Dotombori District
Dotombori District
4.5
About
The heart of Osaka nightlife, this area is filled with theaters, restaurants, cafes, bars, arcades and nightclubs.
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  • Hsin-Yi W
    Forest Hills, New York967 contributions
    Authentic Japanese street food
    Dotonbori is a must go-to-place when you visit Osaka and there are hundreds of stands for authentic Japanese street food like Takoyaki, gyoza and fried skewers...etc. The ambiance was lively and energetic but it is always crowded and has lines in front of each restaurant. Food wasn’t bad but you need to make sure to check the reviews before you try. Tourists love to imitate the post of the famous signature runner of Glico (グリコさん) on a signboard by the entrance. Ezaki Glico Co Ltd. is one of the largest Japanese food & sweet companies in Japan.
    Visited April 2019
    Travelled with family
    Written 29 March 2020
  • Graham Hill
    Antipolo City, Philippines335 contributions
    Great for the wife who likes shopping....
    Drop the lads off at a bar (recommend the Australian bar) and set off on a shopping venture checking out the many second hand high quality designer and luxury goods bargains. Lots of licensed second hand shops and the savings can be huge if you don't mind buying second hand. A lot come with original certificate of authenticity and this keeps the price a little higher than no certificated goods. My wife got a bargain on a nice vintage cartier watch. By the way, the Aussie pub serves great pint of Guinness.
    Visited January 2020
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 26 January 2020
  • Harald Gracholski
    Cologne, Germany6,898 contributions
    What a spectacle of urban life!
    Must of us probably have the perception of the Japanese of being very polite, introverted and not necessarily much outgoing or to life-embracing. While many of tose traits may be true for a majority of the country it is definitely not for Osaka! The city is Japan's capital of fun and food and Dotombori is the epicenter of it all. Picture flash lights, crowds, crazy food, noise and Manga dressed people packed into a few main streets and voila - you're in Dotombori!
    Visited November 2019
    Written 5 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
12,528 reviews
Excellent
5,585
Very good
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Average
1,693
Poor
199
Terrible
71

Cfan41
Sydney, Australia116 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This place is such a tourist trap and really is a bit trashy - especially seeing holidaying in Japan is usually so good. The street food is really sub-standard and some of it is just terrible and the shopping is all tourist trap type places. It is fine to go and have a look, but dont eat there, dont shop there, find better options.
Written 25 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina64,819 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
The area is especially great when lite up in the evening and loaded with locals and tourists. Lots to see and go in the area, main walkways, and alleyways.
Written 20 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Andy T
Perth, Australia49 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Amazing for an evening walk, you can really soak up the vibes of Japan. For nightlife, it can be a bit overwhelming with crushing crowds and it's easy to fall victim to restaurants and bars that prey on tourists with hidden service fees, cover charges, and overpriced food. Make sure you pick places you want to go to beforehand rather than wander into somewhere you don't know (or at least check google reviews before you commit!). Honestly I had more enjoyment grabbing some snacks and drinks from a convenience store and walking down the river at my own pace.
Written 4 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bernadette316
Southend-on-Sea, UK127 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
We were somewhat underwhelmed by this area. There is a lot of Times Square style electronic billboards and various cafes, stores etc along the river and close by. It was what it was, somewhere lively to grab a meal or drink but nothing too special in my opinion.
Written 1 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

trarmert
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Friends
There are obscenely many tourists from one country there, and they are practically sweeping the merchandise off the shelves. I felt frightened since I started to observe a number of sketchy individuals canvassing for strange companies as the night wore on. These characters typically targeted women. In conclusion, i advise only stopping over once, perhaps in the late evening, around five or six, just to look around, and then leaving right afterwards.
Written 20 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ninni R
Helsinki, Finland649 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
What a fun, lively area with a lot of people and things to do. You will find all you need here including shopping and eating, many places here sell the delicious takoyaki balls 😊 Must see area in Osaka
Written 1 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AWFUK
Chelmsford, UK36 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Full of tourists and everywhere, no matter street food or restaurants, have long queues during dinner time. Ended up going to a katsu restaurant on side streets which served surprising good food and with good service.
Written 30 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Roving32304997368
3 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
It was exciting to visit here. We were here from the day time through to the evening.
We recommend that you definitely experience the nighttime over the day time if you only have a few hours. The lights and energy of people is definitely something to experience.
Written 11 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KMW
Brisbane, Australia16 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
This was a fun place to visit. Crowds and energy and neon lights and excitement to rival anything in Tokyo. It was good to have a wander around during the day but at night was when it really came alive. Even though there are plenty of eating alternatives I’d be inclined to leave this area to eat as it was all a bit of a tourist trap in that regard.
Written 10 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mhervink
London, UK14 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
They see to proof is in the pudding
True to its, description
a place one must seen to experience the thrill
the magic; the symphony all of the above
Written 7 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Dotombori District - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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