Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library

In short

A library standing on Nakanoshima, an area that has long been the center of Osaka's culture and academia. In 1904 (Meiji 37), the building, built with a donation from the Sumitomo family, was completed and opened as the "Osaka Library." In 1974 (Showa 49), it was renamed to its current name, and in the same year, the three buildings—the main building and the left and right wings—were designated as national Important Cultural Properties.

• ​Main Entrance Reminiscent of a Temple​​: The exterior is based on the Renaissance style, and the main entrance, supported by four Corinthian columns, features a majestic design reminiscent of a temple
• ​Central Hall Dome and Grand Staircase​​: An open atrium looking up at a circular bronze dome. On the wall of the grand spiral staircase, the names of eight historical sages, including Socrates and Sugawara no Michizane, are engraved
• ​Osaka Materials and Classical Books Room​​: A room where visitors can view materials related to Osaka. It houses approximately 200,000 Japanese and Chinese classical books, mainly from the Edo period and the early Meiji period

History and Highlights

​Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library​ is a library located on Nakanoshima, an area that has long been the center of Osaka's culture and academia. In 1900 (Meiji 33), Sumitomo Kichizaemon Tomoito, the 15th head of the Sumitomo family whose business had been based in Osaka since the Edo period, offered to donate the library building and funds for purchasing books to Osaka Prefecture. The building was completed in 1904 (Meiji 37) and opened as the "Osaka Library." In 1922 (Taisho 11), the left and right wing buildings were added through donations from the Sumitomo family, creating its current form. In 1974 (Showa 49), it was renamed to its current name, and in the same year, the three buildings—the main building and the left and right wings—were designated as national Important Cultural Properties.

The building was designed by architects Noguchi Magoichi and Hidaka Yutaka of the Sumitomo Temporary Architecture Department. It is a stately three-story stone building crowned with a copper-clad dome. Because there were no large buildings nearby when construction was planned, the main building was designed in a cross shape so that it would look beautiful from any angle. Founded to promote the prosperity of Osaka's commerce and industry, the library now focuses on Osaka-related materials, classical books, and business books.

Highlights for Viewing and Experiencing

• ​Main Entrance Reminiscent of a Temple​​: The exterior is based on the Renaissance style. Supported by four Corinthian columns of ancient Greek architecture, the main entrance features a majestic design reminiscent of a temple.
• ​Central Hall Dome and Grand Staircase​​: The interior is based on the Baroque style, and the central hall features an open atrium looking up at a circular bronze dome. On the wall of the grand spiral staircase, the names of eight historical sages, including the philosopher Socrates and Sugawara no Michizane, are engraved. The stained glass in the central hall appears differently between the day, when natural light streams in, and the night, when illuminated by interior lights.
• ​Osaka Materials and Classical Books Room​​: This is a room where visitors can view materials related to Osaka. It houses approximately 200,000 Japanese and Chinese classical books, mainly from the Edo period and the early Meiji period.

Strolling Tips

It is about 300 meters northeast of Exit 1 of Yodoyabashi Station, and about 300 meters west of Exit 1 of Naniwabashi Station on the Keihan Nakanoshima Line. About 70 meters to the east stands the Osaka City Central Public Hall, about 210 meters away is The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, and about 260 meters to the south is Tekijuku. You can tour it together with modern buildings on Nakanoshima.