Location is everything when deciding on where to live, either buying or renting. One of the factors on deciding where to live can and most likely will be the school districts. This not only pertains to those with a kid(s), but for those who are thinking of raising a kid(s) in there future.

Pro Tip: Rent in an area (location) where you think will best suit you and your family (currently and future family) prior to actually buying.

This post will briefly go over the top schools in Osaka City. Just like in the Western World, your address will decide where your kids will go to school.

The elementary and junior high schools introduced here are public schools, and are not in any specific order. Just the order in which they came up during the brain storming session.

Elementary Schools

Go-jyo Elementary School（五条小学校）
Serves grades 1st to 6th, located in Tennoji-ku of Osaka City. One of the more popular elementary schools in Osaka City. When talking about the best elementary schools in Osaka City, Go-jyo Elementary School will most likely be brought up in conversation nine times out of ten.

Fun Fact: Some families will either buy a house or rent a house in Go-jyo Elementary School’s School district if their children do not pass the entrance exam for private elementary school.

Address/Area: Tennoji-Ku
(1) Uemiya-cho (上宮町), Matsugahana-cho (松ヶ鼻町), Kitayama-cho (北山町), Komiya-cho (小宮町), Shinpoin-cho (真法院町), Ishigatsuji-cho (石ヶ辻町), 1-chome Karasugatsuji (烏ヶ辻1丁目）
(2) 1-chome Katsuyama (勝山1丁目), 2-chome Karasugatsuji (烏ヶ辻2丁目), Most of 2-chome Shitennoji (四天王寺2丁目の大半)
(3) East of Kamimachi-suji and south of Sennichimae-suji 6-chome Uehonmachi (上本町6丁目のうち、上町筋以東・千日前通以南)
(4) East of Uehonmachi-suji 7-chome, 8-chome, 9-chome Uehonmachi (上本町7丁目・8丁目・9丁目のうち、上町筋以東)

Sanadayama Elementary School（真田山小学校）
Again located in Tennoji-ku of Osaka City serving students in 1st to 6th grades. Just like Go–jyo elementary school mentioned above, Sanadayama Elementary School is also one of the more popular elementary schools in Osaka City. When talking about the best elementary schools in Osaka City, Sanadayama Elementary School will most likely be brought up in conversation 8.5 times out of 10.

Fun Fact: Unlike most grade schools in Japan or elsewhere, Sanadayama Elementary School’s terms are by trimester rather than the semester terms.

Address/Area: Tennoji-Ku
(1) Tamatsukuri Motomachi (玉造元町), Tamatsukuri Honmachi (玉造本町), Karahori-cho (空堀町), Shimizudani-cho (清水谷町), Karakiyo-cho (空清町),
(2) 1-chome to 5-chome Uehonmachi (上本町1丁目ー5丁目), one part of 6-chome Uehonmachi (上本町6丁目一部)
(3) Jonantera-machi (城南寺町), Sanadayama-cho (真田山町), Esashi-machi (餌指町)
(4) One part of Ajihara-cho (味原町一部), Excluding one part in Higashi Kozu-cho (東高津町一部除く)

Tokiwa Elementary School（常盤小学校）
Located just south east of Tennoji Station, Tokiwa Elementary School is located in Abeno-ku of Osaka City serving grades first to sixth. Personally, I am not all that familiar with Tokiwa Elementary School, but Tokiwa Elementary School is considered one of the top elementary schools in Osaka City by test scores and the general public. Abeno-ku is Osaka City’s Luxury Residential Area.

Fun Fact: One of the largest (considered the largest in the 2000’s) elementary schools in Osaka City with over 1000 total students. Since the number of students has increased over capacity, a second building was built across the street.

Address/Area: Abeno-ku
(1) Matsuzaki-cho (松崎町), Bishoen (美章園), Sanmei-cho (三明町)
(2) One part of 1-chome to 3-chome Abeno-suji (阿倍野筋1～3丁目の一部)
(3) One part of 1-chome to 4-chome Fuminosato (文の里1～4丁目の一部)

Junior High School (Middle School)

The Junior High Schools which will be introduced will be in the same school districts as the Elementary Schools mentioned above ↑

Yuhigaoka Junior High School（夕陽丘中学校）
Located in the same school District as Go-jyo Elementary School in Tennoji-ku. This Junior High School is located extremely close to Go-jyo Elementary Schools, almost across the street from one another. There is a high rise condominium located in between the two schools.

Fun Fact: There are two high rise condominiums next to Yuhigaoka Junior High School (Laurel Tower Yuhigaoka East Residence and West Residence). Families who are transferred to Osaka from other areas in Japan look to live in those two high rises either by renting or buying. You can say Laurel Tower Yuhigaoka series is quite popular.

Address/Area: Tennoji-ku
If your child or children went to Go-jyo Elementary School (五条小学校), Toyo Elementary School (桃陽小学校), Ikutama Elementary School (生魂小学校).

For more information on the addresses for Toyo and Ikutama Elementary School please contact us directly.

Kozu Junior High School（高津中学校）
Located in the same school District as Sanadayama Elementary School in Tennoji-ku. Kozu Junior High School is located quite close to Sanadayama Elementary School, a quick 4 minute walk directly east. This Junior High School is considered one of the top in regards to test scores and everyday live for the students in public opinion.

Fun Fact: Designated as a host school back in 1996 for Osaka City International Exchange Project which has international students from Australia who are in junior and senior high schools.

Address/Area: Tennoji-ku
If your child or children went to Sanadayama Elementary School (真田山小学校), and Ajihara Elementary School (味原小学校).

For more information on the address for Ajihara Elementary School please contact us directly.

Fuminosato Junior High School（文の里中学校）
Located in the same school District as Tokiwa Elementary School in Abeno-ku. Fuminosato Junior High School is located east of Tokiwa Elementary School, which is about a 7 minute walk away. In between the schools is Tennoji High School.

Fun Fact: In 1973, night classes were provided to those who did not have the opportunity to finish his or her Junior High School Education. Typically, completion of compulsory education up to Junior High School is required in Japan.

Address/Area: Abeno-ku
If your child or children went to Tokiwa Elementary School (常盤小学校), Takamatsu Elementary School (高松小学校), Nawashiro Elementary School (苗代小学校).

For more information on the addresses for Takamatsu and Nawashiro Elementary School please contact us directly.

Senior High Schools (High School)

In Japan, the high school your kid(s) will go to will depend on if he or she passes the schools entrance exams. The entrance exams are for both private and public schools.

The High Schools introduced below are the top three high schools in Osaka Prefecture.

(1) Kitano High School（北野高等学校）
Kitano High School is located in Yodogawa-ku in Osaka City. It has been named as one of the model schools by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology.

Fun Fact: Former Mayor of Osaka Toru Hashimoto is an alumnus of Kitano High School.

(2) Ibaraki High School（茨木高等高校）
Ibaraki High School is located in Ibaraki City of Osaka Prefecture. Ibaraki City is located in the north east region of Osaka Prefecture.

Fun Fact: The Current President of Panasonic, Kazuhiro Tsuga is an alumnus of Ibaraki High School.

Toyonaka High School（豊中高等高校）
Toyonaka High School is located in Toyonaka City of Osaka Prefecture. Toyonaka City is located in the north west region of Osaka Prefecture. Toyonaka City also borders Hyogo Prefecture. Toyonaka High School’s school term runs on a trimester schedule. Also sports an American football team.

Fun Fact: Former Chairman of Suntory, Michio Torii is an alumnus of Toyonaka High School.

As mentioned above, these are considered the top public Japanese schools located in Osaka City and Osaka Prefecture. Top meaning by tests scores and public opinion.

In the future we plan to inform our readers (you all) on the International School options in the Kansai Region.

In the mean time, if you have any questions please contact us here info@remax-apex.com