Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi - All Your Food and Shopping in One Place. Osaka's most famous shopping area for international visitors is Dotonbori, with an overwhelming number of giant billboards crammed into small spaces, while the neighboring area of Shinsaibashi is bustling with rows of restaurants and clothing stores.
Shinsaibashi is famous for its bustling shopping district in Osaka, Japan. It is lined with a variety of stores, boutiques, restaurants, and cafes, offering a wide range of shopping and dining opportunities.
Visitors to this street number about 60,000 on weekdays and about 120,000 on weekends and holidays. Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street, which runs east to Mido-Suji Avenue, is the best-known shopping area in Osaka, and an enduring symbol of the city.
THE Dotonbori Guide: What the Others Don't Tell You! 🐙🌃🏃♂️
How long is Shinsaibashi Shopping street in Osaka?
Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street is a must-visit shopping district in the center of Osaka. As a “shotengai,” or shopping arcade, it stretches an incredible 600 meters long, making it one of the biggest and most exciting shopping streets in Japan.
If you prefer a lively shopping atmosphere, choose to stay close to Shinsaibashi, which is bustling with travelers. If you prefer to stay in a quiet area, Namba is great for you. Namba and Shinsaibashi are within walking distance of each other.
Dotonbori is famous for its eye-catching signage and billboards with a giant pufferfish, an octopus, a clown, the Kani Douraku crab all vying for your attention and creating an amusement park-like atmosphere. Of all these signs however, the most famous is that of the Glico running man above Ebisubashi Bridge.
If you don't like hot and humid weather, it's best to avoid the summer months of June, July, and August when temperatures can top 33°C (91°F). From the beginning of June until about halfway through July, the rainy season visits Osaka and most of Japan.
Planning your journey. This shopping street can be enjoyed from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on your shopping appetite. Dotonbori , Namba , Amerika Mura , and Orange Street are all within easy walking distance.
Many street food shops close around nine or ten, but Dotonbori's nightlife scene stays open even later, with some izakaya restaurants closing at or after midnight. Clubs and some bars stay open until the early hours of the next morning.
The names Namba and Minami are often used interchangeably to describe the same area, which also includes Dotonbori – the famous canal and entertainment district that's world-famous in its own right and one of Osaka's biggest attractions for international visitors.
How much is a taxi from Dotonbori to Osaka Castle?
What is the fastest way to get from Dōtonbori to Osaka Castle? The fastest way to get from Dōtonbori to Osaka Castle is to taxi which takes 4 min and costs ¥2100 - ¥2600. Is there a direct train between Dōtonbori and Osaka Castle? Yes, there is a direct train departing from Tanimachikyuchome and arriving at Temmabashi.
Almost a mile long, Shinsaibashi arcade stretches from Shinsaibaishi station to Dotonbori and is one of the busiest and oldest shopping streets in Japan. There are shops to suit every budget and tastes from high fashion to traditional crafts.
The most famous sign in the area is the Glico Running Man, which is located above Ebisubashi Bridge, a popular pedestrian bridge. The giant illumination is an advertisement for the popular Japanese snack company and features a man running on a blue track with his arms raised in victory.
Some affluent neighbourhoods in Osaka include Kitahama, Namba, and the areas surrounding Osaka Castle, which are known for their luxurious residences and upscale amenities.
Nishinari is a ramshackle slum filled with ragtag vagrants and dangerous criminals — at least, that's what the Osaka locals will have you think. Tourists, on the other hand, view it as a backpacker's paradise packed with cheap hotels and Airbnbs conveniently positioned near tourist attractions like the Shinsekai area.
Dotombori is a very popular tourist area in Osaka which features many shops, restaurants and neon. There is a canal that runs through it with the bridge that connects each side. This is peak tourist area and we went late in the afternoon and it was busy. At night time it is even busier.
Where not to stay in Osaka. Osaka is a huge city, so there are a few areas I'd recommend not staying in if you're visiting for the first time. Tennoji, Osaka Bay Area and Shin-Osaka are not the most ideal area for first time visitors.
The nature in Issyk Kul area is also very unique and it has been recognized by Unesco as a biosphere reserve. Issyk Kul and the mountain areas surrounding are filled with geological and natural sights that make Issyk Kul a great round trip destination and the top destination of Kyrgyzstan also for foreign tourists.
Is the Umeda Sky Building worth it? Highly recommended for its stunning 360-degree panoramic views of Osaka, the Umeda Sky Building includes two 40-story skyscrapers connected at the top. With its distinctive design, this building is a widely recognized landmark in Osaka.
Castelvecchio e Museo offers an interesting mix of museum exhibits and art galleries housed in a historic castle. While it's not particularly large, the collection includes some true gems, making it well worth a visit for those interested in art and history.
How to get to the Dotonbori area. Using your Japan Rail Pass, travel to the JR Namba Station (Yamatoji line). Dotonbori is about a five-minute walk from the station.
