Osu Shotengai: Nagoya's Charming Traditional Shopping Street

The Charm of Osu Shotengai Shopping Street

Photo by Pixta

Osu Shotengai, located in Nagoya's Naka Ward, is a shopping street with rich history and traditional charm.

While locals visit the shotengai for their daily shopping, the area also features old temples, dining facilities, a hobby store, and a maid café. Additionally, the shotengai is known for its diversity and is regarded as a pop culture hub in Nagoya.

There are many unique stores and tourist attractions in the area. This article covers the history of Osu, how to access the shotengai, and the must-visit stores.

Brief History of Osu Shotengai

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With the construction of Nagoya Castle beginning in 1610, the center of the former Owari Region shifted from Kiyosu to Nagoya, leading to the relocation of Osu Kannon, a temple that was originally situated in what is now Hashima City in Gifu Prefecture.

The shotengai (shopping street) thrived by catering to visitors of Osu Kannon. From the Meiji (1868-1912) to the early Showa Period (1926-1989), the area transformed into a major amusement district.

However, everything was demolished during World War II, and while Sakae, another business district, prospered, Osu struggled to recover.

In 1975, an event organized by students changed the tide.

After the Ameyoko Building opened, Osu flourished as a hub for numerous electrical appliance stores. The area further embraced pop culture, including anime and cosplay, which attracted a younger crowd and contributed to its current vibrancy.

Access: How to Get to Osu Shotengai

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The nearest stations to the shotengai are Osu Kannon Station (on the Nagoya City Subway Tsurumai Line) and Kami-Maezu Station (on the Meijo and Tsurumai lines).

Osu Kannon Station is located to the west of the shotengai, while Kami-Maezu Station is to the east.

From Nagoya Station, it takes about 10 minutes to reach either station. They are both very close to the shotengai, making access highly convenient.

Osu Shotengai is surrounded by four main thoroughfares: Wakamiya-ohdori, Fushimi-dori, Osu-dori, and Minamiohtsu-dori.

The area measures approximately 700 meters from east to west and 600 meters from north to south. Within the shotengai, there are eight streets, including Banshoji-dori and Ohsu-hondori, so visitors can easily explore the entire area on foot.

Famous Attractionr Near Osu Shotengai

While there are many temples in the area, the following facilities are the most famous.

Osu Kannon (Kitanosan Shinpukuji Hoshoin)

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Osu Kannon, the namesake of the shotengai, is a renowned temple and one of Japan's three major Kannon temples, alongside Sensoji in Tokyo and Tsu Kannon in Mie Prefecture.

While the temple is commonly referred to as Osu Kannon, its formal name is Kitanosan Shinpukuji Hoshoin.

On the temple grounds, visitors can see the main hall, which was rebuilt in 1970, as well as the Nio-mon gate, the belfry, and a stone tablet inscribed with a haiku by Matsuo Basho.

Osu Bunko, the temple's archive, houses valuable historical documents, including the oldest copy of the Kojiki, which is considered a national treasure. This facility has played a significant role in preserving important historical texts.

Osu Kannon hosts numerous annual events, with the Setsubun-e celebration in February attracting a large crowd.

During mame-maki (bean-throwing), the usual chant "oni wa soto" (out with the ogre) is prohibited, as one of the temple's treasures is a mask of an oni (ogre).

Osu Kannon (Kitanosan Shinpukuji Hoshoin)
Address: Aichi, Nagoya, Naka, Osu 2-21-47
Temple Office Hours: 9:00 to 17:00
Official Site: https://www.osu-kannon.jp/

Kigakurin Banshoji Temple

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This temple was built in 1540 by Oda Nobuhide, the father of lord Oda Nobunaga, and was originally located in what is now the Nishiki area of Nagoya.

In 1610, during the Edo Period, shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the temple to relocate to its present site.

Although the building was destroyed in the bombing of Nagoya during World War II, the temple, along with the shotengai, was rebuilt after the war and now attracts a large number of visitors.

In the main hall, there is a mechanical doll of Oda Nobunaga that depicts an episode in which Nobunaga throws incense powder on the mortuary tablet during his father Nobuhide's funeral, which was held at Bansho-ji.

Kigakurin Banshoji Temple
Address: Aichi, Nagoya, Naka, Osu 3-29-12
Temple Office Hours: 10:00 to 18:00
Official Site: https://www.banshoji.or.jp/

Five Must-Visit Stores in Osu Shotengai

There is a wide variety of stores at Osu Shotengai. The following are the five unique stores to look for.

Alice on Wednesdays

The theme of this store is Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, a beloved children's novel.

Their products include confections featuring rabbit and tea party motifs, as well as accessories and general merchandise inspired by the book.

The interior is designed in a wonderfully whimsical style, reflecting the essence of Alice’s adventures, and visitors will feel as if they have stepped into Wonderland.

This is a place where you can enjoy the enchanting atmosphere while shopping.

Alice on Wednesdays
Address: Aichi, Nagoya, Naka, Osu 2-20-25
Business Hours: 10:00 to 19:00
Official Site: https://www.aliceonwednesday.jp/

Yamatoya

This store is located along Banshoji-dori, one of the main streets in the shotengai.

Locals frequent this long-standing shop, which primarily offers men's items ranging from classic designs to the latest styles.

Yamatoya
Address: Aichi, Nagoya, Naka, Osu 3-37-3
Business Hours: 10:00 to 19:00
The store will be closed on an irregular schedule.
Official Site: https://osu.nagoya/ja/shop.php?s=VKV6QK

Konparu Osu Main Store

Nagoya is known for its unique café culture, and Konparu is one of the prominent franchises with a long history.

Established in 1947, the flavor of their blended coffee has remained unchanged over the years.

Konparu also offers a variety of dishes, with the shrimp fry sandwich being recognized as a local Nagoya specialty.

Konparu Osu Main Store
Address: Aichi, Nagoya, Naka, Osu 3-20-19
Business Hours: 8:00 to 21:00
Official Site: https://www.konparu.co.jp/

Lee's Taiwan Kitchen

The eatery is famous for its spicy Taiwan fried chicken, which has a large number of fans.

Customers can choose from four levels of spiciness.

They also offer fried chicken with a sweet and spicy chili sauce, as well as an orange-flavored sauce. These dishes have become a staple of Osu cuisine.

Additionally, snacks such as shrimp dumplings, sesame dumplings, and tapioca drinks—perfect for eating on the go—are also available.

Lee's Taiwan Kitchen
Address: Aichi, Nagoya, Naka, Osu 3-35-10
Business Hours: 11:30 to 20:00
Official Site: http://www.lees-taiwan-kitchen.com/

Yabaton Shop

Yabaton is another long-established eatery that has popularized miso-katsu, a famous Nagoya cuisine.

This dish features a crispy tonkatsu (pork cutlet) served with a thick miso sauce and a generous portion that whets the customer’s appetite.

They offer a wide variety of dishes, including teppan tonkatsu made with pork loin, a large-sized waraji tonkatsu, and kushikatsu, which has been a long-running bestseller.

Yabaton Main Store
Address: Aichi, Nagoya, Naka, Osu 3-6-13
Business Hours: 11:00 to 21:00
Official Site: https://english.yabaton.com/

Famous Local Events in Osu Shotengai

Some people visit the shotengai to enjoy various events. The following are two events that are especially popular.

Cosplay Event

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Osu Shotengai, known as a pop culture mecca, hosts various cosplay events. In August 2024, the World Cosplay Summit, a large-scale event, was held in the districts of Sakae and Osu.

Additionally, Osu Cosplay, an event organized by Aichi Television and other companies, took place in September 2024, attracting cosplayers from around the world.

Osu Antique Market

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An antique market is held on the 18th and 28th of each month at Osu Kannon.

The market features seventy to eighty shops selling antiques, secondhand clothes, general merchandise, and vintage accessories. People of all ages looking for these items fill the temple grounds.

Enjoy Local Food and Shopping at Osu Shotengai

Osu Shotengai, located in Nagoya, is a symbol of diversity. It boasts a variety of stores alongside temples rich in history, and cosplay events are held regularly.

At Osu, Japanese history and culture blend seamlessly with food and pop culture from around the world. This unique atmosphere is hard to find elsewhere. If you have the chance to visit Nagoya, be sure to drop by Osu Shotengai and enjoy dining and shopping.

Written by Cakutama Editorial Team