Nakanoshima

Nakanoshima is a lush, green and iconic city area known for Aqua Metropolis Osaka that’s tucked between the Dojima and Tosabori Rivers. Home to one of Osaka’s known business districts, the area is lined with a mixture of skyscrapers, modern architecture and office buildings.

Nakanoshima is also a historic district that hails back to the Edo period. In these days, Osaka was nicknamed “the nation’s kitchen” as its hub of local daimyo store houses and easy water access created a boom in the local business economy. After the Meiji Restoration, many of the storehouse districts were rebuilt into the modern metropolis that exists today, with new buildings like the Osaka Ward Office, the Osaka City Central Public Hall, the Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library and Nakanoshima Park.

Many people flock to this area for its photo-worthy, retro architecture and historic buildings, many of which are designated as national Important Cultural Properties. In addition to the many cafes, there are many spots with terrace seating along the water for you to soak in the view. At night, a part of the cityscape and bridges are lit up for illuminations, creating a magical, unforgettable vibe that reflects across the water’s surface.

A wide array of museums can all be found here. On the east side you’ll find the Osaka Museum of Oriental Ceramics and the Kosetsu Museum, as well as the Nakanoshima Children’s Book Forest that was donated by architect Tadao Ando and opened in 2020. On the west side you’ll find the Osaka Science Museum, the National Museum of Art, Osaka and the highly anticipated Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka featuring collections of modern art and design that’s opened in Feb. 2022.