Being Japan's second-largest city, Osaka has a lot to offer not only for locals but also for tourists. Whether you're up for food, fun, culture, or relaxation, Osaka is great.
Known as Japan's Kitchen, I might as well have a food trip here! And where else should I do it but in Dotonbori in Minami, Osaka City?
At A Glance
Dotonbori
Dotonbori is a business and shopping district in Minami Osaka renowned for its various restaurants and teeming nightlife. Situated along the Dotonbori Canal, this area has been a known entertainment and food district since the 1600s. It was named after Doton Yasui, the rich man who paid for the excavation of the river. As years passed, the addition of Kabuki theaters and various teahouses increased its popularity. Nowadays, both locals and tourists frequent this place making queues normal.
Here is how my day in Dotonbori went.
What I did on a Day at Dotonbori in Osaka, Japan
I went out at 9 AM and nope, I did not have breakfast before I went out today. I'm out for a food trip and my stomach is prepared for this.
Here are the places I visited at a glance.
1. Arrived at Namba Station
Taking the Midosuji Line (Red Line), I alighted at Namba Station, the nearest station to the Dotonbori District.
2. Took pictures at Ebisubashi Bridge
I walked towards Ebisubashi Bridge, a footbridge over the Dotonbori Canal, to get a good view of the river and the Iconic Dotonbori Glico Sign, a neon sign since 1935. See me posing like the Glico guy there?
3. Sampled Takoyaki at Acchichi Honpo Dotonbori
I am not really sure which food to try. And since I haven't eaten anything, I'm starved. There are a lot of food stalls and restaurants offering both local and foreign dishes - Yakitori, Yakiniku, beef, crab and seafood, ramen, etc. But since I'm rather early, most of them are still close. I decided to go for Takoyaki. After all, it was said that takoyaki originated in Osaka.
What is Takoyaki?
'Tako' means octopus and 'yaki' means grilled. So is takoyaki simply grilled octopus? Well, not quite. It is a ball of cooked batter, with bits and pieces of octopus and vegetables, that's firm on the outside but gooey inside. In essence, it's an octopus-veggie savory pancake ball. A special pan called 'takoyaki-ki' is essential for the shape and texture of this popular Japanese street food. And the toppings of katsuobushi (bonito flakes), the sweet-salty-savory takoyaki sauce, Japanese mayo, and some green onion close the deal.
I wanted to go for Takoyaki Juhachiban since I've tried it before but it wasn't opened yet. So I decided to order in an open stall with the longest queue. Queues are there for a reason, I believe. And most of those in line are locals. That's another good sign. So I lined up at Acchichi Honpo Dotonbori.
I was able to record the cooking process. Please see my YouTube reel below.
For 800 Yen (5 USD), I was served 8 takoyaki balls with gari (pink pickled ginger) on the side. Some tables and chairs are available should you wish to have a quick dine-in.
Note: If you haven't eaten freshly cooked takoyaki before, please beware of its molten hot center.
Unpopular opinion: I know it's supposed to be gooey on the inside, but I felt like the takoyaki balls here were a little undercooked. I don't know, is that the standard way this stall makes them? Or was the cooking staff just a bit pressured by the long queue? The taste was spot on though and they were definitely edible. If you've tried takoyaki in this stall before, please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
4. Visited Hozenji Misukake Fudo-son Temple
Since I'm stuffed, it's time to stroll around. I came across Hozenji Misukake Fudo-son Temple, just a few blocks away. Hozenji Misukake Fudo-son Temple is a Buddhist temple known for its moss-covered statue of the deity Fudomyoo. I relaxed here for a bit and watched locals and tourists perform the water rituals
5. Ate my ramen in privacy at Ichiran
After strolling around the district, I was a bit hungry. I saw an Ichiran branch earlier. And since this particular ramen house is notorious for absurdly long queues, I lined up even before I was totally hungry. There are two Ichiran branches in Dotonbori. One on the Main Building and one on the South Building. Both have long queues, but at least the South Building offers a bit of shade from the sun. So South Building it is! After an hour of waiting, I finally get to enter the building and order my ramen.
I was seated at a lovely table for one. These tables are so private that they resemble a study desk in a university library.
After a few minutes, the bamboo blinds were lifted to reveal my glorious bowl of ramen.
Ramen bowls nowadays are highly customizable. Restaurants would hand you a sheet of paper to encircle your preferences on the thickness and doneness of noodles, the richness of the broth, the type of meat, the heat level, and the toppings. This is just a brilliant idea since we all have our own definition of a perfect ramen bowl.
The long wait was worth it, I got my ramen just how I wanted it. Then it vanished.
6. Shopped at Donki
This song just gets into my head every time - "Don-don-don-donki. Don-don-donki".
Don Quijote, also known as Donki, is a popular discount store with over 160 locations in Japan. From instant ramen noodles to memorabilia, tourists must visit and shop at a Donki nearby to complete their Japan experience.
Here's my usual Donki shopping haul - some KitKat with flavors I can only find in Japan, cup noodles, dorayaki, mochi, and my mom's collagen.
After accomplishing all these, I returned to the hotel and rested a bit for our flight back.
How to Get to Dotonbori
The train station nearest to Dotonbori is Namba Station along the Midosuji Line (Red Line).
The Best Time to Visit
Osaka is situated in the southern portion of Japan, thus it's not too cold for traveling even during the winter months of December-February. Although you can visit it at any time of the year, summer (June - August) is particularly hot and humid.
Souvenir Ideas
I've met some Japanese before and bringing home some souvenirs is customary to them. Here are a few ideas if you also want to bring home some items.
KitKat Strawberry or Macha Flavor
Tokyo Banana
Rice Crackers
Mochi
Dorayaki
Tamago Kani
Nissin Cup Noodles
Ramen packs
Mirin
Japanese Mayo
Sake
Instant Miso Soup
A Manga or action figure of choice
Tips
Osaka's summer months (June - August) can get hot and humid, bring some water for hydration, apply sunscreen, and use any protection against the harmful rays.
Dotonbori is teeming with nightlife. If that sounds appealing to you, by all means, enjoy it at night.
I truly enjoyed my day at the Dotonbori District. Have you been to Osaka too? Please share the places you've visited in this lovely city in the comment section below.
See you on my next trip!
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