Osaka Gas Building, Osaka

The Osaka Gas Building is a distinctive landmark in the city with a black and white façade and curved walls. It was built to house the offices of the Osaka Gas Company and remains its headquarters till today.

The Osaka Gas Building is known in the city as the Gas Building. It was designed by architect Takeo Yasui who formulated the plans for many well known 20th century buildings in the city. There is a famous restaurant, a hall and a space dedicated to the different aspects of gas manufacture and distribution within the Osaka Gas Building. It was designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in the year 2003.

The famous Gas Building Dining Room is located on the 8th floor. The restaurant and the building opened on the same day. It was the first restaurant serving western food in Osaka. The first chef came from the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. The specialty of the restaurant is the Gas Building Curry and Hashed Rice. It was renovated in the year 2000 but the atmosphere of the restaurant was carefully preserved and its bar counter was left undisturbed. The first floor has a gallery displaying gas apparatus and a space for cookery demonstrations fitted with advanced gas equipment.