Working in Osaka Japan
The capital city of the Osaka Prefecture, Osaka is located in the south of Japan and is one of the major cities in the country. Osaka has a population of about 18.8 million people in its greater metropolitan area, the second largest in Japan.
Osaka is considered one of Japan’s cultural centres and is a very technologically advanced destination featuring strong shopping and public transport facilities. It experiences a humid subtropical climate with temperatures peaking above 30 °C during the summer months and dipping to below 9.3 °C in the winter.
- Airport
- Railway Station
- Transportation
- Cost of Living
- Accommodation
- Shopping
- Emergency
- Insurance and Healthcare
Location
Tourism Video
Airport
Osaka Kansai International Airport
One of three airports servicing the city, Osaka Kansai International Airport is the major complex for international flights. The airport offers flights to more than 30 countries via at least 50 airlines. Located on a man-made island, the airport is about 50km from Osaka’s city centre and is the second busiest facility in the country.
Transport to and from Osaka Kansai International Airport is possible via a quality train and bus service that accommodates the city and surrounding areas. Services run very frequently and are the most cost-effective for travellers. Visitors can also use local taxi services, but as is the case throughout Japan, expect to pay a hefty fee to reach your destination.
Railway Station
The major rail station in the Umeda district, Osaka Station is a hub for services to all parts of Japan. Osaka Station is directly connected to the following stations: Umeda Station, Nishi-Umeda Station and Higashi-Umeda Station. The station handles more than 2 million passengers on a daily basis, making it one of the busiest terminals in the world.
Transportation
Osaka has extensive public transport system featuring a subway, train and bus network. After Tokyo Osaka has the second largest subway network in Japan. It comprehensively covers the central area of Osaka and also reaches the outer suburban regions of the city through its eight lines.
Known as the JR Osaka Loop Line, as it suggests, Osaka’s train network forms a loop around the city and connects with many of the city’s other public transport options. This represents a great way for visitors to get around the city to visit many of the landmarks.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Japan and its major cities is some of the highest in the world and the average monthly wage is typically about $3650 equivalent.
According to online cost of living database Numbeo (http://www.numbeo.com/), prices in Osaka for typical items on current exchange rates (June 2013) are as follows:
| Food | |
| Cheap meal (inexpensive restaurant) | $9.00 |
| Three-course meal for two at mid-range restaurant | $55.40 |
| Domestic beer (500mL) | $3.50 |
| Coke (330mL) | $1.20 |
| Milk (1 litre) | $1.90 |
| Loaf of bread | $2.10 |
| Eggs | $2.20 |
| Transport | |
| One way ticket (local transport) | $2.00 |
| Monthly pass | $88.40 |
| Petrol (1 litre) | $1.65 |
| Rent (monthly) | |
| One bedroom apartment (central area) | $1650 approx |
| Three bedroom apartment (central area) | $2420 approx |
| Accommodation | |
| Hostel bed (one night) | $25 |
| Five star hotel room (one night) | $250 |
Accommodation
Hotels in Osaka can vary in price, but are generally expensive compared to western standards, especially at the higher level. However, there is lots of choice in the city for low and high end spenders. As the city is a key cultural and tourist centre in Japan there are several high-end Japanese themed hotels targeting tourists. The most popular areas for accommodation in Osaka include Umeda, Namba, Shin-Osaka and Kyobashi.
A few options for accommodation in Osaka include:
Budget
J-Hopers Osaka Guesthouse
Hostel 64 Osaka
Mid-range
Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka
Hearton Hotel Nishiumeda
High-end
Imperial Hotel
Hankyu International
Shopping
While not as extensive as Tokyo, Osaka represents a quality shopping experience covering a huge number of goods and services. The most famous shopping district in Osaka is Shinsaibashi where many department stores and shops (both cheap and expensive) can be found. For electronics, shoppers should head to the Nipponbashi area where all of Japan’s famous brands are generally on offer.
Emergency
Australian Consulate General Osaka
16th floor, Twin 21MID Tower
2-1-61 Shiromi, Chuo-ku
Osaka 540 6116
Telephone (81 6) 6941 9271 or (81 6) 6941 9448
Facsimile (81 6) 6920 4543
Web: http://consular.australia.or.jp/osaka
Emergency numbers
Ambulance & fire 119
Police 110
Insurance and Healthcare
All residents of Japan are required by law to have health insurance. Fees for medical services are regulated by the government to keep them affordable. They are dependent on the age of the insured and family income, ranging from 10% to 30%, with the government paying the remaining medical fee.
Japan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) system is usually reserved for self-employed people and students. Social insurance in the country is reserved for corporate employees. The system is broken down into two parts:
- National Health Insurance for each city, town and village
- National Health Insurance Union
For people who do not qualify for the NHI service they can take out private insurance and there are plenty of options for this in Japan, or from a global private health perspective. Costs for private health treatment in Japan are comparable to those in Australia.
Despite a very high standard of health facilities in Japan, DFAT recommends all Australians travelling to the country take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover any overseas costs.