Water Transport and Ferryboats in the Water Metropolis of Osaka

2020/12/10

Did you know that ferryboats are still active in the metropolis of Osaka? While often thought of as a means of transport from the past, Osaka City has eight municipal ferry landings that are free to use. These are not for sightseeing, but are an active means of transportation for local residents. Furthermore, while ferries are often discontinued once bridges are built, four of the eight ferry locations in Osaka City have survived even after bridges were constructed. What is the background behind this? Let's look back as far as the early modern period.

In the urban areas of Osaka formed from the late 16th to the 17th century, many canals were excavated. Along with the Yodo River, they played an important role as a logistics hub consisting of coastal and river transport. This is why Osaka, the "Kitchen of the World," was said to have "808 bridges." This urban water transport was carried over and developed further into the modern era. With the growth of Osaka as an industrial city, various large and small factories were established along the lower reaches of the Yodo River, such as the Okawa, Aji, and Kizu Rivers, where water transport was utilized for the collection and distribution of raw materials and products. As water transport became more active, building bridges became difficult, and ferryboats grew in importance as a means of transportation. At ferry landings with high traffic, transport limits were reached, and in the 1940s, an underwater tunnel was even built beneath the Aji River, which is still in use today. After the war, against the backdrop of advancing motorization, most of the canals in central Osaka were filled in by the 1960s, leaving only traces in place names. However, the lower Yodo River area has survived as an industrial zone, and river transport continues to play a certain role. Even today, on the Aji River, it is necessary to build bridges without piers to accommodate water transport.

Now, let's return to the ferryboats mentioned at the beginning that survived even after bridges were built. Because the bridges in all these locations have a clearance of 30 to 50 meters to allow large vessels to pass, they are not suitable for daily use by pedestrians. Due in part to opposition from residents, the ferryboats were maintained. In the rivers of the industrial zones in the lower Yodo River basin, water transport is still prioritized today, making it difficult to build bridges that can be used by pedestrians and cyclists.

The above story is a byproduct of research I conducted several years ago on urban water transport in Osaka. Every region has been shaped over a long history by various human actions and interventions. I have come to realize once again that the history carved into a land or region can manifest in unexpected ways.