Hirakata, city, northeastern Ōsaka fu (urban prefecture), west-central Honshu, Japan. It lies along the Yodo River on low land that rises eastward to the northern portion of the Ikoma Mountains. The city is an important component of the Ōsaka-Kōbe metropolitan area.
Hirakata prospered as a post station and river port between Kyōto (northeast) and Ōsaka (southwest) during the Edo (Tokugawa) period (1603–1867). In the late 19th century the city declined, but it was revived by the opening of a railway (1910) between Kyōto and Ōsaka. Hirakata then developed as a residential suburb and educational centre, and industries producing textiles, metal products, machinery, and rolling stock gained importance. Pop. (2010) 407,978; (2015) 404,152.