Hozenji Yokocho: A Slice of History in Osaka's Bustling South

Hozenji Yokocho is a small alleyway extending east-west with two lanes, each 80m long and 3m wide, located in the bustling district of Minami in Osaka. The alley is paved with atmospheric cobblestones, offering a different ambiance during the day and night. This alley, home to the famous "Hozenji" temple known for its Mizukake Fudo statue, is lined with various establishments including long-standing Japanese restaurants, bars, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu shops.

The History of Hozenji Yokocho

The history of Hozenji Yokocho can be traced back to the Edo period. At that time, it is said that there were only two theaters in the precincts of Hozenji. The precincts of Hozenji flourished from the end of the Meiji era to the Taisho and Showa eras, when Namba and Dotonbori were thriving with Kabuki and Bunraku puppet theater, serving as a place of entertainment and socializing for the merchants of Semba.

Originally, this area was the precincts of Hozenji, but over time, stalls catering to worshippers developed into an alleyway. The alley was destroyed by air raids during the Pacific War but has since been revived as an entertainment district after the war. It is also famous as the setting for the novel "Fufu Zenzei". Having overcome two fires, one during the war and another at the old Nakaza, Hozenji Yokocho is a lively town that retains the atmosphere of the past.

Gourmet in Hozenji Yokocho

Hozenji Yokocho offers a variety of gourmet options, including kushikatsu, long-established Japanese cuisine, and okonomiyaki. All the shops are renowned, and with such a wide range of gourmet genres, you might find it hard to decide what to eat. All the shops are good enough to satisfy the taste buds of the locals in Osaka.

Access to Hozenji Yokocho

Hozenji Yokocho is located in Namba, a representative tourist spot in Osaka. Therefore, if you want to go to Hozenji Yokocho, aim for Namba. The nearest station is "Namba Station" on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line and Sennichimae Line, Kintetsu, and Nankai. If you are heading to Namba from Osaka (Umeda), head from Umeda Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line to Namba Station. The journey takes about 14 minutes, and it's about a 5-minute walk from Exit 15A of Namba Station, so you can get there in about 20 minutes in total.

Address: Near 1-chome, Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka City
Access: 5 minutes walk from "Namba Station" on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line and Sennichimae Line, Kintetsu, and Nankai