Osaka, ranked 9th in the world’s most livable city rankings for 20241 is home to Namba, a highly popular area among international residents. Discover the trends and characteristics of properties in Namba, along with the advantages and disadvantages of living there, to help you find your ideal home!
Namba District
Namba is one of Osaka’s leading downtown areas. The geographical boundaries of ‘Namba’ are not strictly defined and may vary depending on the context. When checking addresses or narrowing your search by area, keep in mind that the vicinity of Namba Station spans both Chuo Ward and Naniwa Ward.
Naniwa Ward has the 3rd highest percentage of international residents in Osaka City, and Chuo Ward has the 4th highest percentage2, making it a popular area among expats.
Possible reasons include:
- Many educational institutions where international students study.
- Convenient for commuting to work or school in the downtown area.
- Relatively affordable rent.
- Numerous properties that are accessible to international residents (e.g., no guarantor required).
Accessibility
With 8 routes available, you can easily access anywhere you want to go:
- Osaka Metro: Midosuji Line, Yotsubashi Line, Sennichimae Line (the station name sign is “Namba” station)
- Nankai Electric Railway: Nankai Line, Koya Line (The station name sign is “Namba” station)
- Kintetsu Railway: Namba Line (written as “Osaka-Namba” station)
- Hanshin Electric Railway: Hanshin Namba Line (written as “Osaka-Namba” station)
- JR-West: Yamatoji Line (denoted as “JR-Namba” station)
Commuting Information
Namba is a bustling area with high train usage across various lines. Given the significant number of people commuting in and out of Namba, trains are often crowded. However, due to the presence of many educational institutions and workplaces in the area, you may find that there are fewer instances or times when you need to contend with these crowded trains.
| Station (Railway Company) | Number of passengers | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Namba (Osaka Metro) | 328,003 | Traffic survey on Tuesday, November 7, 20233 |
| Namba (Nankai Electric Railway) | 197,258 | FY20224 |
| Osaka-Namba (Kintetsu Railway) | 112,968 | Number of passengers per day (Survey date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023)5 |
| Osaka-Namba (Hanshin Electric Railway) | 30,403 | Daily average for November 20226 |
| JR-Namba (JR-West) | 17,930 | 20227 |
Characteristics of the Namba District
The downtown area around Osaka Station (Umeda) is called “Kita” by the locals, while the area around Namba Station is called “Minami”, together forming Osaka’s two major downtown districts.
Namba boasts a wide range of commercial and entertainment facilities, including numerous renowned eateries that represent Osaka’s culinary scene, such as Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki and Kushikatsu.
Currently, large-scale redevelopment is underway in the Namba district. New commercial and accommodation facilities, along with an increasing number of restaurants, are emerging. Efforts are also being made to improve the cityscape and enhance accessibility. With these developments, Namba is expected to become even more vibrant and livable in the future.
Designated as an “Urban Regeneration Urgent Development Area”, Namba is a focal point for urban renewal projects that are being prioritized for rapid development8. Additionally, a new transit line is planned to improve access to Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Shin-Osaka, the Shinkansen station9. The area is also part of Osaka City’s accessibility promotion project, aimed at developing a more accessible and user-friendly city and information areas10.
Atmosphere of the Namba District
Namba is often imagined as a bustling downtown district filled with activity around the clock. However, the area around JR Namba Station in Naniwa Ward offers a different perspective. It is also a residential neighborhood with family-friendly apartments. If you have the opportunity to visit, it’s worthwhile to explore the surrounding environment to get a full sense of what living in Namba is like.
Rent Market Prices in the Namba District
| Floor Plan | Market Price11 | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 1R | 67,400 yen | A studio layout where the kitchen and living area are combined into a single space. |
| 1K | 63,300 yen | A layout featuring a separate kitchen (K) and living area. |
| 1DK | 82,500 yen | A design with a separate dining (D) and kitchen area (K), distinct from the living space. |
| 1LDK | 117,400 yen | Includes a living room (L) and an LDK (living room, dining room, and kitchen) of over 8 tatami mats (approximately 12.96 m2). |
| 2LDK | 167,800 yen | Features a combined living (L), dining (D), and kitchen (K) area, plus two additional rooms. |
| 3LDK | 215,800 yen | Offers three separate rooms along with a living (L), dining (D), and kitchen (K) area. |
Places of Interest in Namba
Dotonbori
Dotonbori is a vibrant downtown area stretching along the south bank of the Dotonbori River, which flows north of Namba Station. Known for its iconic signboards, such as the Glico Man and Kani Doraku, Dotonbori is a popular and recognizable spot in the heart of Namba.
NAMBA PARKS
Namba Parks is a complex facility directly connected to the south side of Nankai Electric Railway Namba Station. It features a “coexistence with greenery” concept and is beautifully decorated with bright illuminations during the winter.
Grocery Stores
Finding groceries in Namba is easy with numerous supermarkets, convenience stores, 100-yen shops, and drugstores (pharmacies) available. Notable options include “Gyomu Super” and “Jupiter”, which offer a variety of imported foods popular among international residents.
Shopping
Namba is a shopping paradise with everything from department stores and shopping malls to specialty stores such as home electronics retailers.
Entertainment
The area boasts numerous movie theaters for easy access to films. Additionally, Namba is known for its unique Osaka entertainment, including comedy shows at venues like “Namba Grand Kagetsu” and “Yoshimoto Manzai Theatre”, as well as traditional performing arts at the “Osaka Shochikuza Theatre”, which features Kabuki, musicals and Rakugo.
Green Spaces
In addition to standard parks like Naniwa Park, which offers playgrounds and jogging courses, Namba also features unique green spaces such as the OCAT Rooftop Garden and Parks Garden.
Editor’s Note
Many people consider Namba as a prime location due to its proximity to schools and workplaces. Another advantage is the relatively high number of properties that cater to non-Japanese nationals. However, it is important to note that the Japanese real estate industry has unique business practices, and proficiency in Japanese can be essential.
If you encounter any difficulties finding a place to live in Japan, please contact SUGEE Housing. Our company specializes in assisting international residents and has extensive knowledge and experience in finding housing. We offer comprehensive support, including housing search, procedural assistance, and language support tailored to your needs.
References
1 EIU report, The Global Liveability Index 2024, https://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/global-liveability-index-2024/
2 「行政区別・男女別・外国人人口及び世帯数」（Osaka City）（https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/shimin/page/0000006893.html#05_06）
3 Osaka Metro website 「路線別駅別乗降人員」（2023年11月7日 交通調査日）https://www.osakametro.co.jp/company/library/100331_research/20231107_subway_nt.pdf
4 2023 HAND BOOK NANKAI 68P「駅別乗降人員」 https://www.nankai.co.jp/lib/company/handbook/pdf/handbook2023_03.pdf
5 近畿日本鉄道ホームページ 「駅別乗降人員 難波線 大阪線」一日乗降人員 （調査日：令和5年11月7日（火）） https://www.kintetsu.co.jp/
6 阪神電気鉄道ウェブサイトハンドブック阪神P.36～37「駅別乗降人員」 https://www.hanshin.co.jp/
7 令和5年度大阪府統計年鑑
8 Osaka City Website（https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/toshikeikaku/page/0000004949.html）
9 なにわ筋線について, (関西高速鉄道株式会社ホームページ), (http://kr-railway.co.jp/naniwa.html)
10 Osaka City Website（https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/toshikeikaku/page/0000178836.html）
11 LIFULL HOME’S（https://www.homes.co.jp/）（Date accessed:2024-07-18）
- Osaka City Website（https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/naniwa/cmsfiles/contents/0000561/561394/vision5.pdf）
- 姚 亜明, “(第 5 章)大阪市浪速区における外国人の増加と地域変容 : 人口動態の分析を通じて”, Osaka City University, https://dlisv03.media.osaka-cu.ac.jp/contents/osakacu/kiyo/9784904010327-17-83.pdf
- 早川諒・上山 肇, “大阪市における多文化共生政策の課題と今後のあり方に関する考察” . 法政大学 地域研究センター,https://hurin.ws.hosei.ac.jp/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/20230324HayakawaKamiyama2022.pdf
- なんば駅周辺における空間再編推進事業整備プラン, 令和４年７月,大阪市 計画調整局・建設局
