Osaka, Haven of Subculture: “Den Den Town”

October 29, 2023 320 Views

In Japan, places embodying subcultures, often referred to as “otaku culture,” can easily be found. While Tokyo has the famous Akihabara, Osaka boasts its counterpart known as “Den Den Town.”

Akihabara: Tokyo’s Subculture Haven:

“Osaka, Subculture Hub, Den Den Town”

Osaka’s Den Den Town bears a striking resemblance to Tokyo’s Akihabara. Both areas initially started as electronic shopping districts but gradually evolved into hubs of subculture, symbolized by the sale of figures and other otaku-related products.

Officially Named Nipponbashi Den Den Town:

Den Den Town is not far from Namba Station, the central commercial district in Osaka. To the north, it connects to Dotonbori, Kuromon Ichiba Market, and Doguyasuji Shopping Street. To the west lies Namba Station.

However, its official name is “Nipponbashi,” and during the Edo period, this area was known as “Nagamachi.” In 1792 and 1872, the Osaka government changed the name to Nipponbashi, and during the Meiji and Taisho eras, shops dealing with used clothing and secondhand books emerged, transforming the area into a shopping street.

After World War II, various stores selling electronic products were added, and over time, it transformed into a hub of subculture, selling otaku products such as figures.

“A Region with a Variety of Figures”

Den Den Town evokes a similar feeling to Tokyo’s Akihabara. Despite Osaka being relatively smaller than Tokyo, the scale is still notable. Nevertheless, you can explore various figure-related items in this area. Similar to Akihabara, you can also find “maid cafes” here. As you stroll down the streets, you might encounter women in maid outfits distributing flyers.

Den Den Town stands out as a place reminiscent of Akihabara, offering a unique Japanese atmosphere. Japan, known for its dominance in animation, is a place where you can find various products based on these animations.

While traveling in Osaka, exploring Den Den Town for some interesting shopping would be a great idea.

“Den Den Town in Osaka, Japan”