Yodogawa-ku

Yodogawa-ku is an administrative ward north of Osaka that stretches along the Yodogawa River and includes residential areas, commercial districts, and several schools and universities. Shin-Osaka, one of the region's major train stations, sits within this ward and connects it to the rest of Japan.

The ward received its current boundaries in 1925 during a major expansion of Osaka. During a municipal reorganization in 1974, it gained its official status as a separate administrative division.

The ward has become a residential area where people frequent traditional restaurants, small shops, and markets that shape daily life. The Juso area in particular is known for its many eateries and shops that define the neighborhood's character.

Shin-Osaka serves as a central transportation hub best accessed via Shinkansen train lines. The area is flat and easy to explore on foot, with regular public transport connecting the various neighborhoods.

In 2013, this ward implemented Japan's first municipal LGBT support policy, requiring all staff to receive training in sensitivity and inclusion. This made the area a pioneer in advancing equality within Japanese local government.