Yodogawa Ward in Osaka City borders administrative wards and municipalities such as Kita Ward and Toyonaka City, and the ward's designated flower is the pansy. Because Yodogawa Ward is sandwiched between rivers, it was once a particularly agriculturally developed area. The area around JR Kashima Station is currently experiencing the construction of apartment buildings and high-rise office buildings, and is developing as a secondary urban center of Osaka. Tourist attractions include Yodogawa River Park, which is beautifully decorated with cherry blossoms in the spring, Rengeji Temple, and Kaguhashi Shrine. The Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival is held at Yodogawa River Park every August, attracting many visitors. Furthermore, with the opening of the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen, the ward now has improved access to the Tokyo metropolitan area and the Chugoku region.