Dotonbori: Osaka’s Vibrant Entertainment Hub
Dotonbori, with its iconic Kani Doraku crab and Glico sign, and the so-called "Hikkakebashi" Ebisu Bridge, is a bustling district in Osaka’s Minami area, lined with massive billboards. Dotonbori is at the heart of Osaka’s "Kuidaore" food and live entertainment culture.
Although the Shochikuza Theater near Ebisu Bridge is the only theater in its traditional sense, there are also comedy halls. Various genres of restaurants line both sides of Dotonbori Street, bustling all year round. In recent years, the Tombori River Walk promenade along the river has gained popularity, and the "Daruma Minister" on the rooftop of the Kushikatsu Daruma building has become a new attraction, rotating and drawing attention. Since around 2018, many foreigners have visited due to inbound tourism. Efforts are being made to create a safe, secure, and clean city to become an international tourist city.
History In 1612, Yasui Doton invested his personal fortune and began excavating the Minamihori River. Doton died in the Summer Siege of Osaka, but his cousin Doboku took over the construction, and the canal was completed in 1615. To honor Doton’s achievements for future generations, it was named "Dotonbori". Around 1626, the theater district was moved to Dotonbori, and the south bank of Dotonbori was officially recognized as a theater district, flourishing with Kabuki, Joruri, and other theaters. In addition, tea houses that arranged theater tickets and provided food and drink to spectators, the so-called "Iroha Chaya", were born.
Dotonbori is Broadway From the Edo period, it was said that there were three theaters in Edo and five in Naniwa. The Benten-za, Asahi-za, Kado-za, Nakaza, and Takemoto-za (Naniwa-za) in Dotonbori were representative theaters of the theater and entertainment world, surrounded by many small "houses". For entertainers aspiring to be top-notch, "Dotonbori" was a coveted stage. Unfortunately, some theaters such as Nakaza have been closed, but Bunraku is at the National Bunraku Theater, Kabuki is at the Shochikuza, and entertainment is at the reopened Kadoza and Namba Grand Kagetsu. Dotonbori, including Minami, is still a mecca for theater and entertainment, bustling with many spectators every day.
Dotonbori Address: Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka City Phone number: 06-6211-4542 (Dotonbori Shopping Association Office) Holidays: Varies by store Business hours: Varies by store
Access: Immediately from "Namba Station" on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, Sennichimae Line, Yotsubashi Line, Kintetsu, and Nankai URL: http://www.dotonbori.or.jp/ja/
Although the Shochikuza Theater near Ebisu Bridge is the only theater in its traditional sense, there are also comedy halls. Various genres of restaurants line both sides of Dotonbori Street, bustling all year round. In recent years, the Tombori River Walk promenade along the river has gained popularity, and the "Daruma Minister" on the rooftop of the Kushikatsu Daruma building has become a new attraction, rotating and drawing attention. Since around 2018, many foreigners have visited due to inbound tourism. Efforts are being made to create a safe, secure, and clean city to become an international tourist city.
History In 1612, Yasui Doton invested his personal fortune and began excavating the Minamihori River. Doton died in the Summer Siege of Osaka, but his cousin Doboku took over the construction, and the canal was completed in 1615. To honor Doton’s achievements for future generations, it was named "Dotonbori". Around 1626, the theater district was moved to Dotonbori, and the south bank of Dotonbori was officially recognized as a theater district, flourishing with Kabuki, Joruri, and other theaters. In addition, tea houses that arranged theater tickets and provided food and drink to spectators, the so-called "Iroha Chaya", were born.
Dotonbori is Broadway From the Edo period, it was said that there were three theaters in Edo and five in Naniwa. The Benten-za, Asahi-za, Kado-za, Nakaza, and Takemoto-za (Naniwa-za) in Dotonbori were representative theaters of the theater and entertainment world, surrounded by many small "houses". For entertainers aspiring to be top-notch, "Dotonbori" was a coveted stage. Unfortunately, some theaters such as Nakaza have been closed, but Bunraku is at the National Bunraku Theater, Kabuki is at the Shochikuza, and entertainment is at the reopened Kadoza and Namba Grand Kagetsu. Dotonbori, including Minami, is still a mecca for theater and entertainment, bustling with many spectators every day.
Dotonbori Address: Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka City Phone number: 06-6211-4542 (Dotonbori Shopping Association Office) Holidays: Varies by store Business hours: Varies by store
Access: Immediately from "Namba Station" on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, Sennichimae Line, Yotsubashi Line, Kintetsu, and Nankai URL: http://www.dotonbori.or.jp/ja/
