A 2.6km-long shopping street starting at Tenjinbashi, reaching Tenjinbashisuji 7 chome to the north. It is said to be the longest in Japan, taking about 40 minutes to walk its length. Note the Welcome Doll above the entrance. Once inside the arcade, approx. 800 stores; old-fashioned diners, delicatessen, knife shops of long tradition, a tea store established in 1868, tofu, croquettes, chinaware and kimono. It flourished in the Edo era as a town for "Osaka Tenmangu Shrine" in 2 chome, dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, god of studies. It developed into the commercial town it is today in the Meiji era. The recreation of this town in the Edo, Meiji, Taisho and Showa eras is in the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living in 6 chome. The Tenjin Festival is held on July 24 and 25 every year with portable shrines parading here, outdoor stalls and performances filling the air with spirits.