Osaka Trip Part 9: Dotonbori with Glico Running Man

道頓堀 アイキャッチ画像

[Introduction]

I traveled to Osaka in late September. This was my first visit to Osaka except for business trips. There are several things I missed doing, so I would like to revisit Osaka in the future. In this article, I will write about Namba (Dotonbori) as part of Day 3.

[Visit Places (series of articles)]
* Day 1: Umeda
* Day 1: Nakanoshima
* Day 1: Nakanoshima (Light-up)
* Day 2: Osaka Castle
* Day 2: Abeno Harukas
* Day 2: Shinsekai
* Day 2: Abeno Harukas (Light-up)
* Day 3: Sumiyoshi Shrine
* Day 3: Namba [This article]
* Day 3: Amerikamura and Namba
* Day 3: Namba (Light-up)
* Day 4: Expo’70 Commemorative Park
* Day 4: Expo’70 Commemorative Park
* Day 4: Umeda
* Day 4: Umeda (Light-up)
* Day 5: Kaiyukan
* Day 5: Tempozan Marketplace
* Day 5: GLION MUSEUM & Return Home

[Travel Date]
2018.09.22-26

[Main Part]

Namba Parks

Following the previous post, I moved from Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine to Nankai Namba station with Nankai line. Thereafter, I will go around “Minami” area, mainly Namba and Dotonbori, until evening.

To begin with, I will go around “Namba Parks”, which is directly connected with Nankai Namba station.Namba Parks1

“Namba Parks” is a multiple shopping complex. It was opened in October, 2003 at the former site of Osaka Baseball Park.Namba Parks2

There was a roof top garden, “Parks Garden”, but unfortunately it was closed due to Typhoon Jebi (Typhoon Number 21) that hit Osaka in early September.Namba Parks3

Just like “Kuchu Teien Observatory” in Umeda Sky Building (see the related article) and light-up in Tsutenkaku Tower (see the related article), I realized what a big impact the typhoon had.

Go to Dotonbori

Anyway, I will move to Dotonbori.

This is Takashimaya Department store located in front of Namba station.Namba Takashimaya

I will head for Dotonbori by way of Namba Ebisubashi-Suji Shopping Street.Namba Ebisubashi-Suji Shopping Street

On the way to Dotonbori, there was “551 Horai” flagship store, which is famous for “Butaman (pork bun)”.551 Horai

Dotonbori Shopping District

I reached Dotonbori. First, I will walk around Dotonbori Shopping District.Dotonbori Shopping District

There were a variety of big and flashy signboards along Dotonbori Shopping District. For example, “Kani Doraku crab sign”.Dotonbori Kani Doraku crab

“Uncle Karl” (- a Japanese snack character).Dotonbori Uncle Karl

Huge gyoza (dumpling) at Osaka Ohsho.Dotonbori Osaka Ohsho1

Dotonbori Osaka Ohsho2

Big octopus at Konamon Museum.Dotonbori Konamon Museum

Kushikatsu Daruma.Dotonbori Kushikatsu Daruma

Last but not least, “Kuidaore Taro” clown.Dotonbori Kuidaore Taro

Lunch at Jiyuken

Now I will have lunch. I planed to eat either Okonomiyaki or Takoyaki at Dotonbori and picked up several restaurants in advance. However, I found there were long queues at each famous restaurant.

Then, I managed to find an alternative restaurant, “Jiyuken”, a Western-style cuisine restaurant.Osaka Jiyuken1

Inside the restaurant. “Jiyuken” was established in 1910, so it had a retro atmosphere.Osaka Jiyuken2

I ordered “Meibutsu Curry”, its signature menu.Jiyuken Curry

Dotonbori River Walk

I will continue to stroll around Dotonbori after lunch.Dotonbori Shopping District2

Ebisu-bashi bridge, along with Dotonbori Shopping District, is one of the landmarks in Dotonbori.Dotonbori Ebisu-bashi bridge1

Speaking of Dotonbori, this “Glico Running Man” sign was popular.Dotonbori Glico Running Man1

So, I took several photos around “Glico Running Man” sign.Dotonbori Glico Running Man2

Dotonbori Glico Running Man3

View from Ebisu-bashi bridge (- opposite direction of “Glico Running Man” sign).Dotonbori Ebisu-bashi bridge2

There was “Don Quijote”, a famous discount store, along Dotonbori River.Dotonbori Don Quijote

A tour cruise ship passed in front of “Don Quijote”.""

There was a walking path “Tobbori Riverwalk” along Dotonbori River, so tourists were able to easily enjoy walking around the river.Dotonbori Riverwalk1

View from Tazaemon-bashi bridge.Dotonbori Riverwalk2

Another cruise ship passed.Dotonbori cruise ship1

I will return to Ebisu-bashi bridge.Dotonbori Riverwalk3

Dotonbori Riverwalk4

I will take cruise ships photos around Ebisu-bashi bridge.Dotonbori Glico cruise ship1

Dotonbori river cruise ship1

Another one.Dotonbori Glico cruise ship2

Dotonbori river cruise ship2

Then, I left Dotonbori for now and moved to Amerikamura.Dotonbori river cruise ship3

[Closing]

That’s it for the article about Namba (Dotonbori) as part of Day 3.

Before the trip, I heard news that the number of foreign tourists had been significantly decreasing since Typhoon Jebi (Typhoon Number 21) hit Osaka in early September. However, when I visited Namba (Dotonbori), I was surprised to see there were so many tourists. When I posted photos of my Osaka trip to Facebook, my Canadian friend recalled her memory of traveling to Osaka (especially “Glico Running Man” sign), so I realized how popular Osaka is for foreign visitors 🙂

In the next article, I will write about Amerikamura and Namba as part of Day 3.

[Map]

1 Namba Parks
2 Namba Ebisubashi-Suji Shopping Street
3 Kani Douraku
4 Kuidaore Taro
5 Jiyuken
6 Ebisu-bashi bridge

[Related Link]
Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau
Namba Parks
Namba Ebisubashi-Suji Shopping Street
Dotonbori Shopping District

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