Dotonbori
area is one of the Osaka’s symbol. It has been a night life entertainment
district for decades with a lot of restaurants and illuminations. Not only
restaurants but street foods as well.
This
canal project was started in 1612 based on the idea of Yasui Doton, a local
entrepreneur in Osaka. But unluckily, he died during Siege of Osaka for
protecting Hideyori Toyotomi. The canal was finally done in 1615. Due to his
idea, this canal was named as his name, Doton and hori in Japanese that means
canal. In 1621, Tokugawa Shogunate had a urban planning for Dotonbori to become
an entertainment district in that era. There were 6 kabuki (classical Japanese
drama) theatres and 5 bunraku (puppet drama) theatres but because of the
rejections of these sort of entertainment, most of the theaters were closed.
The five remaining theatres were bombed during World War II.
Now
we will take about how to get there. Got off at Namba Station and about 5
minutes of walking from there, soon we found a ‘Dotonbori’ colorful gate. It is
better to schedule your travel itinerary
carefully, so you could be there at afternoon or night.
We didn’t buy fugu sushi here because we already ate
it at Shinsekai before we headed to Dotonbori. The Fugu sushi restaurant at
Dotonbori is the same as Shinsekai’s, the name is Zuboraya. Fugu fish is known
as a poisoned fish that could kill 30 people, especially if it isn’t prepared
well. But don’t worry! In Japan, only certified chef who could serve this dish in
order to make sure it could be consumed safely. Now you know why this dish
isn’t cheap and usually served in sashimi platter. Dare to try? Find out this
Zuboraya lantern.
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| credit : gojapango/com |
The
most famous trademark in Dotonbori is a giant 300 metres running athlete in
blue track. This is a symbol of Glico candy since 1935 and is now provided by
LED light. Why 300 metres? It is said that one Glico candy contains 15,4 kcal
which is enough to be used to run that far. 
Don’t
miss Kuidaore Taro too! This mechanical drum-playing doll used to be a mascot
of Cuidaore restaurant since 1950.
Would
like to have a different experience here? You may try Tombori River Cruise to
enjoy sightseeing from Dotonbori River.
We
bought our delicious Osaka King Fried Gyoza here (200 yen for 5 pieces). And
also huge squid okonomiyaki (900 yen) in a restaurant under Glico man. We
held our lust of takoyaki because we planned to go to Takoyaki Museum at
Universal City Walk, so sadly takoyaki wasn’t in our list today. Enjoying our
huge dinner in front of cruising boat and glorious atmosphere in Dotonbori area
was surely a great guilty pleasure. Hahaha.......
After
finished eating, if you have more time, you could also explore attractions near
Dotonbori area:
-Shinsaibashi
Shopping Street
Usually
open from 11.00 AM to 21.00. It is a 600 metres length shopping center that
provides local and international clothes labels.
-National
Bunraku Theater
Usually
held in January, April, June, July/ August and November. Ticket costs from
about 2.000 yen to 6.000 yen.
-Shochikuza
Theater
Usually
held five times a year. Ticket costs from about 4.000 yen to 15.000 yen.
-Hozenji Yokocho Alley
No admission needed. There
are more than 60 traditional restaurants and izakayas along its path, and also
small Hozenji Temple to pray.
-Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum
Opens from 11 AM to 6 PM
(last admission is 5.30 PM). Closing days is Monday (or
following day if Monday is a national holiday) and the ticket costs 500 yen. You may find here a permanent
Kamigata Ukiyeo (woodblock print that typically features kabuki actors)
exhibit.
-KUIDAORE 食い倒れ (EAT UNTIL YOU DROP)-
We eat, we walk, we talk
-FoodyFooty2-
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