Nishinari-ku (西成区) is one of the 24 wards of Osaka, Japan. It contains some shopping and entertainment areas, such as Tamade. It lies directly south of the Namba transport hub and extends further south toward Sumiyoshi Park. It is served by the Nankai Railway lines as well as the Yotsubashi and Sakaisuji subway lines. Nishinari-ku is also home to a number of shitamachi ("lower-town") shopping streets, increasingly a rarity in fast-developing urban Japan. Kamagasaki in Nishinari-ku is home to many day-laborers and most of the homeless people in Osaka.

Crime and safety

Nishinari has a historical reputation for being "sketchy and dangerous", but it is currently undergoing gentrification. Two designated yakuza groups, the Sakaume-gumi and the Azuma-gumi, are based in Nishinari.

Transport

West Japan Railway Company

Osaka Metro

Nankai Railway

Hankai Railway

Education

Public elementary and junior high schools are operated by the Osaka City Board of Education. The public high schools are operated by the Osaka Prefectural Board of Education.

Elementary schools

Junior high schools

High schools

Notable people