• A0S03 -Kitahama & Yodoyabashi: The Financial Heart of the City
経済の要　北浜・淀屋橋
中央区 マスコットキャラクター ゆめまるくん
  • Kitahama and Yodoyabashi were the economic center during the Dai-Osaka (Great Osaka) era

In the early Edo period (1603-1867), this area was home to a rice market and a gold exchange market, and thrived as a financial center where money changers, rice wholesalers, and rice brokers gathered. After the Meiji Restoration, the Osaka Stock Exchange (now the Osaka Exchange) was built by Tomoatsu Godai on the site of the gold exchange market, and the Kitahama area has developed as a financial district centered around the exchange.
The building of the Osaka Exchange was converted to a high-rise in 2004 and completely renovated, but its trademark round exterior and circular entrance hall remain unchanged. It stands today as a beloved landmark of Kitahama.

地図をみる
コラムをよむ
旧北浜２丁目交差点界隈
  • Old Kitahama 2-chome intersection

This location is Kitahama 1-chome today. On the left and right of the photo is Sakai-suji, and in the center is Tosabori-dori. This area was a financial center, and many signs for securities companies could be seen.
<c. 1975>

商機最も敏感なる北浜街
  • Kitahama, an area most alert to business opportunities

A city tram proceeds Tosabori-dori, shown in the center.
Nakanoshima and Naniwabashi Bridge can be seen in the right side of the photo.
<c. 1933>

大正から昭和初期の難波橋
  • Naniwabashi Bridge in the Taisho (1912-1926) and early Showa (1926-1989) eras

Affectionately known by the nickname “Lion Bridge” because of the symbolic lion statues on the parapet. The city tram running on the bridge went down Sakai-suji, which was Osaka’s Main Street in those days.

大阪証券取引所の全景
  • Exterior of the Osaka Stock Exchange

The round exterior design of this building remains even today in the Reiwa era (2019-), preserving it as a well-known regional landmark.
<late Showa era (exact year unknown)>

大阪株式取引所　内部
  • Inside the Osaka Stock Exchange

Visitors look intently at the central trading floor.
Many people are still wearing traditional Japanese clothing.
<c. 1915>

大阪株式取引所
  • Osaka Stock Exchange

The former incarnation of the building that is now known as the Osaka Exchange.
Rickshaws can be seen on the left-hand side of the photo.
From 1909-1910 Photograph Book

経済の要　北浜・淀屋橋
  • Naniwabashi Bridge Osaka Exchange
  • Column

Kitahama, which translates to “northern beach”, got its name by being the northern shore (riverside) of Semba. The area from Kitahama to Yodoyabashi is populated with numerous banks, securities companies, and insurance firms.
As the population of Chuo Ward has increased in recent years, many high-rise apartment buildings have begun to appear in the Kitahama area, which is known for its convenient location and lovely scenery.
Just as in the past, Semba is a place bustling with workers. Its magnificent buildings are home to restaurants and other facilities, and it continues to develop into an area that people enjoy.

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
A0S03 -Kitahama & Yodoyabashi: The Financial Heart of the City