Discover Shinsaibashi: The Heart of Osaka
Known as the "Ginza of the East, Shinsaibashi of the West," the Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade is a familiar sight for those who enjoy a leisurely stroll around Ginza, known as "Gin-bura," and around Shinsaibashi, known as "Shin-bura." The Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade stretches approximately 580m from the south side of Nagahori Street to Soemoncho Street. Including the two major department stores of Daimaru Shinsaibashi, about 180 stores, including clothing and dining establishments, line the street, attracting about 60,000 shoppers and tourists on weekdays and over 120,000 on Sundays and holidays.
The origin of the bustling area dates back to the early 1600s, when it served as a road connecting a theater in the current Dotonbori and Shinmachi red-light district in Nishi Ward. By the mid-18th century, when the "Kimono Shop Matsuya" (now Daimaru) opened, many shops had gathered around Shinsaibashi, and it was already formed as a shopping town. During the Edo period, the main stores were bookstores, antique bookstores, prop shops, koto and shamisen shops, and kimono shops, but from the Meiji era, fashionable shops such as retail stores dealing with imported goods, watch shops, and kimono shops increased.
In the Taisho and Showa eras, kimono shops transformed into department stores, and Western-style shops increased along with the shopping street. Young people who enjoyed shopping, called the "Shin-bura tribe," began to walk around the city, leading to the present. The shopping street also hosts the "Yukata Festival" and puts effort into seasonal events. A variety of shops, from centuries-old established stores to fashion stores incorporating the latest trends, are gathered. Recently, it has become a major downtown area for travelers from all over the world.
Address: 1-2 Chome Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo Ward, Osaka City
Phone Number: 06-6211-1114 (Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade Promotion Association)
Holidays: Varies by store
Business Hours: Varies by store
Access: 1 minute walk from "Shinsaibashi Station" on the Midosuji Line and Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line
URL: http://www.shinsaibashi.or.jp/
The origin of the bustling area dates back to the early 1600s, when it served as a road connecting a theater in the current Dotonbori and Shinmachi red-light district in Nishi Ward. By the mid-18th century, when the "Kimono Shop Matsuya" (now Daimaru) opened, many shops had gathered around Shinsaibashi, and it was already formed as a shopping town. During the Edo period, the main stores were bookstores, antique bookstores, prop shops, koto and shamisen shops, and kimono shops, but from the Meiji era, fashionable shops such as retail stores dealing with imported goods, watch shops, and kimono shops increased.
In the Taisho and Showa eras, kimono shops transformed into department stores, and Western-style shops increased along with the shopping street. Young people who enjoyed shopping, called the "Shin-bura tribe," began to walk around the city, leading to the present. The shopping street also hosts the "Yukata Festival" and puts effort into seasonal events. A variety of shops, from centuries-old established stores to fashion stores incorporating the latest trends, are gathered. Recently, it has become a major downtown area for travelers from all over the world.
Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade
Address: 1-2 Chome Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo Ward, Osaka City
Phone Number: 06-6211-1114 (Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade Promotion Association)
Holidays: Varies by store
Business Hours: Varies by store
Access: 1 minute walk from "Shinsaibashi Station" on the Midosuji Line and Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line
URL: http://www.shinsaibashi.or.jp/
