Kashiwara (柏原市 Kashiwara-shi) is a city located in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. The city was founded on October 1, 1958. Kashiwara City was originally one of many small towns and villages in the east of the Kawachi region. The formation of the modern city is relatively recent. Kashiwara Town absorbed Katashimo Town and Katakami Village in 1939. The large area of Kokubu Town merged with Kashiwara Town in 1956. In 1958, Kashiwara was recognised as an official city. Kansai University of Welfare Sciences was established in the city in 1997.