Minami
The basics
Lit by dazzling neon signs, including the instantly recognizable Glico running man, Dotonbori is the liveliest part of the Minami area, especially at night. It runs parallel to the canal, and never truly closes, with some restaurants open until the wee hours of the morning. America-mura is a small enclave of funky, youth-oriented fashion stores while Den Den Town is the place to go for electronics goods shopping and a peek into local otaku (geek) culture. But Minami also boasts a traditional cultural side, with a number of museums, theaters, temples, and shrines to explore in among the neon lights and towering shopping malls.
Join a walking tour that covers this part of the city, or take an evening food and drink stroll in Shinsaibashi and Namba for an inside view of the nightlife scene and help with the Japanese-language signage and menus.
Things to know before you go
- Minami is a great place to get a taste of Osaka’s entertainment culture.
- The many vintage and secondhand stores of America-mura in Minami make it a good choice for travelers on a budget.
- Some larger stores offer tax-free shopping; bring your passport.
- Dotonbori is a great place to try takoyaki (battered octopus), the local Osaka specialty, from a street vendor.
How to get there
The Minami area is centered around Namba Station, which is served by multiple train, subway, and bus routes. Namba Station is formed of multiple station buildings and platforms, including Nankai Namba Station, JR Namba Station, and Kintetsu's Osaka Namba Station. The Midosuji, Yotsubashi, and Sennichimae Subway lines all stop at Namba Station.
Trip ideas
When to get there
Mimami is a colorful place to visit at any time and on any day of the week, but it is at its most lively at night, when the bars, clubs, and live music venues open up and shimmering neon lights are illuminated—and are especially striking reflected in the canal in the Dotonbori area.
Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum
A 5-minute walk from the Osaka-Namba Station, the small Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum is the world’s only museum to have a permanent exhibition of Kamigata Ukiyoe, woodblock prints from the Kyoto and Osaka region that typically feature portraits of kabuki actors. The museum has around 50 works in its permanent exhibition. There is a small admission fee and, for an additional fee, visitors can learn how to make their own Ukiyoe prints to take home.