Dôtonbori, Osaka's bustling district
- Published on : 28/11/2014
- by : L.T.
- Youtube
Dotonbori la nuit, Osaka
© Gonzalo Moreira, Unsplash
Nocturnal Hallucinations
Takoyaki, karaoke, neons... If your trip takes you to Osaka, discover the colorful Dotonbori district in southern Osaka!
A lively district... but not the only one!
When visiting Osaka, Dotonbori is the district not to be missed. A veritable city within a city, Dotonbori is the highlight of Japan's third-largest city. The area near Namba station was once a pleasure district, boasting numerous theaters, making it Japan's “Broadway”. Today, it has become Osaka's leading entertainment area with bars, restaurants, and karaoke galore ! Also, very touristy, many boutiques and department stores are positioned in the shopping alleys around, making Dotonbori an ideal shopping district. Finally, Dotonbori is Osaka's culinary center, with hundreds of restaurants offering regional dishes such as okonomiyaki, udon or takoyaki, as well as traditional Japanese food (sushi, ramen...).
What to see in Dotonbori
While the lights of Dotonbori are beautiful to behold, exclusively at night, the district can be visited by strolling between the large shopping alleys and the smaller, more intimate streets. Places not to be missed include :
- The Glico Sign, a must-see from the Ebisubashi Bridge.
- The Nipponbashi district, specialized in manga, anime and otaku culture, is a must-see, like the mirror of Tokyo's Akihabara. You'll find maids cafés and figurine stores.
- The giant crab of Kani Doraku, a mythical Osaka sign, this imposing crab wiggles its legs and appears to be walking on the wall. It belongs to a kaiseki and seafood restaurant, of which there are several in the Dotonbori district. The most famous is Kani Doraku Dotonbori Main Branch, located on Dotonbori's main street.
- Stroll along the Dotonbori canal. You'll find plenty of restaurants to whet your appetite. Continue your stroll down Dotonbori Street and enjoy the light show and moving storefronts of Osaka's most famous street!
Glico Sign in Dotonbori
© Zhenyu Luo, Unsplash
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What to do in Dotonbori
Dotonbori is famous for being a great entertainment district, so you'll find plenty to do as you stroll along the canal:
- Take a ride on the Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel and enjoy a beautiful view of Osaka.
The Ferris wheel is accessible from the Don Quijote Dotonbori and remains open until 10 pm (last entry 9:30 pm).
- Take a photo in front of the Glico Sign from the Ebisubashi.
The Ebisubashi bridge can be so popular that it's hard to get to, so you'll have to be patient to take a photo with this confectionery company's famous billboard.
- Shopping in the shopping alleys of Namba, around the canal.
In addition to the massive seven-storey Don Quijote, open 24 hours a day, there are other department stores selling cosmetics, gadgets and souvenirs from Japan. Take a stroll down Ebisu Bashi-Suji Shopping Street, a long shopping street running perpendicular to the canal. Many of the restaurants are located on this street!
Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel, in Dotonbori's Don Quijote
© Dudva, wikimedias
Food 🥟
What to eat in Osaka, specifically Dotonbori? If you want to discover Japanese food, you've come to the right place. Between local street food and typical restaurants like the izakaya, here are the dishes not to be missed:
- okonomiyaki
- takoyaki
- yakitori
- seafood (crab, etc.)
- udon
- sushi
- gyoza
Tip for your visit:
- 🌃 Take the time to visit this neighborhood at night, or at sunset, as this is the best time to admire the neon lights and illuminated advertising signs! What's more, the banks of the Dotonbori canal are always illuminated by lanterns or restaurant lights, giving the district a warm atmosphere!
How to get there 🚇
Dotonbori is located in the Namba district of southern Osaka. To get there, you have several options:
- Osaka Metro: the Midosuji, Yotsubashi and Sennichimae lines all stop at Namba station.
- Kintetsu Line: The Kintetsu Nara Line stops at Osaka Namba station (the Kintetsu Limited Express runs from Namba to Kyoto in 1h20)
- Hanshin Line : This line passes through Kobe - Sannomiya, before making a stop at Namba station.
For JR Pass holders :
- JR Kansai line : This line, also known as the Yamatoji line, runs from Tennoji to Namba.
From Namba station, it's just a few minutes' walk to the shopping alleys and the Ebisubashi.
Dotonbori, next to Ebisubashi bridge
© Dmitry Romanoff, Unsplash
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Address, timetable & access
Dotonbori
Address
Dotonbori, 道頓堀, Chūō-ku
542-0071
Japan
Timetable
Namba station on :
- Midosuji, Yotsubashi and Sennichimae subways,
- the Kintetsu-Nara line
- Hanshin Line,
- JR Kansai Line
