When you hear “Osaka,” what comes to mind?Is it the popular Universal Studios Japan? Or Osaka-jo Castle? The bustling Dotonbori district and the Glico sign? If you have time, I highly recommend visiting Nakanoshima too.
This time, I walked from Higo-bashi Bridge to the eastern tip of Nakanoshima, Kensaki-koen Park.Higo-bashi Bridge is just a few minutes from Higobashi Station on the Osaka Metro subway.From here to Kensaki-koen Park, you’ll walk about one-third of Nakanoshima. The walk takes about 30 minutes.
Nakanoshima is an island formed in the middle of a river.During the Edo period (1603-1868), Osaka became an economic hub where goods like foodstuffs gathered from across the nation.In Osaka, branch offices of various domains lined the streets, and particularly on Nakanoshima, warehouses serving as logistics depots for these branch offices stood side by side (these warehouses were called Kura-yashiki).
At that time, the city of Osaka could be accessed directly by boat from Osaka Bay, sailing up the river into the city center.From that river, canals branched out in all directions, making it a city of waterways reminiscent of Venice, Italy (though most of those canals have since been filled in due to the development of the transportation network…).The remnant of that past is right here: Nakanoshima.
Nakanoshima features pleasant promenades perfect for strolling.From Higo-bashi Bridge to Yodoya-bashi Bridge, you walk along the river through trees while viewing the city’s skyscrapers.Then, from Yodoya-bashi Bridge, the scenery changes somewhat.Starting with Osaka City Hall, you enter an area lined with historical buildings: the Nakanoshima Library, Osaka City Hall, the Ceramic Art Museum, and a children’s library.Looking across the river, you see retro buildings nestled among the valleys of business towers, creating a cultural area.
Next, after passing under Naniwa-bashi Bridge, you’ll find a rose garden leading to a grassy plaza.Finally, after passing under Tenjin-bashi Bridge, you’ll arrive at the eastern end: Kensaki-koen Park.From this park, the view stretches toward the Tenma-bashi Bridege area.About 40 km upstream from here lies Fushimi in Kyoto.Across the river from Nakanoshima is a riverside restaurant area (Kitahama Terrace). After strolling around Nakanoshima, you might enjoy dining at Kitahama Terrace while looking out over the river.If you have time, be sure to take a stroll around Nakanoshima as well.
Comment