-g%C5%AB "Ōsaka Tenman-gū") area.
- [Umeda Arts Theater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeda_Arts_Theater "Umeda Arts Theater") opened in 2005 after relocating from its former 46-year-old Umeda Koma Theater. The theater has a main hall with 1,905 seats and a smaller theater-drama hall with 898 seats. Umeda Arts Theater stages various type of performances including musicals, music concerts, dramas, rakugo, and others.
- The Symphony Hall, built in 1982, is the first hall in Japan designed specially for classical music concerts. The Hall was opened with a concert by the [Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Philharmonic_Orchestra "Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra"), which is based in the city. Orchestras such as the [Berlin Philharmonic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Philharmonic "Berlin Philharmonic") and [Vienna Philharmonic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna_Philharmonic "Vienna Philharmonic") have played here during their world tours as well.
- [Osaka-jō Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka-j%C5%8D_Hall "Osaka-jō Hall") is a multi-purpose arena in [Osaka-jō park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle_Park "Osaka Castle Park") with a capacity for up to 16,000 people. The hall has hosted numerous events and concerts including both Japanese and international artists.
- Nearby City Hall in [Nakanoshima Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakanoshima_Park "Nakanoshima Park"), is Osaka Central Public Hall, a [Neo-Renaissance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-Renaissance "Neo-Renaissance")\-style building first opened in 1918. Re-opened in 2002 after major renovation, it serves as a multi-purpose rental facility for citizen events.
- The [Osaka Shiki Theater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiki_Theatre_Company "Shiki Theatre Company")[\[95\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-95) is one of the nine private halls operated nationwide by the [Shiki Theater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiki_Theatre_Company "Shiki Theatre Company"), staging straight plays and musicals.
- [Festival Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festival_Hall,_Osaka "Festival Hall, Osaka") was a hall hosting various performances including [noh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noh "Noh"), [kyōgen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ky%C5%8Dgen "Kyōgen"), kabuki, ballets as well as classic concerts. The Bolshoi Ballet and the [Philharmonia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philharmonia_Orchestra "Philharmonia Orchestra") are among the many that were welcomed on stage in the past. The hall has closed at the end of 2008, planned to re-open in 2013 in a new facility.
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tenjinmatsuri.JPG)
Tenjin Matsuri
One of the most famous festivals held in Osaka, the [Tenjin Matsuri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenjin_Matsuri "Tenjin Matsuri"), is held on July 24 and 25 ([Osaka Tenmangū](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Tenmang%C5%AB "Osaka Tenmangū")). Other festivals in Osaka include the Aizen Matsuri (June 30 – July 2, Shōman-in Temple), the Sumiyoshi Matsuri (July 30 – August 1, [Sumiyoshi Taisha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi_Taisha "Sumiyoshi Taisha")), Shōryō-e (April 22, [Shitennō-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shitenn%C5%8D-ji "Shitennō-ji")) and Tōka-Ebisu (January 9–10, Imamiya Ebisu Jinja). The annual [Osaka Asian Film Festival](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Asian_Film_Festival "Osaka Asian Film Festival") takes place in Osaka every March while the Midosuji Parade takes place in October.[\[96\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-96)
### Museums and galleries
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=27 "Edit section: Museums and galleries")\]
The [National Museum of Art](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_Art,_Osaka "National Museum of Art, Osaka") (NMAO) is a subterranean Japanese and international art museum, housing mainly collections from the post-war era and regularly welcoming temporary exhibitions. [Osaka Science Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Science_Museum "Osaka Science Museum") is in a five storied building next to the National Museum of Art, with a planetarium and an [OMNIMAX](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OMNIMAX "OMNIMAX") theater. The [Museum of Oriental Ceramics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_of_Oriental_Ceramics,_Osaka "Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka") holds more than 2,000 pieces of ceramics, from China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam, featuring displays of some of their Korean [celadon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celadon "Celadon") under natural light. [Osaka Municipal Museum of Art](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Municipal_Museum_of_Art "Osaka Municipal Museum of Art") is inside [Tennōji Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenn%C5%8Dji_Park "Tennōji Park"), housing over 8,000 pieces of Japanese and Chinese paintings and sculptures. The [Osaka Museum of History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Museum_of_History "Osaka Museum of History"), opened in 2001, is located in a 13-story modern building providing a view of [Osaka Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle "Osaka Castle"). Its exhibits cover the history of Osaka from pre-history to the present day. Osaka Museum of Natural History houses a collection related to natural history and life.
Osaka hosts four professional sport teams: one of them is the [Orix Buffaloes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orix_Buffaloes "Orix Buffaloes"), a [Nippon Professional Baseball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nippon_Professional_Baseball "Nippon Professional Baseball") team, playing its home games at [Kyocera Dome Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Dome "Osaka Dome"). Another baseball team, the [Hanshin Tigers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanshin_Tigers "Hanshin Tigers"), although based in [Nishinomiya, Hyōgo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishinomiya,_Hy%C5%8Dgo "Nishinomiya, Hyōgo"), plays a part of its home games in [Kyocera Dome Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Dome "Osaka Dome") as well, when their homeground [Koshien Stadium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koshien_Stadium "Koshien Stadium") is occupied with the annual [National High School Baseball Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_High_School_Baseball_Championship "Japanese High School Baseball Championship") games during summer season.
There are two [J.League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J.League "J.League") clubs, [Gamba Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamba_Osaka "Gamba Osaka"), plays its home games at [Suita City Football Stadium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suita_City_Football_Stadium "Suita City Football Stadium"). Another club [Cerezo Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerezo_Osaka "Cerezo Osaka"), plays its home games at [Yanmar Stadium Nagai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yanmar_Stadium_Nagai "Yanmar Stadium Nagai"). The city is home to [Osaka Evessa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Evessa "Osaka Evessa"), a basketball team that plays in the [B.League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B.League "B.League"). Evessa has won the first three championships of the league since its establishment. [Kintetsu Liners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintetsu_Liners "Kintetsu Liners"), a [rugby union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_union "Rugby union") team, play in the [Top League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Rugby_League_One "Japan Rugby League One"). After winning promotion in 2008–09, they will again remain in the competition for the 2009–10 season. Their base is the [Hanazono Rugby Stadium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintetsu_Hanazono_Rugby_Stadium "Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium").
The **Haru Basho** (春場所; "Spring Tournament"), one of the six regular tournaments of professional [sumo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumo "Sumo"), is held annually in Osaka at [Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefectural_Gymnasium "Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium").
Another major annual sporting event that takes place in Osaka is [Osaka International Ladies Marathon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_International_Ladies_Marathon "Osaka International Ladies Marathon"). Held usually at the end of January every year, the 42.195 km (26.219-mile) race starts from Nagai Stadium, runs through [Nakanoshima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakanoshima "Nakanoshima"), [Midōsuji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid%C5%8Dsuji "Midōsuji") and [Osaka Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle "Osaka Castle") park, and returns to the stadium. Another yearly event held at Nagai Stadium is the Osaka Gran Prix Athletics games operated by the [International Association of Athletics Federations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Association_of_Athletics_Federations "International Association of Athletics Federations") (IAAF) in May. The Osaka GP is the only IAAF games annually held in Japan.
Osaka made the bid for the [2008 Summer Olympics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Summer_Olympics "2008 Summer Olympics") and the [2008 Summer Paralympics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Summer_Paralympics "2008 Summer Paralympics") but was eliminated in the first round of the vote on July 13, 2001, which awarded the game to Beijing.
Osaka was one of the host cities of the official [Women's Volleyball World Championship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_Volleyball_World_Championship "Women's Volleyball World Championship") for its [1998](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_FIVB_Volleyball_Women%27s_World_Championship "1998 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship"), [2006](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_FIVB_Volleyball_Women%27s_World_Championship "2006 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship") and [2010](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIVB_Volleyball_Women%27s_World_Championship "2010 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship") editions.
Osaka is the home of the 2011 created [Japan Bandy Federation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Bandy_Federation "Japan Bandy Federation") and the introduction of [bandy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandy "Bandy"), in the form of [rink bandy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rink_bandy "Rink bandy"), was made in the city.[\[97\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-97) In July 2012 the first Japan Bandy Festival was organized.[\[98\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-98)
Osaka serves as one of the media hubs for Japan, housing headquarters of many media-related companies. Abundant television production takes place in the city and every nationwide TV network (with the exception of TXN network) registers its secondary-key station in Osaka. All five nationwide newspaper majors also house their regional headquarters, and most local newspapers nationwide have branches in Osaka. However major film productions are uncommon in the city. Most major films are produced in nearby [Kyoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto "Kyoto") or in Tokyo. The [Ad Council Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_Council_Japan "Ad Council Japan") was founded in 1971 is based in Osaka, now it is the Osaka branch.
All five major national newspapers of Japan, *[The Asahi Shimbun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Asahi_Shimbun "The Asahi Shimbun")*, *[Mainichi Shimbun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainichi_Shimbun "Mainichi Shimbun")*, *[Nihon Keizai Shimbun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nihon_Keizai_Shimbun "Nihon Keizai Shimbun")*, *[Sankei Shimbun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sankei_Shimbun "Sankei Shimbun")* and *[Yomiuri Shimbun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yomiuri_Shimbun "Yomiuri Shimbun")*,[\[99\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-99) have their regional headquarters in Osaka and issue their regional editions. Furthermore, Osaka houses Osaka Nichi-nichi Shimbun, its newspaper press. Other newspaper-related companies located in Osaka include the regional headquarters of FujiSankei Business i.;Houchi Shimbunsha; [Nikkan Sports](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikkan_Sports "Nikkan Sports"); [Sports Nippon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_Nippon "Sports Nippon"), and offices of [Kyodo News](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyodo_News "Kyodo News") [Jiji Press](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiji_Press "Jiji Press"); [Reuters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuters "Reuters"); [Bloomberg L.P.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomberg_L.P. "Bloomberg L.P.")
The five TV networks are represented by [Asahi Broadcasting Corporation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asahi_Broadcasting_Corporation "Asahi Broadcasting Corporation") ([ANN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-Nippon_News_Network "All-Nippon News Network")), [Kansai Telecasting Corporation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_Telecasting_Corporation "Kansai Telecasting Corporation") ([FNN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuji_News_Network "Fuji News Network")), [Mainichi Broadcasting System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainichi_Broadcasting_System "Mainichi Broadcasting System"), Inc. ([JNN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_News_Network "Japan News Network")), [Television Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_Osaka "Television Osaka"), Inc. ([TXN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TX_Network "TX Network")) and [Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yomiuri_Telecasting_Corporation "Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation") ([NNN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nippon_News_Network "Nippon News Network")), headquartered in Osaka. [NHK](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHK "NHK") has also its regional station based in the city. AM Radio services are provided by NHK as well as the ABC Radio (Asahi Broadcasting Corporation), MBS Radio (Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc.) and Radio Osaka ([Osaka Broadcasting Corporation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Broadcasting_Corporation "Osaka Broadcasting Corporation")) and headquartered in the city. FM services are available from NHK, [FM OSAKA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FM_OSAKA "FM OSAKA"), [FM802](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FM802 "FM802") and [FM Cocolo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FM_Cocolo "FM Cocolo"), the last providing programs in multiple languages including English.
#### Publishing companies
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=32 "Edit section: Publishing companies")\]
Osaka is home to many publishing companies, including Examina, Izumi Shoin, Kaihou Shuppansha, Keihanshin Elmagazine, Seibundo Shuppan, Sougensha, and Toho Shuppan.
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:KansaiUV1.JPG)
[Kansai University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_University "Kansai University")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_City_University_Main_Building_20190818.jpg)
[Osaka Metropolitan University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Metropolitan_University "Osaka Metropolitan University")
Public elementary and junior high schools in Osaka are operated by the city of Osaka. Its supervisory organization on educational matters is Osaka City Board of Education.[\[100\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-100) Likewise, public high schools are operated by the [Osaka Prefectural Board of Education](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefectural_Board_of_Education "Osaka Prefectural Board of Education").
Osaka once had a large number of universities and high schools, but because of growing campuses and the need for larger area, many chose to move to the suburbs, including [Osaka University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_University "Osaka University").[\[101\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-101)
Historically foreign expatriates in the Kansai region preferred to live in [Kobe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe "Kobe") rather than Osaka. As a result, until 1991 the Osaka area had no schools catering to expatriate children.[\[102\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Stewartp43-102) [Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_International_School_of_Kwansei_Gakuin "Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin"), founded in 1991, is located in nearby [Minoh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minoh,_Osaka "Minoh, Osaka"),[\[103\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-103) and it was the first international school in the Osaka area.[\[102\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Stewartp43-102) The [Great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Hanshin_earthquake "Great Hanshin earthquake") of 1995 caused a decline in demand for international schools, as there were about 2,500 U.S. nationals resident in Osaka after the earthquake while the pre-earthquake number was about 5,000. [American Chamber of Commerce in Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Chamber_of_Commerce_in_Japan "American Chamber of Commerce in Japan") (ACCJ) Kansai chapter president Norman Solberg stated that since 2002 the numbers of expatriates in Kansai were recovering "but the fact is there is still a persistent exodus to Tokyo."[\[104\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-104) In 2001 the city of Osaka and [YMCA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YMCA "YMCA") established the [Osaka YMCA International School](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_YMCA_International_School "Osaka YMCA International School").[\[102\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-Stewartp43-102)
Colleges and universities include:
- [Kansai University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_University "Kansai University")
- [Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morinomiya_University_of_Medical_Sciences "Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences")
- [Osaka Metropolitan University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Metropolitan_University "Osaka Metropolitan University")
- [Osaka University of Economics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_University_of_Economics "Osaka University of Economics")
- [Osaka Institute of Technology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Institute_of_Technology "Osaka Institute of Technology")
- [Osaka Jogakuin College](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Jogakuin_College "Osaka Jogakuin College")
- [Osaka Seikei University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Seikei_University "Osaka Seikei University")
- [Osaka University of Arts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_University_of_Arts "Osaka University of Arts"), [Minamikawachi District, Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamikawachi_District,_Osaka "Minamikawachi District, Osaka")
- [Osaka University of Comprehensive Children education](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_University_of_Comprehensive_Children_education "Osaka University of Comprehensive Children education")
- [Osaka University of Education](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_University_of_Education "Osaka University of Education")
- [Soai University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soai_University "Soai University")
- [Tokiwakai Gakuen University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokiwakai_Gakuen_University "Tokiwakai Gakuen University")
- [University of Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Osaka "University of Osaka")
- International Institute for Children's Literature, Osaka[\[105\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-105)
- Osaka Municipal Central Library
- [Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefectural_Nakanoshima_Library "Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library")
- The Japanese Academy of [Family Medicine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Medicine "Family Medicine")
"Important cultural property" (重要文化財) after the name of a facility indicates an important cultural property designated by the country.
### Leisure facilities and high-rise buildings
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=37 "Edit section: Leisure facilities and high-rise buildings")\]
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USJ_5years.JPG)
[Universal Studios Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Studios_Japan "Universal Studios Japan")
- [Abeno Harukas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abeno_Harukas "Abeno Harukas")
- [Asia Pacific Trade Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Asia_Pacific_Trade_Center&action=edit&redlink=1 "Asia Pacific Trade Center (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%A2%E3%82%B8%E3%82%A2%E5%A4%AA%E5%B9%B3%E6%B4%8B%E3%83%88%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89%E3%82%BB%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC "ja:アジア太平洋トレードセンター")\]
- [Festivalgate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festivalgate "Festivalgate")
- [Intex Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intex_Osaka "Intex Osaka")
- [Namba Parks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namba_Parks "Namba Parks")
- [OAP Tower](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OAP_Tower "OAP Tower")
- [Osaka Business Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Business_Park "Osaka Business Park")
- [Osaka Garden City](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Garden_City&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Garden City (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AA%E3%82%AA%E3%82%B5%E3%82%AB%E3%82%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%87%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B7%E3%83%86%E3%82%A3 "ja:オオサカガーデンシティ")\]
- [Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefectural_Government_Sakishima_Building "Osaka Prefectural Government Sakishima Building")
- [Tempozan Harbor Village](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tempozan_Harbor_Village&action=edit&redlink=1 "Tempozan Harbor Village (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A9%E4%BF%9D%E5%B1%B1%E3%83%8F%E3%83%BC%E3%83%90%E3%83%BC%E3%83%93%E3%83%AC%E3%83%83%E3%82%B8 "ja:天保山ハーバービレッジ")\]
- [Tsūtenkaku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ts%C5%ABtenkaku "Tsūtenkaku") (Registered Tangible Cultural Property)
- [Umeda Sky Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeda_Sky_Building "Umeda Sky Building")
- [Universal Studios Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Studios_Japan "Universal Studios Japan")
- [Hirano](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hirano_\(Osaka\)&action=edit&redlink=1 "Hirano (Osaka) (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B9%B3%E9%87%8E_\(%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%B8%82\) "ja:平野 (大阪市)")\]
- [Horijo](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Horijo&action=edit&redlink=1 "Horijo (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A0%80%E5%9F%8E "ja:堀城")\]
- [Kawaguchi foreign settlement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawaguchi_foreign_settlement "Kawaguchi foreign settlement")
- [Ruins of Naniwanomiya Palace](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ruins_of_Naniwanomiya_Palace&action=edit&redlink=1 "Ruins of Naniwanomiya Palace (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%9B%A3%E6%B3%A2%E5%AE%AE "ja:難波宮")\]
- [Osaka Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle "Osaka Castle")
- [Tekijuku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tekijuku "Tekijuku") (important cultural property)
- [Hakubo Memorial Park Tsurumi Ryokuchi](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hakubo_Memorial_Park_Tsurumi_Ryokuchi&action=edit&redlink=1 "Hakubo Memorial Park Tsurumi Ryokuchi (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%8A%B1%E5%8D%9A%E8%A8%98%E5%BF%B5%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%E9%B6%B4%E8%A6%8B%E7%B7%91%E5%9C%B0 "ja:花博記念公園鶴見緑地")\]
- [Keitaku Garden](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Keitaku_Garden&action=edit&redlink=1 "Keitaku Garden (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%85%B6%E6%B2%A2%E5%9C%92 "ja:慶沢園")\]
- [Nagai Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagai_Park "Nagai Park")
- [Nakanoshima Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakanoshima_Park "Nakanoshima Park")
- [Ogimachi Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ogimachi_Park&action=edit&redlink=1 "Ogimachi Park (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%89%87%E7%94%BA%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92 "ja:扇町公園")\]
- [Osaka Castle Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle_Park "Osaka Castle Park")
- [Osaka Nanko Bird Sanctuary](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Nanko_Bird_Sanctuary&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Nanko Bird Sanctuary (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%8D%97%E6%B8%AF%E9%87%8E%E9%B3%A5%E5%9C%92 "ja:大阪南港野鳥園")\]
- [Sakuranomiya Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sakuranomiya_Park&action=edit&redlink=1 "Sakuranomiya Park (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%A1%9C%E4%B9%8B%E5%AE%AE%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92 "ja:桜之宮公園")\]
- [Shirokita Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shirokita_Park&action=edit&redlink=1 "Shirokita Park (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9F%8E%E5%8C%97%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92 "ja:城北公園")\]
- [Suminoe Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Suminoe_Park&action=edit&redlink=1 "Suminoe Park (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BD%8F%E4%B9%8B%E6%B1%9F%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92 "ja:住之江公園")\]
- [Sumiyoshi Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi_Park "Sumiyoshi Park")
- [Tennoji Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennoji_Park "Tennoji Park")
- [Utsubo Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utsubo_Park "Utsubo Park")
- [Yodogawa River Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yodogawa_River_Park&action=edit&redlink=1 "Yodogawa River Park (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B7%80%E5%B7%9D%E6%B2%B3%E5%B7%9D%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92 "ja:淀川河川公園")\]
- Gallery
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:UtsuboPark-RoseGarden02.jpg "Utsubo Park")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka_Castle_03bs3200.jpg "Osaka Castle Park")
- [![Sakuranomiya Park \[ja\]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Sakuranomiya-Park_02.jpg/330px-Sakuranomiya-Park_02.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sakuranomiya-Park_02.jpg "Sakuranomiya Park [ja]")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Yodogawa_Kasen_Park_Juso_area_IMG_5195-2_20190114.jpg "Yodogawa Riverside Park")
Yodogawa Riverside Park
### Ancient architecture
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=40 "Edit section: Ancient architecture")\]
- [Sumiyoshi Taisha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi_Taisha "Sumiyoshi Taisha") main shrine (national treasure)
### Modern architecture
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=41 "Edit section: Modern architecture")\]
- Around Umeda
- [Osaka Central Post Office](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Central_Post_Office&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Central Post Office (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E4%B8%AD%E5%A4%AE%E9%83%B5%E4%BE%BF%E5%B1%80 "ja:大阪中央郵便局")\] – [Central Electric Club](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Central_Electric_Club&action=edit&redlink=1 "Central Electric Club (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%AD%E5%A4%AE%E9%9B%BB%E6%B0%97%E5%80%B6%E6%A5%BD%E9%83%A8 "ja:中央電気倶楽部")\] – [Oe Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oe_Building&action=edit&redlink=1 "Oe Building (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E6%B1%9F%E3%83%93%E3%83%AB%E3%83%82%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0 "ja:大江ビルヂング")\]
- Nakanoshima
- [Osaka City Central Public Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_City_Central_Public_Hall "Osaka City Central Public Hall") (Important Cultural Property) – [Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefectural_Nakanoshima_Library "Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library") (Important Cultural Property) – [Bank of Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_of_Japan "Bank of Japan") Osaka Branch Old Building
- Around Osaka Castle
- [Old Mint Foundry Front Entrance](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Old_Mint_Foundry_Front_Entrance&action=edit&redlink=1 "Old Mint Foundry Front Entrance (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%97%A7%E9%80%A0%E5%B9%A3%E5%AF%AE%E9%8B%B3%E9%80%A0%E6%89%80%E6%AD%A3%E9%9D%A2%E7%8E%84%E9%96%A2 "ja:旧造幣寮鋳造所正面玄関")\] (Former Youth Art Gallery) (Important Cultural Property) – [Senpukan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senpukan "Senpukan") (Important Cultural Property) – [Osaka Castle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle "Osaka Castle") (registered tangible cultural property) – former [Osaka City Museum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_City_Museum "Osaka City Museum") – [Osaka Prefectural Government Office](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Prefectural_Government_Office&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Prefectural Government Office (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%BA%9C%E5%BA%81%E8%88%8E "ja:大阪府庁舎")\]
- Kitasenba, Minamisenba
- [Kitahama Retro Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kitahama_Retro_Building&action=edit&redlink=1 "Kitahama Retro Building (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8C%97%E6%B5%9C%E3%83%AC%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%E3%83%93%E3%83%AB%E3%83%82%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0 "ja:北浜レトロビルヂング")\] (Registered Tangible Cultural Property) – [Osaka Securities Exchange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Securities_Exchange "Osaka Securities Exchange") – [Sumitomo Mitsui Banking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumitomo_Mitsui_Banking "Sumitomo Mitsui Banking") Osaka (Sumitomo Building) – [Arai Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Arai_Building&action=edit&redlink=1 "Arai Building (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%96%B0%E4%BA%95%E3%83%93%E3%83%AB "ja:新井ビル")\] (Registration Tangible Cultural Property) – [Osaka Municipal Aizuku Kindergarten](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Municipal_Aizuku_Kindergarten&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Municipal Aizuku Kindergarten (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%B8%82%E7%AB%8B%E6%84%9B%E7%8F%A0%E5%B9%BC%E7%A8%9A%E5%9C%92 "ja:大阪市立愛珠幼稚園")\] (Important Cultural Property) – [Nippon Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nippon_Life "Nippon Life") Insurance Head Office Building – [Osaka Club](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Club&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Club (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%80%B6%E6%A5%BD%E9%83%A8 "ja:大阪倶楽部")\] (registered tangible cultural property) – [Sumitomo Mitsui Bank Osaka Central Branch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumitomo_Mitsui_Banking_Corporation "Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation") – [Koraibashi Nomura Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Koraibashi_Nomura_Building&action=edit&redlink=1 "Koraibashi Nomura Building (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%AB%98%E9%BA%97%E6%A9%8B%E9%87%8E%E6%9D%91%E3%83%93%E3%83%AB "ja:高麗橋野村ビル")\] – [Nippon Christian Church Naniwa Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nippon_Christian_Church_Naniwa_Church&action=edit&redlink=1 "Nippon Christian Church Naniwa Church (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E5%9F%BA%E7%9D%A3%E6%95%99%E5%9B%A3%E6%B5%AA%E8%8A%B1%E6%95%99%E4%BC%9A "ja:日本基督教団浪花教会")\] – [Aoyama Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aoyama_Building&action=edit&redlink=1 "Aoyama Building (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%9D%92%E5%B1%B1%E3%83%93%E3%83%AB "ja:青山ビル")\] (Registered Tangible Cultural property) – [Fushimi Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fushimi_Building&action=edit&redlink=1 "Fushimi Building (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BC%8F%E8%A6%8B%E3%83%93%E3%83%AB "ja:伏見ビル")\] (registered tangible cultural property) – [former Konishi Gisuke store building](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Former_Konishi_Gisuke_store_building&action=edit&redlink=1 "Former Konishi Gisuke store building (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B3%E3%83%8B%E3%82%B7 "ja:コニシ")\] (important cultural property) – [Osaka Gas Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Gas_Building&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Gas Building (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E7%93%A6%E6%96%AF%E3%83%93%E3%83%AB%E3%83%82%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0 "ja:大阪瓦斯ビルヂング")\] (registered tangible cultural property) – [Ikoma Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ikoma_Building&action=edit&redlink=1 "Ikoma Building (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%94%9F%E9%A7%92%E3%83%93%E3%83%AB%E3%83%82%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0 "ja:生駒ビルヂング")\] (registered tangible cultural property) – [Cotton Industry Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cotton_Industry_Hall&action=edit&redlink=1 "Cotton Industry Hall (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%B6%BF%E6%A5%AD%E4%BC%9A%E9%A4%A8 "ja:綿業会館")\] (Important Cultural Property) – [Meidi-Ya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meidi-Ya "Meidi-Ya") building – [Miki Musical Instrument Headquarters](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Miki_Musical_Instrument_Headquarters&action=edit&redlink=1 "Miki Musical Instrument Headquarters (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%89%E6%9C%A8%E6%A5%BD%E5%99%A8 "ja:三木楽器")\] (Registered Tangible Cultural Properties) – [Harada Industry](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Harada_Industry&action=edit&redlink=1 "Harada Industry (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8E%9F%E7%94%B0%E7%94%A3%E6%A5%AD "ja:原田産業")\]
- Shimojoba (Nishisenba)
- [Japanese Christian Church Osaka Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Japanese_Christian_Church_Osaka_Church&action=edit&redlink=1 "Japanese Christian Church Osaka Church (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E5%9F%BA%E7%9D%A3%E6%95%99%E5%9B%A3%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E6%95%99%E4%BC%9A "ja:日本基督教団大阪教会")\] (registered tangible cultural property) – Yamauchi Building (registered tangible cultural property) – Edobori Kodama Building (registered tangible cultural property)
- Shinsaibashi/Namba
- [Daimaru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimaru "Daimaru") Shinsaibashi – [Takashimaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takashimaya "Takashimaya") Osaka (Nankai Namba) – [Takashimaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takashimaya "Takashimaya") East Annex – [Miki Instruments Main Store Kaiseikan](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Miki_Instruments_Main_Store_Kaiseikan&action=edit&redlink=1 "Miki Instruments Main Store Kaiseikan (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%89%E6%9C%A8%E6%A5%BD%E5%99%A8 "ja:三木楽器")\] (registered tangible cultural property)
- Osaka Port/Kawaguchi
- [Tsuki Port Red Brick Warehouse](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tsuki_Port_Red_Brick_Warehouse&action=edit&redlink=1 "Tsuki Port Red Brick Warehouse (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%AF%89%E6%B8%AF%E8%B5%A4%E3%83%AC%E3%83%B3%E3%82%AC%E5%80%89%E5%BA%AB "ja:築港赤レンガ倉庫")\] – [Sumitomo Warehouse Tsuki Port](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sumitomo_Warehouse_Tsuki_Port&action=edit&redlink=1 "Sumitomo Warehouse Tsuki Port (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BD%8F%E5%8F%8B%E5%80%89%E5%BA%AB "ja:住友倉庫")\] – MOL Mitsui Tsuki Port Building ([Osaka Merchant Ship](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Merchant_Ship&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Merchant Ship (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%95%86%E8%88%B9 "ja:大阪商船")\]) – Japan Anglican Church Kawaguchi Christian Church (Registered Tangible Cultural Property) – [Mitsui Warehouse](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mitsui_Warehouse&action=edit&redlink=1 "Mitsui Warehouse (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%89%E4%BA%95%E5%80%89%E5%BA%AB%E3%83%9B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0%E3%82%B9 "ja:三井倉庫ホールディングス")\] – [Osaka Municipal Transportation Bureau](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Municipal_Transportation_Bureau "Osaka Municipal Transportation Bureau") (Osaka City Electricity Bureau)
- [Izumi Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Izumi_Hall&action=edit&redlink=1 "Izumi Hall (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%81%84%E3%81%9A%E3%81%BF%E3%83%9B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB "ja:いずみホール")\]
- [Umeda Arts Theater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeda_Arts_Theater "Umeda Arts Theater")
- [Morinomiya Piloti Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Morinomiya_Piloti_Hall&action=edit&redlink=1 "Morinomiya Piloti Hall (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%A3%AE%E3%83%8E%E5%AE%AE%E3%83%94%E3%83%AD%E3%83%86%E3%82%A3%E3%83%9B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB "ja:森ノ宮ピロティホール")\]
- [NHK Osaka Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHK_Osaka_Hall "NHK Osaka Hall")
- [Osaka International Convention Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_International_Convention_Center "Osaka International Convention Center")
- [Osaka Shiki Theater](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Shiki_Theater&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Shiki Theater (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%9B%9B%E5%AD%A3%E5%8A%87%E5%A0%B4 "ja:大阪四季劇場")\]
- [Osaka Castle Music Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka_Castle_Music_Hall&action=edit&redlink=1 "Osaka Castle Music Hall (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%9F%8E%E9%9F%B3%E6%A5%BD%E5%A0%82 "ja:大阪城音楽堂")\]
- [Osaka-jō Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka-j%C5%8D_Hall "Osaka-jō Hall")
- [Orix Theater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orix_Theater "Orix Theater")
- [National Bunraku Theatre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Bunraku_Theatre "National Bunraku Theatre")
- [The Symphony Hall](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Symphony_Hall&action=edit&redlink=1 "The Symphony Hall (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B6%E3%83%BB%E3%82%B7%E3%83%B3%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%8B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB "ja:ザ・シンフォニーホール")\]
- [Theater BRAVA\!](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Theater_BRAVA!&action=edit&redlink=1 "Theater BRAVA! (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B7%E3%82%A2%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BCBRAVA! "ja:シアターBRAVA!")\]
- [New Kabukiza](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=New_Kabukiza&action=edit&redlink=1 "New Kabukiza (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%96%B0%E6%AD%8C%E8%88%9E%E4%BC%8E%E5%BA%A7_\(%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA\) "ja:新歌舞伎座 (大阪)")\]
- [Zepp Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zepp_Osaka "Zepp Osaka")
- [Tenma Tenjin Hanjotei](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tenma_Tenjin_Hanjotei&action=edit&redlink=1 "Tenma Tenjin Hanjotei (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A9%E6%BA%80%E5%A4%A9%E7%A5%9E%E7%B9%81%E6%98%8C%E4%BA%AD "ja:天満天神繁昌亭")\]
- [Namba Grand Kagetsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Namba_Grand_Kagetsu&action=edit&redlink=1 "Namba Grand Kagetsu (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%81%AA%E3%82%93%E3%81%B0%E3%82%B0%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%83%89%E8%8A%B1%E6%9C%88 "ja:なんばグランド花月")\]
- [Festival Hall, Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festival_Hall,_Osaka "Festival Hall, Osaka")
- Gallery
- [![Izumi Hall \[ja\]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/Izumi_Hall_Osaka01n3200.jpg/330px-Izumi_Hall_Osaka01n3200.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Izumi_Hall_Osaka01n3200.jpg "Izumi Hall [ja]")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Osaka-jo_Hall_in_201408.JPG "Osaka-jō Hall")
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:National_Bunraku_Theatre_in_201408.JPG "National Bunraku Theater")
- [![Tenma Tenjin Hanjotei \[ja\]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/91/Temma-Tenjin_Hanjo-tei_in_201407.JPG/500px-Temma-Tenjin_Hanjo-tei_in_201407.JPG)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Temma-Tenjin_Hanjo-tei_in_201407.JPG "Tenma Tenjin Hanjotei [ja]")
[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Views_from_Abeno_Harukas_in_201512_008.JPG)
[Nagai Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagai_Park "Nagai Park") is visible in the center
- [Ogimachi Pool](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ogimachi_Pool&action=edit&redlink=1 "Ogimachi Pool (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%89%87%E7%94%BA%E3%83%97%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB "ja:扇町プール")\]
- [Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Municipal_Central_Gymnasium "Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium")
- [Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Prefectural_Gymnasium "Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium")
- [Maruzen Intec Osaka Pool](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maruzen_Intec_Osaka_Pool "Maruzen Intec Osaka Pool")
- [Kyocera Dome Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyocera_Dome_Osaka "Kyocera Dome Osaka")
- [Nagai Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagai_Park "Nagai Park")
- [Yanmar Stadium Nagai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yanmar_Stadium_Nagai "Yanmar Stadium Nagai")
- [Yanmar Field Nagai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yanmar_Field_Nagai "Yanmar Field Nagai")
- [Yodoko Sakura Stadium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yodoko_Sakura_Stadium "Yodoko Sakura Stadium")
- [Maishima Sports Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maishima_Sports_Island "Maishima Sports Island")
### Religious facilities
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=44 "Edit section: Religious facilities")\]
Shrines
- [Sumiyoshi Taisha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiyoshi_Taisha "Sumiyoshi Taisha")
- [Osaka Tenmangu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Tenmangu "Osaka Tenmangu")
- [Goryo Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Goryo_Shrine&action=edit&redlink=1 "Goryo Shrine (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%BE%A1%E9%9C%8A%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE_\(%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%B8%82\) "ja:御霊神社 (大阪市)")\]
- [Zama Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zama_Shrine "Zama Shrine")
- [Namba Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Namba_Shrine&action=edit&redlink=1 "Namba Shrine (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%9B%A3%E6%B3%A2%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE "ja:難波神社")\]
- [Ikukunitama Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikukunitama_Shrine "Ikukunitama Shrine")
- [Tamatsukuri Inari Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamatsukuri_Inari_Shrine "Tamatsukuri Inari Shrine")
- [Kōzu-gū](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C5%8Dzu-g%C5%AB "Kōzu-gū")
- [Mitsu Hachimangu](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mitsu_Hachimangu&action=edit&redlink=1 "Mitsu Hachimangu (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%BE%A1%E6%B4%A5%E5%AE%AE "ja:御津宮")\]
- [Namba Yasaka Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Namba_Yasaka_Shrine&action=edit&redlink=1 "Namba Yasaka Shrine (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%9B%A3%E6%B3%A2%E5%85%AB%E9%98%AA%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE "ja:難波八阪神社")\]
- [Shinmei Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shinmei_Shrine_\(Osaka\)&action=edit&redlink=1 "Shinmei Shrine (Osaka) (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%A5%9E%E6%98%8E%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE_\(%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%B8%82\) "ja:神明神社 (大阪市)")\]
- [Imamiya Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imamiya_Shrine "Imamiya Shrine")
- [Abe Seimei Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abe_Seimei_Shrine&action=edit&redlink=1 "Abe Seimei Shrine (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%98%BF%E5%80%8D%E7%8E%8B%E5%AD%90%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE "ja:阿倍王子神社")\]
- [Kumata Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kumata_Shrine&action=edit&redlink=1 "Kumata Shrine (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9D%AD%E5%85%A8%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE "ja:杭全神社")\]
- [Tsuyunoten Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tsuyunoten_Shrine&action=edit&redlink=1 "Tsuyunoten Shrine (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%9C%B2%E5%A4%A9%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE "ja:露天神社")\]
- [Tsunashiki Tenjin Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsunashiki_Tenjin_Shrine "Tsunashiki Tenjin Shrine")
- [Asahi Shinmeisha](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Asahi_Shinmeisha&action=edit&redlink=1 "Asahi Shinmeisha (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9C%9D%E6%97%A5%E7%A5%9E%E6%98%8E%E7%A4%BE "ja:朝日神明社")\]
Temples
- [Shitennō-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shitenn%C5%8D-ji "Shitennō-ji")
- [Shitennoji Honbo Garden](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shitennoji_Honbo_Garden&action=edit&redlink=1 "Shitennoji Honbo Garden (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9B%9B%E5%A4%A9%E7%8E%8B%E5%AF%BA%E6%9C%AC%E5%9D%8A%E5%BA%AD%E5%9C%92 "ja:四天王寺本坊庭園")\]
- [Shomanin](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shomanin&action=edit&redlink=1 "Shomanin (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8B%9D%E9%AC%98%E9%99%A2 "ja:勝鬘院")\]
- [Dainenbutsu-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dainenbutsu-ji "Dainenbutsu-ji")
- [Taishokannonji](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Taishokannonji&action=edit&redlink=1 "Taishokannonji (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E8%81%96%E8%A6%B3%E9%9F%B3%E5%AF%BA "ja:大聖観音寺")\]
- [Isshin-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isshin-ji "Isshin-ji")
- [Taiyū-ji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiy%C5%AB-ji "Taiyū-ji")
- [Hozenji](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hozenji&action=edit&redlink=1 "Hozenji (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B3%95%E5%96%84%E5%AF%BA "ja:法善寺")\]
- [Honganji Tsumura Betsuin](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Honganji_Tsumura_Betsuin&action=edit&redlink=1 "Honganji Tsumura Betsuin (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9C%AC%E9%A1%98%E5%AF%BA%E6%B4%A5%E6%9D%91%E5%88%A5%E9%99%A2 "ja:本願寺津村別院")\]
- [Shinshu Buddhist Otani-ha Sect Namba Betsuin Temple](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shinshu_Buddhist_Otani-ha_Sect_Namba_Betsuin_Temple&action=edit&redlink=1 "Shinshu Buddhist Otani-ha Sect Namba Betsuin Temple (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%9C%9F%E5%AE%97%E5%A4%A7%E8%B0%B7%E6%B4%BE%E9%9B%A3%E6%B3%A2%E5%88%A5%E9%99%A2 "ja:真宗大谷派難波別院")\]
Churches
- [United Church of Christ in Japan (UCCJ) Naniwa Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=United_Church_of_Christ_in_Japan_\(UCCJ\)_Naniwa_Church&action=edit&redlink=1 "United Church of Christ in Japan (UCCJ) Naniwa Church (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E5%9F%BA%E7%9D%A3%E6%95%99%E5%9B%A3%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E6%95%99%E4%BC%9A "ja:日本基督教団大阪教会")\]
- [Grand Cathedral of the Virgin Mary of Osaka](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Grand_Cathedral_of_the_Virgin_Mary_of_Osaka&action=edit&redlink=1 "Grand Cathedral of the Virgin Mary of Osaka (page does not exist)") \[[ja](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E3%82%AB%E3%83%86%E3%83%89%E3%83%A9%E3%83%AB%E8%81%96%E3%83%9E%E3%83%AA%E3%82%A2%E5%A4%A7%E8%81%96%E5%A0%82 "ja:大阪カテドラル聖マリア大聖堂")\]
- Japan Anglican Church
- Japan Christian Church Osaka Fukushima Church
- Japan Evangelical Lutheran Osaka Church
## International relations
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=45 "Edit section: International relations")\]
Osaka is [twinned](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sister_city "Sister city") with:[\[106\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-sisters-106)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey "Turkey") [Aksaray](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aksaray "Aksaray"), Turkey
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States") Chicago, Illinois, United States (since November 1973)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany "Germany") [Hamburg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamburg "Hamburg"), Germany (since May 1989)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France "France") [Lyon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyon "Lyon"), [Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auvergne-Rh%C3%B4ne-Alpes "Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes"), France (since May 1984)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom "United Kingdom") [Manchester](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester "Manchester"), England, United Kingdom (since September 2025)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia "Australia") [Melbourne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne "Melbourne"), Australia (since April 1978)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy "Italy") [Milan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milan "Milan"), Lombardy, Italy (since June 1981)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia "Russia") [Saint Petersburg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Petersburg "Saint Petersburg"), Russia (since August 1979)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States") San Francisco, California, United States (former partnership, October 1957 – October 2018)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil "Brazil") [São Paulo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Paulo "São Paulo"), Brazil (since October 1969)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China "China") Shanghai, China (since April 1974)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada "Canada") [Toronto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto "Toronto"), Ontario, Canada (since June 1994)
### Friendship cooperation cities
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=47 "Edit section: Friendship cooperation cities")\]
Osaka also cooperates with:[\[106\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-sisters-106)
### Business partner cities
\[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Osaka&action=edit§ion=48 "Edit section: Business partner cities")\]
Osaka's business partner cities, mostly in the Asia-Pacific region, are:[\[106\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-sisters-106)
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand "New Zealand") [Auckland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland "Auckland"), New Zealand
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand "Thailand") [Bangkok](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok "Bangkok"), Thailand
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia "Australia") [Brisbane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brisbane "Brisbane"), [Queensland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland "Queensland"), Australia
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany "Germany") [Hamburg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamburg "Hamburg"), Germany
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam "Vietnam") [Ho Chi Minh City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho_Chi_Minh_City "Ho Chi Minh City"), Vietnam
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong "Hong Kong") Hong Kong, China
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia "Indonesia") [Jakarta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakarta "Jakarta"), Indonesia
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysia "Malaysia") [Kuala Lumpur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuala_Lumpur "Kuala Lumpur"), Malaysia
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States") Los Angeles, California, United States
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines "Philippines") [Manila](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila "Manila"), Philippines
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia "Australia") [Melbourne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne "Melbourne"), Australia
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India "India") [Mumbai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai "Mumbai"), Maharashtra, India
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea "South Korea") [Seoul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul "Seoul"), South Korea
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China "China") Shanghai, China
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore "Singapore") Singapore
- [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China "China") [Tianjin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianjin "Tianjin"), China
Osaka's sister ports are:[\[106\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_note-sisters-106)
- [Expo '70](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_%2770 "Expo '70")
- [Expo 2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_2025 "Expo 2025")
- [List of metropolitan areas by population](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_metropolitan_areas_by_population "List of metropolitan areas by population")
1. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-1)**
["大阪市 推計人口（毎月1日現在）・人口異動"](https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/toshikeikaku/page/0000541634.html). *大阪市トップページ*. City of Osaka. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
2. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-2)**
Johnston, Eric (April 8, 2019). ["Osaka leaders win in elections to swap roles, but merger prospects unclear"](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/04/08/national/politics-diplomacy/osaka-leaders-projected-win-elections-swap-roles/) – via Japan Times Online.
3. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-japan2_3-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-japan2_3-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-japan2_3-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-japan2_3-3)
["Table 2.10 Population of Three Major Metropolitan Areas"](http://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/handbook/pdf/2019all.pdf) (PDF). Statistics Bureau of Japan. p. 21. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
4. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-4)**
["市の花"](https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/kensetsu/page/0000009518.html). *大阪市トップページ*. City of Osaka. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
5. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-5)**
["大阪市 推計人口（毎月1日現在）・人口異動"](https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/toshikeikaku/page/0000541634.html). *大阪市トップページ*. City of Osaka. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
6. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-stats-boj_6-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-stats-boj_6-1)
["2015 Census Final Data"](https://www.e-stat.go.jp/stat-search/files?page=1&layout=datalist&toukei=00200521&tstat=000001080615&cycle=0&tclass1=000001110216&second=1&second2=1&). Statistics Bureau of Japan.
7. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-7)**
Gyūichi, Ōta (2011). [*The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga*](https://books.google.com/books?id=pJHArhRVYEoC&pg=PA154). Brill Publishers. pp. 153–154\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-90-04-20162-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-90-04-20162-0 "Special:BookSources/978-90-04-20162-0")
. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
8. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-8)**
Ring, Trudy; Watson, Noelle; Schellinger, Paul, eds. (1996). [*Asia & Oceania: International Dictionary of Historic Places*](https://books.google.com/books?id=voerPYsAB5wC&pg=PA650). Routledge. p. 650. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[1-884964-04-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-884964-04-4 "Special:BookSources/1-884964-04-4")
. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
9. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-Uemachidaichi_9-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-Uemachidaichi_9-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-Uemachidaichi_9-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-Uemachidaichi_9-3) [***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-Uemachidaichi_9-4)
["Uemachidaichi – A journey to ancient osaka"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121228011113/http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/culture/2007may/01.html). *www.osaka-info.jp*. May 1, 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/culture/2007may/01.html) on December 28, 2012.
10. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-plain_10-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-plain_10-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-plain_10-2)
Hikotaro, Kajiyama; Minoru, Itihara (1972). ["The Developmental History of the Osaka Plain"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030528/https://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/110003025552). *地質学論集* (7): 101–112\. Archived from [the original](http://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/110003025552) on December 1, 2017.
11. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-osakahist_11-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-osakahist_11-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-osakahist_11-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-osakahist_11-3) [***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-osakahist_11-4) [***f***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-osakahist_11-5)
["Historical Overview, the City of Osaka official homepage"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090322141953/http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/english/for_tourists/c_historical_overview.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/english/for_tourists/c_historical_overview.html) on March 22, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
Navigate to the equivalent Japanese page (大阪市の歴史 タイムトリップ20,000年 \[History of Osaka, A timetrip back 20,000 years\])[\[1\]](http://www.city.osaka.jp/city/history/history.html/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090226221108/http://www.city.osaka.jp/city/history/history.html) February 26, 2009, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") for additional information.
12. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-12)** [templi](http://www.treccani.it/vocabolario/tempio/) www.treccani.it
13. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-13)**
["Sumiyoshi Ward"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030241/https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/sumiyoshi/english/view/view.html). *www.city.osaka.lg.jp*. April 21, 2011. Archived from [the original](http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/sumiyoshi/english/view/view.html) on December 1, 2017.
14. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-sumiyoshi_14-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-sumiyoshi_14-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-sumiyoshi_14-2)
["Tezukayama Ancient Burial Mound"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032332/https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/sumiyoshi/english/attract/attrac01.html). *www.city.osaka.lg.jp*. April 15, 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/sumiyoshi/english/attract/attrac01.html) on December 1, 2017.
15. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-15)**
Wada, Stephanie (2003). [*Tsuneko S. Sadao, Stephanie Wada, Discovering the Arts of Japan: A Historical Overview*](https://books.google.com/books?id=zMC4RMXQkn0C&q=osaka+kofun+period&pg=RA2-PA30). Kodansha International. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-4-7700-2939-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-4-7700-2939-3 "Special:BookSources/978-4-7700-2939-3")
. Retrieved March 25, 2007.
16. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-16)**
["Enjoying Sakai – Kofun Tombs (Tumuli)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110722214046/http://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/foreigner_en/spot/spot1.html). [Sakai City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakai,_Osaka "Sakai, Osaka"). Archived from [the original](http://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/foreigner_en/spot/spot1.html) on July 22, 2011. Retrieved May 8, 2011.
17. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-17)**
Stephanie Wada (2003). [*Discovering the Arts of Japan: A Historical Overview*](https://books.google.com/books?id=zMC4RMXQkn0C&q=osaka+kofun+period&pg=RA2-PA30). Kodansha International. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-4-7700-2939-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-4-7700-2939-3 "Special:BookSources/978-4-7700-2939-3")
. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
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\[Osaka City Datanet: Osaka City Economy\] (in Japanese). Archived from [the original](http://www.city.osaka.jp/keikakuchousei/toukei/E000/Ea00/Ea00.html) on December 7, 2006. Retrieved March 25, 2007.
76. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-76)**
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77. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-77)**
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92. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-92)**
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93. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-93)** [Osaka Food Guide](http://thecitylane.com/osaka-food-guide/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141020054652/http://thecitylane.com/osaka-food-guide/) October 20, 2014, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), The City Lane
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["National Theatre of Japan"](http://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/english/index.html). Ntj.jac.go.jp. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20021004001515/http://www.ntj.jac.go.jp/english/index.html) from the original on October 4, 2002. Retrieved May 5, 2010.
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97. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-97)**
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98. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-98)**
["BANDY Festival 2012 in OSAKA"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121016043725/http://www.worldbandy.com/news.asp?newsid=138&title=BANDY%20Festival%202012%20in%20OSAKA). Archived from [the original](http://www.worldbandy.com/news.asp?newsid=138&title=BANDY%20Festival%202012%20in%20OSAKA) on October 16, 2012.
99. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-99)**
The five largest newspapers by number of circulation in Japan in alphabetical order.
Mooney, Sean; ebrary, Inc (2000). [*5,110 Days in Tokyo and Everything's Hunky-dory*](https://books.google.com/books?id=Fkt8CkTejUAC). Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 99–104\. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
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100. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-100)**
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\[History of Education in Osaka\] (in Japanese). Archived from [the original](http://www.geocities.jp/kyouiku_hiroba/02/osaka-city-education-history.html) on April 6, 2009. Retrieved February 18, 2009.
102. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-Stewartp43_102-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-Stewartp43_102-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-Stewartp43_102-2) Stewart, Alex. "[educating kansai](https://web.archive.org/web/20040921130423/http://www.accj.or.jp/document_library/Journal/1070851088.pdf)" ([Archive](https://web.archive.org/web/20040921130423/http://www.accj.or.jp/document_library/Journal/1070851088.pdf)). *The Journal of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan* (*Jānaru*), Volume 40, Issues 7–12. [The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_American_Chamber_of_Commerce_in_Japan "The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan") (ACCJ), 2003. p. 43.
103. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-103)** "[School Profile 2014–2015](http://yayoi.senri.ed.jp/downloads/1409_School%20profile%202014-2015.pdf)" ([Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160306100142/http://yayoi.senri.ed.jp/downloads/1409_School%20profile%202014-2015.pdf) March 6, 2016, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")). [Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_International_School_of_Kwansei_Gakuin "Osaka International School of Kwansei Gakuin"). Retrieved on November 1, 2015.
104. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-104)** Stewart, Alex. "[education kansai](https://web.archive.org/web/20040921130423/http://www.accj.or.jp/document_library/Journal/1070851088.pdf)" ([Archive](https://web.archive.org/web/20040921130423/http://www.accj.or.jp/document_library/Journal/1070851088.pdf)). *The Journal of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan* (*Jānaru*), Volume 40, Issues 7–12. [The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_American_Chamber_of_Commerce_in_Japan "The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan") (ACCJ), 2003. p. 41.
105. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-105)**
["IICLO / INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CHILDREN'S LITERATURE,OSAKA"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080214043955/http://www.iiclo.or.jp/english/english.htm). *www.iiclo.or.jp*. Archived from [the original](http://www.iiclo.or.jp/english/english.htm) on February 14, 2008. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
106. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-sisters_106-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-sisters_106-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-sisters_106-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka#cite_ref-sisters_106-3)
["The City of Osaka's International Network"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210415203553/https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/keizaisenryaku/english/international_network.html). *city.osaka.lg.jp*. Osaka. Archived from [the original](https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/keizaisenryaku/english/international_network.html) on April 15, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- Benesch, Oleg (2018). ["Castles and the Militarisation of Urban Society in Imperial Japan"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181120055147/http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/133333/1/Benesch_Castles_and_the_Militarisation_of_Urban_Society_in_Imperial_Japan_TRHS_Accepted_Manuscript.pdf) (PDF). *Transactions of the Royal Historical Society*. **28**: 107–134\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1017/S0080440118000063](https://doi.org/10.1017%2FS0080440118000063). [S2CID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S2CID_\(identifier\) "S2CID (identifier)") [158403519](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:158403519). Archived from [the original](http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/133333/1/Benesch_Castles_and_the_Militarisation_of_Urban_Society_in_Imperial_Japan_TRHS_Accepted_Manuscript.pdf) (PDF) on November 20, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
- De Lange, William (2021). *An Encyclopedia of Japanese Castles*. Groningen: Toyo Press. pp. 600 pages. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-94-92722-30-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-94-92722-30-0 "Special:BookSources/978-94-92722-30-0")
.
- De Lange, William. (2022). *The Siege of Osaka Castle: The Winter and Summer Campaigns*. Groningen: Toyo Press. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-949-2722-386](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-949-2722-386 "Special:BookSources/978-949-2722-386")
- Gerstle, C. Andrew. *Kabuki Heroes on the Osaka Stage 1780–1830* (2005).
- Hanes, Jeffrey. *The City as Subject: Seki Hajime and the Reinvention of Modern Osaka* (2002) [online edition](https://www.questia.com/read/105859766?title=The%20City%20as%20Subject%3A%20%20Seki%20Hajime%20and%20the%20Reinvention%20of%20Modern%20Osaka) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120513171856/http://www.questia.com/read/105859766?title=The%20City%20as%20Subject%3A%20%20Seki%20Hajime%20and%20the%20Reinvention%20of%20Modern%20Osaka) May 13, 2012, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")
- Hauser, William B. "Osaka: a Commercial City in Tokugawa Japan." *Urbanism past and Present* 1977–1978 (5): 23–36.
- Hein, Carola, et al. *Rebuilding Urban Japan after 1945.* (2003). 274 pp.
- Hotta, Chisato. "The Construction of the Korean Community in Osaka between 1920 and 1945: A Cross-Cultural Perspective." PhD dissertation U. of Chicago 2005. 498 pp. DAI 2005 65(12): 4680-A. DA3158708 Fulltext: [ProQuest Dissertations & Theses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ProQuest_Dissertations_%26_Theses "ProQuest Dissertations & Theses")
- Lockyer, Angus. "The Logic of Spectacle C. 1970", *Art History,* Sept 2007, Vol. 30 Issue 4, p571-589, on the international exposition held in 1970
- McClain, James L. and Wakita, Osamu, eds. *Osaka: The Merchants' Capital of Early Modern Japan.* (1999). 295 pp. [online edition](https://www.questia.com/read/103760551?title=Osaka%2C%20the%20Merchant's%20Capital%20of%20Early%20Modern%20Japan) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120513031100/http://www.questia.com/read/103760551?title=Osaka%2C%20the%20Merchant%27s%20Capital%20of%20Early%20Modern%20Japan) May 13, 2012, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")
- *Michelin Red Guide Kyoto Osaka Kobe 2011* (2011)
- [Najita, Tetsuo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Najita,_Tetsuo "Najita, Tetsuo"). *Visions of Virtue in Tokugawa Japan: The Kaitokudo Merchant Academy of Osaka.* (1987). 334 pp. [online edition](https://web.archive.org/web/20120513171901/http://www.questia.com/read/34221399?title=Visions%20of%20Virtue%20in%20Tokugawa%20Japan%3A%20The%20Kaitokudo%20Merchant%20Academy%20of%20Osaka)
- Rimmer, Peter J. "Japan's World Cities: Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya or Tokaido Megalopolis?" *Development and Change* 1986 17(1): 121–157. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0012-155X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0012-155X)
- Ropke, Ian Martin. Historical Dictionary of Osaka and Kyoto. 273pp Scarecrow Press (July 22, 1999) [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)")
[978-0-8108-3622-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8108-3622-8 "Special:BookSources/978-0-8108-3622-8")
.
- Ruble, Blair A. *Second Metropolis: Pragmatic Pluralism in Gilded Age Chicago, Silver Age Moscow, and Meiji Osaka.* (2001). 464 pp.
- Torrance, Richard. "Literacy and Literature in Osaka, 1890–1940," *The Journal of Japanese Studies* 31\#1 (Winter 2005), pp. 27–60 in [Project MUSE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_MUSE "Project MUSE")
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Look up ***[大阪](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA "wiktionary:大阪")*** or ***[Ōsaka](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%C5%8Csaka "wiktionary:Ōsaka")*** in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
- [Osaka City official website](https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/enjoy/en/index.html)
- [Official Osaka Tourist Guide](https://osaka-info.jp/en/)
- ["Osaka"](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_New_Student%27s_Reference_Work/Osaka) . [*The New Student's Reference Work*](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_New_Student%27s_Reference_Work) . 1914.
-  Geographic data related to [Osaka](https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/358674) at [OpenStreetMap](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenStreetMap "OpenStreetMap") |
| Shard | 152 (laksa) |
| Root Hash | 17790707453426894952 |
| Unparsed URL | org,wikipedia!en,/wiki/Osaka s443 |