Historic Site of the Former Osaka Railway Bureau
In 1928, the building was constructed as the Osaka Railway Bureau under the Ministry of Railways. Featuring a hexagonal structure with a central courtyard, it was a five-story above-ground and one-story underground reinforced concrete building, symbolizing the railway culture of the Showa era.
Following the establishment of Japanese National Railways in 1949, it was renamed the Osaka Railway Administration Bureau in 1950. Based in Osaka, it oversaw railway operations throughout the Kansai region.
Locally, it was affectionately known as "Daitetsukyoku." After the privatization and division of JNR in 1987, its functions were transferred to JR West, continuing until 1992.
Cartoons on history
Map of historical sites
Discover History!
Umeda Higashi Trivia Walk
A piano once played by Einstein has been found!
Discover History!
Umeda Higashi Quiz Walk
After the Osaka Railway Administration Building was demolished, a leisure facility stood on the site before Yodobashi Camera was built. What was it?
During the demolition work, a piano manufactured in the early 1900s by the Harrington Company in New York was discovered in a storage room. It is said that Einstein played this piano during his stay at the Nara Hotel, and it was later moved to the building during the postwar turmoil.