• Introducing Ibaraki City
• Support desks staffed by foreign language speakers offered by the Osaka Prefectural government
• Japanese language schools
• Exchanges with Japanese citizens
• Foreign resident registration
• Submitting information to create a new family register
• Taxes
• National Health Insurance
• The National Pension
• Care for the Aged Insurance
• Childbirth and childcare
• Day-care facilities
• Education
• Welfare Service
• Daily life
• Emergency calls
• Medical care
• Sister and friendship cities

Introducing Ibaraki City

Ibaraki City is located in a remarkable area in Japan that is the site of many ancient tombs. These tombs, created during each of the stages of the Ancient Tomb Era (the 4th to 6th centuries), are scattered across the region. In the Heian era, heavy traffic on the Saigoku Road, running east to west through the center of the city became a source of local prosperity. In the Edo era, the Saigoku road was important because the local Daimyo (feudal lord) was required by the Tokugawa Government to stay alternately in the capitol, Edo (now Tokyo), for one year and in his own castle for next year, a practice called Sankinkoutai, He used the road to make this obligatory journey. The Tsubaki no Honjin Inn, where the Daimyo stayed to break his journey on the way to Edo, is still standing. Ibaraki Castle was constructed in the latter half of the Muromachi era (1339 to 1573), and became a base for local prosperity.

In the Meiji Era (1868 to 1912), the city continued to develop as the center of the north Osaka region. On January 1, 1948, one town and three villages were combined to become the 13th city in Osaka Prefecture.

Ibaraki City has a narrow shape, running 17.05 km north to south and 10.07 km east to west, with an area of 76.52 km2. The northern part is mountainous and the south side occupies part of the Osaka plain.

In recent years, thanks to the construction of major traffic arteries, such as route 171, and the Meishin, Chugoku and Kinki Expressways, modern factories making home-use electric appliances and corporations involved in the distribution process have sprung up here.

Ibaraki City lies mid-way between Osaka and Kyoto, and is in commuting range of both these urban cities. Therefore, residential sections have developed, and the population has increased from 34,239 (in 1948) to 272,989 (as of October 1, 2009). Ibaraki City has now become one of core urban centers in Osaka Prefecture.

Now, building on over 60 years of history and tradition, we are emerging through planned construction to become, in the 21st century: The Place where Home means Comfort, a town with its own individuality and charm.

Ibaraki City has one central library, 4 satellite libraries.

Borrowing and returning library materials

You need to register as a user in order to borrow items from our libraries. Come to any of the libraries, bringing any proof of identification document that includes your name and address (such as your foreigner registration card) and register at the library reception desk. After a moment, you will be issued a library card. This card is available at any Ibaraki City sponsored library.

The Central Library

Ibaraki City Central Library is one of the largest libraries in Osaka Prefecture. It stores and lends a huge number of books. There are many magazines and newspaper that you can read while you are in the library. The reception desk will help you with your research and questions (through the reference service). There are Braille books and audio books available for borrowing by those who need them.

Sports Facilities
Ibaraki City has sport facilities managed by the city government, including gymnasiums, swimming pools, tennis courts, and sport grounds. Please feel free to use these for the sake of your health and to share sports activities with others. Lessons are offered in sports such as tennis, Japanese fencing, and swimming.

The Civil Gymnasium

The 1st room (not for private use) is for badminton, basketball, and volley ball. In the 2nd room, you can play table tennis. In the 3rd room, you can practice Japanese fencing and Karate. The 4th room is for Judo. The 5th room is an exercise room where you can do physical training with machines.The fees for using the rooms are determined according to the time of use.

Sport grounds

Ibaraki City has many fields accommodating many sports. We have 3 tennis courts at Fukui and Kasugaoka. In Kasugaoka, there is short range archery ground for 6 archers. At Shinonome, we have three indoor tennis courts.