Osaka, Japan 2014: Dotounbori Street

Foodies frequent Osaka to get a taste of its culinary delights, and one of the main destinations is Dotounbori Street, or what is often simply referred to as Dotonbori. Since it is basically clustered together with the Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade, Amerikamura, Namba Walk, and Den-Den Town a bit of a distance away, Dotonbori has become a major shopping, entertainment, and food destination. To be honest, my friend and I weren’t actually able to explore the entire complex. It was THAT vast. Dotonbori, however, we visited twice.

dotonbori osaka 01The first time we went was in the evening, right after traipsing off to Universal Studios Japan. Because we wanted to have dinner there. The next day, we spent mid-afternoon at Dotonbori then wrapped it up until almost midnight at Shinsaibashi-suji. What can I say, the place has EVERYTHING.

Dotonbori is a short walk from the various subway stations. The first time we went there, we reached it by passing through Namba Walk. Needless to say, Google Maps helped a lot. And when we were at a loss, we just went where the crowd was going. You can never go wrong with that tip, haha!

dotonbori osaka 02I will be posting a mish-mash of photos taken in the daylight and evening, so bear with me.

Whether you visit it during the day or at night, the place gives off that “throwback era” vibe. It has a bit of that “old” atmosphere, without being too antiquated. The noise from the various dining places are also comforting, never mind that they’re in a language other than your own. And the smells and aroma wafting into the evening air… wow. Simply, wow.

Upon entering the street, right past the sign/arch, is the Kani Doraku restaurant. It is a chain of restaurants, where the main one is also located in Dotonbori, but right in the other end of the street. This one, pictured below, is not the main shop. It, however, has the trademark crab on its facade. This mechanical crab’s pincers are constantly moving, by the way.

dotonbori osaka 03 kani dourakuBeing the tourist destination that it is (mind you, though, it is also frequented by locals), crowds are a given. The number of people increases at night.

During the afternoon.
During the afternoon.
At night.
At night.

When I said the place had everything, I meant it had everything! Karaoke places, game centers, pachinko parlors, food karts, Western cafes, dessert places, and even street artists!

dotonbori osaka 04I was like a kid, utterly fascinated by the signs and billboards of the restaurants. Seriously, how creative are they!?

Like this one beside the Crab (“kani”), for example. It has the face of a giant chef that looks… angry. There’s even a life-size statue right at the entrance. In any place other than Osaka or Dotonbori, this would be avoided like a plague by diners. But surprisingly, people were lining up to dine here!

dotonbori osaka 08 dotonbori osaka 09Just by looking at the “cow”, you can tell this place has some serious beef in its menu.

dotonbori osaka 17And what about this? I personally thought this was badass. If I remember correctly, it’s a place that sells ramen and other Chinese and Japanese dishes. The dragon seems to be embedded into the building. So, so rad.

dotonbori osaka 20 dotonbori osaka 25Sushi and gyoza, anyone? Then enter any of these restos.

dotonbori osaka 21Dotonbori is known for its kuidaore culturewhich literally translates to “ruining oneself by extravagance in food”. In short, gluttony. It was derived from a proverb that basically encourages one to “eat till you drop when in Osaka.”

When you are in this street, you cannot help but practice a bit of that culture. As evidenced when we spotted the Konamon Museum, a place that sells takoyaki, which is considered to be Osaka’s soul food.

It is marked by a giant tako or octopus on the signboard. If you miss that (you’d be blind if you do), you can simply see the many people lining up.

dotonbori osaka 10 dotonbori osaka 11Heaped with lots of bonito flakes, BEST. TAKOYAKI. EVAR. I was also mesmerized, watching how quick their hands were as they cooked it. Sooo good. I’ve a video of it somewhere; I have to dig it up. 🙂

dotonbori osaka 12 dotonbori osaka 13While looking for a place to have a proper sit-down for dinner, we were also looking for the Glico Man. Because, really, a visit to Dotonbori won’t be complete without seeing this famous landmark!

We had a bit of a laugh when we spotted a life-size Glico Man on one of the storefronts. It’s a Glico Man store, which also sells sports supplies and goods. 🙂

dotonbori osaka 27We finally arrived at the end of the street, which is an intersection of Dotonbori, the Ebisubashi Shopping Street, and the Shinsaibashi Street, leading all the way to Daimaru Department Store. It is where the main store of Kani Doraku Honten restaurant is located, along with Tsutaya and Starbucks Ebisubashi branch.

dotonbori osaka 16 dotonbori osaka 15This restaurant has the famous Kani Doraku Crab, a 6.5 feet mechanical crab, which has been there since 1960, when the store first opened. Right across is Starbucks, where I had to drop by quickly to buy the Osaka mugs that a friend from back home wanted as omiyage.

dotonbori osaka 14dotonbori osaka 23When I stepped out of Starbucks, I spotted NINO!!! A giant Ninomiya Kazunari, no less. So I rushed over to get a photo….

dotonbori osaka 24 dotonbori osaka 22…and then I realized that, right across his billboard…. is Glico Man. Haha!

Darn. I should’ve just looked for Nino Man first, then I’d have an easier time finding Glico Man.

dotonbori osaka 30If you’ve been eating sweets such as Pocky, then you’d have already seen or heard of Glico Man. This symbol or illustration of an athlete running on a blue track is seen in Glico candy products. This neon sign has been in this spot, barring improvements and enhancements over the years, since 1935. It overlooks the Dotonbori Canal.

More pictures.

At mid-afternoon, Glico Man faces off with the smirking Nino. Taken from the Ebisu Bridge.
At mid-afternoon, Glico Man faces off with the smirking Nino. Taken from the Ebisu Bridge.
Overlooking the Canal.
Overlooking the Canal.
Top, during the day; bottom, at night.
Top, during the day; bottom, at night.

dotonbori osaka 29

Ebisu Bridge behind me, with the equally famous Asahi Super Dry illuminated billboard.
Ebisu Bridge behind me, with the equally famous Asahi Super Dry illuminated billboard.
I couldn't resist!
I couldn’t resist!

When in Osaka, Dotonbori is a must. Even if you are not into shopping. You can simply skip the shopping streets and hit Dotonbori instead. This is where the phrase “feast for the senses” is most apt.

Leave a Reply

Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: Baskerville 2 by Anders Noren.

Up ↑