Ikuno-ku, Osaka


Ikuno-ku is one of the 24 wards residing in the prefecture of Osaka, Japan.
It is well known for the Ikuno Korea Town in the Tsuruhashi area. The area has historically had a large number of Korean people, particularly Korean Japanese citizens living there, as well as for its large number of yakiniku restaurants. Many families from Korea have lived in the Tsuruhashi district for three generations or more.
Ikuno-ku is located in the southeastern part of Osaka City and is adjacent to Higashiosaka City in the east, Higashinari-ku of Osaka City in the north, Tennoji-ku in the west, and Abeno-ku, Higashisumiyoshi-ku and Hirano-ku in the south.

Population

The population and density of Ikuno-ku are the sixth largest in Osaka City, but are declining. The number of foreigner registrations is the largest in the city, and as of 2024, about 20% of the residents here are of foreign nationalities. The proportion of senior citizens is also higher than the overall Osaka City average.
As aging of the population progresses in Ikuno-ku, diverse services and assistances are being provided for senior citizens. The municipal home nursing service center, Okachiyama, is among them.

Living

Ikuno-ku is a typical town of small businesses from the pre-World War II period. Although the dense concentration of houses, factories, and shops along narrow streets could pose a fire hazard, traditionally close human relationships contribute to an active local community. The narrow streets require substantial redevelopment. The completion of the Expressway Namba-Katae Line is eagerly awaited, as there are few east-west avenues.
Inside Ikuno-ku run JR Loop Line, Kintetsu Nara and Osaka Lines, as well as Subway Sennichimae Line, but none of them go through central Ikuno. The extension of Subway No.8 Line is strongly desired to provide the district citizens with railway transportation for everyday life.
Many projects are currently underway to develop the district into a comfortable residential area well balanced with its commercial and industrial functions. In southern Ikuno new apartment houses are being built for original residents, as well as many town squares. Construction of urban roads and parks is also planned. Residents of the Tsuruhashi area organized the New Town Development Committee, which was followed by the establishment of the New Tsuruhashi Redevelopment Association, both serving as a stimulus for residents-oriented town development.

Education

was formerly in Ikuno-ku.
High schools operated by the Osaka Prefectural Board of Education:
Private schools:
Combined municipal elementary and junior high schools include:
Municipal junior high schools include:
  • Higashi Ikuni Junior High School
  • Momodani Junior High School
  • Oike Junior High School
  • Shin Ikuno Junior High School
  • Shin Tatsumi Junior High School
  • Tatsumi Junior High School
Municipal elementary schools include:
  • Higashi Momodani
  • Higashi Nakagawa
  • Higashi Shoji
  • Katsuyama
  • Kita Tatsumi
  • Kita Tsuruhashi
  • Oike
  • Shoji
  • Tatsumi
  • Tatsumi Higashi
  • Tatsumi Minami
  • Tsuruhashi
North Korean schools include:
  • East Osaka Korean Middle School
  • Ikuno Korean Elementary School
  • Osaka Korean No. 4 Elementary School
In one daycare center, Ikuno Komorebi Hoikuen, about 50% of the students have Vietnamese citizenship and/or ethnic backgrounds in Vietnam. As of 2024 the school has extra Japanese study periods and serves pho for lunch on occasion.

Transport

Rail