Shinsekai

Shinsekai is a quintessentially gritty downtown sightseeing district in Osaka, stretching across Ebisuhigashi in Naniwa Ward. Its origins date back to the Fifth National Industrial Exposition held in 1903. On the west side of the former expo site, the first Tsutenkaku and the amusement park Luna Park were built in 1912, which led to the development of a lively entertainment district as theaters and movie houses gathered there.

Even today, traces of that era remain strong. Tsutenkaku is a symbol of Osaka and a popular tourist spot, especially for its observation deck. Along Tsutenkaku Hondori Shopping Street, you’ll find giant pufferfish lanterns, Billiken statues, oversized signs, and other eye-catching sights perfect for photos. Underground, there is also Tsutenkaku Theater TENGEKI, a cultural venue where enka, manzai, and kamigata rakugo performances are held.

To the southeast, Janjan Yokocho is lined with around 50 unique shops, including kushikatsu restaurants, doteyaki eateries, and go-and-shogi clubs, allowing visitors to enjoy Osaka’s local cuisine amid a nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere. In particular, kushikatsu is a specialty of Shinsekai, attracting many people with its reasonable prices and distinctive menu.

Access is also convenient, with the area within walking distance of multiple railway lines, including JR, subway, and Nankai Railway, and easily reachable on foot from the Tennoji and Namba areas. Since the 2000s, it has been reevaluated as a “Showa retro” district, and its popularity as a tourist destination has surged once again.

Shinsekai, where history, culture, food, and entertainment come together, is a precious area where visitors can experience the “good old Osaka” atmosphere. When sightseeing in Osaka, be sure to stop by and experience its charm for yourself.