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Dotombori
Osaka Prefecture · Japan
Dotonbori, with its rows of giant three-dimensional billboards such as the Shochikuza Theater, Kani Douraku, and the Glico sign, is a representative entertainment district in Osaka's Minami area. The name Dotonbori comes from Yasui Doton, who donated his personal fortune to dig the river in 1612. After that, it flourished as an entertainment district for theater and kabuki, and the number of teahouses and other establishments increased, becoming the basis for the current food and live entertainment district.
Contents
10 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation2:59
Welcome to Dotombori, the pulsating artery of Osaka and a place often referred to as the city's kitchen. As you stand here amidst the overwhelming cacophony of sounds and a kaleidoscope of neon lights, you are witnessing the…
Listen in the app2The Ebisubashi Bridge and the Glyco Running Man2:45
We stand now upon the Ebisubashi Bridge, perhaps the most photographed spot in all of Osaka. Looking out across the water, your eyes are immediately drawn to the towering figure of the Glyco Running Man. …
Listen in the app3The Dotombori Canal: A Legacy of Nariyasu Doton2:32
The canal you see before you is the namesake of this entire district, and its history is deeply intertwined with a single visionary figure: Nariyasu Doton. In the early 1600s, Doton, a local merchant, conceived of a plan to…
Listen in the app4Shochikuza Theater: The Bastion of Traditional Performance2:38
Standing before the Shochikuza Theater, we encounter a rare architectural survivor that bridges the gap between East and West. Opened in 1923, this theater was the first western-style theater in Osaka, constructed by the Shochiku…
Listen in the app5The Culinary Mascots: Kuidaore Taro and the Giant Signs2:33
No analysis of Dotombori is complete without discussing its legendary mascots, the most famous of which is Kuidaore Taro. This drumming puppet, dressed in red-and-white striped attire and wearing round spectacles, has been a…
Listen in the app6Hozenji Yokocho and the Moss-Covered Temple2:29
Just a few meters away from the neon-drenched main street lies a narrow, stone-paved alleyway that feels like a portal to the past: Hozenji Yokocho. This alley, preserved in the style of the Meiji period, was once a gathering…
Listen in the app7The Art of Takoyaki: A Culinary Revolution2:25
As we walk through the dense clouds of steam on the main thoroughfare, we must pause to appreciate the most iconic of all Osaka street foods: Takoyaki. These spherical, batter-based treats are filled with minced or diced octopus,…
Listen in the app8Don Quijote and the Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel2:13
Towering over the north bank of the canal is one of the more eccentric landmarks of modern Dotombori: the Don Quijote store and its massive Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel. Don Quijote, affectionately known by locals as 'Donki,' is a…
Listen in the app9Melon Pan and the Modern Sweets of Dotombori2:22
As we near the end of our physical circuit, we must explore the sweeter side of Dotombori’s culinary map, specifically the beloved Melon Pan. Despite its name, this Japanese sweet bread actually contains no melon; the name refers…
Listen in the app10Closing1:59
As we conclude our journey back at the Ebisubashi Bridge, take a final look at the neon-lit horizon. You have traversed four centuries of history in just a few blocks. …
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What is Dotombori?
Dotombori is a place in Osaka Prefecture · Japan with 10 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Osaka Prefecture · Japan |
|---|---|
| Type | Food |
| Story sections | 10 |
| Total length | 24 min 55 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 34.6687, 135.5022 |
| Last updated |
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within a 5-minute walk
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