Shinsekai is a popular district in Osaka with undeniable retro vibe. Inspired by Western culture, architecture and fashion, Shinsekai is not your typical Japanese neighborhood. The word Shinsekai itself means the New World (shin = new; sekai = world) and that was exactly what it was supposed to be when it was built during pre-war era in 1912. Paris and Coney Island in New York were the models when building this area – the main feature of Shinsekai was the Tsutenkaku Tower, that in 1912 looked like the Eiffel Tower sitting on top of the Arc d’Triomphe. This was the main entrance to the Luna Park, which was inspired by popular amusement park in Coney Island. what to do in shinsekai
Unfortunately, in 1943 a fire broke down in Shinsekai and damaged the Tsutenkaku Tower, whose metal parts were later dismantled and used in WW II. as parts to make artillery. In the aftermath of the war, the area was neglected and forgotten and it developed the reputation of being the rough and poor part of Osaka.
Despite the disconsolate past, the neighborhood started to get people’s attention in the 90’s for its nostalgic atmosphere and thus Shinsekai has become a place, where tourist attractions and local haunts collide. On the main street you can see lanterns, neon lights, arcades and restaurants, but ducking into a side alley you will find a different world full of small bars, where only the local patrons can walk into. Shinsekai is definitely a fun part of Osaka worth visiting and in this article I will present you top things to do here to make your evening truly memorable.
Go to the Top of Tsutenkaku Tower
Tsutenkaku Tower is the heart and symbol of Shinsekai, and in the 1912 it was, with its 64 meters, the second highest structure in Asia. The original was completely destroyed during the WW II., but luckily in the 1956 it was rebuilt again to bring Shinsekai its former glory. The name can be translated as the “Sky Route Tower” and today it is 103 m high, with the observation deck in 91 m.
The entrance to the observation deck is 800 yen per adult and it is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm. From the top you can enjoy the panoramic view over the Osaka townscape and Tennoji Zoo Park located underneath it. The tower is also a popular spot to take photographs, especially at night when the tower illuminates with LED lights that change color every month depending on the season.
Try Typical Sushi for Osaka - Battera Sushi
Battera sushi is a type of pressed sushi typical for Osaka prefecture. It is prepared by stacking vinegar pickled mackerel, salmon or shrimp with finely sliced layers of fresh fish and kombu (seaweed). The layers are so fine that they are almost see-though. Then the layers are pressed together on top of Japanese sushi rice, cut into cubes or rectangles and served. The name battera comes from Portuguese bateira, which means a small boat. Back in the 18th – 19th century, Portuguese Jesuit missionaries had their influence in Japan and this type of sushi simply reminded them of their boats.
In Shinsekai there are many restaurants that serve this type of sushi and it’s actually very affordable. You can get the typical mackerel, shrimp, salmon or tuna.
Learn about Japanese Knives in Tower Knives Shop
Japan is known for its high quality kitchen knives that will last you years. The history of the knife craftsmanship goes back to the 19th century, when during the Meiji Restoration in attempts to modernize Japan, the samurai were banned from carrying their swords as weapons and so majority of sword-smith production refocused their skill to making knives for everyday use in the kitchen. The great deal of Japanese cutlery originated in Sakai city, just few kilometers south of Osaka. Sakai was the “capital of sword manufacturing” since the 14th century.
Visit Shinsekai Inari Shrine
This tiny little shrine is located on the street corner on Shinsekai Street and it was built here to bring good fortune for the local businessman. In Shinto shrines, the good luck fortune is usually written on a piece of paper that you pick from a box, but in this one you have to spin heavy roulette-like wheel made of stone. You get a number and then read your fortune on a board behind. The fortunes change every week, but they are only written in kanji. Anyway, this Inari shrine has nice torii gates and it is a cute little quiet place in otherwise busy streets of Shinsekai.
Sample Japanese Cakes - Manju
Just like famous mochi, manju is typical Japanese sweet treat that you can buy anywhere across the country, but unlike mochi, manju is kind of a sponge cake made with normal flour (not rice flour, therefore it’s not as chewy as mochi). The most typical filling is anko – the sweet red bean paste.
Sohonke Tsuriganeyahonpo shop, nearby Shinsekai Inari Shrine, has been a family-run business for over 100 years. When entering their small shop, you will hear a bell ring and their manju cakes are also shaped like temple bells. It is because at the beginning of the 20th century, merchants of Shinsekai and nearby areas put money together and donated the huge bell for Shitennoji Temple, the first official Buddhist temple in Japan. The owner of Sohonke manju shop was among them and he wanted to preserve this memory by shaping his cakes as little bells.
Today you can try different fillings and different flavors of manju, many of them seasonal. For example in spring, they sell manju with cherry blossom filling and for autumn, the chestnut flavor is the most popular one. Manju also makes a good souvenir to bring from Japan and they are often eaten as a pairing with unsweetened green tea.
Play Smart Ball
When travelling around Japan, doesn’t matter for how long, you will notice many pachinko parlours around the country. Pachinko is similar to western-style pinball game, but you play for money, it is very loud and quite complicated. So how to play pachinko? I have no clue! 😀 I only know that it’s very popular…. In Shinsekai though, you can try to play smart ball, an old-school ancestor of pachinko.
Smart Ball New Star is a retro game arcade, where you can try to play smart ball. You put 100 yen into the machine, 25 small blue balls will come out and then you just have to push the button on the right hand side to get out as many balls as possible. There are little trays at each machine where you can put the balls. Each tray can contain 50 balls that you can exchange for different prizes, but not for money. I don’t think there are any rules or strategies that apply here, it is a game just for fun!
Smart ball parlours like this one are slowly dying, as the game is being over-shadowed by pachinko, but in Shinsekai you can still try to play. Although the game looks like that even children could play it, it is still considered as “gambling” so anyone under 18 years old is prohibited from entering this establishment.
Learn how to Make Takoyaki while beaing inside an Art Installation
Takoyaki, gooey octopus balls, is the most famous street food of Osaka and you can find stalls selling them literally on every corner of the city. Observing the skill of the chef quickly shaping the dough into the balls is part of the fun, but if you ever wondered if you could do it yourself and would like to try it, in Pika Space in Shinsekai, you get the chance! They will bring you the special pan on your table and the pancake-like batter will be also ready with all the other ingredients. Then you can play and practice your skills as much as you like.
Pika Space is not only a café that allows you to make your own takoyaki, but the owner is also an artist who turned his café into one big art installation. The environment may seem a little bit chaotic at first, but it’s all part of the unique atmosphere. Making takoyaki is a good communication tool and a great way to experience the true Osaka’s culture.
Eat Kushi Katsu in Daruma Restaurant
Another popular dish that originated in Osaka, particularly in Shinsekai, is kushi-katsu. Kushi-katsu is basically a deep fried food on a bamboo stick that is delicious and juicy on the inside and crunchy from the outside. The most popular ingredients include, but are not limited to, chicken, pork, shrimps or vegetables… It was a popular food for daily workers, students and common people that lived in Shinsekai and nearby areas, however, because of its deliciousness it was spread all around Japan and it has become a favourite food for everyone.
There are many kushi-katsu restaurants in Shinsekai, however, it was firstly prepared in Daruma restaurant in 1929. You can still find Daruma here today, with its legendary mascot with angry face holding kushi-katsu skewers as swords. Line is usually quite long, but the yummy food and authentic atmosphere are worth it! Because kushi-katsu is quite heavy on your stomach, it is best paired with beer or sake.
Try a Shooting Game in Jan Jan Yokocho
Yokocho means side alley in Japanese and in this side alley in Shinsekai you can experience real shitamachi – a working-class atmosphere. It got its name Jan Jan from the sound of shamisen – a small Japanese three-string guitar, that local ladies would come here to play to attract customers. Jan Jan Yokocho has a lot of entertainment to offer. It is home to shooting games, video game arcades, local hangouts, pubs and Shogi and Go parlours. Shogi is Japanese chess while Go is an abstract strategy game where players aim to surround more territory than their opponent.
Visit Biliken Shrine
Billiken is the mascot of Shinsekai and you can find him literally on every corner, souvenir shop or restaurant. He is a small funny figure with short arms, usually sitting with his legs stretched out and smiling. Billiken is not originally Japanese… He was created by an American art teacher Florence Pretz in Kansas, Missouri, who drew this character after he appeared in her dream. One day a local businessman from Shinsekai went to the US, where he saw Billiken and decided to bring him to Japan where he almost immediately became a very popular character! People loved him so much, that they dignified him to “a God of Things as They Ought to be”. The legend says that if you rub the bottom of Billiken’s feet (because he cannot reach there with his short hands), he will bring you a good luck and fortune.
Today, you can visit Billiken in his small shrine in Shinsekai, or you can rub his feet on top of the Tsutenkaku Tower, where there is his original wooden statue. Even though he is not popular in the US anymore, he remains to be the mascot of the St. Louise University in Missouri.
Take a Photo with all the Neon Lights
Shinsekai is famous for its colorful neon lights and lanterns that just scream to take a photo with them! The best photo spot is in front of the former Zuboraya Restaurant on the corner (unfortunately the restaurant closed down and its famous fugu fish lantern is no longer there). From there, you will get an awesome view on the tower, all the other lanterns and the streets…
Drink Mixed Juice in Sennariya Vintage Cafe
Located at the end of Jan Jan Yokocho, you will find Sennariya Coffee shop which was the first place in Japan to ever make and sell mixed juice. Mixed juice is a famous drink in Japan that you can find in many cafés, convenience shops or vending machines. Similar to smoothie, it is usually made of milk mixed with banana, peach and mandarin. Sennariya Coffee opened its doors for the first time 1948 and ever since then it is selling mixed juice together with other snacks, sodas and coffee.
How to get to Shinsekai
Shinsekai doesn’t have its own “Shinsekai station”. You can take either the Osaka Loop Line to Shin-Imamiya and walk about 5 minutes from there, or use metro lines Midosuji (red) or Sakaisuji (brown) the Dobutsuen-Mae station.
Shinsekai is truly an unmissable place to visit in Osaka. Its unique vibe is mixture of Japanese culture and western influence. It’s fun to walk around, eat the food, play games and let the neon lights lead your way… I honestly love Shinsekai and spending my evenings in this fun area.
Have you ever heard of this neighborhood of Osaka? Would you visit Let me know if comments!
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