Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Osaka is Japan's third-largest city, known for its modern architecture, nightlife, and hearty street food. |
| 👥 Population | approximately 2.75 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | average speed of 100 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 JPY ≈ 0.007 USD, credit cards widely accepted |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 100V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include NTT Docomo, SoftBank, and au with prepaid options available. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Common banks include MUFG, SMBC, and Shinsei Bank, with many accepting foreign nationals. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb, Booking.com, and local real estate agencies provide options for short and long-term stays. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless payments are widely accepted, particularly in urban areas. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and monthly rental agencies such as Monthly Mansion. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel & Café Koto, prices start around ¥2,500 per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Dotonbori, known for entertainment and nightlife. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Namba provides good access to coworking spaces and cafes. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Hive Osaka, offering flexible plans and networking events. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | LiLo Coffee Roasters has a relaxed atmosphere with excellent coffee. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup events organized through platforms like Meetup.com and Facebook groups for expats. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Osaka Expat Meetup hosts regular events for networking. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and JapanTaxi apps are widely used. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Osaka's bike-sharing service is called O-Bike. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Nishikinohama Beach, about 45 minutes away by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | All Nippon Airways (ANA) for regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Japan Airlines, offering extensive international connections. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Accessible via the Hanshin Expressway. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Osaka Station, connecting to Shinkansen and local lines. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | ICOCA card for convenient access to trains and buses. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains to Kyoto and Kobe are readily available and frequent. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Osaka University Hospital is a major healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Tree has classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Anytime Fitness and Gold's Gym have multiple locations. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Coin laundry services are available throughout the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Uber Eats and Demae-can are popular food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Okonomiyaki, a savory pancake native to Osaka. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Green Earth is a well-known vegetarian restaurant. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Kakigori Mameya serves traditional Japanese shaved ice. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Kuromon Ichiba Market offers local street food at low prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Rakuten and Amazon Japan are popular online shopping options. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Amazon Prime Now and local services like AEON offer grocery delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Shinsaibashi is known for its lively bars and nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Osaka Brewery specializes in craft beer tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wines and Spirits Nakamura is a popular choice. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Dotonbori is famous for its street food experience. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Hanjan, offering Korean barbecue and other international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Osaka Castle and the Umeda Sky Building are iconic sites. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The National Museum of Art, Osaka showcases contemporary works. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Shitenno-ji Temple is one of Japan's oldest temples. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is a significant cultural site. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Osaka Cherry Blossom Festival in April celebrates local sakura. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Shinsaibashi is known for shopping and dining. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Minami-za Theatre is famous for kabuki performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Kuromon Market provides a bustling local atmosphere. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The Namba Hatch hosts various live music events. |
| 🎨 Street Art | America-Mura is renowned for its vibrant street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking Sun offers traditional Japanese cooking experiences. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Osaka Contemporary Art Center features modern exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Osaka City Central Hall is an architectural gem. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Glico Man sign in Dotonbori symbolizes Osaka culture. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Minoo Park, famous for its natural beauty, is easily accessible. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Yoshino-Kumano National Park is a great spot for outdoor activities. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Osaka Bay area features scenic cycling paths. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Tempozan Ferris Wheel offers stunning views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Osaka Castle Park features diverse birdlife. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Kyocera Dome Osaka has designated areas available. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Yamato Transport and Sagawa Express offer reliable delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Apple Store and various local repair shops are available. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Pongfinity hosts ping pong classes and open play. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Speak Up! Osaka offers English language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library is a quiet study space. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Osaka City Community Centers host various expat events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gamer's Land Akihabara offers video game setups for enthusiasts. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Casino de Osaka is gaining popularity among tourists. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥600,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥18,000,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥450,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥13,500,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥550,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥33,000,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥400,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ¥24,000,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. ¥500,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥40,000,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. ¥350,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥28,000,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 23.2% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 20% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive income tax system based on residency. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 45% |
| 🧾 VAT | 10% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Japan has CFC rules in place. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Based on assessed value, typically 1.4% per year. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 6% for property transactions. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Digital nomads may benefit from lower effective tax rates depending on residency status. |