Living in Osaka - INVEST OSAKA

The living environment of Osaka

The successive cities Osaka, Kyoto and Nara located in the region of Kansai were once the last destination of the famous ‘Silk Road’, prospered as the center of Japanese politics, culture and economy.

Representing Japan since, Kansai boasts its cultural heritage (Buddhist temples and shrines) and Entertainments (Kabuki, Noh and etc.) still succeeding to this date. Kansai is a location where many new businesses and new products are born and in the heart of this place is the capital Osaka, serving as the second biggest economic scale in Japan, next to Tokyo.

Osaka is a megacity where the traditional culture and modern charm co-exist, with a population of approximately 9 million, Osaka has been ranked 3rd in‘World’s most livable cities’ survey outranking Tokyo (7th) in 2019, held by the Economic Intelligence Unit in England.

The charm of the dining culture and safety

Osaka has long developed as a trade/business city, famous for its rich and abundant food culture, so rich and abundant that the phrase “eat till you bust” is often used by the people of Japan to describe it’s richness.
Shopping can also be enjoyed at many different department stores, outlet malls, Japan’s longest underground shopping district, Japan’s longest shopping street and at Osaka’s own electronic district, Nipponbashi.

Osaka was ranked 3rd overall in the report of 'Urban Safety Ranking' in 2019 hosted by the Economic Intelligence Unit.

Please look at the following videos on the living environments of Osaka.

Asian Gateway, Osaka

Global city: Osaka

Osaka has gained the title of being a ‘Global City’ by cultivating global talents, progressively servicing environments to appeal to foreigners. Every year, the management consultant company, A.T. Kearny announces the Global Cities Index, with Osaka ranking 50th in the world in 2019, after Tokyo, making Osaka one of the most comfortable places to live in the world for foreigners.

Services for Foreigners Residents

In Osaka, there are many facilities and organizations whichi provide multilingual services to foreigners residing in Osaka. The services range from legal consultation, information on everyday life and administration.

Osaka International House foundation (iHouse)

Uehonmachi, Tennoji-ku Osaka City, 8-2-6 Japan
General Information TEL +81-6-6773-8989 FAX +81-6-6773-8421
【Lifestyle consultations】TEL +81-6-6773-6533
【Legal consultations】TEL +81-6-6772-1127
Supported languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean
Operating times: Everyday 9:00 to 21:00 (Excluding end of year and new years)
URL:http://www.ih-osaka.or.jp/english/

Osaka Foundation of International Exchange (OFIX) Osaka Information Service for Foreign Residents

Mydome Osaka 5F Honmachibashi 2-5, Chuo Ward, Osaka City
TEL +81-6-6941-2297　FAX +81-6-6966-2401
Email:jouhou-c@ofix.or.jp
Supported languages：Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Filipino, Siamese, Indonesian, Nepali.
*FAX and email services are only offered in English and Japanese.
*For enquiries on other supported languages, please give us a call.
Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 ~ 17:30 (excluding National holidays and New Year holidays)
the 2nd and 4th Sunday 13: 00 ~ 17: 00
URL: http://www.ofix.or.jp/life/index_e.html

Employment and labor consultation for foreigners

As part of the Kansai National Strategic Special Zone’s initiatives, free counseling services are available to companies within this Special Zone (Kyoto, Osaka, and Hyogo prefectures) that have just set up a new business or are a non-Japanese company looking to establish a business. These services will be provided by licensed social insurance consultants and lawyers to ensure that Japanese employment regulations related to hiring and labor contracts are properly understood and that the company’s business development progresses smoothly.

Kansai National Strategic Special Zone Employment Counseling Center

Room K827, Knowledge Capital 8F,
Grand Front Osaka North Building,
3-1 Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0011 Japan
TEL +81-6-6136-3194　Email:info@kecc.jp
Supported languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday 11:00 to 20:00 (Excluding Public Holidays and New Year Period.
URL:http://www.kecc.jp/en/

Educational institutions for foreigners

In Kansai region (including Osaka), there are numerous International schools accredited by international educational evaluation organization ( WASC, CIS, ACSI, IB) which offer high quality education programs for foreign residents.

Main international schools located in Kansai centering on Osaka

School	Location	International Accreditation	Website
Osaka YMCA International	Osaka City	IB、WASC	http://www.oyis.org/
Umeda International School	Osaka City	ACSI	http://www.umeda-international-school.com/ (only Japanese Website available)
Kansai Gakuin Osaka International School	Minoh City	IB、WASC、CIS	http://www.senri.ed.jp/en/
Osaka Chinese school	Osaka City	-	http://www.ocs.ed.jp/ (only Japanese Website available)
Canadian Academy	Kobe City	IB、WASC、CIS	http://www.canacad.ac.jp/
Marist Brothers International School	Kobe City	WASC	http://www.marist.ac.jp/
St. Michaels International School	Kobe City	WASC、CIS	http://www.smis.org/
Deutsche Schule Kobe	Kobe City	IB	http://www.dskobe.org/
Kobe Chinese school	Kobe City	-	http://www.tongwen.ed.jp/ (only Japanese Website available)
Kyoto International School	Kyoto City	IB、WASC	http://www.kis.ac.jp/
KIU Kyoto International University Academy	Kyotanabe City	ACSI	http://kiua.kyotoiu.ac.jp/en/
Kansai Christian School	Ikoma	ACSI	http://www.kansaichristianschool.com/
Abroad International School Osaka	Osaka City	IB	https://abroadschools.jp/osaka/

※IB(International Baccalaureate), WASC(Western Association of Schools and College ), CIS(Council of International Schools), ACSI(Association of Christian Schools International)