About Yao City

At that time the population was 64,431 and consisted of 18.99 square kilometers.

As of March 31st 2008 the population was 273,292.
This includes all citizens and registered foreigners.
Male population: 132,403
Female population: 140,889
Total Families: 115,976

Yao is located east of central Osaka.
To the west of Yao is Osaka City.
To the north of Yao is Higashi Osaka City.
To the south of Yao is Kashiwara City, Matsubara City, and Fujidera City.
Just east of Yao is Ikoma Mountain and the boarder with Nara Prefecture.

The City Tree:The Maidenhair Tree
The City Flower: Chrysanthemum

Our Sister city: Bellevue, Washington, USA (est. November 1969)
Our Friendship city: Jiading-qu Shanghai, China (est. September 1986)

Yao City was developed as a suburb of Osaka City, and now has a population of over 200,000 people. On April 1st 2001, Yao City was recognized as an exceptional city (Distinguished City), and as of January 1st 2009, Yao City became 9th highest in population within Osaka Prefecture.

Yao is the birthplace of “Kawachi Ondo,” a special folk dance and music only found in Yao.  In the summertime, within the city, here and there, special festive towers and Japanese lanterns are set up around the city inviting people to join the circles of dance.  From generation to generation these songs and dances have been passed down and have warmed the hearts of all.  According to legend “Kawachi Ondo” originated at Jokoji Temple.

Legend has it that during the Muromachi era the workers sang while they brought wood from the Yamatogawa river to rebuild Jokoji Temple. This is how “Kawachi Ondo” began.

This music style was also known as “Nagashi Bushi.”  This style of singing is very slow, and almost like talking, and full of emotion.  Today, one can only hear this unique and orthodox singing style at Jokoji Temple.

Every summer in August, we have a special summer event known as the “Kawachi Ondo Festival.”  This includes a huge parade and bon dancing.  Many of our fellow citizens join in the festivities.

In east Yao we have Takayasu Mountain.  Many people still live in the small mountain village on Takayasu’s sloops. This village is called Yamanneki.  It is full of historical sights, especially, the ancient tumulus structures, which are burial mounds.  The best known, and largest in the Nakagawachi area is the Shionjiyama tomb.  Another well know feature is the Takayasu senzuka grave sight, which consists over 200 tombs grouped together.

We are proud of both our small and mid-sized companies for exhibiting a high quality of technical skill and development in production. And so we are known as a city with a tradition of quality production.  Yao city has traditionally held the top share in toothbrush manufacturing in all of Japan.  The skills of Yao’s companies also shine in the production of items like hardware and electronic appliances, and even modern technology.  Yao City’s total amount of production is third in Osaka Prefecture, behind Osaka City and Sakai City (according industrial research, 2007).  Our manufacturing is vibrant.

Yao’s green soybeans are grown locally, and consumed locally, so that means they are fresh, ripe, large, and very sweet.  In the Kinki area, our soybeans are the number one harvested crop.

Yao City is the top producer of young burdock (wakagobo) in the nation, over 300 tons.  Young burdock is very nourishing, and is rich in dietary fiber, iron, calcium, and rutin.  It has been noted as a healthy vegetable.  It is also called “hagobo” (burdock with leaves) All parts are eatable, the leaf, stem and root.  It is a little bitter and very crunchy.  When Yao people eat it they feel spring has arrived.

Kintetsu Osaka Line: from Tsuruhashi station to Kintetsu Yao station
JR Yamatoji Line: from Tennoji to JR Yao station
Subway Tanimachi Line: from Tennoji station to Yao Minami station

Use Osaka’s main road map

Use Yao’s main road map