Matsushima Shinchi was formerly a licensed red-light district located in Nishi Ward, Osaka, and is known as one of Osaka’s five major Shinchi districts. Today, approximately 104 restaurants operate within an area of about 80,000 square meters, alongside residential houses and small factories. The area was originally called Terashima, and its northern edge was known as Matsugahana due to a large pine tree over 300 years old. The name Matsushima was created by combining characters from Terashima and Matsugahana. Established in 1869, it became one of Japan’s earliest entertainment districts for foreign visitors. Before World War II, it rivaled Shinsaibashi in vibrancy but was completely destroyed during air raids and later relocated to its current location.