Shinsekai, Osaka's new world

Published on : 23/06/2020
by : S.V.

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Our guide to the Shinsekai district, a must-see in Osaka

Although its name literally means "New World", Shinsekai is the Osaka district with an undeniably retro charm that's not to be missed! Located just a stone's throw from Tennoji Park, this southern district is also a mecca for Osaka's popular gastronomy.

Osaka's new world

The Shinsekai district officially came into being in July 1912. Until the end of the 19th century, this area was occupied by fields and belonged to the village of Imamiya. It was the organization of a major national industrial exhibition in 1903 that triggered the urbanization of this site and its attachment to the city of Osaka. The resounding success of the exhibition, which showcased the country's latest industrial developments, gave the authorities the idea of transforming the exhibition site into a place dedicated to entertainment. Financed by the city's wealthy businessmen, the new district was christened Shinsekai or New World.

It is now a vast theme park with a Western flair. The main attraction of the new district is Luna Park, an amusement park similar to the one at Coney Island in New York. Inside the park stands a metal tower inspired by both the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. From here, you can take the archipelago's first cable car! A truly breathtaking attraction! Theaters, cinemas and restaurants also open their doors in this New World of Osaka. The Luna Park, however, failed to live up to expectations. Attendance declined rapidly, forcing the amusement park to close in 1923.

During the Second World War, the area was hit hard by air raids. The tower was dismantled to salvage its materials in 1943. Shinsekai continued its slow decline over the following decades. The district suffered from a particularly sulphurous reputation. A haven for the yakuza, it was regarded by the general public as a dangerous area best avoided. However, this very dark image faded in the early 1990s, thanks to novels, manga and films that placed the district's popular, retro atmosphere at the heart of their plots. Shinsekai has since returned to the limelight, and has established itself as a must-see tourist destination when visiting Osaka.

Also read: Top 10 places to visit in Osaka

When to visit Shinsekai?

It's at dusk, when the Tsûtenkaku tower and the restaurant and store signs light up, that we recommend visiting the district. The multicolored storefronts decorated with lanterns add to the retro ambience and make this a particularly popular photo spot.

Sightseeing in Shinsekai

Originally conceived as an ultra-modern entertainment venue, Shinsekai today presents a completely different face: that of retro post-war charm. Its shotengai, arcades, pachinko halls and many colorful illuminated signs will delight fans of kitsch and the picturesque. But beyond the general retro ambience, there are several places that are true symbols of the district.

Tsûtenkaku Tower

The Tsûtenkaku Tower is Shinsekai's landmark, overlooking the surrounding shopping streets. Inaugurated in 1956, this second tower is the work of architect Tachû Naito. Standing 103 metres high, it is no longer an amusement park attraction, but an observation tower offering a view of the city to its many visitors. As you pass beneath it, be sure to look up to enjoy its magnificent fresco of floral and peacock motifs. At nightfall, the tower is decked out in all its finery, with neon lights lighting up and changing color.

Did you know that just by looking at the top of the tower, you can find out what the weather will be like the following day? Yes, the color of the neon lights displayed each evening indicates the weather for the following day! White means a sunny day, blue a rainy one and orange a cloudy one.

You can do a variety of activities inside the tower itself, making it a very popular attraction with travelers.

You can :

Admire the city of Osaka from the observatory, 91 meters above the ground. Admission is 1,200￥ (€7), and if you choose to see the city from the outside, there's an open observatory with a glass floor, for 1,500￥ (€9).
For the more adventurous, you can jump 40 meters above the ground and walk on the edge of the building 26 meters high, wearing a lifeline. For 3,000 yen (€18), discover the Tsutenkaku tower like no other!
There's a large slide on the side of the tower, which puts you at its feet in a very fun experience, available for 1,000 ￥(6€).

Tsutenkaku Tower in Shinsekai, Osaka
© Alejandro Barba, Unsplash

Billiken: the funny face of Shinsekai

A round silhouette, a smiling face, a pointed head and slanting almond-shaped eyes: that's the description of the ubiquitous character in the neighborhood: Billiken. Created by an American illustrator in 1908, Billiken can now be seen on signs, in front of stores and even inside the Tsûtenkaku tower.

The people of Osaka consider it a real good-luck charm. So when you come face to face with him, don't forget to stroke his feet for good luck!

Billiken on the façade of a restaurant in Osaka
© Guilhem Vellut, wikimedias

Janjan Yokocho Alley

This particularly narrow shotengai is home to numerous restaurants, cafés and bars.

Address: 556-0002 3 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka

Access: 5-minute walk from Shin-Imamiya station on the Osaka Loop and 5-minute walk from Dobutsuen-mae station on the Sakaisuji and Midosuji subway lines

The Asahi Theatre

With a capacity of 300, the Asahi Theater is a meeting place for fans of popular theater and offers performances all year round.

Spa World

Spa World is an onsen-themed water park offering different types of bath on 8 floors ! You'll find baths in various Western and Oriental styles, open all night long!

Shinsekai: a mecca of popular gastronomy

The district is particularly famous for its simple, inexpensive but above all delicious cuisine ! Two popular dishes in particular are kushikatsu and doteyaki.

Kushikatsu are skewers of fried meat, vegetables or seafood. It's Shinsekai's signature dish ! But before enjoying kushikatsu, there's an important rule to know. Accompanied by cabbage leaves, these skewers are dipped in a sauce placed in small containers used by all customers. It is therefore strictly forbidden to dip your kushikatsu a second time into the sauce after you've already bitten into it! The Kushikatsu Daruma restaurant chain was founded in Shinsekai in 1929. Today, it has four restaurants in the district: Shinsekai Honten, Janjan, Tsutenkaku and Dobutsuenmae.

The second specialty is doteyaki, beef tendons simmered in mirin or miso.

Also read: Osaka's culinary specialties

Where to eat in Shinsekai?

Restaurants and izakaya abound in the district. Here are a few that will give you a taste of the local specialties.

Yaekatsu: Kushikatsu and kushiage restaurant
Tsurukameya: Large restaurant offering a wide variety of kushikatsu
Kankan: Quality street food in the heart of Shinsekai, specializing in Takoyaki.

How to get to Shinsekai?

By metro: from Dobutsuen-mae station on the Sakaisuji and Midosuji lines, Ebisucho station on the Sakaisuji line.
By train: from Shin Imamiya station on the JR Osaka circular line.

Address, timetable & access

Address
Timetable
Three-minute walk from Ebisuchô Station on the Saikasuji line, ten-minute walk from Dobutsuen-mae Station on the Midosuji line, ten-minute walk from Shin-Imamiya Station on the Osaka JR Loop and Yamatoji lines.