Hotels near Nakanoshima and the Old Central Public Hall

Nakanoshima is a long thin island in the centre of Osaka, splitting the Dojima and Tosabori rivers - the city's financial and cultural heart since the Edo period. The Osaka City Central Public Hall (1918), a red-brick neo-Renaissance landmark, dominates the eastern end. The Bank of Japan Osaka Branch, Nakanoshima Library (Japanese National Treasure), and the Museum of Oriental Ceramics (free, world-class Chinese and Korean ceramics) cluster nearby.

The western half of Nakanoshima is a 1.5 km riverside park - one of Osaka's best urban walks especially during the May rose festival when 30000 roses bloom in the Rose Garden. The Nakanoshima Museum of Art (opened 2022) holds the city's contemporary collection. Combine with a 30-minute Osaka Castle Aqualiner river cruise (1700 JPY) departing from the eastern edge of the island.

Pro Tip: The Old Central Public Hall offers free guided 30-minute tours of the interior on the 4th Sunday of each month at 11:00 and 14:00 - book at info@osaka-chuokokaido.jp. Otherwise just admire the brick facade and Tiffany stained-glass entrance from the street.