 In the Edo period, modern day Nishinari-ku was part of the area known as Hataba Hachika Village; it thrived as a provider of vegetables for Osaka Sango. The old Kishu (Sumiyoshi) highway runs down the east side of the ward, having been established in the 16th century with the development of Sakai; these days it features historical ruins such as the Osaka City Monument, as well as the Tengachaya ruins. These days, Nishinari is known for its transport convenience, featuring main trunk roads, such as national routes 26 and 43, and the Osaka Rinkaisen road and railways that include JR, subway, and privately held lines. Nishinari is and has always been a commercial and industrial area; its population density is extremely high, and it is proudly blue collar. To this day, it retains its earthy, working-class atmosphere. Cultural and other festivals held in Nishinari-ku, as well as sport and recreation events, are highly attended and always very lively.
In a corner of the site of the old Nankai Tengachaya factory now sits the Osaka Philharmonic Hall, Japan's largest orchestra rehearsal venue, at which the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra bases its activities. The autumn of 2000 saw the completion of Minami-Tsumori Sakura Park and the Sports Ground, the Osaka training venue for Cerezo Osaka of soccer's J League. It is hoped that the ground will make a significant contribution to the promotion of sports in the area and abroad.
The Airin district in the northeast of the ward is something of a case study of a less fortunate section of society. A broad range of labor and welfare measures is being carried out on the municipal, prefectural, and national levels; however, a number of issues remain to be solved in order to improve the environment for the day laborers and others in the district. |
Outline
The Bush Clover has long been a symbol of the ward; this attractive flower used to grow wild along the sides of the Kishu highway that runs north-to-south through the ward. The bush clover enjoys an image as the flower of the people, and the manner in which the plant's small branches and flowers grow together give an image of banding together and cooperating for the collective good. These qualities were considered to make the Bush Clover the most appropriate flower to represent Nishinari-ku. The Bush Clover can be seen at places such as Tengachaya Park in the ward.
1-5-20,
Kishinosato, Nishinari-ku, Osaka
Osaka
City