In Osaka, you can explore major tourist attractions in the Namba area in the southern part. However, if you venture a bit further south from Osaka Namba, you’ll discover an area called “Shinsekai,” offering a different scenery and atmosphere than Dotonbori.
While not as famous as Dotonbori, Shinsekai provides another perspective with its own charm, featuring an observatory called “Tsutenkaku,” offering a unique view.
“A Tranquil Atmosphere in Shinsekai Street”
Shinsekai Street emits a somewhat different vibe compared to the bustling atmosphere of Dotonbori and Namba. While those areas are crowded with numerous foreign tourists and numerous shops, creating a lively ambiance, Shinsekai, in contrast, has a more serene and local atmosphere.
Of course, in Shinsekai, you can still find several shops operating under large signboards, and there are also restaurants serving delicious food. However, being less popular than Dotonbori, having a meal here might feel a bit more intimate and less hectic than in Dotonbori.
“The Tsutenkaku Observatory in the Heart of Shinsekai Street”
In Shinsekai Street, you can find an observatory named “Tsutenkaku.” This observatory, inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, was built in 1912, reaching a height of 64 meters, making it the tallest observatory in the Orient at that time and the first in Japan to have an elevator.
However, with the construction of various other observatories in Osaka, Tsutenkaku lost its former high visibility and recognition.
“The Common Sight of Billiken Statue in Shinsekai”
In the Shinsekai area, you’ll come across statues named “Billiken” in various locations. Billiken is known not as a Japanese deity but as a deity originating from the United States. It is believed that rubbing its feet and making a wish brings good fortune.
One reason these statues are particularly famous in this area is that there is a Billiken statue inside Tsutenkaku.
“The Eatery Alley in the South of Shinsekai Street: Jyanjyan Yokocho”
If you walk a bit south from Shinsekai Street, you’ll encounter an eatery alley with the nickname “Working-Class Market” called “Jyanjyan Yokocho.” This alley is densely packed with restaurants offering various foods at affordable prices, creating a local atmosphere rather than being a typical tourist spot.
“Shinsekai, Osaka: Jyanjyan Yokocho”
- Address: 2 Chome-1 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 556-0002, Japan