Osaka’s hidden gem, situated near the Namba district, might just be your next favorite stay. Read more to find out why you should stay in south Osaka for your next visit.
Osaka is well-known as the place to go for street food, anime, and electronics. But as many other cities of Japan, Osaka holds its own balanced mix between the pop and the tradition that makes it attractive to very different types of travelers: The families, the foodies, the otakus and the party goers… All find their own reasons to love Osaka.
One of the best locations to experience this variety first hand is Nipponbashi, a privileged neighborhood in South Osaka with easy access to it all, perfectly bridging everything that is to love about Osaka. From its distinct culture to its serene greenery—Nipponbashi’s unique neighborhood can be your next favorite destination when visiting Osaka.
Compared to the highly energetic Shinsaibashi, Nipponbashi houses a peaceful residential area home to many immigrant cultures. This reflects in the wide array of international cuisines, ranging from Asian (not only Japanese) to Western cuisine, for travelers open to experience variety. And when the hustle and bustle of the city gets tiring, visitors can take a scenic walk at the Tennoji Park or breathe in the majestic view of the city at the Tsutenkaku Tower.
And its shopping district, situated near the Namba district, is dubbed as one of the city’s meccas for pop culture –the Akihabara of Osaka, but with top-notch street food.
Read on to discover what makes this humble shopping district in Naniwa Ward special and explore the best tourist spots near the area.
What makes Nipponbashi special?
Nipponbashi can make a traveler feel like a local. The area’s location is convenient for travelers who enjoy a slow vacation with access to a fun twist at any minute. Lively areas are at a short walking distance, so when staying at Nipponbashi, you’re never far from the action.
Travelers can discover Osaka’s rich cultural heritage at Osaka’s Museum of Fine Arts in the morning, walk around Den Den Town for a quick pop culture fix in the afternoon, and chill at your hotel by the evening.
The best part? If you feel adventurous, it is still one of the most accessible areas in South Osaka, only a few minutes away from Namba train station, and Ebisucho and Nipponbashi subway stations, so you can quickly access any other neighborhood in Osaka, knowing your stay is less than an hour away.
Must-dos: Top 3 things to do in Nipponbashi, Osaka
From scenic views to pop culture extravaganzas, here are some of the Nipponbashi experiences and attractions you can’t miss out:
- A full food crawl-friendly spot. What’s great about Nipponbashi is that it houses the best of what Osaka food has to offer, from its signature dishes like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu to international cuisines.
The best place to start your food crawl journey? Kuromon Market, one of Nipponbashi’s favorite food hubs.
- Otaku shopping: Akihabara with less crowds and cheaper prices. Nipponbashi’s Den Den Town vs. Tokyo’s Akihabara has always been a discussion for many of Japan’s pop culture fans. There are, of course, similarities, as both are electronic towns showcasing popular anime goods retailers such as Mandarake or Toranoana..
Compared to the busy Akihabara, Den Den Town has less traffic, giving a more laid-back shopping experience. What's more – many retailers in Den Den Town are duty-free and are known to be cheaper than their bigger counterparts in Tokyo.
- Look around and find its history: . The word ‘Nipponbashi’ literally translates to ‘Japan Bridge’. Aside from its close namesake to the bridge connecting to Dotonbori, Nipponbashi also serves as a bridge to Osaka’s rich history and to its bright future.
Being so close to the vibrant Shinsekai (which means “New World”)—a ”district that, despite certain safety concerns, attracts tourists with its interesting history—Nipponbashi offers observant visitors a glimpse of Osaka’s past and a sneak peek of its future.
We can’t emphasize this enough – In Nipponbashi, you’re only a few steps away from the local’s favorite spots. Everything’s within walking distance. And when you’re done exploring the area, you can always take the nearby Ebisucho, Namba Nankai, and Nipponbashi trains or ride the Osaka bus to take you to your next Osaka adventure.
Want to know what else’s in store for you in Osaka? Explore this area guide we made for Shinsaibashi—another one of Osaka’s iconic must-visit districts.
The best places to visit in Nipponbashi, Osaka
Knowing what to expect in Nipponbashi is just the first step. You definitely need to step your feet into these places to really savor the experience.
Here are our top recommendations in the area. We divided them by interest so you can find your favorites quickly and smoothly plan out your itinerary.
If you are into anime, collectibles and Japan’s pop culture
If you’re into Japan’s pop culture, check these out:
- Nipponbashi’s Den Den Town
Before becoming the iconic Akiba of the West (Akihabara of the West), Den Den Town used to be a home for furniture and home appliance stores. Now it's home to concept stores, Gashapon stalls, and shops catered towards collectors.
Gunpla enthusiasts may step inside the Super Kids Land Character Hall (just look for that giant Gundam banner) for Gundam figurines exclusive only to Japan and if you want to surprise yourself, head over to Jungle to find a wide assortment of niche collectibles (you might find the rarest collectable of them all).
- Otaku Road
Famously known as Ota Road, this is the notable road that leads to Den Den Town. The street itself is chock-full of eye-catching specialty stores, maid cafes, and craft stores. You can try out the maid cafe experience at e-maid or even watch out for a concept cafe like Good Smile x Animate Cafe that features seasonal anime collaborations on their menu. If you want to take home Japan-exclusive crafts and souvenirs, look no further than Kotobukiya.
If you’re into observatories and city views
These are our favorite spots to Breath in the scenic view of the city and add a relaxing touch to your visit in Naniwa ward:
- Tsutenkaku Tower
The Tsutenkaku Tower bears the heart of the retro-futuristic Shinsekai district. It is also home to the famous Billiken-san, the god of fortune known for his smiling face and iconic figure. Billiken-san sits atop the Golden Observatory on the 5th floor—so make sure to rub his soles for some extra fortune before you enjoy a wide view of Osaka from 87.5 meters above the ground.
Interested? Visit this site to book your tour at the Tsutenkaku Tower.
- Abeno Harukas Observatory
Located at almost 300 meters above the ground, Abeno Harukas 300 observatory is on the 58th-60th floor of the Abeno Harukas facility. Breathe in the 360-degree view of Osaka while enjoying a cup of coffee or chilling out at the Sky Garden. The observatory also offers an experience for the thrill-seekers called “Edge the Haruka.” Lean over the tower from 300 meters above and look straight onto the city (with protective harnesses and ropes, of course).
Come and book your tickets to the observatory as early as now by visiting this link.
If you feel like connecting with Osaka’s nature
Take a break from the busy streets and stop to smell the flowers in these natural spots.
- Tennoji Park
A short walk from the Tennoji station will bring you to the refreshing ambience of the Tennoji Park. The park is home to the Tennoji Zoo and the Tenshiba Square—these spots are known to contrast the commercial aura of the city surrounding it with their greenery. Need a quick escape from the city? Bring over some friends and some mats for that city picnic experience.
Be on the lookout for special activities during the weekend by checking out this website for more information.
- Tennoji Zoo
Your stay at Tennoji Park wouldn’t be complete without taking a visit at Tennoji Zoo. Even though it’s inside the park, the zoo deserves its own highlight. In 2025, the zoo will be celebrating its 110th anniversary with the theme “Get Along Together All The Time” to express its gratitude to the community and visitors who have supported the zoo. All that aside, we really think that you’ll find their penguins and sea lions irresistible, so do pay them a visit after your short picnic.
Learn more about the facility by visiting this link.
Embark the Osaka food lover’s adventure
Even as locals, we can relate with how hard it can be to pick a food spot with so many delicious options around every corner. Here are some of our notable favorites that we know you’ll love:
- Rikuro's Cheesecake Namba Honten
You won't have to go too far to enjoy an Osaka-exclusive dessert. The viral and popular Rikuro's is just a few walks away from the Namba station. Best believe that the social media hype is real! Their freshly made cheesecakes are one the best delights that you can find in the city.
Rikuro's is known for its fluffy and soft texture that melts in your mouth. You’ll never find another Rikuro’s cheesecake outside of Osaka, so make sure to grab a plate—we also recommend that you try out their Mankitsu set for that complete Namba cheesecake experience.
- Oretachin No Curry
You'll easily notice how most restaurants near Namba Station have that extra charm—with traveler's favorite Oretachi No Curry adding up to the list of locals' favorites. Queues fill up quickly in this 12-seater counter-style restaurant because of Oretachin's signature curry. We're sending our compliments to the chef for their deeply rich curry that's perfect for both rice and ramen!
Staying at Nipponbashi
If you’re now curious to live the local experience in South Osaka, stay at our ORI Nipponbashi hotel. Our renovated apartment hotel is a 20 minute stroll from all interesting locations and is perfect for families, digital nomads and longer stays. Use the code NEW for a discount on the house. The best of Osaka is waiting for you.
And if you’re a first-time visitor (or just looking what else you can do in Osaka), come look at our Top Osaka Attractions for First-time Visitors.
