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Dotonbori Glico Sign

Major Japanese manufacturer Glico put up the sign in 1935. The version currently on display is the sixth rendition, remade in 2014. The sign’s happy-looking, smiling male athlete raising both hands and his left leg after scoring is considered symbolic of the city of Osaka itself. From 30 mins after sunset until midnight the sign […]

Osaka Takashimaya

With a turnover: 141 billion yen and a surface area of 64,000m2 (13th largest in Japan), Takashimaya is the a large-scale landmark store in the Minami area. It is the main store of the Takashimaya department store chain. Directly connected to Nanba Station on the Midosuji line, it is conveniently located and easily accessed by […]

Genroku Sushi

Near the shop there is a hand holding sushi prominently sticking out from a wall, originally installed in 2010. The type of sushi being held is red-fleshed (lean) tuna. Size 2.4m tall, 2.4 wide  

Misono Universe Building

Established in 1956, the Misono Universe Building is a large leisure building in “Uranamba” which contains an entrance with neon-lit waterfalls on either side, and a luxurious retro style. On the second floor there is are several unique bars, suitable for spending a long night drinking.

Club Bambi

Large open space that can fit 1000 people. Rare for Japan, the club allows 18 and 19 year-olds so there are many young, energetic people. Good for groups. Genres : EDM, R&B, hip-hop Clientele : Mainly people in their 20s, with a high proportion of flirty males * Must be over 18 to enter:ID checks

CLUB Ammona

Large atriums, spiral staircases gives a high-class impression and creates the feeling of being in an “adult playing space.” Weekends are usually crowded.Go around the dance floor and the loft in a figure-eight pattern is the standard way to party.You will often see celebrities and secret guests appear at events held here. Genres : EDM, […]

Super Kids Land Main Store

A shop specializing in anime/manga characters – mainly figurines and plastic models. The first floor contains figurines, while the second floor contains Gundam products. The large Gundam at the entrance serves as a landmark.

G2 OSAKA

The first all-night night club in Japan, staying open until 7 in the morning. Genres : All Mix、Hip Hop Clientele : 20s/30s, with many approachable girls * Must be over 20 to enter; there are ID checks

Carl Ojisan

“Carl Ojisan” is a simple, farmer-like bearded old man and the character that represents the “curl” snack. The sign was originally made by large food company Meiji Seika in 2008. On the hour, Kerota a frog comes out of his hat. Although once popular, in recent years the snack’s popularity has slumped and it is […]

Kuidaore Taro

The Kuidaore Taro doll dressed in red and white striped clothes and large black and dark rimmed glasses holding a taiko drum is considered a very famous and popular figure in Kansai. It was originally the mascot of a large restaurant chain Osaka Meibutsu Kuidaore which was established in 1949 and went on to achieve […]

Hozenji Yokocho Alley

Located on the north side of Hozenji, Hozenji Yokocho Alley is enclosed by two 80 meter-long, 3-meter wide stone-paved paths. Close to the likely Dotonbori area, the temple has a quiet historic atmosphere; it’s also been featured in many famous novels, songs, movies and dramas, and is very well-known throughout Japan. There is a long-established […]

Shinsaibashisuji shopping district

The shopping district with over 250 years of history, and consists of roads with a length of 580m from north to south. Lining the sides of the streets you can find department, brand, fashion, general, drug, sweet and souvenir stores and restaurants – approximately 180 stores altogether. On the average weekday around 60,000 people go […]

Uranamba Torameyokocho

Nine stores in a retro-style alley that sell kushi-katsu, okonomiyaki, grilled meat and fried chicken. All of the shops have delivery systems. It is also a good option for pub crawls.

4 Chome Nanba/1 Chome Nanbanaka

There is a relatively large gay town in Osaka centered on the fourth district and Namba-naka area of Namba. There are roughly LGBT 60 clubs/restaurants, with 40 of those being gay bars and many for elderly people. One of the main characteristics of the Minami gay bars is their small and fiercely individualistic character. Foreigners […]

Kinryu Ramen “Kinryu”

The green dragon sticking through the red wall is very lifelike and looks as if it could move at any moment. Put in place in 1992. The sign itself could almost be considered an elaborate art piece due to its intricate details.   Size Approx. 6m in length  

Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street

A roughly 160m-long shopping arcade lined with 50 or so stores that sell kitchen utilities, machines and tools targeted at professional chefs and cooks. Of course, you don’t have to be a professional to shop here, so if you’re interested in cooking, it may be worth having a look for new kitchen utensils here. The […]

Design Pocket Osaka Main Store

A shop that specializes in making fake food models. There are over a thousand different kinds of food models that look exactly like the real thing. You can also take a tour to find out more about how they are made.

America Mura

A popular place among young people in Kansai and the birthplace of many trends, America Mura is a place where many Kansai youth and teens hang out. Despite being beign only 300m by 500m in area, there are numerous import & second-hand stores, general stores, cafes, galleries, music instrument shops and more – a chaotic […]

Horie

Horie is perhaps the most refined and high-class area of Osaka, full of shops (including fashion, general goods, furniture), cafes and so on. If the nearby “America mura” is the place for rebellious young people, then Horie is the place for trendy young people. Horie is more open and spacious in comparison to the other […]

Takoya Dotonbori Kukuru Mainstore “Big Octopus”

This realistically-designed octopus installed in 2000 looks almost like the real thing. The one next to the Dotonbori Glico sign is the “father” and the one at the front of the shop is the “eldest son,” while the “mother” and “second son” can be found in the Dotonbori Konamon Museum. The father octopus’s eyes sometimes […]

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Kani Doraku Crab

Found above the entrance to crab restaurant Kani Doraku Dotonbori is a large model crab, the arms and eyes move and the body is large, giving a striking impression. It is rumored that if made into crab stew there would be enough to feed 16,000 people. Originally made in 1962, the sign has been remade […]

Daimaru Shinsaibashi

Established way back in 1726, the Shinsaibashi store is the flagship store for the long-standing Daimaru chain. It is directly connected to Osaka Metro Shinsaibashi Station and very convenient to access via public transport. In the north building there is a range of luxury shops, whereas the south building is almost entirely aimed at tourists. […]

Osaka Ohsho Dotonbori Main Store Gyoza Dumplings

The store’s main dish, gyoza, was made into a model approximately 1,100 times its actual size and has remained there since 2012. The attention to detail makes the gyoza very realistic as if it has been cooked – so real that you might want to eat it! Size 4m tall, 3.5m wide

Giraffe Resort

The largest club in Kansai fits over 1400 people. Many foreigners visit the 4-floor building with a giraffe sign out the front. The 2nd and 4th floors have different genres of music playing, with the 2nd floor in particular being high tension (3rd floor is the VIP room). It opens and closes early so it […]

Kushikatsu Daruma “Daruma Daijin”

A large-scale, scary-looking old man based on the fourth shop owner was put in place in 2008 and remained there ever since. There is also a full-body version in front of the shop. Size 6.4m tall, 4.1m wide Photo tips Try taking two shots with the full body in front of the store

Namba Parks

Directly connected to Nankai Dentetsu Namba Station, Namba Parks is a huge, multi-building landmark. In the commercial tower, there is high quality clothes and other various goods, with over 250 shops and restaurants in total. It contains the largest cinema complex in Osaka, as well as a verdant rooftop park.