Dotonbori, Osaka
Photo: Romain Guy / Flickr (CC0 1.0)
Neighbourhood guide

Dotonbori

The canal strip with the crab sign, the runner and a lot of takoyaki

Dotonbori is the canal strip of Osaka's Minami, named for Doton Yasui, who funded the river's excavation in 1612. Restaurants line both sides under giant signs, including the moving crab of Kani Doraku and the Glico runner. Go after dark, when the signs are lit.

The Glico runner stands beside Ebisu Bridge. The sixth version went up in October 2014 and is 20 metres high. It's lit from sunset until midnight, and the bridge fills with people taking the same photo, so expect to wait for a spot.

Eating is the point here. Takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu and udon all have long-running shops here. Namba Station is right outside, and the Dotonbori River walkway is a calmer way along the water.

Getting there

Namba Station is the nearest, on the Midosuji, Sennichimae and Yotsubashi lines, plus Nankai and Kintetsu. Exit 14 of the Midosuji line leads toward the Konamon Museum, and exit 15 is about 5 minutes on foot from Okonomiyaki Mizuno.

13 places
Namba (Midosuji Line, Sennichimae Line, Yotsubashi Line, Nankai, Kintetsu) station
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What to see

Tonbori Riverwalk is a promenade of about 600 metres along the river, with more than 30 riverside shop entrances and a dock for sightseeing boats. It's free to walk. About 20 events a year run there.

Dotonbori Konamon Museum is free to enter. The second floor holds historical documents on flour-based food and sauces, and the third floor runs a sample-making class for 2,000 yen, where you make a wax takoyaki to take home. It takes about 45 minutes.

Where to eat and drink

Kushikatsu Daruma serves breaded skewers fried at the counter, and each guest orders one set menu. It's open every day of the year. Takoya Dotonbori Kukuru has takeout and eat-in, and takeout runs later. Don't confuse it with the shop at the Konamon Museum.

Kani Doraku Dotonbori Honten is the crab restaurant behind the moving sign. The records don't confirm its hours, so check the company's store page before you go.

Nearby neighbourhoods

Namba, Osaka Namba Curry, pork buns and a comedy theatre around the big station 16 places · under 1 km away Shinsaibashi, Osaka Shinsaibashi A 600 m arcade, department stores and basement food streets 11 places · under 1 km away Amerikamura, Osaka Amerikamura Vintage shops, live houses and takoyaki around a triangle of grass 13 places · under 1 km away Nipponbashi, Osaka Nipponbashi Electronics, retro games and a covered market east of Namba 7 places · under 1 km away

The best of Dotonbori

Glico Sign
Best sight Glico Sign The runner sign by Ebisu Bridge is lit from sunset to 24:00, and hours can be shortened by conditions.
Okonomiyaki Mizuno
Best okonomiyaki Okonomiyaki Mizuno It has run for more than 70 years. The menu lists the house Mizuno-yaki and a yamaimo-yaki made with grated mountain yam. Last order is 21:00 and it's open every day.
Best udon Dotonbori Imai Honten Founded in 1946, with kitsune udon as a standard dish. It's closed Wednesdays and the fourth Tuesday of the month, and hot pot has an earlier last order at 19:30.
Best old coffee shop Junkissa American A kissaten from 1946. Hot coffee is 700 yen and omelet rice 1,010 yen. It closes about three Thursdays a month, so call 06-6211-2100 on a Thursday.

Things to do in Dotonbori

Neighbourhood · Free Dotonbori The canal strip of Osaka's Minami, named for Doton Yasui, who funded the river's excavation in 1612. Restaurants line both sides under giant three-dimensional signs, including the Kani Doraku crab and the Glico runner.
Landmark · Free Glico Sign The runner sign beside Ebisu Bridge. The sixth version went up in October 2014 and stands 20 metres high and 10.38 metres wide.
Neighbourhood · Free Tonbori Riverwalk A riverside promenade along the Dotonbori River with about 600 metres of walkway, more than 30 riverside shop entrances and a dock for sightseeing boats.
Museum · Free Dotonbori Konamon Museum A four-level building about flour-based food. The second floor holds historical documents on konamon and sauces, and the third floor runs a food sample making class (wax takoyaki to take home).
Food Kani Doraku Dotonbori Honten The crab restaurant behind the moving crab sign at the south end of Ebisu Bridge.
Food Kushikatsu Daruma Dotonbori The Dotonbori branch of a kushikatsu house, serving breaded skewers fried at the counter.
Food · ¥¥ Okonomiyaki Mizuno An okonomiyaki restaurant that has run for more than 70 years. The menu lists the house Mizuno-yaki and a yamaimo-yaki made with grated mountain yam.
Food · ¥¥ Dotonbori Imai Honten A udon restaurant founded in 1946, with kitsune udon as a standard dish.
Food Takoya Dotonbori Kukuru Honten A takoyaki shop with takeout and eat-in service, on the Dotonbori shopping street.
Cafe · ¥ Junkissa American A kissaten that opened in 1946. Hot coffee is 700 yen and omelet rice 1,010 yen.
Landmark Nakaza Cuidaore Building A food and entertainment building in the middle of Dotonbori, with the Kuidaore Taro figure as its marker. It holds restaurants, Osaka souvenir shops, arcades and the Yoshimoto Dotonbori Theatre on the sixth floor.
Viewpoint · ¥¥ Dotonbori Ferris Wheel Ebisu Tower An oval Ferris wheel on the Don Quijote Dotonbori store, 77.4 m at its highest point. A ride takes about 15 minutes, and the four-person gondolas rotate horizontally.
Food · ¥¥¥ Hari-ju Grill The Western-style grill at the Dotonbori main store of Hari-ju. The menu centres on beef cutlets, steaks, hamburg steak and beef stew.

What's on in Dotonbori

Local events in the next 30 days, read from the ward, park and organiser pages each one links to.

  • Bon dance and stage dance by Toen Minyo Club Performance

    Sat 24 Oct · Dotonbori Yatai Village, in front of GALA on the Dotonbori side

    A short bon dance and stage dance performance by Toen Minyo Club beside the Dotonbori yatai village.

    15:30 to 16:00 · Map · Source: Dotonbori Yatai Village · 桃園民踊クラブによる盆踊り・舞台踊りパフォーマンス

  • Rakugo Show in English at Namikiza Performance

    Tue 10 Nov, Tue 8 Dec · Dotonbori Museum Namikiza

    A monthly rakugo show performed in English at the Dotonbori Museum Namikiza theatre, with a Tsugaru shamisen performance.

    ¥4,000, students ¥2,000 · 19:30 · Map · Source: Peatix · Namikiza Experience The Rakugo Show

More local events around Osaka

Live music in Dotonbori

What's on in Dotonbori this week

Stay in Dotonbori

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