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Dotonbori (Dotombori) – Osaka’s Famous Historical Entertainment District

During the second day in Osaka, I decided to explore the bustling tourist area of the city which I started from Namba Station. From Shin-Imamiya Station where my hotel is just beside it, I took Nankai train line and went out at Namba Station where Namba City is connected. My plan was walk around Namba, I told myself, wherever my feet brings me, I will be there. I visited the Information Center in Namba to find out what I can see and do in Osaka. I checked out travel brochures, picked-up some that caught my interest, then asked volunteers about a day pass in the city and I bought one before leaving the tourist centre.

To avoid lengthy post, I divided the travel post into three parts. First, was the walk done in Dotonbori. Next, was Tombori River Cruise and last but not the least was the visit in Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum. There are other stuffs that you can enjoy in Dotonbori and what I did were just the few of them. The following posts below details the simple adventures that I did in Dotonbori.

Have fun reading while enjoying Osaka photos.

Walking in Dotonbori “The Japanese Broadway” (Part 1)

Experiencing Tombori River Cruise (Part 2)

Visiting Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum (Part 3)

Notes :
Plan to visit Osaka ? Please check latest information here.
Location : Osaka, Japan
Directions / Transportation to Osaka :
1. For official access to Osaka coming from anywhere in Japan, please check here.
Official Website : Osaka Info

Plan to visit Dotonbori ? Please check latest information here.
Location : Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan
Directions / Transportation to Dotonbori :
1. For trains, there are four Namba Stations where different train lines stops near Dotonbori.
a. Take Yamatoji Line for JR Namba Station or
b. Take Hanshin-Namba or Kintetsu Limited Express or Kintetsu-Nara Line for Osaka-Namba Station or
c. Take Modosuji Line or Sen-Nichimae Line or Yotsubashi Line (all subway lines) for Namba Station or
d. Take Nankai Line or Nankai-Koya Line or Nankain Limited Express for Namba Station
2. From different station, follow the walking path towards Dotonbori
3. For official access link please refer here.
Official Website : Dotonbori

Plan to visit Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum? Please check latest information here.
Location : 1-chōme-6-4 Nanba, Chūō-ku, Osaka, 542-0076, Japan
1. From different Namba Station, follow the walking path towards Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum
2. For official access link, please refer here.
Official Website : Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum, Dotonbori

Experiencing Tombori River Cruise (Part 2 of 3)

While in Dotonbori, I took the Tombori River Cruise, using Osaka Pass, to see the popular tourist district in another perspective which is from Dotonbori River itself. The boarding point of the river tour is near in Don Quijote Store Dotombori which is under construction at the time of my visit.

I checked if the queue was manageable, when I saw that there were few people waiting, I redeemed my pass to a ticket and got myself on the queue. After few minutes of waiting, we boarded the Tombori River Cruise boat. The cruise was 20 minutes which started from boarding point near Tazaemon Bridge and we moved towards Nihon Bridge. We passed Tazaemon Bridge, Aiai Bridge and Nihon Bridge, before we returned and cruised towards Minatomachi River Place. The cruise gave me another look of Dotonbori.

Don Quijote Store Dotombori

At Tomori River Cruise Boarding Point

Passing Tazaemon Bridge from boarding point

Tazaeomon Bridge coming from Aiai Bridge

On the way to Nihon Bridge

Under Nihon Bridge

Dotonbori from Dotonbori River

Experiencing Tombori River Cruise (Part 2 of 3)

Towards Aiai Bridge

At Tombori River Walk

Tombori River Cruise Boarding Point

On our way to Minatomachi River Place, when we approached Ebisu Bridge, I found lots of people having photo shots in popular bridge. At the left side of Tombori River Walk, there were Japanese entertainment shows being performed and tourist can freely watch and enjoy them. I saw group of women performing like a K-Pop girl group version of Japan while singing and dancing.

The river cruise ended and I did enjoy a quick trip with the boat. Next, I did a few walks from Tazaemon Bridge towards Sinnichimae Street to explore the other parts of shopping area in Dotonbori.

On the way to Ebisu Bridge

People watching entertainment along Tombori River Walk

Performing Entertainment Artist at Tombori River Walk

The famous Glico Sign near Ebisu Bridge

On the way to Daikoku Bridge

Namba Hatch and Daikoku Bridge

On the way to Fukari Bridge

Namba Hatch

Canal Terrace Horie

Ukiniwa Bridge while some of us waves with other people in Canal Terrace Horie

Sumiyoshi Bridge

From Dotonbori River, Ukiniwa Bridge with Canal Terrace Horie and Namba Hatch (Minatomachi River Place)

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Namba Hatch (Minatomachi River Place)

Naniwa Exploration Cruise Boat at Minatomachi Dock

Daikoku Bridge

Shin-Ebisu Bridge

Ebisu Bridge

At Tombori River Cruise Boarding Point

Sennichimae Street

Along Dotonbori

Before completely leaving Dotonbori, I visited Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum, a museum that I can use my Osaka Pass to further explore Dotonbori regarding its culture and arts through Ukiyoe prints.

Until then.

Notes :
Plan to visit Osaka ? Please check latest information here.
Location : Osaka, Japan
Directions / Transportation to Osaka :
1. For official access to Osaka coming from anywhere in Japan, please check here.
Official Website : Osaka Info

Plan to visit Dotonbori ? Please check latest information here.
Location : Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan
Directions / Transportation to Dotonbori :
1. For trains, there are four Namba Stations where different train lines stops near Dotonbori.
a. Take Yamatoji Line for JR Namba Station or
b. Take Hanshin-Namba or Kintetsu Limited Express or Kintetsu-Nara Line for Osaka-Namba Station or
c. Take Modosuji Line or Sen-Nichimae Line or Yotsubashi Line (all subway lines) for Namba Station or
d. Take Nankai Line or Nankai-Koya Line or Nankain Limited Express for Namba Station
2. From different station, follow the walking path towards Dotonbori
3. For official access link please refer here.
Official Website : Tombori River Walk, Dotonbori

Walking in Dotonbori “The Japanese Broadway” (Part 1 of 3)

I left Namba City, walked beside the road where Hanshin Expressway can be seen at the top. I followed my GPS in my phone and crossed multiple roads until I found myself near in Namba Hatch or Minatomachi River Place. It was the first place for the day that I took out my camera and played with it. It was late Saturday morning before lunch time, but the place was still pretty quiet. I walked around Namba Hatch and enjoyed taking photos of the place since it stands beside Dotonbori River. I sensed through different restaurants that surrounds it, that the place is likely busy at night.

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Namba Hatch

From the ground outside Namba Hatch, I took stairs to cross lovely walking bridge (Ukiniwa Bridge). At the bridge I had a 360 degree view and I took photos around the place where I enjoyed scenery of Dotonbori River, Namba Hatch and Minatomachi River Place. It was a relaxing place to see.

Walking bridge (Ukiniwa Bridge) near Namba Hatch

Dotonbori River with Sumiyoshi Bridge (peach bridge) and Naniwa-Suji (blue bridge)

Dotonbori River with Ukiniwa Bridge and Canal Terrace Horie

Dotonbori River, Canal Terrace Horie and Tombori River Cruise Boat

Dotonbori River with Fukari Bridge (blue bridge) and Hanshin Expressway (road at the top)

After enjoying Namba Hatch, Canal Terrace Horie and Minatomachi River Place from Ukiniwa Bridge, I walked towards Dotonbori where majority of people can be found. I crossed Fukari Bridge and stopped in Daikoku Bridge where I had a chance of photo shots of Dotonbori River.

Then, I walked towards Shin-Ebisu Bridge and had couple of photos of famous Dotonbori and Dotonbori River. I explored Dotonbori continuously, the shopping, food and entertainment district of Osaka.

Daikoku Bridge

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Dotonbori River with Shin-Ebisu Bridge and Dotombori Bridge from Daikoku Bridge

Along Dotonbori

Dotombori-bashi

Namba Hatch, Daikoku Bridge, Hanshin Expressway (road at the top) and Dotonbori River from Shin-Ebisu Bridge

Shin-Ebisu Bridge

Namba Hatch, Daikoku Bridge, Hanshin Expressway (road at the top), Shin-Ebisu Bridge and Dotonbori River from Dotombori-bashi

The other end of Dotonbori

Namba Hips

I crossed a major road to reach the other half of Dotonbori, the most populous area of the shopping district. But before crossing, I saw a unique building called Namba Hips. My stroll in Dotonbori continued and my curiosity still with me while taking photos of the streets. At the other side of Dotonbori, the first thing that greeted me was the Osaka Shochikuza Theatre. Then, I passed the famous crab cuisine restaurant called Kani Doraku Dotombori Hoten. Then followed by walking towards Ebisu Bridge where lots of people take their photos as it was the great spot to say to the world that you are in Dotonbori – the popular dining and theatre district in Japan. Dotonbori is the Japanese version of American Broadway.

Osaka Shochikuza Theatre

Along Dotonbori

At Dotonbori near Ebisu Bridge

At Ebisu Bridge looking towards Tombori Walk River with Tazaemon Bridge

From famous Ebisu Bridge, there were shopping avenues to enjoy. The Shansai-Bashi-Suji and Ebisu-Bashi-Suji. I peeked both avenues from Ebisu Bridge and I chose Shansai-Bashi-Suji as it seems it is the most exciting to walk, because of too many people passing on it. I walked partially in Shinsaibashisuji shopping arcade, then, I returned to Ebisu Bridge before walking to Soemoncho Street.

Ebisu-Bashi-Suji

Shin Sai-Bashi Suji

A walk inside Shin saibashi Suji

After walking the shopping and market street in Dotonbori, I tried to see the place via boat.

Until then.

Notes :
Plan to visit Osaka ? Please check latest information here.
Location : Osaka, Japan
Directions / Transportation to Osaka :
1. For official access to Osaka coming from anywhere in Japan, please check here.
Official Website : Osaka Info

Plan to visit Dotonbori ? Please check latest information here.
Location : Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan
Directions / Transportation to Dotonbori :
1. For trains, there are four Namba Stations where different train lines stops near Dotonbori.
a. Take Yamatoji Line for JR Namba Station or
b. Take Hanshin-Namba or Kintetsu Limited Express or Kintetsu-Nara Line for Osaka-Namba Station or
c. Take Modosuji Line or Sen-Nichimae Line or Yotsubashi Line (all subway lines) for Namba Station or
d. Take Nankai Line or Nankai-Koya Line or Nankain Limited Express for Namba Station
2. From different station, follow the walking path towards Dotonbori
3. For official access link please refer here.
Official Website : Dotonbori

Featuring Our World : Tombori River Walk

Featuring Our World (Post#23) : Tombori River Walk

Photos of the day are all about Tombori River Walk. In every part of the city that I visited, there is a common place where it’s always charming and where people love to go. Whether the river is natural or man-made, a tourist spot located beside the river (whether its shopping or food district) will be born, it definitely become a hotspot both for locals and visitors. Tombori River Walk is no different. During my walk in Dotonbori, there is one thing that I really like, the walkway beside the river. The famous and most populous Tombori River Walk portion can be found between Ebisu Bridge and Tazaemon Bridge. But I can see that river walk does not only lies between the said two bridges but the city has more plan beyond it. At the time of visit, there are still constructions going on beside the river walk extension. As per my observation, Tombori River Walk idea may starts from Minatomachi River Place up to Nihon Bridge. If all the buildings and structures beside the river between this place will be renovated and converted to commercial spaces such as shopping stores and restaurants, it will be a great place for a complete Tombori River Walk that can be enjoyed while strolling beside Dotonbori River. These photos are part of Osaka Tour last May 2017.

Dotonbori River with Canal Terrace Horie (Left) and Minatomachi River Place (Right)

Canal Terrace Horie

Walkway under Daikoku Bridge

Dotonbori River with Shin-Ebisu Bridge and Dotombori Bridge from Daikoku Bridge

Dotombori-bashi

Namba Hatch, Daikoku Bridge, Hanshin Expressway (road at the top) and Dotonbori River from Shin-Ebisu Bridge

Namba Hatch, Daikoku Bridge, Hanshin Expressway (road at the top), Shin-Ebisu Bridge and Dotonbori River from Dotombori-bashi

At Ebisu Bridge looking towards Tombori Walk River with Tazaemon Bridge

At Tomori River Cruise Boarding Point and Tazaeomon Bridge

Tazaeomon Bridge coming from Aiai Bridge

On the way to Nihon Bridge

Towards Aiai Bridge

At Tombori River Walk

Tombori River Cruise Boarding Point

On the way to Ebisu Bridge

People watching entertainment along Tombori River Walk

Canal Terrace Horie

Canal Terrace Horie and Namba Hatch (Minatomachi River Place)

Shin-Ebisu Bridge

With Ebisu Bridge

At Tombori River Cruise Boarding Point and Tombori River Walk

Notes :
Photo : Dotonbori, Tombori River Walk
Location : Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan
Directions / Transportation :
1. For trains, there are four Namba Stations where different train lines stops near Namba Hatch.
a. Take Yamatoji Line for JR Namba Station or
b. Take Hanshin-Namba or Kintetsu Limited Express or Kintetsu-Nara Line for Osaka-Namba Station or
c. Take Modosuji Line or Sen-Nichimae Line or Yotsubashi Line (all subway lines) for Namba Station or
d. Take Nankai Line or Nankai-Koya Line or Nankain Limited Express for Namba Station
2. From different station, follow the walking path towards Dotonbori
3. For official access link, please refer here.
Official Website : Tombori River Walk, Dotonbori