Osaka is Japan's 3rd largest metropolis and serves as the center of Kansai.

Osaka is a city as well as a prefecture, which is like a state or province, depending on where you are from. Located in central Japan, Osaka City is Japan's 3rd largest metropolis, following Tokyo and Yokohama.

On the other hand, Osaka Prefecture is home to 33 cities, and Osaka City is its capital.

Osaka serves as the center of a region referred to as "Kansai," an area most well-known for the 3 cities of Kobe, Osaka, and Kyoto. Fast, efficient, and inexpensive public transportation links all areas of the Kansai region.

You'll be able to enjoy the tradition and history of Kyoto, the fashion and art of Kobe, and the ultra-modern downtown scene in Osaka. Moreover, the Shinkansen "bullet train" can whisk you to Tokyo or to the charms and culture of Kyushu in no time.

Osaka University, located in the northern portion of Osaka Prefecture, has three beautiful campuses in the cities of Suita, Toyonaka, and Minoh, three cities that border one another. In other words, each of the campuses is just a short bus ride from the other two.

(Osaka University provides a free shuttle bus service linking the three campuses).

CLIMATE

In general, the climate throughout most of Japan is temperate, making Japan a comfortable place to live and study. Due to the length of the Japanese archipelago, stretching from 20° to 45° latitude north, Japan's climate varies considerably between the southern- and northern-most regions. Hokkaido in the north is a winter wonderland with long winters while Okinawa in the south enjoys a subtropical climate. This puts the Kansai region at the heart of Japan. Come here and you'll find yourself enjoying each of the four seasons.

CULTURE

Japan has a rich culture from established traditions to the latest fashions and technology. The culture of modern Japan is rich in variety -- featuring traditional culture such as Noh, Kabuki, tea ceremonies, Japanese-style gardens, bonsai, and sumo, as well as modern popular culture such as anime festivals, manga, and video games.

Located in the center of the Kansai region, there was once an ancient capital in Osaka just like the old cities of Kyoto and Nara.

PEOPLE

Japanese people are polite, friendly, and well-educated, making Japan a pleasant and very safe country to live in. Enroll in Osaka University and whether you live in a school dormitory or a private apartment, you’ll be able to concentrate on your studies and research.

FOOD

If you are a gourmand, studying in Japan becomes that much more fun!

Not only has traditional Japanese cuisine, "washoku," been recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, but good restaurants abound in every Japanese city with reasonable prices and excellent fare. Home-grown favorites you're sure to enjoy include "takoyaki" and "okonomiyaki."

TECHNOLOGY

As you may already know, Japan is one of the world's leaders in "high tech."

Not only will you be able to pursue studies and research in advanced technology at Osaka University, but you'll be able to enjoy the benefits of cutting-edge technology in your daily life in Japan.

Manufacturing is one of Japan's strengths and its industries include automobiles, consumer electronics, industrial robots as well as social robots (such as ASIMO, AIBO, and wakamaru) and much, much more.

Thus, as you near graduation from Osaka University, you'll find job opportunities opening up for yourself both in Japan and elsewhere thanks to the knowledge and experience you're sure to gain here.