A 10-day special program for digital nomads is taking place in Osaka this spring. "Digital Nomad Week Osaka 2026 Spring ~ The Hideyoshi Legacy: Deep Osaka & Connection ~" runs from Thursday, April 2 through Saturday, April 11, 2026, centered at The DECK coworking space in Chuo Ward, Osaka.
The Growing Digital Nomad Market and Osaka
"Digital nomads" are people who leverage technology to work remotely while traveling, unconstrained by any single office or location. Their numbers are estimated at over 35 million worldwide, representing a market valued at approximately ¥110 trillion. As longer-term residents compared to typical tourists, they contribute deeply to local economies, sparking competition among destinations worldwide to attract them.
In Japan, a dedicated digital nomad visa was introduced in 2024, signaling a nationwide push to attract this demographic. Tokyo was recently ranked the world's top city for remote work, with Japan's safety, food culture, and infrastructure drawing global attention. A Fukuoka program that pioneered nomad attraction reported around 500 entrepreneurs and investors staying an average of over three weeks, generating approximately ¥140 million in economic impact.
The DECK hosts a genuine multinational community where English conversations and information-sharing happen organically. This program aims to provide digital nomads with a "second home" and business base in Osaka through meaningful interaction with local people and authentic cultural experiences — moving beyond surface-level tourism.
Program Theme: "The Hideyoshi Legacy"
The program's concept is "The Hideyoshi Legacy." Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the warlord who rose from nothing to unite Japan through remarkable communication skills and the tea ceremony — the ultimate networking tool — can be seen as Japan's original community manager. Following in his footsteps, modern digital nomads can connect across borders and draw inspiration for new business ventures and life directions.
Highlighted Programs
Over the 10 days, diverse meetups and cultural experiences are held daily. Individual events are also open for one-time participation.
Cherry Blossom Welcome Hanami & Night Sakura Magic at Osaka Castle (4/2 & 4/7)
Hideyoshi famously hosted the "Daigo no Hanami," a grand historic gathering of 1,300 people, using cherry blossom parties as a powerful networking venue. This program updates that tradition for the present. Beneath the cherry trees Hideyoshi loved, participants share food and drinks while forging deep connections across borders and backgrounds, with digital nomads from around the world and local community members coming together.
Special Tea Ceremony at Ikasuri Shrine (4/3)
Ikasuri Shrine, relocated to present-day Semba through Hideyoshi's urban planning, enshrines deities who protect travelers and their footing. For digital nomads who constantly move across borders and work in rapidly changing environments, the blessing of "steadying one's feet" — stabilizing business foundations — holds particular meaning. Participants experience Urasenke tea ceremony in this sacred space, clearing the mind and body while praying for safe travels and business prosperity.
CoRunning: Running Through Osaka at Night (4/4)
Guided by The DECK's community coordinator Tomoe, who is also a runner, this nighttime running exchange through Osaka breaks down language barriers along the way.
The DECK Signature Lunch Meetup & Takoyaki Night (4/6 & 4/10)
A lunch gathering centered around bread from the popular pop-up bakery "BRIO," followed by a DIY takoyaki party led by takoyaki master Captain Aoyama (The DECK's community coordinator) — a chance to fully enjoy Japanese local food culture.
The Way of Writing: Calligraphy Workshop by ZANE (4/8)
A special workshop by ZANE, who describes himself as a "Japanese practitioner" — one who seeks and practices the Way. Rather than simply observing the surface aesthetics of tourist-oriented activities, participants explore the processes behind the formation of the "ways" (道) such as tea ceremony and calligraphy, discovering the essence of the Japanese spirit for themselves.
Deep Osaka Fieldwork & Old Townhouse Feast (4/9) — Main Event
Participants board a retro tram to Sakai, the city connected to Sen no Rikyu, to visit a traditional swordsmith and converse with a French craftsman who has mastered Sakai's knife-making techniques. In the evening, an old townhouse cafe (anywhere cafe) hosts a feast where rice is cooked over a traditional hearth, accompanied by live sanshin (Okinawan shamisen) music.
Event Details
Name: Digital Nomad Week Osaka 2026 Spring
Dates: Thursday, April 2 – Saturday, April 11, 2026
Main Venue: The DECK (Honmachi Southern Building 1F, 2-1-1 Minamihonmachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka)
Target Participants: Digital nomads, foreign visitors to Japan, and those interested in international exchange or global business
Program Details & Registration: https://en.thedeck.jp/blog/dnwo2026sp
Individual event registration is available on the dedicated Meetup page.
Past Events
