Osaka
大阪市

Osaka's location in Osaka, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Kansai
Prefecture	Osaka
Physical characteristics
Area	222.11 km² (85.76 sq mi)
Population (as of January 1, 2007)
Total	2,636,257 (17,220,000 in Metropolitan Area)
Density	11,869 /km² (30,741 /sq mi)
Location	34°42′N 135°30′E / 34.7, 135.5Coordinates: 34°42′N 135°30′E / 34.7, 135.5
Symbols
Tree	Sakura
Flower	Pansy
Flag
Osaka Government Office
Mayor	Kunio Hiramatsu
Address	1-3-20 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 530-8201
Phone number	06-6208-8181
Official website: City of Osaka

Osaka (大阪市, Ōsaka-shi^?) listen (help· info) is a city in Japan, located at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, in the Kansai region of the main island of Honshū. Osaka or ÅŒsaka may refer to: Osaka City, Japans second largest city Osaka Prefecture, a prefecture of Japan Osaka may also refer to: Companies: Osaka Broadcasting Corporation Osaka Gas Osaka Mercantile Exchange Osaka Securities Exchange TV Osaka Education: Osaka City University Osaka Gakuin University Osaka Institute of Technology Osaka... Image File history File links Osaka-osaka-city. ... Osaka Prefecture (大阪府 ÅŒsaka-fu) is part of the Kinki region on Honshu island, Japan. ... For other uses, see Country (disambiguation). ... Map of the regions of Japan. ... The Kansai (Japanese: 関西) region of Japan, also known as the Kinki region (近畿地方, Kinki-chihō), lies in the Southern-Central region of Japans main island, Honshu. ... The prefectures of Japan are the countrys 47 sub-national jurisdictions: one metropolis (都 to), Tokyo; one circuit (道 dō), Hokkaidō; two urban prefectures (府 fu), Osaka and Kyoto; and 43 other prefectures (県 ken). ... Osaka Prefecture (大阪府 ÅŒsaka-fu) is part of the Kinki region on Honshu island, Japan. ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... Square kilometre (U.S. spelling: square kilometer), symbol km², is a decimal multiple of SI unit of surface area square metre, one of the SI derived units. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... The coniferous Coast Redwood, the tallest tree species on earth. ... This article is about cherry blossoms and their cultural significance to the Japanese. ... For other uses, see Flower (disambiguation). ... For the Author whose pseudonym was Pansy, see Isabella Macdonald Alden. ... A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger, greater) is the modern title of the highest ranking municipal officer. ... An address is a code and abstract concept expressing the fixed location of a home, business or other building on the earths surface. ... A telephone number or phone number is a sequence of numbers used to call from one telephone line to another in a telephone network. ... Image File history File links Ja-Osaka. ... A city ) is a local administrative unit in Japan. ... The Yodo River ), also called the Seta River (瀬田川 Seta-gawa) and the Uji River (宇治川 Uji-gawa) at portions of its route, is the principal river in Osaka Prefecture on HonshÅ«, Japan. ... Satellite photo of northern Osaka Bay Osaka Bay (大阪湾 Osaka-wan) is a bay in western Japan. ... Kansai region, Japan The Kansai region ) of Japan, also known as the Kinki region ), lies in the Southern-Central region of Japans main island, HonshÅ«. The region includes the prefectures of Nara, Wakayama, Mie, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, and Shiga. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

The city is the capital of Osaka Prefecture. Often dubbed the second city of Japan, Osaka was historically the commercial capital of Japan, and to date the heart of Japan's second largest (and the world's ninth largest) metropolitan area of Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto, whose population is 17,220,000. Osaka Prefecture (大阪府 Ōsaka-fu) is part of the Kinki region on Honshu island, Japan. ... For the North American comedy troupe, see The Second City. ... Ōsaka-Kōbe-Kyōto is the name of a metropolitan area that is centered around the cities of Osaka in the Osaka prefecture, Kobe in the Hyogo prefecture, and Kyoto in the Kyoto prefecture. ...

A unique title that the city of Osaka holds is the first place in Japan for day to night population ratio of 141%,^[1] a depiction of Osaka's economic- and commerce-centric character. While at night time the population ranks third place in the country at 2.6 million, in daytime it surges to 3.7 million, second only after Tokyo.^[2] For other uses, see Tokyo (disambiguation). ...

Osaka is traditionally considered the "nation's kitchen" (天下の台所, tenka no daidokoro^?) or the gourmet food capital of Japan.^[3][4][5][6]

History

The beginnings - Kofun Period

Some of the earliest signs of habitation in the area of Osaka were found at the Morinomiya ruins (森の宮遺跡, Morinomiya iseki^?), with its shell mounds, including sea oysters and buried human skeletons from the 5 - 6th centuries BC. It is believed that what is today the Uehonmachi area consisted of a peninsular land, with an inland sea in the east. During the Yayoi Period, permanent habitation on the plains grew as rice farming became popular.^[3] The following text needs to be harmonized with text in the article History of Japan#Yayoi Period. ...

By the Kofun Period, Osaka developed into a hub port connecting the region to the western part of Japan. The large numbers, and the growing of the size of tomb mounds found in the plains of Osaka, are seen as evidence of political power concentrating, leading to the formation of a state.^[3][7] The Kofun period ) is an era in the history of Japan from around 250 to 538. ...

Asuka and Nara Period

In 645, Emperor Kōtoku built his palace (難波長柄豊碕宮 Naniwa-no-nagara-no-toyosaki-no-Miya) in Osaka^[8], making this area the capital (Naniwa-kyō). The area which now consists of Osaka city was called by this time Naniwa, a name which still exists as the names of districts in central Osaka as Naniwa (浪速) and Namba (難波).^[9] While the capital was moved to Asuka (in Nara Prefecture today) in 655, Naniwa has always been a vital connection, by land and sea, between Yamato (modern day Nara Prefecture), Korea, and China.^[3][10] Events End of the reign of Empress Kogyoku of Japan Emperor Kotoku ascends to the throne of Japan Byzantines recapture Alexandria from the Arabs Births Empress Jito of Japan Categories: 645 ... Emperor Kōtoku (孝徳天皇 Kōtoku Tennō) (596? - November 24, 654)[1] was the 36th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Naniwa (浪速区; -ku) is a ward of the city of Osaka in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. ... Nankai Namba Station & Takashimaya Osaka Department Store Namba (難波, Nanba), also known as Minami, is a district of Osaka, Japan. ... Ishibutai Kofun, believed to be burial site of Soga no Umako Asuka ) was one of the Imperial capitals of Japan during the Asuka period (538 A.D. - 710 A.D.), which takes its name from this place. ... Nara Prefecture ) is a prefecture in the Kinki region on HonshÅ« Island, Japan. ... Events November 15 - Northumbrian king Oswiu defeats the pagan Mercian king Penda in the Battle of Winwaed Empress Saimei ascends to the throne of Japan. ... Yamato () was a province of Japan. ... Nara Prefecture ) is a prefecture in the Kinki region on HonshÅ« Island, Japan. ... This article is about the Korean civilization. ...

In 744, Naniwa was once again named capital by Emperor Shōmu. Naniwa ceased to be the capital in 745, when the Imperial Court moved back to Heijō-kyō (now Nara). The sea port function was gradually lost over to neighbouring lands by the end of Nara Period, but it remained a lively transit of river, channel and land transportation between Heian-kyō (Kyoto today) and other destinations. Events February - Hildeprand succeeds Liutprand as king of the Lombards. ... Emperor Shōmu (聖武天皇 Shōmu Tennō) (701 - May 2, 756[]) was the 45th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Events Births November 10 - Musa al-Kazim, Shia Imam (d. ... The restored Suzakumon (gate) of Heijo Palace Heijo Palace (平城京) in Nara, was the Imperial Palace of Japan during the Nara Period (710-784 CE). ... Nara ) is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. ... For other uses, see Kyoto (disambiguation). ...

Heian - Edo Period

Osaka Castle

In 1496, the Jōdo Shinshū Buddhist sect set up their headquarters in the heavily fortified Ishiyama Hongan-ji on top of the ruins of the old Naniwa imperial palace. In 1570, Oda Nobunaga started a siege of the temple that lasted for 10 years. The monks finally surrendered in 1580, the temple was razed, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi constructed Osaka Castle on its site. Osaka Castle Osaka Castle (大坂城・大阪城; ÅŒsaka-jō) is a castle in Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan. ... 1496 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jōdo ShinshÅ« ), also known as Shin Buddhism, was founded by the former Tendai Japanese monk Shinran Shonin. ... The Ishiyama Hongan-ji ) was the primary fortress of the Ikko-ikki, mobs of warrior monks and peasants who opposed samurai rule. ... Events January 23 - The assassination of regent James Stewart, Earl of Moray throws Scotland into civil war February 25 - Pope Pius V excommunicates Queen Elizabeth I of England with the bull Regnans in Excelsis May 20 - Abraham Ortelius issues the first modern atlas. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Events March 1 - Michel de Montaigne signs the preface to his most significant work, Essays. ... Hideyoshi redirects here. ... Osaka Castle Osaka Castle (大坂城・大阪城; ÅŒsaka-jō) is a castle in Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan. ...

Osaka was for a long time Japan's most important economic center 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. Its popular culture was closely related to ukiyo-e depictions of life in Edo. Developing in parallel with the urban culture of Kyoto and Edo, Osaka likewise featured bunraku and grand kabuki productions, pleasure quarters, and a lively artistic community. The four divisions of society refers to the model of Japanese society during the Edo period. ... The Edo period ), also called Tokugawa period, is a division of Japanese history running from 1603 to 1868. ... View of Mount Fuji from Numazu, part of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō series by Hiroshige, published 1850 Ukiyo-e ), pictures of the floating world, is a genre of Japanese woodblock prints (or woodcuts) and paintings produced between the 17th and the 20th centuries, featuring motifs of... This article is about the history of the city now known as Tokyo. ... This article is about the history of the city now known as Tokyo. ... Bunraku ), also known as Ningyō jōruri (), is a form of traditional Japanese puppet theater, founded in Osaka in 1684. ... The oldest Kabuki theatre in Japan: the Minamiza in Kyoto The Kabukiza in Ginza is one of Tokyos leading kabuki theaters. ...

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.^[11] ÅŒshio Heihachirō (1793-1837) low class samurai, was the chief representative of the ÅŒyōmei school. ...

Modern Osaka

The modern city was initially designated in 1889 by government ordinance, starting up with an area of merely 15 km², overlapping today's Chūō and Nishi wards. Later the city went through three major expansions to reach current size of 222 km². Year 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... A position of each city designated by government ordinance A city designated by government ordinance (a designated city or Government Ordinance City (Japanese: 政令指定都市 seirei shitei toshi or 政令市 seirei shi)) is a Japanese city that has a population greater than 500,000; has important economic and industrial functions; and that is... Chūō-ku ), Osaka is one of 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. ... Nishi (??, -ku) is one of 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. ...

"Osaka" (大阪), Etymology

Osaka literally means "Large Hill" or "Large Slope".

It is unclear when the name Ōsaka gained prominence over Naniwa, but the oldest usage of the name dates back to 1496 in a text written about the foundation of the Ishiyama Hongan-ji. At this time, the second kanji was "坂," instead of the "阪" used today. In the beginning of Meiji Era, the government changed the second kanji 坂 to 阪 because the previous one could, if the radicals were read separately, be interpreted as "(will) return to soil" (土に返る), which seemed a bit gloomy. This remains the official spelling today, though the old one is still in very limited use to emphasize history. 1496 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Meiji period ), or Meiji era, denotes the 45-year reign of Emperor Meiji, running, in the Gregorian calendar, from 23 October 1868 to 30 July 1912. ... Japanese writing Kanji Kana Hiragana Katakana Hentaigana Manyōgana Uses Furigana Okurigana Rōmaji   ) are the Chinese characters that are used in the modern Japanese logographic writing system along with hiragana (平仮名), katakana (片仮名), and the Arabic numerals. ...

Geography

Osaka at night.

Skyline in Umeda.

Universal Studios Japan

Umeda Sky Building

Glico man in Dōtonbori

A crowd in Namba

The city of Osaka has its west side open to Osaka Bay. It is otherwise completely surrounded by over ten smaller 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 12%) than any other city or district within Osaka Prefecture. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 534 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,024 × 683 pixels, file size: 417 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 534 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,024 × 683 pixels, file size: 417 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 597 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,136 × 848 pixels, file size: 361 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 597 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,136 × 848 pixels, file size: 361 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Osaka Station South Gate Umeda Shinmichi Umeda (梅田) is a commercial district in Kita-ku Osaka, Japan, best known as the citys main northern railway terminus (Osaka Station, Umeda Station). ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 × 1200 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 × 1200 pixel, file size: 1. ... Universal Studios Japan USJ2 Universal Studios Japan ) (USJ CO., LTD. TYO: 2142 ) is one of three Universal Studios theme parks, this one in Osaka, Japan. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1138x1220, 969 KB) Photograph of Osaka Umeda sky-building. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1138x1220, 969 KB) Photograph of Osaka Umeda sky-building. ... Umeda Sky Building in Osaka, Japan. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Ezaki Glico (江崎グリコ) is a Japanese candy company. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (3008x2000, 3297 KB) Summary A crowd of people in Umeda, Osaka. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (3008x2000, 3297 KB) Summary A crowd of people in Umeda, Osaka. ... Nankai Namba Station & Takashimaya Osaka Department Store Namba (難波, Nanba), also known as Minami, is a district of Osaka, Japan. ... Satellite photo of northern Osaka Bay Osaka Bay (大阪湾 Osaka-wan) is a bay in western Japan. ... Osaka Prefecture (大阪府 ÅŒsaka-fu) is part of the Kinki region on Honshu island, Japan. ... Amagasaki (尼崎市; -shi) is a city located in Hyogo, Japan. ... Hyōgo Prefecture (兵庫県 Hyōgo-ken) is located in the Kinki region on Honshu island, Japan. ...

The two most crowded centers of the city of Osaka are often called by their synonyms: Kita (キタ, lit. north) and Minami (ミナミ, lit. south), at either end of the major thoroughfare Midōsuji. Kita is roughly the area including or surrounding the business and retail district of Umeda. On the other hand, Minami is home to the Namba, Shinsaibashi and Dōtonbori shopping districts. The entertainment area around Dōtonbori Bridge with its famous giant mechanical crab, Cui-daoré Mechanical Doll/Restaurant, Triangle Park and Amerikamura ("America Village") is in Minami. The traditional business district, including the courts and regional headquarters of major banks, is primarily located in Yodoyabashi and Honmachi, between Kita and Minami. The newer business district is the OBP, Osaka Business Park, located in the neighborhood of Osaka Castle. Business districts have also formed around the city's secondary rail termini, such as Tennoji Station and Kyobashi Station. Look up 北 in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Look up North in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Categories: Move to Wiktionary | Stub ... For other uses, see South (disambiguation). ... Midōsuji is an historic main street in Osaka, Japan. ... Osaka Station South Gate Umeda Shinmichi Umeda (梅田) is a commercial district in Kita-ku Osaka, Japan, best known as the citys main northern railway terminus (Osaka Station, Umeda Station). ... Nankai Namba Station & Takashimaya Osaka Department Store Namba (難波, Nanba), also known as Minami, is a district of Osaka, Japan. ... An afternoon in Shinsaibashi A busy crowd inside Shinsaibashi A ceramics store off the side of Shinsaibashi Shinsaibashi (心斎橋) is a district of Osaka, Japan known as the citys main shopping center, located north of Namba. ... East of Shinsaibashi West of Shinsaibashi Dōtonbori IPA: ) is one of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka, Japan. ... East of Shinsaibashi West of Shinsaibashi Dōtonbori IPA: ) is one of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka, Japan. ... East of Shinsaibashi West of Shinsaibashi Dōtonbori IPA: ) is one of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka, Japan. ... Amerikamura (アメリカ村, American Village) is a small entertainment/retail area of Minami in Osaka, Osaka prefecture, Japan. ... Tennoji Station1 Tennoji Station2 Tennoji Station(天王寺駅, Tennōji-eki) is a train station on the JR-West Osaka Loop Line, Hanwa Line, Yamatoji Line, Osaka Municipal Subway Midosuji Line, and Tanimachi Line in Tennoji-ku, Osaka, Japan, and Tennoji-eki-mae Station(天王寺駅前駅, Tennōji-eki-mae-eki... Kyobashi Station (京橋駅) is a train station in the Kyobashi district of Osaka, Japan. ...

“The 808 bridges of Naniwa” was a famous expression for awe and wonder in old Japan, an almost proverbial adage which was known all across the land. “808” is a large number that in Japan symbolizes the concept “uncountable”– Osaka is crossed by a number of rivers and canals, necessitating many bridges, all of them with specific names (and often lending their name to the surrounding area as well). While some of the waterways, such as the Nagahori canal, are now filled in, the bridges remain as part of this legacy.^[12]

Shopping districts

• American Village (Amerika-mura or "Ame-mura") - fashion for young people
• Den Den Town - electronic goods and other aspects of otaku culture
• Dōtonbori - part of Namba district and considered heart of the city
• Namba - main shopping, sightseeing, and restaurant area
• Shinsaibashi - luxury goods and department stores
• Umeda - theaters, boutiques, and department stores near the train station

Amerikamura (アメリカ村, American Village) is a small entertainment/retail area of Minami in Osaka, Osaka prefecture, Japan. ... Denden Town For Tennoji Denden Town For Nanba Gundams Osaka at Denden Town Den Den Town (でんでんタウン) is a shopping district in the Nipponbashi district of Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Japan, famous for its wide variety of consumer electronics stores, and especially famous for its negotiable prices. ... The Akihabara neighborhood of Tokyo is a popular gathering place for otaku. ... East of Shinsaibashi West of Shinsaibashi Dōtonbori IPA: ) is one of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka, Japan. ... Nankai Namba Station & Takashimaya Osaka Department Store Namba (難波, Nanba), also known as Minami, is a district of Osaka, Japan. ... An afternoon in Shinsaibashi A busy crowd inside Shinsaibashi A ceramics store off the side of Shinsaibashi Shinsaibashi (心斎橋) is a district of Osaka, Japan known as the citys main shopping center, located north of Namba. ... Osaka Station South Gate Umeda Shinmichi Umeda (梅田) is a commercial district in Kita-ku Osaka, Japan, best known as the citys main northern railway terminus (Osaka Station, Umeda Station). ...

Wards

Osaka has 24 wards (ku), one more than Tokyo: A ku (区), translated as ward, is a district in a large Japanese city. ... For other uses, see Tokyo (disambiguation). ...

Abeno-ku is a ward of Osaka City. ... Asahi-ku (旭区) is one of 24 wards (ku) making up the city of Osaka, Japan. ... Chūō-ku ), Osaka is one of 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. ... Fukushima-ku (福島区) is one of the 24 wards (ku) into which the city of Osaka is divided. ... Higashinari (??, -ku) is one of 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. ... Higashisumiyoshi (東住吉区, -ku) is one of 24 wards in Osaka, Japan. ... Higashiyodogawa (東淀川区; -ku) is a ward of the city of Osaka in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. ... Hirano-ku (平野区) is one of 24 wards which make up the city of Osaka, and is located in the southeast of the city. ... Ikuno (生野区, -ku) is one of 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. ... Joto (??, -ku) is one of 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. ... Kita (北区; -ku) is a ward of the city of Osaka in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. ... Konohana (??, -ku) is one of 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. ... Minato (港区; -ku) is a ward in Osaka, Japan, on Osaka Bay. ... Miyakojima (??, -ku) is one of 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. ... Naniwa (浪速区; -ku) is a ward of the city of Osaka in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. ... Nishi (??, -ku) is one of 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. ... Nishinari (西成区, -ku) is one of 24 wards which make up the city of Osaka, Japan. ... Nishiyodogawa (??, -ku) is one of 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. ... Suminoe (??, -ku) is one of 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. ... Sumiyoshi (??, -ku) is one of 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. ... Taisho (??, -ku) is one of 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. ... Tennoji (天王寺区; -ku) is a ward in Osaka, Japan. ... Tsurumi (??, -ku) is one of 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. ... Yodogawa-ku (淀川区) is one of 24 wards that make up the city of Osaka, Japan. ...

Climate

Demographics

According to the 2005 Population Census of Japan, the city of Osaka has a population of 2,628,811, which is an increase of 30,037, or 1.2%, since the previous Census of year 2000, however, but much lower than its postwar peak of 3,156,222 (1965 census) and overall peak 3,252,340 (1940 Census). Between 1920 and 1930, due to the Great Kanto Earthquake, there was a mass migration to Osaka, with its population doubling. In the 1930 Census, Osaka was Japan's largest city with 2,453,573 people, beating out Tokyo with 2,070,913. Many other cities in the Kinki area have populations far below their peaks. Despite these trends, Greater Osaka's population has been increasing since the end of the war, until the last few years. The Great Kanto Earthquake (関東大震災 Kantō daishinsai) struck the Kanto plain on the Japanese main island of Honshu at 11:58 on the morning of September 1, 1923. ... The Kansai region (関西) of Japan, also known as the Kinki region (近畿地方; Kinki-chihō), lies in the middle of Japans main island, Honshu. ... ÅŒsaka-Kōbe-Kyōto is a metropolitan area that is centered on the cities of Osaka in the Osaka prefecture, Kobe in the Hyogo prefecture, and Kyoto in the Kyoto prefecture. ...

The population density was 11,836 persons per km². The number of households was 1,242,489, with an average of approximately 2.1 members per household, lately 2.31 members. There were 99,775 Registered Foreigners, with the two largest group being Korean (71,015 people) and Chinese (11,848 people). The largest portion of registered Zainichi Korean is the 27,466 people residing in Ikuno-ward, where the so-called Korean town, Tsuruhashi, is located. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Commonly spoken dialect of this area is Osaka-ben. An example, among many other particularities that characterizes Osaka-ben is the use of the suffix hen instead of nai in the negative of verbs. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Economy

Tsutenkaku, known as the symbol of Osaka's post-WWII rebuilding.

Osaka WTC Building

The gross city product of Osaka for fiscal year 2004 was ¥21.3 trillion, an increase of 1.2% over the previous year. This amount is about 55% of the Osaka Prefecture and 26.5% of the Kinki region. As of 2004, commerce, services and manufacturing have been the three major industries with a respective share of 30%, 26% and 11% of total industry. The per capita income was about ¥3.3 million, 10% higher than that of the Osaka Prefecture.^[14] MasterCard Worldwide reported Osaka is 19th ranking city of the world's leading global cities and the instrumental role in driving the global economy.[3] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (900x2266, 355 KB) South and east sides of tower. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (900x2266, 355 KB) South and east sides of tower. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 400 × 600 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,880 × 2,820 pixels, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 400 × 600 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,880 × 2,820 pixels, file size: 2. ... Osaka World Trade Center Building (WTC Cosmo Tower) The Osaka World Trade Center Building (大阪ワールドトレードセンタービルディング; also known as the WTC Cosmo Tower WTCコスモタワー) is the second-tallest building in Japan (same height as the Rinku Gate Tower in Rinku Town), located in Nanko Cosmo Square near the Osaka harbor, Suminoe-ku... Osaka Prefecture (大阪府 ÅŒsaka-fu) is part of the Kinki region on Honshu island, Japan. ... MasterCard Worldwide (NYSE: MA) is a multinational corporation based in Purchase, NY in the United States. ...

The GDP in the greater Osaka area (Osaka and Kobe) is $341 billion. Osaka has one of the most productive hinterlands in the world, making it a match even for Paris and London. [4] This GDP has kept fairly constant for the past 15 years, when the GDP compared to other cities worldwide was that much larger. GDP is an acronym which can stand for more than one thing: (in economics) an abbreviation for Gross Domestic Product. ... This article is about the Japanese city. ... The meaning of hinterland and its history. ... This article is about the capital of France. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ...

Historically, Osaka was the center of Japanese commerce, 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 the leading futures exchange in the country. Today, many major companies have since moved their main offices to Tokyo, principally in the 1970s, but several major companies are still headquartered in Osaka such as Panasonic, Sharp and Sanyo. Recently, the city began a program, headed by Mayor Junichi Seki, to try to attract domestic and foreign investment in the city. [5] For other uses, see Tokyo (disambiguation). ...

Major companies based in Osaka

See Companies headquartered in Osaka

Major factories and research institutes in Osaka

See Hanshin Industrial Region. The Hanshin Industrial Region ) is one of the largest industrial region in Japan. ...

Transport

Air

Kansai International Airport is the main airport: it is a rectangular artificial island that sits off-shore in Osaka Bay and services Osaka and its surrounding cities of Nara, Kobe, and Kyoto. Kansai is the geographical term for the area of western Honshū surrounding Osaka. The airport is linked by a bus and train service into the centre of the city and major suburbs. KIX redirects here. ... Before Mexico City, Tenochtitlan was an artificial island of 250,000 inhabitants (Dr. Atl) Dejima, not allowed direct contact with nearby Nagasaki Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Å krpjela) in Montenegro An artificial island is an island that has been constructed by humans rather than formed by natural means. ... Nara ) is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. ... This article is about the Japanese city. ... For other uses, see Kyoto (disambiguation). ... The Kansai (Japanese: 関西) region of Japan, also known as the Kinki region (近畿地方, Kinki-chihō), lies in the Southern-Central region of Japans main island, Honshu. ... Autobus redirects here. ... For other uses, see Train (disambiguation). ...

Osaka International Airport, laid over the border between the cities of Itami and Toyonaka, still houses most of the domestic service from the metropolitan region. Osaka International Airport ) (IATA: ITM, ICAO: RJOO) is the primary domestic airport for the Kansai region of Japan, including the major cities of Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. ... Itami (Japanese: 伊丹市; -shi) is a city located in Hyogo, Japan. ... Toyonaka (豊中市; -shi) is a city located in Osaka, Japan. ...

Rail

The Osaka Municipal Subway system is a part of Osaka's extensive rapid transit system. The system alone ranks 8th in the world by annual passenger ridership, serving over 912 million people annually. Besides this, there is a network of both JR and private lines connecting the suburbs of the city, and Osaka to its neighbours. Keihan and Hankyu lines connect to Kyoto, Hanshin and Hankyu lines connect to Kobe, the Kintetsu line connects to Nara and Nagoya, and the Nankai line to Wakayama. Many lines in Greater Osaka accept either ICOCA or PiTaPa contactless smart cards for payment.^[15] 10 million people in Greater Osaka use rail as their primary means of transport daily, second in the world to only Greater Tokyo, and more than the entire United States. The Osaka Municipal Subway (大阪市営地下鉄, ÅŒsaka-shiei-chikatetsu) is the metro network in the city of Osaka, Japan. ... West Japan Railway Company (西日本旅客鉄道株式会社 Nishi Nihon Ryokaku Tetsudô Kabushiki Gaisha), commonly known as JR-West (JR西日本 JR Nishi Nihon), is one of JR companies in Japan that covers western Honshu. ... Keihan 1900 Series keihan 9000 Series Keihan 10000 Series Keihan 8000 Series Keihan Bus Keihan Electric Railway Co. ... Hankyu Umeda Station and Department Store Hankyu Railway (阪急電鉄, HankyÅ« Dentetsu) is a Japanese private railway that provides commuter and interurban service to the northern Kansai region. ... Hanshin Umeda Station Hanshin Electric Railway Co. ... The HankyÅ« Kōbe Line (阪急神戸線, HankyÅ« Kōbe sen) is a major commuter heavy rail line in the Keihanshin conurbation of Japan. ... The Kintetsu Corporation (近畿日本鉄道株式会社 Kinki Nippon Tetsudō Kabushiki Gaisha), better known as Kintetsu (近鉄), is Japanese largest private railway company. ... Nagoya ) is the fourth largest city in Japan. ... Categories: Osaka | Railway companies of Japan | Rail stubs ... Template:Wakayama infobox Wakayama (和歌山市; -shi) is the capital city of Wakayama Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. ... ICOCA IC card The ICOCA card is a rechargeable contactless smart card used on JR West rail network in Japan. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Smart card used for health insurance in France. ...

Culture

Museums and Galleries

Municipal Museums

• Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka [6] Founded in 1982. It houses 2000 pieces of ceramics. It also features a natural-light gallery for its Korean celadon pottery.
• Osaka City Museum of Modern Art [7]
• Osaka Municipal Museum of Art [8]
• Osaka Museum of History [9]
• Osaka Museum of Natural History [10]
• Osaka Science Museum [11]

Alternate meaning: Celadon (color) Celadon funerary jar from the Three Kingdoms period Celadon is a type of pottery having a pale green glaze. ... The exterior of the museum The interior of the museum The Osaka Science Museum ) is a science museum in Naka-no-shima, Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan. ...

Other Museums

• Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum [12]
• Osaka International Peace Center (Peace Osaka)

Peace Osaka shares the lessons of the tragedy of war and the importance of peace. ...

Theatres and Multi-purpose Halls

• Festival Hall
• Namba Grand Kagetsu
• National Bunraku Theater [13]
• Osaka Central Public Hall
• Osaka-jō Hall
• Osaka Shin-Kabukiza
• The Osaka Shiki Theater [14] - Shiki Theatre Company.
• The Symphony Hall
• Umeda Arts Theater, the former Umeda Koma Theater

The Festival Hall in Osaka Festival Hall ) is a concert hall in Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan. ... Bunraku ), also known as Ningyō jōruri (), is a form of traditional Japanese puppet theater, founded in Osaka in 1684. ... The oldest Kabuki theatre in Japan: the Minamiza in Kyoto The Kabukiza in Ginza is one of Tokyos leading kabuki theaters. ... Shiki Theatre Company , Lit. ...

Culinary

Osaka is also known for its food, as supported by the saying "Dress (in kimonos) 'til you drop in Kyoto, eat 'til you drop in Osaka" (京の着倒れ、大阪の食い倒れ).^[16] For other uses, see Kyoto (disambiguation). ...

Osaka regional cuisine includes okonomiyaki (pan-fried batter cake), takoyaki (octopus dumplings), udon (a noodle dish), as well as regional sushi and other traditional Japanese foods. A man prepares okonomiyaki at in a restaurant in Hiroshima, Japan Cheese (above) and shrimp okonomiyaki fully seasoned with sauce, mayonnaise, katsuobushi and aonori in Osaka, Japan Lantern beckons the unwary tourist into an okonomiyaki restaurant Okonomiyaki ) is a pan-fried Japanese dish cooked with various ingredients. ... A Boat of Takoyaki Square takoyaki pan with 16 molds Takoyaki ) (literally fried or baked octopus) is a popular Japanese dumpling made of batter, diced octopus, tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger, konnyaku, and green onion, topped with okonomiyaki sauce, green laver (aonori), mayonnaise, and katsuobushi (fish shavings), originated in Osaka. ... For other uses, see Octopus (disambiguation). ... For the film, see Dumplings (film). ... This article is about the Japanese noodle dish. ... This article is about Japanese cuisine. ... There are many views as to what defines Japanese cuisine, as the everyday food of the Japanese people has diversified immensely over the past century or so. ...

Places of interest

Osaka is known for bunraku (traditional puppet theatre) and kabuki theatre, and for manzai, a more contemporary form of stand-up comedy. Tourist attractions include: Bunraku ), also known as Ningyō jōruri (), is a form of traditional Japanese puppet theater, founded in Osaka in 1684. ... The oldest Kabuki theatre in Japan: the Minamiza in Kyoto The Kabukiza in Ginza is one of Tokyos leading kabuki theaters. ... Manzai (漫才) is a style of stand-up comedy in Japan, which usually involves two performers—a straight man (tsukkomi) and a funny man (boke)—trading jokes at great speed. ...

Amusement Parks

• Expoland
• Festival Gate (now closed)
• Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (海遊館) — an aquarium located in Osaka Bay, containing 35,000 aquatic animals in 14 tanks, the largest of which holds 5,400 tons of water and houses a variety of sea animals including whale sharks. This tank is the world's second largest aquarium tank, behind the Georgia Aquarium, whose largest tank holds approximately 29,000 tons of water.
• Tempozan Harbor Village Ferris wheel, located next to the aquarium
• Tennōji Zoo
• Universal Studios Japan
• Umeda Joypolis Sega
• Shin-Umeda city - an innovative structure which has the floating garden observatory 170 m from the ground which gives you a 360 panoramic view of Osaka spectacular by night and fantastic by day great for photographs, a superb structure which also houses an underground mall with restaurants and is styled in the early Showa period in the 1920s, a very pretty zen garden is also here.

Expoland, located in Osaka, Japan, was opened as the amusement zone at the International Exposition in 1970 and thrived over 30 years as an amusement park. ... Festival Gate is an amusement park in Osaka, Osaka, Japan. ... The Kaiyukan Aquarium Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (海遊館 Kaiyūkan) is one of the largest aquariums in the world. ... “Aquaria” redirects here. ... Binomial name Rhincodon typus Smith, 1828 The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a large, distinctively marked member of the subclass Elasmobranchii of the class Chondrichthyes. ... The Georgia Aquarium, located in Atlanta, Georgia at Pemberton Place, is billed as the worlds largest aquarium with more than 8 million US gallons (30,000 m³; 30,000,000 liters) of marine and fresh water, 1. ... Tempozan Harbor Village Ferris wheel in Osaka, Japan With the height of 112. ... Tennoji Zoo Tennōji Zoo is located in Tennōji Park, Tennōji ward of Osaka, Japan. ... Universal Studios Japan USJ2 Universal Studios Japan ) (USJ CO., LTD. TYO: 2142 ) is one of three Universal Studios theme parks, this one in Osaka, Japan. ... Joypolis is an amusement themepark first opened on July 20, 1994 in