Top 10 Fun Things to do in Dotonbori Osaka

The history of the place takes you to the year 1612 when a merchant named Yasui Doton started with a local development project of linking the local canal with the Kizugawa River. However, Doton’s dream remains unfulfilled as he got killed in the war. Later on, his cousins accomplished the work of the new canal and named it Dotonbori meaning Doton Canal, and today the place has transformed itself into a significant attraction of Osaka.

Your visit to the place will be fantastic as there is so much to do, see and experience in Dotonbori, Osaka. The lively nightlife and entertainment are the highlights of Dotonbori, but that's not all. Soak yourself in its stunning atmosphere by taking a night stroll along the canal and shop, eat, and enjoy to the fullest. Find out here, the top ten things to do when in Dotonbori, Osaka to have fun and create memories.

It an essential symbol of Dotonbori, Osaka, while there may be plenty of others, this one stands out as a well-known landmark in Osaka. This signboard has emerged as a trendy spot amongst the tourists for taking pictures. This huge signboard has been present here in Dotonbori, Osaka for more than 80 years. “Guriko” is a picture of the runner raising his hands as a sign of victory. In fact, in Japan, it has been a popular spot for celebrating sports victories over the years. It was initially used on a snack packaging of Glico-a famous Japanese Food Company. Going back to the year 1935, the signboard has received several upgradations and overhauls over the years. For the ones visiting Dotonbori for the first time, it is a must to take a picture here. It truly represents the symbol of Dotonbori. This signboard is 10 meters wide and 20 meters tall, and it was renewed in 2014 with neon lights making it more impressive and eye-catching for visitors. Right now, LED technology is used for lighting this signboard, and it will hence accommodate more unusual sporting events being celebrated through it as a medium.

Whether it is a day or night, taking a stroll at the Tonbori Riverwalk is going to be interesting. The Dotonbori Canal is adjacent to it. The place remains lively day and night, and there are plenty of things to do here. Live music performances, shops, and restaurants that is enough for the visitors to have a good time here. The atmosphere here is exciting, and you will find plenty of avenues to relax and unwind. There are nearly 35-40 stores and restaurants facing the riverwalk, making the riverfront scenery, even more, exiting for you. The cafes and the bars overlooking the river can be another place of hangout and relish your meal. This place will treat you with its unique culinary delight along with the atmosphere that is exciting and vibrant. Soak yourself in the vibes and enjoy the neon lights in the night.

If you are lucky, then you may witness one of the 20 events held at the Tombori Riverwalk every year. These events that showcase the Japanese culture through different performances are a delight to watch. Such has been the popularity of these events that the event schedule is being updated to accommodate more of activities.

It can be another activity full of fun for you. It is as exciting as the river walk and for some even more. The Tonbori River cruise is a 20-minute activity that beings from the Namba Station and takes you through the Dotonbori Canal. You may have been on numerous small cruises, but this one at the Tongbori River is different from all of them. The cruise will give you a brand-new view of the Dotonbori area along with the well-known sites. During the cruise, you will pass through a few of the most famous places and sights, including the Glico running man signboard. As the boat traverses through the canal, the feel of the Dotonbori, Osaka and its atmosphere impresses you. Relax, watch people, and wave them back. Away from the crowd, the cruise lets you admire the area, and the presence of the guide on the boat makes it all more interesting. It’s one enjoyable experience you should not miss. It’s open on weekdays from 13:00 - 21:00, while on weekends it’s open from 11:00 - 21:00 to cater to the extra rush. If your schedule permits you, take this cruise at night to witness the true glory of the place.

While some may feel that the theatre culture in Dotonbori, Osaka is towards decline, however, you will find a few impressive ones here hosting kabuki plays, opera, dramas, and musicals. When in the area we suggest visiting Shochiku-Za, which is the most famous theatre here. The theatre is centrally located in the heart of Dotonbori. Watch traditional performances like Rakugo or Kabuki or the plays of famous actors, and we assure you it’s going to be enjoyable. Alternatively, you can select one program on the list of the theatre, and probably you will find something exciting. Although the performances are in Japanese, only but that should not deter you. As the performances as so visually appealing that irrespective of the language, you will thoroughly enjoy every minute of it. You will quickly understand the theme of the performance sufficient enough to appreciate it wholeheartedly. The performances will embrace you, and within no time, the language barrier will vanish. It is one aspect of Japanese culture that will immerse you. For ones falling short of time during the visit to Dotonbori, Osaka, you can have a look at this magnificent theatre from the outside. It is worth a visit, and you will not stop admiring it.

Even for the ones who are not spiritually inclined, we suggest you must visit Hozenji Yokocho in Dotonbori, Osaka. It's a magical and beautiful street with moss-covered stature and tiny restaurants serving Japanese cuisine. Visiting this place near Dotonbori is almost like travelling back in time. It's an old-styled stone-paved street, with over 60 shops and restaurants offering traditional Japanese products and food. The street takes you at least two centuries back and its recommended to visit here in the evening to see the lovely Japanese lanterns lit and hanged in a pattern. The street takes you to the Hozen-Ji Temple of the Buddhist deity Mizu-Kake Fudo. It's a sight that can't afford to miss when in Dotonbori, Osaka. You will find many visitors offer water to the statue as an omen of good luck. The locals believe that Fudo fulfils their wishes and protects them from evil. Once your visit to the temple is complete, do try the food at the restaurants here. The Osaka styles dishes are a real culinary delight. You might also spot local celebrities here in this area. Overall the ambience of the old Osaka is an experience that goes beyond words.

Dotonbori, Osaka has some of the most famous landmarks and symbols. One amongst these is the Kuidaore Building that is different in its sense. It’s unique, wears a spectacle and dresses in a typical clown dress of red and white stripes. Standing in one of the several commercial complexes of the Dotonbori, the puppet bangs a drum as visitors pass by from the lobby while many of them stop to click a picture or two. What's more, the puppet changes its expressions frequently varying from the naughty ones to the pleasant and cheerful mood. The clown that has emerged as a landmark of Dotonbori, Osaka is named Kuidaore Taro. The name of the building where this local mascot greets the visitors is Nakaza Kuidaore Building. It was constructed at the site that once hosted the famous Maka-za theatre where traditional Japanese performing arts were held. After the renovation, the building kept the name of Kuidaore meaning 'eat till you drop'. It was borrowed from a famous restaurant nearby that eventually closed down. In the building, you can find shops selling Taro souvenir apart from several restaurants serving Osaka delicacies along with living comedy shows. The building also has a store that sells Glico snacks, and we suggest you must try at least once.

Finding this speciality restaurant in Dotonbori, Osaka is not much of a task. The long queue in front of the restaurant is the indication enough for you to judge the quality of the food served here and its craze amongst the locals and the tourists alike. Kushikatsu is a local delicacy that is deep-fried and skewered. You have a variety to choose from, here in this restaurant. From cheese to shrimps, sweet potato and meatballs, dip it in the delicious sauce that accompanies it and directs it to your mouth. The sauce is called tonkatsu and has a unique taste to it and yet not overpowering the main dish. The Kushikatsu Daruma has been serving this delicacy since 1929, and it is one place not to miss when here in Dotonbori, Osaka. This Kushikatsu store at Dotonbori serves this signature dish to hundreds of customers every day. Even for the strict vegetarians, this dish is a must-try as the vegetarian version is also available and is equally tasty. And that is not all, there a rule to eat Kushikatsu. You cannot dip it into the sauce more than once. The simple reason is that the same sauce is served to the next person who will come to eat, once you are done.

Another prominent must-visit place on Dotonbori, Osaka, the Konamon Museum is a different place when compared to other speciality restaurants. This place is fascinating, and you will soon know why. It is in the name of the restaurant with a big red octopus as the unique signboard. Generally, the takoyaki stores in Dotonbori are small with tables or probably no tables at all. However, you have several floors wherein you can learn the takoyaki technique called Kukuru and can even learn to make takoyaki. In the first of the Konamom Museum, you have the employees working on the takoyaki dishes and adding the white sauce in the last stage. The recipe of the sauce is still a secret, and preparing takoyaki dishes looks no less than precision art. On the second floor, you may acquaint yourself with the history of the Konamon sauce and takoyaki. Konamon consists of komugiko, which is wheat flour, and food like yakisoba and takoyaki are known as Konamom. You will find this food, everywhere in Japan but it gained its popularity in the Kansai region. Get to the third floor of Konamon Museum where you can learn to make a takoyaki souvenir or two.

If crabs are what you wish to try in your meal, there is no place better than Kani Doraku in Dotonbori, Osaka. While they have restaurants all over the country, the outlet in Dotonbori is the best and the most original in taste. The first Kani Doraku store was opened in the Dotonbori area in Japan. The thing that strikes the visitor first is its signboard. Unique and significant, the sign shows a huge red crab highlighting its crab cuisine. The restaurant specialises in high-quality crabs of all kinds be it the hairy crab, snow crab or the king crab. The crabs reach the restaurant fresh and alive from the Sea of Japan and farms in Hokkaido. There are a variety of ways in which these crabs are served to you-fried, boiled, sushi or sashimi. Pen from 11 am till 11 pm; their cuisine beats everything else. Overall it’s a great place to have Japanese crabs in different styles to suit your taste buds. So popular is the place that it is suggested to get the prior booking done before visiting to avoid waiting or any disappointment.

In Dotonbori, Osaka, this one place beats all other restaurants hands down with its delicious Takoyaki. Famous and worthy of its reputation, its takoyaki has a big chunk of octopus sandwiched between the dumplings. The look and the taste are superb typical of eateries at Dotonbori. Of course, you will not be able to eat it in a single shot due to the size as well as being super hot. Perfect to click a few photos with your takoyaki while it cools down sufficient to enough to eat; traditional takoyaki is nowhere better than Kukuru. This restaurant stands out, and you need no help to locate it in Dotonbari, Osaka as you can very well identify the visual chaos around here. Do not let the queues bother you as in the end, something incredible is waiting to satisfy your appetite. You can also try akashiyaki which is an octopus dumpling with eggy batter and dipped in dashi stock. It’s enjoyable to have snacks here and enjoy the atmosphere.

When you are done with amazing restaurants and the places to visit, there is still one activity left that you should not miss here in Dotonbori, Osaka. In the neighbourhood is the Shinsaibashi and it is a fantastic place for shopping. Shop from clothes to cosmetics from the wide range that is available here which is just a 10-minute walking distance from Dotonbari, it an equally right place to shop for souvenirs for folks back home.

Dotonbori, Osaka welcomes and treats visitors with open arms almost like a king. Its food experience from age-old stalls, eateries, and restaurants apart from the tourist sites makes it the most recommended place to visit in Osaka. It is more than the flashy neon signs and the nightlife it's the look and the feel of Japan in Dotonbori that charms you and makes space in your memories for long. You can stroll around the place travelling on foot and spend all day and night too just by experiencing the cuisine, the serene boat trip, events, theatre and above all the lovely people of Osaka.

This is an explosion of taste, neon, and entertainment that will make your vacation special in all ways. You will not be able to resist yourself from visiting Dotonbari again.