Matsuyamachisuji is a roughly 1 km-long north-south street in Osaka City's Chuo Ward that has more than 100 wholesale and specialist stores selling Japanese dolls (like hina ningyo), toys, candy and Japanese paper. Matsuyamachi is pronounced "Matchamachi" by local people, which gave rise to its nickname "Gotchamachi." True to this nickname ("gotcha" means jumble) local Osakans used to think of Matsuyamachi as a place that supplies goods for every occasion: prior to May the place would be packed with people buying gogatsu ningyo (dolls for the Boys' Festival in May). Once that is over, Matsuyamachi stocks up on summer merchandise like fireworks and swimming rings to await the next wave of customers. More recently the street is increasingly visited by younger people seeking out the old-fashioned terraced houses that still remain in the area.

• Location

  〒 542-0067 Around Matsuyamachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka - Kawaramachi

• Closed

  Varies by location

• Open

  Varies by location

• Directions

  Right outside Matsuyamachi Station on the Osaka Metro Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line