Dotonbori

Running parallel to the canal of the same name, Dotonbori is one of the most popular entertainment streets of Osaka, and is synonymous with neon-lights and towering high-rises that you would have to crane your neck to get a good look at. With an overwhelming number of restaurants and makeshift stalls selling the city’s signature dishes, Takoyaki (octopus dumplings) being the most notable of them all, this nightlife district is also a food paradise. Additionally, there are theatres and international shopping brands that accommodate those looking to catch a movie or indulge in some retail therapy. The illuminated mechanised signboards – a crimson crab here and a grumpy chef there, add more character to this area. Perpetually bustling with cheerful tourists and locals, Dotonbori is almost like an emblem of Osaka, and has served as the setting for many Japanese films.
As night falls, the glittering lights illuminate the surface of the Dotonbori canal, and the peppy music emanating from the establishments will get your adrenaline pumping. You might just start wondering if you have somehow landed up in New York City when in reality you are thousands of miles away from the Big Apple. Dotonbori is a five minute walk from Osaka’s Namba Station, and most of its restaurants are open 24 hours a day. However, the best time to visit is after dark.