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,” ...
If you venture south into the small alleyways of Dotonbori in Osaka, you’ll discover “Hojenji.” Hojenji is a place where you can find the statue of Hodomayo-Osou covered in moss. “Culinary Alley Surrounding Hojenji, ‘Hojenji Yokocho'” In the vicinity of Hojenji, you’ll find a narrow alley known as “Hojenji Yokocho.” In Japanese, “Yokocho” translates to a “small alley.” Hojenji Yokocho ...
Just west of Dotonbori, which can be considered the heart of Osaka tourism, lies the area known as “America Mura” or America Village. This place bears a striking resemblance to popular districts in South Korea, such as Hongdae or Itaewon, and can be compared to Tokyo’s Harajuku in Japan. “Osaka’s American Town: America Mura” America Mura translates to “American Village,” ...
The Dotonbori area is synonymous with Osaka and holds a special place as a symbol of the city. Dotonbori bears a striking resemblance to Seoul’s Cheonggyecheon and has developed into a commercial district around a small river flowing through the heart of Osaka. “Commercial Areas Around Dotonbori” The area around the Dotonbori River forms bustling commercial zones. Particularly, one can ...
One of Osaka’s representative tourist destinations is the Namba area. Currently, while Umeda can be considered the center in the north of Osaka, Namba, in the south, serves as a focal point. Namba, written in Chinese characters as “困難波” (meaning ‘difficult wave’), is pronounced as ‘Nanpa’ in our Hanja readings. However, in Japanese, this area is pronounced as ‘Namba’ (なんば). ...
After exploring Tsukiji Market, I headed to “Ginza,” a place close to Tsukiji known for its luxurious atmosphere, reminiscent of Noryangjin Fish Market and Yeouido in Seoul, South Korea. Both Tsukiji and Ginza share a similar vibe, combining a fish market with upscale surroundings. Ginza resembles Seoul’s Gangnam or Yeouido, featuring tall buildings, well-maintained streets, and serving as one of ...
In the Shinjuku area of Tokyo, there are various attractions to explore. Particularly, Kabukicho in Shinjuku is known as one of the most famous places. This area is not only a well-known tourist spot but is also considered somewhat risky in Tokyo, earning its reputation as a major entertainment district not only in Japan but also in Asia. “Originating from ...
In the bustling district of Shinjuku, Tokyo, one can explore various attractions beyond the well-known Kabukicho. While Kabukicho stands out as Shinjuku’s most famous spot, there are both significant and lesser-known places to discover. Particularly in Tokyo, the charm lies in the small shops tucked away in narrow alleyways. You can find such an alley in the Shinjuku area. “Narrow ...
Shinjuku is a well-known area in Tokyo, recognized by many in Korea as well. It is a part of Tokyo Metropolis, hosting the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, which serves as the city hall. Known for its towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, Shinjuku is always crowded with a diverse array of people. Particularly noteworthy is Shinjuku Station, boasting five railway companies ...
In the heart of Tokyo, there’s a place known as “Ebisu.” Originally called “Shibuya-mura” or “Samoshibuya,” meaning below Shibuya, its name changed to Ebisu after the construction of the Ebisu Beer Station, a beer-exclusive freight station, and the subsequent creation of a station named Ebisu near Shibuya Station. This transformation resulted from the introduction of the Ebisu beer factory, showcasing ...
On the third morning of my Tokyo trip, after finishing breakfast, I geared up for the day’s exploration. Having quickly toured Shibuya and Harajuku streets on the first day and explored Asakusa and Akihabara on the second, with an evening visit to Odaiba, I felt that, despite it being just two days, I had covered quite a lot. Therefore, for ...
Odaiba is a reclaimed land situated uniquely in Tokyo. It is an artificial island created as a result of land reclamation, bearing a resemblance to Yeouido in Seoul, South Korea. “Originally a Coastal Defense Fort, Odaiba” The term “Daiba” refers to coastal defense forts. In response to the Kurofune Incident, where a U.S. fleet was dispatched to force Japan to ...