Nakanoshima Area MICE: Osaka City Central Public Hall, Grand Cube Osaka, and more all in a compact area!

Nakanoshima Area MICE

Nakanoshima is a resilient district connecting past and future. A long and slender island located in the heart of the city of Osaka, Nakanoshima is nestled between the Dojima and Tosabori Rivers. This area has flourished as a vital hub for commerce and logistics since the Edo period (1603- 1868). In modern times, it has experienced rapid development, evolving into a center for culture and academia. Today, it serves as both a business and cultural focal point. Surrounded by lush greenery and waterfronts, the Nakanoshima area offers an exceptional environment akin to an urban oasis. With restaurants and cafes lining the banks of the river, along with museums and art galleries perfect for activities for after your convention or event, Nakanoshima is one of Osaka's premier meeting and event destination, offering both functionality and user-friendliness.

Aqua Metropolis Osaka

The term "Aqua Metropolis Osaka" harkens back to the Edo period when Osaka first came to be known as the "Nation's Kitchen" and served as the economic heart of Japan. During this era, goods were transported across the country using the rivers and canals of Osaka, particularly around Nakanoshima. This led to the city being dubbed a "city of water." In 2001, it was designated as an Urban Renaissance area by the national government, ushering in a wide range of development projects and marking the beginning of "Aqua Metropolis Osaka" as a full-fledged endeavor.

Nakanoshima's Development as a Tourist and Business Hub

Nakanoshima is an area that encompasses both tourism and business. In recent years, there has been an increase in the development of tourist and cultural facilities, making it a popular destination for travelers from around the world. One of the reasons for its popularity is Nakanoshima Park, located in the center of the island, where visitors can enjoy a captivating blend of nature and water year-round. Additionally, with its history as an economic center, Nakanoshima boasts a long and rich heritage. The rows of historical buildings constructed throughout its history are truly impressive. Among them, the Osaka City Central Public Hall stands out as a prime example. Designated as a national Important Cultural Property, it is an indispensable central piece of architecture in the Nakanoshima area. Starting with the Osaka City Central Public Hall, let’s take look at the many unique venues and facilities here ideal for all kinds of meetings and events.

Unique Venue: Osaka City Central Public Hall

The Osaka Central City Public Hall was completed in 1918 with a donation from Einosuke Iwamoto, a stockbroker in the nearby Kitahama financial district. For nearly a century, the building has been cherished by the citizens of Osaka as a hub for cultural and artistic expression. In 2002, it underwent preservation and restoration work, largely due to the recognition of its beautiful exterior and interior design, essential to the cityscape of Aqua Metropolis Osaka, as a historically valuable and extremely important architectural structure. Subsequently, it was designated as a national Important Cultural Property. The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau recognizes the Osaka City Central Public Hall as an iconic unique venue, offering a one-of-a-kind space where meetings and events can fully experience the magnificence of Osaka’s history and the beauty of its waterways.

Unique Venue: Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka

We have looked at the enduring appeal of the Nakanoshima area from its past to the present. However, the charm of Nakanoshima goes beyond that. The Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka, which opened on February 2, 2022, is a testament to this. While it is a relatively new facility, the preparatory office for its opening was actually formed in 1990, and it took over 30 years for the museum to open its doors. Those 30 years were a period of turbulent social change in modern Japanese history. In Nakanoshima, we can expect to see an increase in the use of this new cultural hub for a wide variety of meetings and events, looking towards the future.

Meeting and Event Facility: Osaka International Convention Center (Grand Cube Osaka)

The Osaka International Convention Center, affectionately known as Grand Cube Osaka, has been used for a variety of purposes, including international conferences such as a G7 ministerial meeting, large-scale domestic academic conferences, concerts, ceremonies, and exhibitions, and has been highly praised as an ideal event venue. The facilities and equipment are designed with accessibility in mind, and include a prayer room and nursing rooms. The venue also offer meals that cater to diverse dietary needs. The facility boasts a main hall with 2,754 seats, and a variety of meeting rooms of various sizes. Equipped with the latest technology and interpretation facilities, it is known as a hub that attracts many business events from both Japan and abroad.

Meeting and Event Facility: RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka

The RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka was established on January 16, 1935, as the New Osaka Hotel, in response to a request from the Osaka financial community to create a hotel that could serve as a guesthouse for welcoming VIPs to Osaka. Over the years, it has changed its name but continues to operate as a hotel that welcomes guests from Japan and abroad, including state dignitaries and members of the Imperial Family. With its deep history and high status, it is one of the most prestigious event facilities in Osaka and the Nakanoshima area. It is directly connected to Nakanoshima Station on the Keihan Line, and is about 10 minutes by shuttle bus from JR Osaka Station, making it an excellent location for holding business events in the heart of Osaka. With conference rooms capable of hosting international conferences and over 1,000 guest rooms for on-site accommodations, it is one of the most promising candidates as an events hotel.

In Closing

Nakanoshima is the heart of Aqua Metropolis Osaka where the past and the future intersect. As an events destination, it is no exaggeration to say that there is no other place like it in Japan, or even in the world. If you are considering events or business gatherings in Japan, we encourage you to consider holding them in Nakanoshima.

See more information on the unique venues below:

• Osaka City Central Public Hall
• Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka

See more information on the meeting and event facilities below:

• Osaka International Convention Center
• RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka