• A0D09 – Railways and the Development of the City
09-000
中央区 マスコットキャラクター ゆめまるくん
  • A bustling city evolving into a hub for travel

Hankai Railway (now Nankai Electric Railway) is a privately owned railway company, the oldest of its kind still existing in Japan. Steam locomotives were in operation at the time that Namba Station opened around the year 1885. The opening of this railway contributed greatly to the development of the city of Osaka, particularly the Sennichimae, Ebisubashi-suji, and Dotombori areas. With the opening of Kansai International Airport in 1994, Namba Station took on a new role as a gateway for both domestic and international travel connecting the airport and central Osaka.

09-990
地図をみる
コラムをよむ
09-010
  • Inside Nankai Namba Station

With service connecting Osaka to Wakayama and Koyasan, and then to Kansai International Airport since its opening in September 1994, this station serves as a gateway connecting Osaka to the world.

09-020
  • Express trains providing access to Kansai International Airport

The Limited Express Rapi:t began service upon the opening of Kansai International Airport and provides the fastest rail service connecting the airport with the Kansai region.
This train plays an active role in providing transport for both domestic and international tourists.

09-040
  • Nankai Takashimaya department store after its completion

From photo courtesy of Osaka-Namba Nankai Takashimaya
This department store opened partially in 1930, and then completely in 1932.

09-031
09-990
  • Creating a lively atmosphere in front of the station

The plaza in front of Namba Station is utilized as “friendly station space” for events such as social experiments for using the space and Uchimizu water-sprinkling ceremonies, something we hope will catch on throughout the region.

09-050
  • View from the Nankai

Railway line in the Meiji era
Scenery near Nankai Namba Station.
According to the historical records of Nankai Railway, green onion fields surrounded the area around Nankai Namba Station in the Meiji era (1868-1912).

09-060-e1602001459470
  • From the Panoramic Map of Osaka City

This map, published in 1924, depicts a steam locomotive running near Namba Station (bottom right).

鉄道とまちの発展
  • Dotombori Osaka Metro Namba Station Osaka Takashimaya Nankai Railway Namba Station
  • Column

Access to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites Koyasan, Kumano Kaido, and the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku, as well as the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, is quick and easy from here. Nankai Railway has become widely known as a popular railway hub that offers access to Osaka’s Minami area, Kansai International Airport, and various places of historical significance.
Nankai Railway has become widely known as a popular railway hub that offers access to Osaka’s Minami area, Kansai International Airport, and various places of historical significance.

中央区 マスコットキャラクター ゆめまるくん
中央区 マスコットキャラクター ゆめまるくん
A0D09 – Railways and the Development of the City