Dotombori

In Dotonbori, there is an abundance of street food to enjoy. It's easy to eat, allowing you to taste a variety of different types of food. However, with so many shops, it's easy to get lost and not know where to go. That's why we'll introduce you to four must-see shops in Dotonbori! 1. "551 Horai" One of Osaka's famous gourmet foods is the pork bun. It's chewy and has a great texture, with the juicy filling being especially delicious! It's large and filling, so you'll be satisfied after eating it. Freshly made pork buns are piping hot and taste twice as good in the winter! In addition to pork buns, they also sell shumai and gyoza. 2. "Kani Doraku" Kani Doraku is a restaurant, but they also sell take-out products. Their product is "Taraba Crab Charcoal Grilled," which contains two Taraba crabs per pack. The aroma of the charcoal-grilled crab is appetizing and the meat is tender and delicious. It's great to be able to eat crab while walking around! 3. "Kukuru" This is a shop where you can eat takoyaki. The takoyaki here is fluffy and has a creamy center. The texture of the octopus inside is also great! Despite its appearance, it's filling and will definitely satisfy your hunger. You can also make your own takoyaki inside the shop. It might be a good idea to try it as a souvenir of your visit to Osaka. 4. "Takoyaki Doraku Wanaka" Although it's a takoyaki shop, the gourmet food to pay attention to here is "Takosen." It's a menu item where they sandwich takoyaki between large shrimp crackers. The crispy shrimp crackers and the creamy takoyaki texture might become addictive. They also offer toppings such as green onions and cheese for an additional fee. Both takoyaki and takosen are popular gourmet foods!

When it comes to Osaka, you can't leave out okonomiyaki. Of course, there are many restaurants in Dotonbori where you can eat okonomiyaki. The characteristics of okonomiyaki vary depending on the restaurant, and the taste also subtly changes. Here are two restaurants that are particularly known for their okonomiyaki. 1. "Mizuno" This is a very popular okonomiyaki restaurant on both weekdays and weekends. The most popular menu item is the "yamaimo-yaki". It's made with 100% yamaimo (Japanese yam) instead of flour, so you can enjoy a fluffy okonomiyaki. In addition to cabbage, there are plenty of toppings such as scallops, shrimp, and pork, so you'll be very satisfied! If you want to try a classic menu item, you should try the "Mizuno-yaki". It contains six types of seafood and meat, so you can enjoy a delicious and voluminous okonomiyaki. 2. "Dotombori Ichimei" This restaurant is located along the Dotonbori River and is known for its heart-shaped okonomiyaki, the "Osaka Omoide-yaki". While most okonomiyaki are round, they will cook it in a heart shape, which might make you a little happy! It's 1.5 times larger than the regular size and is filled with plenty of toppings such as shrimp, scallops, and squid! It's recommended to share one with someone. They also have other original menu items, so you can enjoy your favorite menu item!

When you come to Dotonbori, it's recommended to take a photo in the same pose as Glico. Seeing the Glico sign, many people feel the reality of coming to Osaka, but taking a commemorative photo is perfect for feeling Osaka! Take a memorable photo with your family, friends, or loved ones. The recommended photo spots are the Ebisu Bridge where the Glico sign is prominently displayed, or the Tonbori River Walk along the river.

The Tonbori River Cruise is a cruise ship that travels back and forth on the river in Dotonbori. If you're visiting Dotonbori for sightseeing, we recommend taking the Tonbori River Cruise. You can enjoy a round trip to Namba, going from Taizaemon Bridge Landing to Nihonbashi and then to Minatomachi River Place and back. While many people come and go on the streets of Dotonbori, it's recommended to spend a relaxing time on the river. There is also a guided tour by the crew, so you can learn about famous places and hidden stories and become more familiar with Osaka.

Did you know that you can ride the tall, vertical Ferris wheel called the "Ebisu Tower" along the Dotonbori River? This four-person, oval-shaped Ferris wheel offers views of not only the sights of Osaka's Minami area, but also a panoramic view of Abeno Harukas. It takes about 15 minutes to complete a rotation, and the unique feature of this four-person, oval-shaped and horizontally moving Ferris wheel makes the "Ebisu Tower" the world's first of its kind! Since this type of Ferris wheel is rarely seen, it might be a good idea to take a ride to commemorate your visit.

If you're looking to buy souvenirs in Osaka, we recommend visiting Dotonbori. There are shops in Dotonbori that handle Osaka souvenirs, and "Kuidaore-ten," "Naniwa Meibutsu Ichibiri-an," and "Glico-ya" are famous. Various items are sold, from Glico items unique to Osaka to goods featuring Kuidaore Taro and Osaka specialties. If you're lost in the souvenir shops, be sure to check out these three stores!

In the evening, the guys who work at izakayas (Japanese-style pubs) start calling out to people around the Dotonbori area. It's fine if you decline and they give up right away, but some of them can be persistent in trying to get you to come to their establishment. If you originally planned on going to their shop, then there's no problem. However, we often hear about troubles where people gave in to the pressure and ended up with a very expensive bill! When approached by these catchers, be sure to firmly decline.

One thing to be aware of is the Dotonbori area on Halloween night. Everyone comes out to enjoy Halloween, and the Ebisu Bridge is overflowing with people. It's very difficult to move forward, even if you want to. As many people are drinking alcohol, the security in Dotonbori on Halloween night tends to be poor. There is a risk of getting injured if you get caught up in the crowds, so be careful. If you want to avoid it, it's a good idea to take a different route.