Update-date: Jun 29 2023
Dotonbori, tucked in the heart of dynamic Osaka City, has been drawing a lot of attention of late. An area known for its unique landscape that is created by the numerous flashy billboards and rows of drinking and dining spots, it actually looks like a kind of theme park that you won't find anywhere else in Japan. This article will explore the many ways to enjoy Dotonbori.
About Dotonbori
Dotonbori traces its roots back to 1612, when a man named Doton Yasui invested his own money into developing a natural river into a canal. The canal that was built was named Dotonbori ("bori" or "hori" is Japanese for "canal") in his memory. After the development of the canal, the national government’s smart city planning made Dotonbori thrive, as theaters from all over Osaka were invited to move to the south side of Dotonbori, causing restaurants and bars to set up shop to cater to visitors in the area. This historical background is also the reason why Dotonbori remains a theater and restaurant district today.
A Bustling Area Where Even Just Walking Around Is Fun
Splashy signage and billboards adorn the streets of Dotonbori. Towering on top and on the sides of buildings, billboards such as those of the popular confectionery manufacturer, Glico, and the crab restaurant, Kani Douraku, look like they are competing for attention. Even just a stroll through this street will brighten up your day. And when they get illuminated by bright neon lights at night, the scenery completely changes from how it is during the day. It could be fun to compare the daytime and nighttime landscapes. Don't forget to take a souvenir photo with the billboards to commemorate your trip to Osaka!
Did you know that the Glico billboard was put up in 1935? The current billboard, in its sixth iteration, stands 20 meters high and is lit by 140,000 LED lights. At night, the lights make it look like the man is running on a track.
Did you know that the Glico billboard was put up in 1935? The current billboard, in its sixth iteration, stands 20 meters high and is lit by 140,000 LED lights. At night, the lights make it look like the man is running on a track.
If you decide to walk along Dotonbori, you might want to try a B-grade gourmet dish or two. These are local casual eats offered at incredibly affordable prices, such as takoyaki, pork buns, and crepes. The streets of Dotonbori are filled with the sweet and savory aromas of various dishes, and they will surely whet your appetite! Note, though, that this area can get really crowded, so make sure to pay attention to the people around you while getting a bite.
Explore the Alleys While Shopping
The Shinsaibashi area in the vicinity of Dotonbori is home to Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street. The nearest train station is Shinsaibashi Station on the Osaka Metro. Measuring 580 meters long, Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street has transformed into one of the most vibrant shopping arcades in all of Osaka. Even now, it is a popular spot for shopping and dates among Osaka residents. Make sure to visit the stores on both sides of the street. Who knows? Maybe you'll find something rare or that one thing you have always wanted.
There's nothing wrong with sticking to the busy main street, but it could also be fun to change your direction and enter one of the alleys in this arcade. Check out Hozenji Yokocho, a small but charming stone-paved alleyway that is made up of two streets measuring 80 meters long and 3 meters wide that stretch from east to west. Packed with rows of long-established restaurants and bars, this alleyway is enveloped in a tranquil atmosphere even though it is located in Osaka's downtown area.
There's nothing wrong with sticking to the busy main street, but it could also be fun to change your direction and enter one of the alleys in this arcade. Check out Hozenji Yokocho, a small but charming stone-paved alleyway that is made up of two streets measuring 80 meters long and 3 meters wide that stretch from east to west. Packed with rows of long-established restaurants and bars, this alleyway is enveloped in a tranquil atmosphere even though it is located in Osaka's downtown area.
Change Your Line of Sight and Marvel at the Panoramic View of Dotonbori From the Sky and River
Equally eye-catching as the Glico billboard, which has become the symbol of Dotonbori, is the oblong-shaped Ferris wheel with Donpen, the mascot of Don Quijote, at the center. It is found on the rooftop of the Ebisu Tower, which houses the Don Quijote Dotonbori Branch, where you can purchase everything from sweets and cosmetics to home appliances. The gondolas on the Ferris wheel are also oblong in shape, and each gondola can seat up to four people. They are the first Ferris wheel gondolas in the world that move horizontally! So, how about taking a ride and gazing not just at Dotonbori down below, but also at the Osaka cityscape?
The Dotonbori River plays such a significant role in the city's life that Osaka has come to be known as the "City of Water." If you feel like exploring the city through the waterway, you can hop on the Tombori River Cruise for a 20-minute glide through nine bridges built over the Dotonbori canal. It's not often you get the opportunity to go on a river cruise while admiring urban scenery. It is the perfect way to take a break and let your body rest after an exhausting day of sightseeing. Dotonbori as seen from the river, while enjoying a pleasant breeze, has a beautifully different feel to it. One of the great things about this cruise is that there are several boarding spots in the area, so it is easy to hitch a ride.
How Does the Food in Osaka Taste? What Makes Dishes in Osaka Different from Dishes in Tokyo?
Now, here is an explanation of what sets Osaka's cuisine apart.
"Dashi" (soup stock), the very foundation of Japanese cuisine, is actually from Osaka. Did you know that the taste of the dashi in Osaka is different from the one they make in Tokyo? In Osaka’s dashi, kelp is the main ingredient, and it is combined with dried sardines, bonito, and other ingredients. The dishes in Osaka are known to be moderately seasoned because they mainly capitalize on the delicious flavors of the dashi. Meanwhile, the dashi in Tokyo is based on dried bonito flakes and has a strong aroma. To match it, the dishes in Tokyo are usually flavored with soy sauce and other strong seasonings.
Note, too, that the concept of "meat" differs between Osaka and Tokyo. In Osaka, they usually refer to beef when they talk about meat, while in Tokyo, it is pork.
"Dashi" (soup stock), the very foundation of Japanese cuisine, is actually from Osaka. Did you know that the taste of the dashi in Osaka is different from the one they make in Tokyo? In Osaka’s dashi, kelp is the main ingredient, and it is combined with dried sardines, bonito, and other ingredients. The dishes in Osaka are known to be moderately seasoned because they mainly capitalize on the delicious flavors of the dashi. Meanwhile, the dashi in Tokyo is based on dried bonito flakes and has a strong aroma. To match it, the dishes in Tokyo are usually flavored with soy sauce and other strong seasonings.
Note, too, that the concept of "meat" differs between Osaka and Tokyo. In Osaka, they usually refer to beef when they talk about meat, while in Tokyo, it is pork.
Here are some restaurants in the Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi areas where you can relish Osaka's unique dishes!
Shinsaibashi ZEN-EN (Shinsaibashi)
Shinsaibashi ZEN-EN, boasting an excellent location that is just a 1-minute walk from Osaka Metro's Shinsaibashi Station, is one of the most popular restaurants in Shinsaibashi where you can enjoy a sumptuous and authentic kaiseki course (traditional multi-course Japanese meal) for around 10,000 JPY. Their specialty is the Natural Akashi Sea Bream and Rice (3,146 JPY/serves 2 people), a pot of rice topped with one whole natural sea bream caught in the waters around Hyogo. It is an exquisite dish that fuses the flavors of sea bream and dashi. The kaiseki course comes with this particular dish, so be sure to try it. Another popular course at this restaurant is the Sukiyaki Course Matsu (12,100 JPY). This lavish course generously uses melt-in-your-mouth A4 Japanese Black beef. They also have around 20 types of Japanese sake from various regions in Japan, so pick one and pair it with your meal!
You will get to enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine inside this restaurant with red and black modern Japanese interiors. They have tables and counter seats available, as well as Japanese rooms with tatami flooring, and completely private rooms if you want total privacy. Choose where you'd like to dine according to your needs or the occasion.
Shinsaibashi ZEN-EN
Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:45 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,200 JPY
Access: 1-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station on Osaka Metro Midosuji Line (directly connected)
Address: B2F, OM Hotel Nikko Bldg., 1-3-3, Nishi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Map
More Details Reservation
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,200 JPY
Access: 1-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station on Osaka Metro Midosuji Line (directly connected)
Address: B2F, OM Hotel Nikko Bldg., 1-3-3, Nishi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Map
More Details Reservation
Nikusho Gyuko Shinsaibashi Branch (Shinsaibashi)
Nikusho Gyuko Shinsaibashi Branch is a Japanese BBQ spot where you can enjoy only the freshest Japanese wagyu beef at reasonable prices thanks to the fact that the restaurant runs a butcher shop. The wagyu beef they serve, including Saga and Miyazaki beef, is carefully prepared with the skillful knife techniques of the chef. Here, you can choose from a wide array of dishes and courses, from the classics to sumptuous courses such as the Gyuko Special 5 Kinds of Tongue (2,838 JPY), a meal with five different cuts of the popular beef tongue that are arranged in a box that looks like a treasure box. Everything on the menu is both delicious and presented in an interesting way. Another popular course at this restaurant is the Assortment of 6 Types of Skirt Steak (1,628 JPY), a set of skirt steaks topped with Japanese sansho pepper, wasabi, cheese, and other toppings. You can order a la carte and have as many of your favorites as you want, but going for the course meals is definitely recommended so that you can have your fill of Japanese Black beef.
The inside of this restaurant has a relaxing vibe. They have a total of 80 seats, with every seat roomy and designed with comfort in mind. If you prefer to dine without worrying about the people around you, there are private rooms available.
Nikusho Gyuko Shinsaibashi Branch
Open: [Monday - Saturday] Dinner 5:00 pm -12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm) [Sunday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm) [Monday- Sunday] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: 5 minutes walk from Osaka Metro Shinsaibashi Station, 1 minute from Crystal Nagahori North Exit 7
Address: 3-4-22, Minamisenba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Map
More Details Reservation
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: 5 minutes walk from Osaka Metro Shinsaibashi Station, 1 minute from Crystal Nagahori North Exit 7
Address: 3-4-22, Minamisenba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Map
More Details Reservation
Dotonbori is an area where just strolling on the streets and taking in the sights will make you feel like a child again by stirring up your curiosity and lifting up your spirits. So, walk around and try to find your own favorite spot!
Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.
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