What is the population of Osaka?
Osaka has a city population of 2,753,862. That is the population within the city's own boundary, not its wider metropolitan area. City population, GeoNames.
34.694, 135.501 · 397 km from Tokyo
About Osaka
Osaka is Japan's third-largest city and the commercial heart of the Kansai region, with a metropolitan population of nearly 19 million. Known for its outgoing people, distinctive dialect, delicious street food, and historical role as a merchant city, Osaka offers a more relaxed and affordable alternative to Tokyo while remaining thoroughly modern and dynamic.
Metro population
19,013,434
0.229% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
−0.20%
Archive estimateDensity
3,723/km²
5,107 km² metro area
Key Facts
Country
Region
Rank in region
#1of 38
Founded
1889
Leadership
Hideyuki Yokoyama
Coordinates
34.694, 135.501
Record updated
5 September 2024
Entry edited, not measured
City population, GeoNames. GeoNames publishes no year for its population figures, so “record updated” is when the entry was last edited — not the date the population was measured. Elevation is modelled from a digital elevation model rather than surveyed, so it is approximate.
Nearby Cities
All 1,216 in JapanClosest listed cities by great-circle distance from the city centre.
Compared with the World's Largest Cities
City-proper population against the fifteen largest cities in the dataset.
| Name | City population |
|---|---|
| Shanghai | 24.9M |
| Beijing | 19M |
| Shenzhen | 17.5M |
| Guangzhou | 16.1M |
| Kinshasa | 16M |
| Istanbul | 15.7M |
| Lagos | 15.4M |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 14M |
| Chengdu | 13.6M |
| Lahore | 13M |
| Mumbai | 12.7M |
| São Paulo | 12.4M |
| Mexico City | 12.3M |
| Karachi | 11.6M |
| Tianjin | 11.1M |
| Osaka | 2.75M |
Airports
Scheduled-service airports within 100 km, nearest first.
- Osaka Itami International AirportITM
11 km from the city centre
- Kobe AirportUKB
26 km from the city centre
- Kansai International AirportKIX
38 km from the city centre
Source: OurAirports, matched by distance.
History
Osaka rose to prominence in the 16th century when Toyotomi Hideyoshi built Osaka Castle and made it Japan's commercial capital. During the Edo period, it was called 'the nation's kitchen' for its role in rice trading. After WWII destruction and rebuilding, Osaka hosted Expo '70 and continues as Japan's second economic center.
Economy
Osaka Prefecture has Japan's second-largest economy after Tokyo. The city is home to major corporations like Panasonic, Sharp, and Keyence. Key sectors include electronics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and services. The city is a major port and trading hub. The 2025 World Expo will be hosted in Osaka.
Culture
Osaka is known for its distinct culture emphasizing commerce, comedy, and cuisine. Osakans are stereotypically more direct and humorous than other Japanese. The city is Japan's comedy capital (manzai and rakugo). Food culture is paramount—takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu are iconic. The Bunraku puppet theater originated here.
Transportation
Osaka has an excellent metro and rail network including the JR loop line. Shinkansen connects to Tokyo in 2.5 hours. Kansai International Airport (built on an artificial island) serves international flights. The city is walkable and bikeable. Private railways connect surrounding cities like Kyoto and Kobe.
Current Challenges
Osaka faces challenges including population decline (particularly among young people leaving for Tokyo), aging infrastructure, economic competition with Tokyo, and earthquake/typhoon risk. The city is working to revitalize through tourism, casinos (integrated resorts), and the 2025 Expo.
Highlights
Landmarks & Attractions
- Osaka Castle
- Dotonbori entertainment district
- Umeda Sky Building
- Shitennoji Temple
- Universal Studios Japan
- Kuromon Market
- Shinsekai district
- Tsutenkaku Tower
What Osaka Is Known For
- Food culture
- Comedy
- Osaka Castle
- Business
- Friendly people
Universities
- Osaka University
- Osaka City University
- Kansai University
Sports Teams
- Orix Buffaloes (baseball)
- Gamba Osaka
- Cerezo Osaka (football)
Interesting Facts
- Osaka is called 'Japan's kitchen' for its food culture
- The expression 'kuidaore' (eat until you drop) describes Osaka's food obsession
- Instant ramen was invented in Osaka
- Glico Running Man sign in Dotonbori is a famous landmark
- Osaka Castle was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times
- Osakans say 'okini' for thank you instead of 'arigato'
Population Trend in Japan
No free source publishes city population back to 1950, so the parent country's series is shown instead.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 86,443,277 |
| 1960 | 96,399,754 |
| 1970 | 106,712,368 |
| 1980 | 118,358,756 |
| 1990 | 123,399,765 |
| 2000 | 127,027,789 |
| 2010 | 128,185,275 |
| 2020 | 126,304,543 |
| 2030 | 119,584,121 |
| 2040 | 112,158,303 |
| 2050 | 105,123,167 |
| 2060 | 98,103,219 |
| 2070 | 90,611,771 |
| 2080 | 84,729,966 |
| 2090 | 80,634,393 |
| 2100 | 76,845,989 |
Osaka Population FAQ
Where is Osaka?
Osaka is in Osaka, Japan, 397 km from the capital, Tokyo. Its coordinates are 34.694, 135.501.
How big is Osaka compared with other cities in Japan?
It is the 3rd largest of the 1,216 cities listed in Japan, holding 2.2% of the national population.