The Best Things to Do in Dōtonbori, Osaka

Dōtonbori comes into its own at night, as the canal reflects its neon lights. A hub of social activity, this waterway cuts through the bustling Namba district. Walk along its adjacent Tonbori Riverwalk for plenty of shops, al fresco restaurants and live music performers. Stop at Dōtonbori Bridge to marvel at the giant, garish digital adverts, like a watery version of New York’s Times Square.

Walking along the Dōtonbori Canal, you’ll see a steady stream of yellow, open-air tourist boats. These are the Tonbori River Cruises, which take just 20 minutes to whisk you around the canal, so you can see the famous sights – such as the Glico running man sign (see below) – from a new perspective. You embark near Namba Station, where cruises depart every hour on the half hour.

The Shinsaibashi shotengai shopping arcade has been around for hundreds of years in some form. And it feels it: the covered walkways often make it feel more like an old-fashioned marketplace – especially when you tuck into a chocolate-smothered crepe on your way to the kimono and tea shops. Although parts of the arcade seem traditional, you’ll also find well-known international brands, such as H&M, Zara and Forever 21.

Sōemoncho is the heart of the Dōtonbori area’s evening exuberance, with its plethora of bars, clubs and karaoke joints. Most of the restaurants are open until the early hours of the morning, so join the locals by recharging with traditional fast foods after you’ve worn yourself out singing and dancing. Slurp an early morning meal at Ramen Zundo-Ya Shinsaibashi, which is open round the clock.

The Hozenji Yokocho is a narrow, stone-paved street that leads to Hozenji Temple. In stark contrast with the rest of Dōtonbori, this lane evokes the ambiance of Osaka as it was in the Edo Period (1603-1867). It’s lined with 60 tiny family-run cafes, serving traditional Japanese food. Order okonomiyaki at Hozenji Sanpei for an authentic taste of Osaka – a patty of cabbage, flour and egg with your own meat and vegetables of choice.

This tranquil temple seems out of place in busy downtown, and makes a peaceful escape from the bustle. It was built in 1637 and is one of only two buildings in the area to have survived the Second World War. Pay a visit to Fudo Myoo, a moss-covered sculpture of a deity said to protect people against evil, conquer all demons and grant all wishes. You’ll see locals praying for their prosperity and splashing water as an offering to the deity.

Kabuki is a Japanese form of traditional theatre that’s combined with dancing – an art form you can witness at the Osaka Shochikuza Kabuki Theatre. Although performances are only in Japanese, the visual spectacle makes the storylines easy to follow, so you’ll find yourself invested in the plot and laughing along with the characters in no time. The building itself is impressive, too, having been modelled on the Teatro alla Scala in Milan when it opened in 1923.

This weird and wacky Chinese restaurant just off the Dōtonbori Canal is a must-visit for two reasons: the food is fantastic and the decor is… unique. Its walls are covered in moulds of body parts – breasts, bottoms and other things, including a shrine to the male member. If all that hasn’t put you off, you can delve into the menu of hundreds of authentic Chinese staples, served 24 hours a day.

If you’ve got a taste for takoyaki (griddle-cooked octopus balls), the Konamon Museum is for you. It’s entirely dedicated to the popular Japanese street food, with interactive sections that allow you to watch takoyaki masters at work, or make your own takoyaki wax figurine to take home. The lower floor contains a takoyaki restaurant with selected wines and champagnes for pairing with your meal.

The Glico Man is the symbol of south Osaka. This sign, advertising popular Japanese snack maker Glico, was put up in 1935 and remodelled in 2014, maintaining the old design but adding new LED lights and animations that change with the time of day. The best photo-op spots are on the adjacent Ebisu Bridge or across the river on the Tonbori Riverwalk.