Completed in 1904, this beauty of a public library sits between Osaka City Hall and Osaka City Central Public Hall on the island of Nakanoshima. Designated an Important Cultural Property, its Baroque-esque building features an imposing main staircase and a gorgeous central dome that lend the structure an air of authority.
The collection focuses on historic documents and other materials related to Osaka, and there’s also an extensive trove of publications related to business and commerce. The in-house shop is worth a stop for souvenir-hunters, while the library café makes tasty Nordic-style open-faced sandwiches.