Nipponbashi the sacred place of the west
Enjoy Japanese pop culture in Nipponbashi, Osaka!
Nipponbashi Osaka, one of Japan's three largest electronics districts, is the largest mecca for pop culture, including anime and manga, in western Japan.
Sakaisuji-dori (Nipponbashi 3-chome to 5-chome) and Ota Road to the west are home to a concentration of specialty shops selling figures, anime goods, plastic models, and more, making this area known as the mecca of western pop culture.
Sakaisuji-dori is mainly home to large electronics stores and character goods stores. It is also home to Nipponbashi General Information Center, so it might be a good idea to visit it first. This time, we will mainly introduce Sakaisuji-dori.
Nipponbashi General Information Center
The first place you should visit is Nipponbashi General Information Center, marked by Nipponbashi support character, Otone-chan.
You can find out everything about Nipponbashi here! In addition to Japanese, information pamphlets are available in English, Korean, and Chinese (simplified and traditional). Start your research here.
- Address
- 5-9-12 Nipponbashi Naniwa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Business hours
- 11:00-19:00 (Open year-round except for New Year's holidays)
Volks Osaka Showroom
Sakaisuji Street is full of large character goods specialty stores. The Volks Osaka Showroom, located north of the general information center, is an entire building filled with character toys, figurines, various models, and dolls.
- Address
- 4-9-18 Nipponbashi Naniwa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Business hours
- 11:00-20:00 (Open year-round / Closed on building closure days)
Super Kids Land Character Hall
The giant Gundam sign is particularly eye-catching on Sakaisuji Street. This is "Super Kids Land Character Hall." As the giant sign suggests, there is a huge selection of Gunpla and Gundam-related products! Of course, it's not just Gundam, there are also figures, character plastic models, and tools for plastic models.
- Address
- 4-10-1 Nipponbashi Naniwa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Business hours
- 10:00～20:00
jungle
If you're looking for something a little more niche, try "Jungle."
The shop is truly a world of hobbies, selling everything from special effects and super alloy robots to the latest works! You might even find a treasure that will make any enthusiast drool.
- Address
- 3-4-16 Nipponbashi Naniwa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Business hours
- Weekdays 12:00-20:00 Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 11:00-20:00 (Open year-round)
Ichimi Zen
Motobashi is also an area with many cheap, hearty set meal restaurants.
If you're tired from walking, why not try a tempura bowl at Ichimizen? A large bowl of freshly fried tempura fills the bowl. Menus are available in English, Chinese, and Korean.
- Address
- 3-6-8 Nipponbashi Naniwa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Business hours
- 11:00-20:30 (Closed on Mondays)
A small area packed with interesting, fun, and delicious restaurants. That's what makes Nipponbashi Osaka so interesting. Even just strolling around is enjoyable.
Basic information
- Address
- Nipponbashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Access
- Approximately 10 minutes on foot from Namba Station on Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, Sennichimae Line, and Yotsubashi Line, and from Namba Station on the Nankai Electric Railway