South Osaka is really where it's at in terms of shopping, fashion, clubs and music. Most of Osaka's young people live around here and it's also what most people see as being the "real" Osaka.
Much dirtier and gritty than the other "centre" of Osaka - Umeda.. Namba is where most Osakan's do their thing.. which mostly consists of eating out a lot.. There is a very diverse selection of food to be had in Osaka. The Japanese restaurants alone have numerous different styles of cuisine on offer including OKONOMIYAKI , TAKO YAKI and SUKIYAKI to name a few. The down to earth atmosphere of the area makes this one place to come and sample great Japanese food .. The only communication you'll need is through the cuisine. Osakan people couldn't really care less where you come from or what you speak so enjoy! (Photo: airninja.com)
DOTOMBORI is the tourist stretch with many Korean and Chinese visitors taking photos in front of some of the most famous images of Osaka including the GLICO MAN and the GIANT CRAB that you can't miss on your walk down this street. dotomburi bridge crosses the canal and is full anytime of day of young hosts and hostesses.Soe mon cho is the unofficial red light district of the area and also has one or two great bars. Check out CLUB ZING for some good underground music, interesting people and a roof terrace that parties on well into the next afternoon.
Shopping is in abundance with ORANGE STREET being a great place to pick up Japanese small labels and more avante garde styles of clothes. America Mura while not really being Namba is only a short walk from the Orange street area and caters to a slightly younger, more generic type of clothes shopper. CISCO RECORDS is a fine place to buy music of most types with lots of Japanese artists as well as a great import section of house, minimal techno and more clubby grooves. If you are into dub you are going to be very impressed with the amount of 7" dubs on offer at record shops in the area.
I should just mention DEN DEN town at this point but here's a link to all the shopping avaliable in the are.
There are shopping arcades,department stores, side streets, food stalls and strange people everywhere. This is like Japan unleashed.. I was going to go on and on and reccommend things to do especially clubs.. like ROCKETS, CLAPPER and SOUND CHANNEL where you'll find good parties and people who only come out at night but the best thing for you to do is just go and explore, meet people and experience.
Namba is by far the best part of Osaka and one of the seediest/most interesting places in Japan.
Namba
20 mins from Yougendo by Yamatoji express train to JR Namba.
Last train back to Yougendo is 12:30 and first morning train is around 5am.
At 5am Namba is at it's most interesting!
Here's a MAP
enjoy.
