Matsushima Shinchi (Matsushima Red Light District)

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Matsushima Shinchi was formerly a licensed red-light district located in Nishi Ward, Osaka, and is known as one of Osaka’s five major Shinchi districts. Today, approximately 104 restaurants operate within an area of about 80,000 square meters, alongside residential houses and small factories. The area was originally called Terashima, and its northern edge was known as Matsugahana due to a large pine tree over 300 years old. The name Matsushima was created by combining characters from Terashima and Matsugahana. Established in 1869, it became one of Japan’s earliest entertainment districts for foreign visitors. Before World War II, it rivaled Shinsaibashi in vibrancy but was completely destroyed during air raids and later relocated to its current location.

Address

1-11-19 Kujo, Nishi Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, 550-0027

Access

Osaka Metro Chuo Line / Hanshin Namba Line "Kujo Station" (2-minute walk)

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お役立ち情報

To reach Matsushima Shinchi, it’s about a 3-minute walk from Kujo Station on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line. This area preserves an old-town feel, with stylish cafés and izakayas, and just walking around lets you sense a Showa-era atmosphere. A standout spot is Cine Nouveau, a movie theater that opened in 1997 and has a wonderful ambience based on the concept of an “underwater cinema.” Its ceiling is designed to look like the surface of the water seen from the bottom. The area also includes Matsushima Park and Matsushima Baseball Field.