Osaka City Central Hall has become a symbol of the city, and it plays host to numerous concerts and lectures. Visitors can also sign up for guided tours to learn more about its history and to see inside the Special Room, painted by Japanese artist Hisashi Matsuoka; tours are by reservation only. Few guided sightseeing tours include Osaka City Central Hall in their itineraries but travelers can visit with a guide by booking a private tour of the city.
The city hall is in Osaka’s Nakanoshima neighborhood. To get there by public transport, take the Midosuji Line to Yodoyabashi Station or the Nakanoshima Line to Naniwabashi Station. Several public buses also stop nearby at the Yodoyabashi stop.
Osaka City Hall is open daily except for on the fourth Tuesday of every month. While it’s always possible to swing by and admire the architecture from the outside, guided tours of the interior must be booked in advance.
The slender island of Nakanoshima sits in the heart of Osaka and is home to some of the city’s most notable attractions. Before or after your visit to the Osaka City Central Hall, plan to stop at the nearby National Museum of Art. Nakanoshima makes a lovely setting for a picnic when the weather’s warm, and the green space is surrounded by numerous cafes and restaurants where you can grab a meal to-go. The island also serves as a departure point for river cruises past Osaka Castle.
