Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi

道顿堀与心斋桥

Glico Running Man signs, giant crab billboards and neon along the canal, a street of takoyaki, okonomiyaki and kushikatsu. The heart of Osaka's nightlife and shopping.

Dotonbori is a dining and entertainment district along the south bank of the Dotonbori River. It was a theater district in the Edo period and is now famous for its giant three-dimensional signs: the Glico Running Man electric billboard on Ebisu Bridge (a landmark since 1935 and the most photographed spot in Osaka), the animated giant crab of Kani Doraku, the dragon of Kinryu Ramen, puffer fish lanterns and the giant octopus of takoyaki shops. Must-eats include takoyaki (from Kukuru, Akaoni and Wanaka), okonomiyaki (from Mizuno and Chibo), kushikatsu, Kinryu Ramen, the Ichiran Ramen Dotonbori branch and fugu dishes. The atmosphere is at its best in the evening when all the signs are lit. You can take the Dotonbori water tour boat (about 20 minutes, 1,200 yen) to see the neon from the water. North of Ebisu Bridge lies Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, a 600-meter covered arcade with everything from Daimaru department store to drugstores, Uniqlo and sportswear brands. It is the most popular shopping area for Chinese visitors. To the west, America-mura (around Triangle Park) is a district of trendy and secondhand fashion, while to the east, Nipponbashi's anime and electronics district is Osaka's “Akihabara.” Nearby, Hozenji Yokocho (stone-paved alleys and a moss-covered statue of Fudo Myoo) and the Sennichimae Doguyasuji kitchenware street in Namba are quieter corners. Getting there: Midosuji Line to Namba or Shinsaibashi Station; Nankai Namba Station is a 5-minute walk. Going in the evening is recommended, with shopping first and dinner after. Note: Crowds on Ebisu Bridge for photos are dense, so keep an eye on your belongings. Drugstore prices vary from shop to shop, so compare them. A passport is required for tax-free shopping. Some restaurants have waits of over an hour, so plan to eat at off-peak times.

Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi

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