A walk around Dotonbori, Osaka

04:14

This week I have been on a work trip which, so far, has taken me to Fukuoka for a couple of days, and i've just come to the end of my second day in Osaka. Today I was lucky enough to have some free time from about 3pm, so I headed out to Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori to do some shopping and eat some ramen! I had all intentions of staying out until it got dark so I could take photos of Dotonbori at night with all the neon, but i'm exhausted and need some rest before a huge day tomorrow starting with work in Kobe, and travelling to Tokyo at night.

If you ever visit Osaka, you really should make the effort to check out the Dotonbori area at night. There are TONS of restaurants and souvenir shops, as well as a lovely canal lit up by all the neon lights surrounding the area. If you're in Osaka, and want to try their famous local foods, Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki or Kushi Katsu, there are plenty of places in this area to try these things.

You can access the Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi areas of Osaka using the Midosuji Subway line on the Osaka Subway system. I chose to get off at Shinsaibashi station and walk down the covered shopping street before arriving at Dotonbori. If you want to head straight to Dotonbori, get off at Namba station.

The Dotonbori area in Osaka is a must-see. It is the place to go to try any of the Osaka specialities like Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki or Kushi Katsu, as well as shop and party until the wee hours.
The canal running alongside Dotonbori
The Dotonbori area in Osaka is a must-see. It is the place to go to try any of the Osaka specialities like Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki or Kushi Katsu, as well as shop and party until the wee hours.

The Dotonbori area in Osaka is a must-see. It is the place to go to try any of the Osaka specialities like Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki or Kushi Katsu, as well as shop and party until the wee hours.

The Dotonbori area in Osaka is a must-see. It is the place to go to try any of the Osaka specialities like Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki or Kushi Katsu, as well as shop and party until the wee hours.
The famous Glico Man sign

Always so many people in Shinsaibashi-suji

The Dotonbori area in Osaka is a must-see. It is the place to go to try any of the Osaka specialities like Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki or Kushi Katsu, as well as shop and party until the wee hours.


Look at the line-up outside Ichiran Ramen! I was smart and went to their new location just down the street without a line :)

The Dotonbori area in Osaka is a must-see. It is the place to go to try any of the Osaka specialities like Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki or Kushi Katsu, as well as shop and party until the wee hours.

The Dotonbori area in Osaka is a must-see. It is the place to go to try any of the Osaka specialities like Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki or Kushi Katsu, as well as shop and party until the wee hours.
I love the crazy restaurant fronts on Dotonbori

The Dotonbori area in Osaka is a must-see. It is the place to go to try any of the Osaka specialities like Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki or Kushi Katsu, as well as shop and party until the wee hours.


The Dotonbori area in Osaka is a must-see. It is the place to go to try any of the Osaka specialities like Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki or Kushi Katsu, as well as shop and party until the wee hours.

So many shops along Shinsaibashi-suji
Have you ever been to Osaka? What did you think? Do you prefer Osaka or Tokyo?


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10 comments

  1. Unknown24 August 2016 at 04:21

    I felt like Osaka was more approachable but Tokyo had me in awe the whole time! I'm happy you had some time for yourself on your work trip. I'm excited to hear about Kobe since I don't know if we will make it there.

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    Replies
    1. Sea Change Okinawa24 August 2016 at 22:39

      Unfortunately I only have the day in Kobe and it's all work!
      I definitely prefer Tokyo, but I do enjoy Osaka as well :)

      Delete
  2. Fun Flying Four 27 August 2016 at 23:55

    I really liked Osaka when we visited, I would love to return with Matt!

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  3. Tanja/the Red Phone box travels31 August 2016 at 03:04

    nice photos! #wanderful wednesday

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  4. Bumble Bee Mum31 August 2016 at 04:34

    Dotonburi was one of the few places I visited when in Osaka for the first time! I love the vibe and of course the food there. Between Osaka and Tokyo, I can't really decide which I like more, they seem pretty comparable? Osaka has USJ and Tokyo has Disney.. It's really hard to choose.. :p #WanderfulWednesday

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  5. Unknown31 August 2016 at 13:45

    I loved taking a walk around through your camera lens. I feel like I got to see so much colour and vibrancy :)

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  6. Lauren on Location1 September 2016 at 08:03

    Your pictures are so bright and fun! I've never been to either Tokyo or Osaka, but they're on my list! :D

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  7. sheenyie5 September 2016 at 23:37

    I visited Osaka 10 years ago & I still remember Dotonburi vividly - thanks for taking me back down memory lane! You really captured the energy of the place, just as I remember it

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  8. Unknown6 September 2016 at 04:25

    I lived in Osaka for a few months before moving to Kyoto - and I love dotonbori!! I definitely prefer Kansai to Kanto - the people seem so much friendlier! haha. And I love Kasai-ben too! Ookini!!!

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  9. Sandy N Vyjay6 September 2016 at 23:47

    Dotonbori is so colurful and vibrant and your post brings the place alive in all its vivid colours. The canal reminds me of Venice!

    ReplyDelete