Your ultimate guide to the best attractions, shops and restaurants in Osaka's southern downtown district – Minami
Osaka's sourthern downtown district of Minami, which encompasses the Namba area, is the city’s renowned entertainment district, home to countless dining, shopping and nightlife options. That massive Glico running man sign that has become synonymous with Osaka – you’ll find it here among the bustling, neon-lit streets of Dotonbori.
The Minami district is also home to Amerikamura, which is Osaka’s answer to Tokyo’s Harajuku. You’ll find all sorts of youthful fashion, boutiques and cafés in this energetic neighbourhood. For something more hip and refined, venture to Horie, especially around Tachibana-dori (Orange Street), where tightly curated select shops co-mingle with artistic brands and industrial-chic cafés.
There’s really no shortage of shopping in Minami, as the area also features a massive covered shopping arcade, Namba Parks shopping centre, major department stores and luxury boutiques, especially along the streets of Shinsaibashi. As such, you can expect Minami to be very well served by public transport – three train companies, three subway lines and an express bus terminal – making this an ideal base for your Osaka holiday.
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You can’t say you’ve seen Osaka until you’ve been to Dotonbori. The entertainment and nightlife district is perhaps Osaka’s most famous draw, known for its bright neon signs and array of street food. Here you’ll find the city’s iconic landmarks such as the Glico running man sign and the massive Don Quijote store with a ferris wheel.
The neighbourhood known affectionately as Amemura has been around since the late ’60s. It got its name from the numerous American-import fashion and vintage stores that used to populate the area. While still known for its fashion shops, Amemura has evolved into a hub for youth culture over the years. Today, you’ll find numerous boutiques, vintage shops and cafés in the area as well as Triangle Park (perfect for people watching) and hidden cocktail den Bar Nayuta.
The massive Namba Parks shopping and entertainment complex was designed to inject some greenery into the city’s concrete jungle, with the lush terraced rooftop garden offering a much needed respite from the bustling streets. Recently the facility expanded with a new area on the south side. Here you’ll find a varied mix of restaurants and two new hotels, one of which is Japan’s first hotel by a Thai luxury brand.
11am-11pm daily
Established in 1923, this grand Western-style building is Osaka’s main kabuki venue. Shochikuza Theater can hold about 1,000 people, and there are English headsets available, so tourists can easily understand and enjoy kabuki performances.
Just five minutes’ walk from Namba Parks is Osaka’s most unique shrine. The imposing 12m-tall lion head building is said to be able to bestow good luck on worshippers by engulfing any evil bothering them.
6.30am-5pm daily
This short and sweet boat ride takes you on a leisurely journey along the Dotonbori canal. It’s a great option if you’re looking to pack Dotonbori into your tight schedule as the cruise only takes about 20 minutes. Get your tickets at Tazaemonbashi pier; the ticketing office opens an hour before the first departure.
11am-9pm daily
This renowned covered shopping street spans approximately 600m in length. There really is everything here, from designer labels and trendy boutiques to kimono shops and countless restaurants. The arcade is also within walking distance from Dotonbori and Amemura, making it easy to explore all three in one day.
This small museum collects ukiyo-e (traditional woodblock prints) produced in Osaka during the Edo (1603-1867) and the Meiji (1868-1912) periods, with many featuring kabuki actors. You can partake in a workshop (¥600) and make your own ukiyo-e print.
11am-6pm (last entry 5.30pm), closed Mon.
Osaka’s answer to Tokyo’s Tsukiji is Kuromon Market, a covered shopping and dining arcade dedicated to seafood and fresh produce. Come here for grilled crab legs, oysters, fresh uni (sea urchin roe) and yakitori.
Opening hours vary by store.
Just a short walk from Dotonbori, this atmospheric yokocho features tiny alleys filled with old-school izakaya, bars and restaurants. There are about 60 restaurants and shops here, including eateries specialising in Osaka-style okonomiyaki. Don’t miss the beautiful Hozenji Temple located in the midst of this yokocho.
Opening hours vary by store.
This heritage townhouse has been converted into a collection of chic restaurants. The twin highlights here are Dashidokoro Semba Yamamoto, which serves dishes based on dashi (soup stock made from fish and kelp), and Sushi Toyotaka, a Bib Gourmand-rated sushi restaurant.
Takoyaki – the ubiquitous savoury ball of batter encasing a piece of octopus – is an Osaka staple. One of our go-tos for this addictive snack is Takotako King, a lively pub with multiple outlets in the Minami area. Here you can try takoyaki in a variety of flavours including shoyu, ponzu, mentaiko mayo and garlic salt. It also serves other Kansai classics such as okonomiyaki.
Shinsaibashi Parco transformed its second basement floor into a lively food hall called Shinsaibashi Neon Shokudo Gai. There are 25 well-designed eateries and bars including a Korean restaurant, a tantanmen specialist and a Japanese craft whisky bar.
Opening hours vary by outlet.
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