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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Top ways to experience Dotombori District
The area
Address
How to get there
- Namba • 5 min walk
- Osaka-namba • 5 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
10,000 within 5 kms
Attractions
1,730 within 10 kms
See what other travellers are saying
- Hsin-Yi WForest Hills, New York967 contributionsAuthentic Japanese street foodDotonbori 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 2019Travelled with familyWritten 29 March 2020
- Graham HillAntipolo City, Philippines335 contributionsGreat 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 2020Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 January 2020
- Harald GracholskiCologne, Germany6,898 contributionsWhat 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 2019Written 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.
Contribute
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
4,979
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.
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
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.
Juciellen B
Porto Alegre, RS
Hello! I intend to be in Kyoto, go to Himeji in the morning and Osaka in the afternoon. Do you think it is possible to visit Osaka's castle, Dotombori and Kaiyukan Aquarium in half a day or should I book an entire day in Osaka to see this 3 attractions? Should I go to Tokyo by night or sleep in Osaka and go to Tokyo in the next day in the morning? Tanks in advance!
Leuketripjes10
Arnhem, The Netherlands49 contributions
We gaan met de camper rondreizen, heeft iemand nog een goede tip om net buiten de stad te kunnen parkeren en vervolgens met de trein naar de stad te kunnen gaan.
csgohan4
London, UK589 contributions
Can you take away from the street food stalls? Will they pack in plastic containers so you can take back to your accommodation ?
CanuckJames
Nishinomiya, Japan1,371 contributions
Absolutely.
Just as a note, most of the food stall food items are made to be eaten immediately or they end up not as tasty.
However, they can and will package everything to take home, if desired.
xxseeteexx
12 contributions
Hello. Will the shops still be open at 8pm? I will be reaching late and hopping to do late night shopping..
Alshamsi89
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates68 contributions
Hello,
Yes some of the shops will open and mostly restaurant are open also.
Jeffo C
Singapore, Singapore9 contributions
I am on a cruise docking at Osaka for 11 hours in early October. I expect to book a local van with driver for 8 persons for Half a day or more. But most of drivers do not speak English. I am now forced to use a Mandarin speaking driver from Wang Bao Che to see Osaka castle, Dotonbori and Komuron Ichiba Market . Any one has experience with this operator please advise thanks. Are taxis easily available at the cruise terminal?
Margaret F
Hawthorn, Australia38 contributions
Will the shops here be open between 30/12-1/1? This is when I’m in Osaka
kaukau
Lahaina, HI2,426 contributions
Dotonbori is like Times Square on New Years Eve every night of the week, month, and year.
hafsa c
Karachi, Pakistan
Any halal restaurants located in this area ?
LuvDaSun222
S.E. PA708 contributions
If you do a google search of halal restaurants in Osaka you'll see there are a number of them.
James13t
Singapore, Singapore39 contributions
Is there any Hotto Motto outlet around the Dotonbori area? (Had experienced the warm comfort bentodinner sets in Okinawa on a recent trip)
Thinking of a few days in Osaka and another few in Kyoto. Appreciate recommendations of 3/4-star hotel or vacation rentals, preferably near stations. Thanks
bessie s
San Diego, CA154 contributions
I don't remember seeing a Hotto Motto around Dotonbori but I can recommend a 2.5 stay hotel we stayed at in Oasaka. Its called Hotel Mystays Shinsaibashi. Great location because you can walk anywhere to show and find a place to eat plus you're only a 5 minute walk from the shinsaibashi train station. and maybe a 10 minute walk to the other station. Dotonbori is only a 10min walk away too!
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Claim your listingDotombori District - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Dotombori District
- We recommend booking Dotombori District tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 44 Dotombori District tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Dotombori District:
- Street Osaka GoKart Tour with Funny Costume Rental (From HK$652.09)
- Osaka Walking Tour (From HK$380.37)
- PRIVATE 4-Hour Best of Osaka Local Walk with Castle (From HK$627.16)
- Osaka Castle & Dotonbori Lively One Day Tour (From HK$856.94)
- Nightlife Osaka Food Tour (From HK$1,567.90)
- Hotels near Dotombori District:
- (0.04 km) Nonko Dotonbori Homestay
- (0.15 km) Holiday Inn Osaka Namba, an IHG hotel
- (0.19 km) CROSS HOTEL OSAKA
- (0.20 km) Agora Place Osaka Namba
- (0.10 km) Hotel Forza Osaka Namba Dotombori
- Restaurants near Dotombori District:
- (0.00 km) Ganso Mawaru Genroku Zushi Dotombori
- (0.00 km) Italian Dining Doppa Namba
- (0.01 km) Kushikatsu Shirotaya
- (0.01 km) Torikizoku Dotonbori Nakaza
- (0.01 km) Takoyaki Jyuhachiban Dotonbori
- Attractions near Dotombori District:
- (0.00 km) TONBORI BASE Cafe & Info
- (0.01 km) Dotonbori Tsuribori
- (0.02 km) Gotta
- (0.02 km) Japan Night Walk Tour
- (0.02 km) Dotombori Zaza