Minami Osaka, Visiting Namba District

WeXpats
2021/10/19

Downtown Osaka, aka Minami, aka Namba, is the southern central part of the city where happenings happen. Dotonbori and its famous Glico Running Man, Kuromon Market, and Dendentown are located around the area. Whether it’s shopping or dining on Osaka classic food, this is the place to go in town. 


Table of Contents

  1. History of Namba
  2. Things to Do in Namba
  3. Access to Namba
  4. Takeaway

History of Namba

Namba District is located in the southern part of Osaka called Minami. More specifically, it is the district area around the various Namba Stations. Namba’s popularity and business can be attributed to Dotonbori, the main attraction. 

Dotonbori is centred around Dotonbori Canal. There are 2 stories of the canal’s origins, one is a legend and the other the uncovered truth. 

For the legend, have a look at our Dotonbori article.

Dotonbori canal during the day

The real story of Dotonbori started in 1612 and features 4 men that took on the task of petitioning to build Dotonbori Canal; Nariyasu Doton, Yasui Jihe, Yasui Kuhe, and Hirano Tojiro. Through their efforts, construction of the canal and its surrounding began, but not too long after tragedy hit. Yasui Jie succumbed to illness, while Nariyasu Doton was killed in action during the Siege of Osaka.

The construction was halted until three years later, when Yasui Kuhē and Hirano Tōjirō were instructed to pick-up the project which they completed the same year. Under the supervision of Yasui Kuhē, the area was developed and thrived through the playhouses and performance tents.

These small entertainment businesses eventually became huge kabuki and bunraku theaters that established Dotonbori as Osaka's entertainment district, which improved businesses in the area as well. The Namba District significantly benefited from this and eventually became a popular shopping and entertainment district in Japan.

※ Osaka City University - Center for Urban Culture Research, "P01-02 – Lecture 2: Early Modern History II “The Yasui House Documents and Development of Dōtonbori”"

Things to Do in Namba

Namba is the key place to experience Osaka life and culture. Partaking in local Osaka cuisine, shopping for unique souvenirs and trendy wear, and taking photos is just part of the fun.  Here are some important places that you shouldn’t miss:

Food Trip in Namba 

No one visits Osaka without trying Osaka specialty dishes, especially beloved street snacks like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and yakisoba. Indeed, some people travel all the way to Osaka just for the food and nothing else. So, where to go to have a bite of all the flavours of Osaka? Try these places. 

Dotonbori 

Dotonbori Canal at night with Glico Running Man Sign

The main attraction in Namba. Dotonbori Canal and its surrounding shops, iconic Glico Running Man, and other sights. Check out our dedicated article for things to do and foods to eat in Dotonbori: The Epicenter of Osaka: Dotonbori

Kuromon Market

Busy Kuromon Market

Dotonbori is best visited in the evening and night when the street is alight. Where to go during the day then? 

Why not visit Kuromon Ichiba Market in central Minami? Not just any veggies and meat market, Kuromon market is full of stalls offering freshly cooked food like grilled seafood and shellfish, oden, skewers, and more! There are also izakayas, tea shops, sushi-ya, and other eateries lined along the market street. It is also a great spot for souvenir shopping. 

Most of the shops and stalls are open around 8am to 6pm. You can have breakfast/lunch here then cover Dotonbori in the evenings for dinner.

Access: 

  • 2-mins walk from Kintetsu Nipponbashi Station 

  • 10-mins walk from Namba Station 

Kuromon Market

Read more about Osaka markets here

Shopping in Namba

Get your shopping game on in Namba. Once you’ve stuffed yourself full of food from Kuromon Market, it’s time to walk off the calories at these shopping areas. 

Amerikamura

Triangle Park at America Village

Trendy shopping area Amerikamura is akin to Harajuku. Called Amemura for short, Amerikamura means America Village. Its name is derived from the fact that in the 1970s lots of random goods including clothes, music records, jeans, and knick-knacks were imported from the US and sold here. 

In the present, the Village is an area for shopping, cafes, and music performances. Triangle Park (Sankaku Koen 三角公園) is the centre of the village where young people hang out. The entire village area consists of 2,000 or so shops with both local and imported goods. If you’re looking for a budget deal, there are plenty of secondhand shops as well. 

Access: 

  • 3-mins walk from Shinsaibashi Station on the Midosuji Line

  • 3-mins walk from Yotsubashi Station on the Yotsubashi Line

  • 7-mins walk from Namba Station 

  • 8-mins walk from JR Namba Station

※ Americamura, “History

Den Den Town

Nipponbashi Den Den Town Anime Building

Den Den Town is Osaka’s response to the challenge that is Tokyo’s Akihabara, a hub for games, anime, and manga fans and otaku

Previously called Denki no Machi (Electric Town) for its large number of electronic shops, the area is now famous for all things anime. What kind of stores can you find here? 

Access: 5-mins walk from Namba Station East Exit on the Midosuji Line 

Nipponbashi Den Den Town Ota Road

Namba Walk

Namba Walk is an underground shopping area beneath Namba Station. The area has everything from boutiques, accessories stores, restaurants and more. There are also resting areas with decorative pieces called Whale Park, and Art Park. For a quick shopping trip before heading to your destination, this is the place to go. 

Access:

  • Direct connection through 

    • Osaka Metro Namba Station (Exits 16, 17, 22, 23, 27) 

    • Osaka Metro Nippombashi Station (Exits 3, 4)

    • Kintetsu Osaka-Namba Station East / West Exit 

    • Kintetsu Nippombashi Station West Exit 

  • 4-mins walk from JR Namba Station 

  • 5-mins walk from Nankai Namba Station 3F North Exit

Namba Walk

Sightseeing in Namba

Food and shopping is not all there is to Namba, although they are the main attraction. For some relaxation and downtime from the crowds, head on over to these places. 

Hozenji Temple Plus Side Street

Hozenji Temple Yokocho

In Namba, there’s a historical back alley near Dotonbori, which is called the Hozenji Yokocho. It is named as such because of Hozenji Temple that resides south of the alley, where a moss-covered Buddha statue of Fudo Myo can be found.

Both the temple and its alleyway used to be a popular entertainment area in Namba during older times. Nowadays it is a lot quieter here, but it has retained several of its eateries including food stalls, restaurants, and izakaya. The traditional ambience is reminiscent of older times in Japan and makes for an interesting experience. Aside from typical Osaka local specialties and sushi, you should try Meoto-zenzai, a hearty serving of red bean soup.

Access: 

  • 6-mins walk from Kintetsu Nippombashi Station 

  • 4-mins walk from Namba Station

※ Houzen-Ji

Namba Parks

Namba Park Rooftop Garden

Last but not least, let’s head on over to the architectural beauty that is Namba Parks. Reconstructed from a former baseball stadium into a green nature topped shopping complex, Namba Parks mayhaps be the inspiration for Shibuya’s Miyashita Park who similarly has a rooftop garden. In the commercial centre Namba, this garden is an oasis amidst the skyscrapers and metal columns. 

Access: 9-mins walk from Namba Station

Namba Parks

Access to Namba 

If it isn’t already apparent, there are numerous Namba Stations providing access to the area. All these lead into the city centre, so no worries and pick one to your convenience and cost. 

Namba Stations

There are altogether 4 “Namba Stations” operated by different companies. Depending on where you are coming from and where you are heading after Namba, this information may come in handy:

  1. Nankai Namba Station connects to Wakayama Prefecture and Kansai International Airport

  2. Kintetsu Osaka-Namba Station is ideal for visiting Nara, Kyoto, and Kobe after Osaka

  3. JR Namba Station provides access to Shinimamiya Station, Tennoji Station, and Osaka City Air Terminal (Main Bus Terminal)

  4. Osaka Metro Namba Station has access to the centre of Namba and the rest of Osaka Minami

Osaka City Air Terminal

Opting to take the bus? The main bus terminal with the acronym OCAT is where you should go. This bus terminal is directly connected to JR Namba Station. It provides access to a variety of bus services including local buses, highway express buses, and more. There are also coach services to bring you to Kansai International Airport, Osaka International Airport, Sendai, and Kagoshima. 

OCAT

Takeaway

Nighttime aerial view of Osaka Highways

Namba district in Minami Osaka is the heart of Osaka where people gather for the best things that Osaka has to offer. When visiting Osaka, make this area your main camp. It may cost more but the convenience and time saved is well worth it. From food to shopping, more shopping and more food?! Once you’re done, explore the rest of Osaka or Kansai: 

#Kansai 

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