Osaka Apartment Guide: Overview and Rental Prices in Minamimorimachi, a Convenient Area for Access to Umeda
Located in Kita Ward, Osaka City, Minamimorimachi is a convenient area with excellent access to both Umeda and Namba, the central hubs of Osaka. Since Umeda and Namba are home to many schools and business districts, Minamimorimachi is also a recommended area for those considering living in Osaka for study or work.
The neighborhood surrounding Minamimorimachi is calm and peaceful, and the added convenience of being within walking distance of Umeda makes it a highly livable area. In this article, we'll introduce the atmosphere, lifestyle environment, transportation convenience, and rental prices in Minamimorimachi to help you choose your next home.
What Kind of Neighborhood is Minamimorimachi?
Minamimorimachi in Kita Ward, Osaka, is affectionately known as “Namomori” among locals. Despite its central location, only 1.5 km from Umeda, the largest terminal station in western Japan, the area is home to many residential neighborhoods. With nearby parks and the Okawa River, it also offers a surprising amount of nature. This makes it popular with a wide range of people, from singles to families.
There are many restaurants open late at night around the station, which makes it a bustling area, especially for businesspeople. Despite being in the heart of Kita Ward, the rent is not excessively high, which is another reason for its popularity.
Transportation Convenience in Minamimorimachi
Minamimorimachi Station is served by the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line and Sakaisuji Line, and it also connects to JR Tozai Line’s “Osaka Tenmangu” Station. This makes it easy to access the city’s major areas, such as Namba and Umeda, making it convenient for both commuting and studying. Here’s a breakdown of travel times and transfers to major stations:
Higashi-Umeda Station is on the Tanimachi Line and is directly connected to other Umeda-area stations, including Hankyu Umeda Station, JR Osaka Station, Osaka Metro Midosuji Line Umeda Station, and Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line Nishiumeda Station.
In addition, the business district around the Osaka Securities Exchange in Kitahama, and Semba Center Building in Honmachi, are only 2 minutes away by train with no transfers. Minamimorimachi is also close enough to reach Umeda, Nakanoshima, Shinsaibashi, and Namba by bicycle, and the area has a well-developed network of bike-sharing stations, making it easy to explore by bike.
Direct Connection Between Osaka Metro Minamimorimachi Station and JR Tozai Line Osaka Tenmangu Station
Minamimorimachi Station is also convenient for those using JR lines. Osaka Metro Minamimorimachi Station is directly connected to JR Tozai Line’s Osaka Tenmangu Station by an underground passage, so you won’t get lost when transferring. Minamimorimachi is known for its excellent transportation convenience, no matter where you're headed in Osaka.
Living Convenience in Minamimorimachi
Osaka’s Kita Ward is home to many offices and commercial facilities. Among them, Minamimorimachi stands out for its convenience, being less than a 10-minute bike ride from Umeda, which is ideal for those who commute to Umeda Station for work or school. It’s also home to Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, a popular destination for tourists who come to pray for academic success and business prosperity. Despite being in the city center, Minamimorimachi has a calm atmosphere and plenty of parks where children can play, making it a highly attractive area for families.
Just a short walk away is Nakanoshima, a lush park in the heart of Osaka, offering an oasis of green in the city. Nakanoshima Park is a favorite spot for locals, and it’s within walking distance from Minamimorimachi.
Here are five key points about living in Minamimorimachi:
1. It’s full of shopping streets and restaurants, making it very convenient
Right next to Minamimorimachi Station is Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street, the longest covered shopping arcade in Japan. The street is lined with izakayas, sushi shops, and casual eateries, making it a fun area to explore. There are also plenty of affordable shops selling everyday items and clothing.
One minute from Minamimorimachi Station’s Exit 4 is KOHYO, a 24-hour supermarket where you can buy fresh food, ready-made meals, and everyday essentials. Other major supermarkets within walking distance include Gourmet City, Hankyu Oasis, and Life.
Nine minutes from Exit 4 is another 24-hour supermarket, Super Tamade, famous for its incredibly low prices. Their bento meals cost around 300 yen, and many items go on sale even cheaper in the evening, making it a great place to shop after work.
2. It's close to business districts but still a residential area
To the north of Minamimorimachi Station, you’ll find a cluster of office buildings. With good access to Umeda, Kitahama, Honmachi, and Tennoji, Minamimorimachi is a popular spot for singles looking for easy transportation.
On the southern side, however, there are many apartments and houses, creating a quieter residential area. Recently, more family-friendly apartment buildings have been built, and Minamimorimachi is home to popular public schools like Horikawa Elementary and Takigawa Elementary. Horikawa Elementary is known for having all its 6th-grade students participate in a marching band, a unique feature even on a national level.
3. There are many parks where children can play
One of the area’s charms is the number of parks nearby. About a 10-minute walk from Minamimorimachi Station is Ogimachi Park, which has large playground equipment and is adjacent to Kids Plaza Osaka, a hands-on learning center for children. The park has everything from playgrounds to water play areas and cafes, making it a popular spot for both kids and adults.
Kids Plaza Osaka is a museum where children can learn while playing. With attractions like a life-size bubble you can step into and a mock shopping experience, kids will be entertained all day. Kansai TV’s headquarters are also located in this building.
4. Historical shrines and traditional festivals are close by
Near Minamimorimachi Station is Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, known for bringing success in business and academics. It’s also famous for hosting the Tenjin Festival, one of Osaka’s three major summer festivals. The festival, held on July 24th and 25th every year, has been celebrated for over 1,000 years in honor of the deity Sugawara no Michizane.
On July 25th, around 3,000 fireworks light up the sky, drawing large crowds. If you live near Minamimorimachi, it’s good to be aware that traffic restrictions are put in place during the festival.
5. It's within walking distance to the popular Nakanoshima Park
A 10-minute walk from Minamimorimachi Station will take you to the popular Nakanoshima Park. This park features a large green space and scenic river views, making it a favorite spot for jogging and strolling.
The park’s rose garden, with 310 varieties and around 3,700 rose bushes, is especially beautiful in May, making it a recommended destination for a leisurely walk. Also located in Nakanoshima Park is "Kodomo Hon no Mori Nakanoshima" (Children’s Book Forest). This project was initiated by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando to encourage children to rediscover the joys of reading. Ando designed the building himself and donated it to Osaka. If you visit Osaka, it’s definitely a place worth checking out.
Apartment Rental Prices in Minamimorimachi, Kita Ward, Osaka
Here’s an overview of apartment rental prices in Minamimorimachi, Kita Ward, Osaka. Please note that these are average prices, and rents may vary depending on the building’s age and amenities.
Rental prices in Minamimorimachi are generally a bit lower than in the central areas of Umeda and Namba.
Conclusion
Minamimorimachi is located in Kita Ward, the heart of Osaka City, and is a neighborhood rich in history and local charm. With Osaka Tenmangu Shrine nearby, known for academic and business success, the area retains a strong sense of tradition and culture while also featuring local shopping streets and restaurants, giving it a welcoming, down-to-earth atmosphere.
The transportation convenience of Minamimorimachi is excellent, with direct connections to the Osaka Metro Tanimachi and Sakaisuji Lines, as well as JR Tozai Line. This makes it easy to access Osaka’s major areas.
Despite being in the city center, the area is relatively calm and quiet, offering a comfortable living environment. With everything you need nearby, including parks where families can enjoy time together, Minamimorimachi is a popular area for people of all ages.
Sep 13, 2024