State of the Map Asia 2026/Call for Venues/Japan
Proposal for Hosting State of the Map Asia 2026 in Osaka, Japan
We hereby propose to host State of the Map Asia 2026 in Osaka, Japan (Nakazakichō) over two days, September 6 (Sun)–7 (Mon), 2026, as a regional conference where OpenStreetMap volunteer mappers from across Asia and around the world gather to share their experiences and mapping expertise.
This proposal leverages the strengths of the OpenStreetMap communities in Japan and the wider Asian region. With active student mappers from YouthMappers and HOTOSM members working on disaster risk reduction, we aim to collaborate with the Salon de AManTo team—who lead grassroots, youth-driven community resilience efforts in the Umeda–Nakazakicho area, often referred to as Osaka’s downtown. Our goal is to realize the first-ever SotM Asia held in Japan, offering a unique opportunity to explore Japanese culture, approaches to disaster preparedness, and vibrant exchanges with the Japanese OSM community.
Vision
Osaka is one of Asia’s leading cities, combining advanced urban infrastructure, international accessibility, and a lively civic culture. Nakazakichō is a walkable, human-scale neighborhood known for its creative community spaces—an ideal environment for a community-driven, mid-sized conference.
We aim to:
- Create a welcoming environment for both experienced contributors and newcomers
- Strengthen collaboration among OSM communities across Asia
- Showcase humanitarian mapping, open data, civic tech, and geospatial innovation
- Ensure accessibility, diversity, and inclusion
Organizing Structure
- Local Organizing Committee (Tentative)
- Volunteers from the Japanese OpenStreetMap community (Consensus-building within OSMF Japan and the OSM Japan community is ongoing)
- YouthMappers chapters in Japan (Aoyama Gakuin University, University of Tsukuba, Reitaku University)
- HOT Japan members and CrisisMappers Japan members
Past experience includes:
- Organizing SotM Global, SotM Asia, and SotM Japan
- Participation in SotM Global, SotM Asia, SotM US, SotM Latam
- Hosting mapping parties and workshops
- Humanitarian and academic OSM projects
- Local coordination will be conducted in collaboration with Nakazakichō-based members (Salon de AManTo team).
Venue
Planned Location
- Nakazakichō Hall and Salon de AManTo, Osaka
Venue Overview & Dates
- Dates: September 6 (Sun)–7 (Mon), 2026
- Expected attendance: 140 participants + 40 staff = 180 total
- Main hall: approx. 140 seats (+40 staff)
- Sub-venues: Salon de AManTo (two rooms, 30 seats each)
- Wi-Fi available
- Full audio/visual equipment
- Ample power outlets
- Barrier-free access
- Numerous hotels and restaurants within walking distance
Participation Fee
- Free of charge (advance registration required; capacity limits apply)
Catering
Planned Services
- Morning and afternoon coffee breaks
- Lunch (bento or external catering)
- Vegetarian / vegan / halal options
- Optional social dinner
Catering vendors will be finalized after venue confirmation.
Host City: Osaka
Osaka is Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area and a major hub city in Asia.
Access
- Kansai International Airport (KIX): numerous international direct flights
- Osaka International Airport (Itami): domestic flights
- Shinkansen: approx. 1h30 from Hiroshima, 3h from Tokyo
- Extensive subway and rail networks
Accommodation
- Guesthouse arrangements available through Salon de AManTo Tenzin for interested participants
- Wide range of hotels, hostels, and guesthouses
- Many options in Nakazakichō and Umeda
- Broad price range
- Infrastructure
- High-speed internet
- 5G coverage
- Stable power supply
Safety & Inclusion
- Osaka is generally a safe city
- Well-developed medical services
- Accessible public transportation
- LGBT-friendly urban environment
- Compliance with OSM Foundation safety policies and Code of Conduct
- Early September is warm, but all venues are air-conditioned.
Travel & Visa
- Visa exemptions or simplified procedures for many Asian countries (Reference: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html)
- Clear visa application processes
- Extensive flight connections
- Reasonably affordable travel with early booking
- Invitation letters will be issued upon request.
Expected Timeline
- Call for presentations: April–May 2026
- Call for sponsors: April 2026
- Scholarship applications: April 2026
- Program announcement: July 2026
Program Outline
- Keynotes by OSM leaders from across Asia
- Parallel sessions
- Hands-on workshops
- Humanitarian mapping sessions
- Lightning talks
- Community roundtable
- Osaka mapping party
Sponsors, Local Partnerships, and Potential Collaborators (Tentative)
- OpenStreetMap Japan and OpenStreetMap Foundation Japan
- FOSS4G 2026 Hiroshima Local Organizing Committee (to be proposed as an Additional Event after acceptance)
- YouthMappers in Japan (Aoyama Gakuin University, University of Tsukuba, Reitaku University, others)
- Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team
- GeoChicas
- FlyingLabs Network / DRONEBIRD
- UN OpenGIS Initiative
- UN Mappers
- Disaster risk reduction organizations
- Japanese tech companies
- Open-source organizations
- Universities and research institutions
- Civic tech groups
Why Osaka?
- First SotM Asia to be held in Japan
- Synergy with FOSS4G 2026 Hiroshima Conference (Aug 30–Sep 5)
- Excellent accessibility from across Asia
- Safe and stable environment for hosting
- Experienced organizing team
- Creative, walkable Nakazakichō location
- Opportunity to deepen collaboration among Asian OSM communities
Submitted by
- SotM Asia 2026 Osaka Local Arrangement Team
- Lead: Taichi Furuhashi a.k.a. @mapconcierge (Aoyama Gakuin University, SotM Asia initiator)
- Operations: YouthMappers university teams
- Venue support: Salon de AManTo team