Shinsekai / Tsutenkaku
Tennoji, Abeno & Shinsekai City Walks Food Spots Night Views Foodie Photography Half Day
Overview
Shinsekai is an entertainment district that developed around the former site of the 1903 National Industrial Exposition, and is known for Tsutenkaku Tower and B-grade gourmet food. The first Tsutenkaku was built in 1912, and after a wartime fire and demolition, the current tower is the second generation, rebuilt in 1956. It is sometimes described as a symbol of Osaka’s postwar recovery. The area has a strong retro Showa atmosphere, and its neon signs, billboards, Billiken statues, and kushikatsu culture pack in an easily photographable “Osaka-ness.” It suits people who want a slightly more eccentric city walk than Dotonbori.
What You Can Do
- Tsutenkaku observation
- B-grade gourmet food such as kushikatsu
- Billiken-related spots
- Retro streetscape photography
Best For
- Fans of Showa retro culture
- Food lovers
- Friends and couples
- First-time visitors wanting a denser Osaka atmosphere
Google Map
Access and Suggested Visit Time
- Nearest station: Ebisucho Station (3 min on foot)
- Suggested time: 2 to 3 hours