Hozenji Yokocho

Located in the bustling Minami district, Hōzen-ji Yokochō exudes a quiet, traditional Naniwa atmosphere. The characters “Hōzen-ji Yokochō” displayed on the gates at both the eastern and western ends were written by Hiromi Fujiyama on the west side and by Katsura Shun-danji III on the east side.Within the alley—comprising two lanes stretching east to west, each 80 meters long and 3 meters wide—a lineup of long-established kappo restaurants, bars, okonomiyaki shops, and kushikatsu restaurants lines the streets, while the sound of footsteps echoes softly on the charming cobblestone pavement.Originally, this area was part of the grounds of Hōzen-ji Temple (Tenryūzan) of the Jōdo sect; street stalls catering to temple visitors eventually evolved into this alleyway.Both the temple and the alley were destroyed in air raids during World War II, but they were revived as an entertainment district after the war. It is known as the setting for Sakunosuke Oda’s novel *Fufu Zenzai* and was also featured in the popular song “Tsuki no Hōzen-ji Yokochō.”The Fudō Myōō statue, which survived the war, is completely covered in green moss from the water poured on it by people making wishes. Having overcome two fires at the former Nakaza theater and been successfully restored, Hōzen-ji Yokocho remains a vibrant neighborhood today, preserving both its historic charm and the warm-hearted spirit of Naniwa.