Retro architecture walk in Nakanoshima and Kitahama, Osaka! Recommended 7 famous architectural spots

*Updated on June 30, 2025
 

The Nakanoshima-Kitahama area of Osaka is a business district lined with securities firms and banks, including the Osaka Exchange. At the same time, the area is famous for its retro architecture, and is a popular area for strolling while taking a break at a riverside café.
This month's article will introduce you to some of the retro architecture you should visit in the Nakanoshima and Kitahama areas.

・Osaka City Central Public Hall

Constructed in 1918, this important cultural property has been deeply involved in the development of Osaka's culture and arts as a venue for operas, concerts, and lectures.
Today, the building can be used as a conference and meeting room, and there is also a restaurant that makes use of the structure and furnishings from the time of its founding.
The current building was reconstructed in 2002.
The beautiful exterior of the neo-renaissance style building is an essential part of the Nakanoshima landscape, and has become a symbol of Nakanoshima, Osaka.
At night, the public hall is lit up and can be seen in a different light.

Address: 1-1-27 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Access: A 5 minute walk from Exit 1 of “Yodoyabashi Station” on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line and Keihan Main Line
One minute's walk from Exit 1 of “Naniwabashi Station” on the Keihan Nakanoshima Line


・Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library

The main building of the Nakanoshima Library was constructed in 1904 in the Renaissance style on the exterior and the Baroque style on the interior, and was extended in 1922, almost completing the present building. The main building and the left and right wings are designated as National Important Cultural Properties. It may be interesting to look for retro tools hidden not only in the building but also inside the museum.
In addition to its function as a library, the building also houses a multi-purpose space, a library store, and a restaurant serving Danish regional cuisine, making it suitable for a variety of uses.

Address: 1-2-10 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Access: A 5 minute walk from Exit 1 of “Yodoyabashi Station” on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line and Keihan Main Line


・Bank of Japan Osaka Branch Old Building

Built in 1903 and modeled after the Belgian National Bank. It is a Western-style building with a beautiful greenish-blue roof.
It was constructed by Kingo Tatsuno, who designed the Osaka Central Public Hall, and others.
The reconstruction work was carried out between 1980 and 1982 due to aging and subsidence of the ground, but in addition to the outer walls of the east, north, and south side of Midosuji, the characteristic central dome and triangular roofs on both sides remain the same.
The memorial room, staircase, and document exhibition area in the old building can be visited by prior reservation.

Address: 2-1-45 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Access: A 2 minute walk from Exit 7 of “Yodoyabashi Station” on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line and Keihan Main Line
Immediately from Exit 6 of “Oebashi Station” on the Keihan Nakanoshima Line


・Osaka Exchange（Former Osaka Securities Exchange）

It is a building that is famous for its retro architecture in the southeast of Namba Bridge.It features a magnificent cylindrical appearance and an entrance lobby with beautiful stained glass.
The old building, which was built in 1935, was reborn as a high-rise building in 2004 and is now a building.The cylindrical appearance, which was the symbol of the old building, has been inherited as a symbol of Kitahama, and both the hall inside the dome and the outer sleeves have been reproduced and preserved.
The statue standing in front of the building is Godai Tomoatsu, who opened the Osaka Stock Exchange in 1878.

Address: 1-8-16 Kitahama, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Access: Direct connection from Exit 1B of “Kitahama Station” on the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line
Direct connection from Exits 27 and 28 of “Kitahama Station” on the Keihan Main Line


・Kitahama Retro

It is a national registered tangible cultural property that stands opposite the Osaka Exchange.It was built in 1912 as a company building for securities brokers.
The first floor is now a British-style cake and tea shop, and the second floor is a popular coffee shop.British interior decorations are used throughout the store, including doorknobs and electric switches, and the atmosphere is outstanding.The window on the second floor gives a panoramic view of Nakanoshima's rose garden, and it is a recommended place to spend an elegant time.

Address: 1-1-26 Kitahama, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Access: One minute's walk from Exit 26 of “Kitahama Station” on the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line


・Ikoma Building

The building was constructed in 1930 as "Ikoma Store" and renamed "Ikoma Watch Store" after the war. The name was changed to "Ikoma Clock Shop" after the war. The building is characterized by its modern design based on Art Deco, the cutting edge of fashion at the time, with attention to detail. The deep brown exterior wall tiles, the simply designed clock tower, and the decorative plate engraved with "Ikoma" in Komagata, not only make the building beautiful to look at, but also make it earthquake-proof and fireproof.
The red carpet, stained glass, and lighting fixtures that catch the eye as soon as one enters the main entrance also give a sense of history, and the building is a registered tangible cultural property of Japan.
Visits are possible during business hours.

Address: 2-2-12 Hiranomachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Access: A 2 minute walk from Exit 6 of Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line and Keihan Railway "Kitahama Station"


・Senba Building

The Senba Building is a registered tangible cultural property built in 1925, with the simple Art Deco style exterior remaining as it was in the Taisho era.
Located in the Osaka Senba, the building attracted attention as Osaka's first unique and innovative building, combining offices and residences, amid Osaka's economic prosperity called "OOsaka."
Today, the building is still used as a tenant office building, with a variety of stores and companies occupying its rooms.
Please note that the public is not allowed to visit, see, or photograph the building without prior notice.

Address: 2-5-8 Awaji-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Access: A 7 minute walk from Exit 1 of “Hoｍmachi Station” or Exit 11 of “Yodoyabashi Station” on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line
7 minutes walk from exit 5 or 6 of Kitahama Station on the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line and Keihan Electric Railway.


How was it? We have introduced many retro architectures that you would like to visit in the Nakanoshima and Kitahama areas. If you are visiting these areas or want to enjoy sightseeing in Osaka, please refer to the above.

We recommend using SOTETSU HOTELS for sightseeing in Osaka!
After exploring the retro architecture of the Nakanoshima and Kitahama areas, how about enjoying a comfortable stay at Sotetsu Hotels? With easy access from Kitahama Station and Yodoyabashi Station, it is the perfect base for sightseeing.

* Information as of June 2025.

Recommended hotels for this article

• Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kitahama
• Sotetsu Fresa Inn Osaka-Shinsaibashi
• SOTETSU GRAND FRESA OSAKA-NAMBA
• Sotetsu Fresa Inn Yodoyabashi
• Sotetsu Fresa Inn Osaka-Namba

See a list of hotels