Living in Osaka: the ultimate expat guide

Osaka's economy is diverse and robust, offering strong employment prospects across multiple sectors. The city serves as Japan's pharmaceutical capital, with over 300 pharmaceutical companies headquartered in the historic Doshomachi district, a tradition dating back 350 years to the Edo period.

Key Industries and Major Employers

The pharmaceutical and life sciences sector dominates Osaka's economy, with major employers including Takeda Pharmaceutical, Shionogi & Co., Sumitomo Pharma, and Rohto Pharmaceutical. Manufacturing remains strong, particularly in electronics, machinery, and automotive parts, with companies like Panasonic, Sharp, and Keyence maintaining significant operations. The technology sector is growing at approximately 15% annually, with increasing demand for software engineers and AI specialists.

Work Permits and Visa Requirements

Foreign nationals require a valid Status of Residence (work visa) to work in Japan. The most common category is the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa, covering IT professionals, teachers, marketing specialists, and translators. Employers must sponsor your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application, which typically takes 1-3 months to process. Japan also offers a Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers earning over ¥10 million annually, allowing stays of up to 6 months.

Sources: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training

Osaka is home to several prestigious universities offering programs in English and attracting international students from around the world. The city's academic institutions are particularly strong in medical sciences, engineering, and business studies.

Top Universities

Osaka University (commonly called Handai) ranks among Japan's top national universities, positioned 86th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025. The university offers multiple English-taught graduate programs across its three campuses in Suita, Toyonaka, and Minoh. Annual tuition for both undergraduate and graduate students is ¥535,800, with a one-time matriculation fee of ¥282,000. Osaka University maintains strong research partnerships in medicine, engineering, and life sciences.

Kansai University and Ritsumeikan University (Osaka Ibaraki Campus) offer additional options for international students, with various English-medium programs in business and global studies.

Admission and Scholarships

International students typically need to demonstrate Japanese language proficiency (JLPT N2 or higher) for Japanese-taught programs, or IELTS 6.0+/TOEFL 80+ for English-medium courses. The MEXT Scholarship (Japanese Government Scholarship) covers full tuition, provides a monthly stipend of ¥117,000-¥145,000, and includes round-trip airfare. Osaka University also offers the International College Scholarship with a monthly stipend of ¥80,000 and tuition waivers for qualifying students.

Sources: Osaka University, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

Osaka and the surrounding Kansai region offer several international schooling options for expat families. While Japanese public schools provide excellent education, the language barrier makes international schools the preferred choice for most foreign families.

International Schools

Osaka International School (OIS), located in Minoh City, is part of the Senri & Osaka International Schools of Kwansei Gakuin. OIS offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum from kindergarten through Grade 12. Annual tuition ranges from approximately ¥1,791,000 to ¥2,167,000 depending on grade level, with additional registration fees of around ¥400,000 for new students.

Canadian Academy, located on Rokko Island in nearby Kobe (approximately 30 minutes from central Osaka), offers the IB curriculum from pre-kindergarten through Grade 12, plus boarding facilities. Annual tuition ranges from ¥1,000,000 for early years to ¥2,900,000 for Grade 12, with additional fees for registration (¥400,000) and building development (¥260,000 annually).

Other Options

Osaka YMCA International School provides an international curriculum emphasizing bilingual development in English and Japanese. Marist Brothers International School offers an American-based curriculum through Grade 9. For families seeking bilingual Japanese-English education, Senri International School (SIS) shares a campus with OIS and follows Japanese MEXT guidelines while welcoming international students.

Sources: Senri & Osaka International Schools, Canadian Academy, U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools

Finding accommodation in Osaka is generally easier than in Tokyo, with more affordable rents and a variety of housing options. The city's efficient rail network means you can live in quieter suburban areas while maintaining easy access to central business districts.

Popular Expat Neighborhoods

Umeda/Kita-ku is Osaka's business hub, featuring high-rise apartments ideal for young professionals. Expect modern amenities and excellent transit connections, with rents averaging ¥80,000-¥120,000 for a studio. Namba/Shinsaibashi in the Minami district offers vibrant nightlife and dining, suited for those who enjoy urban energy. Tennoji combines modern development with historical sites, offering good value with average studio rents around ¥55,000-¥70,000.

For families, Minoh City is highly recommended due to its proximity to international schools, green spaces, and family-friendly environment. Suita and Toyonaka offer suburban living with larger homes and easy access to Umeda via the Hankyu line.

Rental Costs and Procedures

Osaka rents are approximately 35-40% lower than comparable Tokyo properties. Initial move-in costs typically include 1-2 months' key money (reikin), 1-2 months' security deposit (shikikin), plus agency fees—totaling approximately 5-6 months' rent upfront.

Sources: Real Estate Japan, SUUMO

Osaka offers an exceptional range of cultural, entertainment, and recreational activities. From historic landmarks to modern theme parks, the city caters to diverse interests and ages.

Historical and Cultural Attractions

Osaka Castle is the city's most iconic landmark, featuring an eight-story museum with over 10,000 historical artifacts documenting the Toyotomi and Tokugawa periods. The surrounding Osaka Castle Park spans 106 hectares with cherry trees, plum groves, and scenic moats. Admission to the castle tower is ¥600 for adults. The newly opened Toyotomi Stone Wall Museum (2025) reveals original castle foundations buried since 1615.

Shitennoji Temple, founded in 593 AD, is one of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples. The Osaka Museum of History offers panoramic castle views alongside interactive exhibits covering the city's 1,400-year history. For traditional entertainment, catch Bunraku puppet theater at the National Bunraku Theatre in Nipponbashi.

Entertainment and Nightlife

Dotonbori is Osaka's entertainment heart, famous for its neon signs, canal-side dining, and the iconic Glico Running Man billboard. Amerikamura (American Village) draws younger crowds with vintage shops and street fashion. For thrill-seekers, Universal Studios Japan in the bay area features world-class rides including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World.

The Shinsekai district offers a nostalgic atmosphere with the Tsutenkaku Tower and abundant kushikatsu (deep-fried skewer) restaurants. Sports fans can catch baseball games at Kyocera Dome (Orix Buffaloes) or football at Yanmar Stadium Nagai (Cerezo Osaka).

Sources: Japan National Tourism Organization, Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau

Daily life in Osaka is characterized by efficiency, convenience, and a distinct local culture that sets it apart from other Japanese cities. The city's compact layout and excellent public transportation make car ownership unnecessary for most residents.

Getting Around

Osaka Metro operates 9 subway lines covering the city comprehensively. Single fares range from ¥190 to ¥390 depending on distance. Monthly commuter passes start at ¥7,930 for one zone. The Enjoy Eco Card offers unlimited daily travel on Metro and city buses for ¥820 on weekdays or ¥620 on weekends. IC cards like ICOCA and PiTaPa provide seamless payment across all transit systems.

Beyond the Metro, JR West, Hankyu, Hanshin, and Kintetsu railways connect Osaka to the greater Kansai region. Kansai International Airport is accessible via the Nankai line (approximately 45 minutes from Namba) or JR Haruka express (50 minutes from Tennoji).

Lifestyle and Culture

Osaka's famous motto is "kuidaore" (eat until you drop), reflecting the city's food-obsessed culture. Convenience stores (konbini) are ubiquitous, offering everything from fresh meals to bill payment services 24/7. Most shops and restaurants accept cash, though IC card payments and QR codes are increasingly common. Garbage separation is mandatory, with specific collection days for burnable, non-burnable, and recyclable waste. The city is extremely safe, with low crime rates even in entertainment districts late at night.

Sources: Osaka Metro, Osaka City Government

Osaka offers a lower cost of living compared to Tokyo while maintaining excellent urban amenities. Overall, you can expect expenses to be approximately 17-20% lower than in Japan's capital, with housing representing the most significant savings.

Monthly Budget for a Single Person

The following estimates are based on a moderate lifestyle, living outside the city center with regular use of public transportation.

Monthly Budget for a Family of Four

Sources: Numbeo, Expatistan (November 2025 data)