A Guide To Shotengai In Osaka, Kyoto And The Kansai Area

Shotengai, A Vital Part of Everyday Life in Japan

Shotengai are shopping streets with rows of shops which carry goods rooted in the lifestyles of area residents. Shotengai are fascinating for their differences across regions. This time we’ve collected a list of recommended Kansai area shotengai that you should definitely check out.

Osaka

Boasting the second-highest population in Japan after Tokyo, Osaka gets plenty of overseas visitors. We’ll introduce a few particularly unique shotengai here.

Walk Through the Shinsaibashi Shotengai from Namba to Shinsaibashi

From: Go Shopping in the Shinsaibashi Shotengai (Japanese)

Shinsaibashi occupies a block of the Minami shopping district in Osaka. With plenty of restaurants and excellent access to public transportation, it’s a perfect spot to use as a base when sightseeing in Osaka. The Shinsaibashi Shotengai also has plenty of buildings that house fashion outlets, and has a special appeal as a stylish shotengai.

If You Want Cooking Tools, Head to Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shotengai!

From: Doguyasuji Shotengai, Supplier for the Nation’s Kitchen (Japanese)

From the 17th to the 18th century, Osaka was Japan’s central trade hub, where merchants gathered. Because of this, Osaka was known as the nation’s kitchen. This shotengai carries on the tradition of Osaka’s old nickname. Everything you could need for your kitchen, such as tableware and cooking tools, is available here. In addition, the number of places where you can try making takoyaki and creating food samples has also increased. By all means, try these activities out to create some memories of your trip.