Awesome place! It is a must-go if you happen to be in Osaka. It's one of a kind, a lively place that brings you back in time. It might get very crowded during peak hours. Make sure to choose wisely the time of your visit otherwise it will be difficult to take beautiful pictures. Enjoy it!
We stayed a few blocks away in Osaka and this was my favorite area to walk around. The best izakayas, street food, bars, karaoke bar (area) and lots of activities. Love all the shops owned by older folks, with cute trinkets, food and ice cream for sale. Can’t wait to return.
Wow. I'm not sure how to summarize this place. I had expected it to be similar to Dotonbori (filled with amazing restaurants and atmosphere), but it fell a little short in some ways and delivered in others.
It honestly reminds me of Osaka's version of a trashy 1980's American beach town. It's fantastic, so buckle in.
There's one modern neon-lit street. And then there's a gate that I can only assume is legit from the 80's and is about to become a historical artifact. There are run-down (but busy) arcades that have places to eat that look similarly old-school. They could be amazing dives from an older time.
There are archery and rifle shooting games clearly trying to target a certain demographic. It also has more homeless people than I've seen anywhere in Japan. The area has a rough history, but in the late afternoon, it felt perfectly safe. I mean, it's Japan.
And then, wait for it... there was a claw machine which contained items typically reserved for an over 18s shop.
Wow. It's a lot.
If your time is limited, head to Dotonbori instead. If you're looking for carnival games, this might be tour vibe. But it's not, in my opinion, as gamer-y and anime vibe-y as I had been hoping for.
Shinsekai (新世界, aka. "New World") is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Osaka. Tsutenkaku Tower, the focal point of Shinsekai, stands proudly at the centre overlooking the vibrant and busy street day and night.
Little that I know, the Tsutenkaku Tower was constructed in 1912 after Paris' Eiffel Tower. Now the current tower is 103 meters high and the observatory deck is at 91 meters. Apart from the main observatory deck, an open air glass bottom deck above the main deck and a 60 meter long slide at the bottom of the tower are built to add more attractions and excitements to the visitors.
Shinsekai is also famous for its kushikatsu (battered and deep fried food and veg skewers). You just cannot miss kishinatsu restaurants on the street. Why? You will see either long lineups outside the restaurant or follow the fried food smell that burst out from the restaurants along the street.
The Main Street of Shinsekai are lined up with plentiful eateries and bars and game halls frequented by constant streams of tourists and locals alike. You just keep on walking, eating and drinking till you faint in Shinsekai. 😂😂
The colorful and bold design of the restaurants and stores are the most well known characteristic views in Shinsekai and Dontonbori as well. You just could not take your eyes off these vibrantly colorful and funny signs or figurines especially the cute icon Billiken - the unofficial mascot of and most beloved character in Osaka. The Billiken figurine is said to bring good fortune to its purchaser, and better fortune if received as a gift. You can buy a bag of cute Billiken sponge cakes from one of the stores as souvenirs and send them as a good luck wish to your friends back home. Anyway those sponge cakes are just too cute to be eaten. Billiken figurines can be found either in front of or on top of every single shop in Shinsekai. I have tried to capture all the Billiken figurines photos on the street, however there are just too many to capture them all with my camera lens. Maybe try again next time.
One tip : Almost everyone will stop by and touch the feet of a big golden Billiken located in the middle of the Main Street of Shinsekai. I touched its feet too and hope that Billiken will give me blessing for getting some good wealth.
Anyway we did not try the famous kushikatsu cause we had a lunch reservation somewhere else. And I was disappointed that I could not squeeze any time to make a second visit to Shinsekai at night time. Dang, another excuse for next time visit.
April 9th, 2023:
It's the afternoon. Food stalls scattered all around. Merchandise, retro stores, restaurants. We got some carnival games, archery and arcade games. I walked into a pachinko machine store and it was a full house. This whole area gives me a casino-like vibe. You can see Tsūtenkaku stand tall from this area too.
I can only imagine Shinsekai gets more alive at night with all the big bright lights and restaurant signs.
Will definitely venture out here again on future travels and pickup one of those designer track jackets.
Cheers