Location & Geography

Osaka is the capital city of Osaka Prefecture, located in the Kansai region of central Japan. It sits on the Yodo River delta, facing Osaka Bay to the west, which has historically made it a natural center for commerce, trade, and cultural exchange.

With a population of approximately 2.7 million, Osaka is Japan's third-largest city after Tokyo and Yokohama, and serves as the economic engine of western Japan.

Climate

Osaka has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons.

Season	Period	Average Temperature	Notes
Spring	March – May	10–22°C	Mild and pleasant; cherry blossom season in late March–early April
Summer	June – August	25–35°C	Hot and humid; occasional rain during June (rainy season)
Late Summer / Early Autumn	September	20–28°C	Hot and humid early in the month; typhoon season; gradually cooling toward the end
Autumn	October – November	12–24°C	Cool and comfortable; vibrant autumn foliage
Winter	December – February	3–10°C	Relatively mild compared to Tokyo; rarely snows

☀️ For ACEER 2027 Conference (August 17–20): Expect warm summer weather with temperatures around 28–34°C and high humidity. Light clothing, a hat, and hydration are recommended.

Getting Around

Osaka boasts one of the most efficient and affordable public transportation networks in the world, making it easy to navigate the city and beyond.

Transportation	Key Lines / Routes	Notes
Osaka Metro	Midosuji, Tanimachi, Chuo, and 6 other lines	Covers most central districts; IC cards (ICOCA, Suica) accepted
JR West	Osaka Loop Line, JR Kyoto Line, JR Kobe Line	Connects Osaka to Kyoto, Kobe, and surrounding cities
Private Railways	Hankyu, Hanshin, Kintetsu, Nankai	Offer fast connections to suburban areas and airports
Buses	Osaka City Bus	Convenient for areas not covered by train
Taxis	Ubiquitous	Fares are metered; can be expensive for long distances

Currency & Payment

• Payment Methods:
  o Cash (yen) is still widely used, especially at smaller shops, temples, and street food stalls.
  o Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) are accepted at most hotels, department stores, and restaurants.
  o IC cards (ICOCA, Suica, etc.) can be used for small purchases at convenience stores and vending machines.
  o Mobile payment systems such as PayPay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay are increasingly available in tourist areas.
  

Language

The official language is Japanese. English is not widely spoken in daily life, but at major tourist attractions, hotels, and train stations, English signage and basic English assistance are increasingly available.

Useful Phrases:

Hello	こんにちは	Konnichiwa
Thank you	ありがとうございます	Arigatō gozaimasu
Excuse me / Sorry	すみません	Sumimasen
Yes / No	はい / いいえ	Hai / Iie
How much?	いくらですか？	Ikura desu ka?
Where is the restroom?	トイレはどこですか？	Toire wa doko desu ka?

📞 Emergency Numbers

Service	Number
Police	110
Ambulance / Fire	119
Japan Visitor Hotline	050-3816-2787 (24/7 English support)

🏥 Medical Support

• Most major hospitals in Osaka have international patient services.
• For non-emergency medical advice, you can visit a local clinic.
• Your travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover potential medical expenses.

⚡ Electricity & Plug

🚭 Smoking Regulations

Smoking is prohibited on most public streets in Osaka's city center (especially in Namba, Umeda, and Shinsaibashi). Please use designated smoking areas. Many restaurants and indoor public spaces are also non-smoking.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary in Japan and may even be considered impolite. Exceptional service should be acknowledged with a word of thanks rather than a monetary tip.