Dotonbori is an upscale nightlife district in downtown Osaka. It’s located just east of Osaka Station and boasts a variety of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.
Dotonbori is popular with people in their late twenties and early thirtyies, because of the large number of live music performances and nightclubs.
Many young people go to Dotonbori to visit bars and clubs until the early morning hours when the first live music starts.
Some popular venues in Dotonbori include Big Red, Zero3, Baseusia, Naughty Boyz, Mikey’s Bar & Grill, Silentnight Japan Hotel & Nightclub, and Razzle Dazzle.
Go to the Osaka subway line
The Dotonbori area is home to two major railway stations – Osaka City Station and Dotonbori Station. Both are about a 10-15 minute walk from the area.
Osaka City Station is located at the southern end of Aikasai, one of the major streets that runs through the Dotonbori area. Aikai is home to a number of upscale restaurants and night clubs as well as a shopping district.
Dotonbori is known for its nightclubs so it makes sense to get to Dotonbori early and go to one before midnight!ijing hours are for going to nightclubs in Japan.
The best time to visit a nightclub in Japan is around midnight so that you can get inside before the crowds arrive. Admission can be expensive at this time so it is worth planning early on in order to get into the club.
Go to Namba station
Namba is a nice, large city just north of Osaka station. It has a vibrant culture, plenty of shopping and entertainment districts, and a lively nightlife.
If you are coming from the west or east, take the railway line to Namba station. If you are coming from Osaka station, take the railway line to Shijo station.
Namba is well served by public transport with seven stations being conveniently located around the city centre. The JR train service connects Namba with Osaka in less than an hour and gives you a good idea of what kind of city life in Nambuky is like.
Change to the JR line
If you are travelling from Osaka station to Dotonbori, the best way to get to the area is by using the JR line albeit at a slower pace.
Typically, visitors use the Keisei night trains from Osaka to Tokyo or Yokohama but these run only during the hours of night.
Therefore, if you are planning your trip on a weekend, transport in Osaka is not as efficient as in weekdays.
Also, if you are travelling on a Sunday, Monday, or Wednesday, Friday will be worse as there will be no passengers on the train!
If you are travelling on a weekday, change at Takao station and take the subway to Dotonbori or Nishi-Dotonbori. Both stations are about 5 minutes walk away from either location.
Go to Yada station
If you are using public transportation, go to Yada station to get to Dotonbori from Osaka Station. It takes about 25 minutes to walk from the station downtown.
Yada is a small, bustling station with many people going in and out of the Asukas department store at the center. There are also movie theaters and restaurants surrounding Asagao.
If you are walking or riding a bus or train, make sure you get off at the Dotonbori lukewarm waterway stop before going up Constitution Avenue to get onto the Numbered Subway. Once there, go down Harima Street until you reach Dotonbori Ave.
There is a small park just behind Constitution Avenue where people can sit and chill if desired. If you are walking or riding a bus or train, get off at the Dotonbori lukewarm waterway stop before going up Constitution Avenue to get onto the Numbered Subway.
Take the ferry across the river
When you get to Dotonbori, head east and take the first subway/stern train to Osaka Dotonbori. You can do this in a few minutes by simply walking off the street, but if you want to get there more quickly, take the ferry across the river.
The ferry takes about 30 minutes to cross the river, so make sure you get your tickets and leave enough time to wait for it to come back if it gets stuck.
When it arrives at Osaka Dotonbori Station, follow the signs and go upstairs! You will see why soon.
Now that you are in Osaka, try some of these activities! We bet you’ll be glad you did.
Walk down the street towards the bridge
There is a small street just before the bridge that leads to Dotonbori. This is the only way to get to Dotonbori from Osaka Station.
If you are coming from Nishi-Kita or Higashiosaka Stations, walk south down Kitakami-Juku-dori approximately ¼ of a block, then turn left onto Kitakyubo Choden-dori.
If you are coming from Nishi-Shinpoka Stations, walk north down Nakasendo-dori approximately ¼ of a block, then turn right onto Kitakyubo Choden-dori.
Both streets lead you to Dotonbori Station.
Look for the famous Glico sign
Glico is one of the most recognizable brand names in the world, and is well known for its sweetened powdered coffee. Glico also has other products such as sugarless toothpicks and potato chips.
Wearing a Glico t-shirt is a quick way to get around town, as they are sold at many convenience stores and grocery stores. Once you get to Dotonbori, head to the shop next to the barber shop!
Another thing that people wear at Dotonbichi is a jacket called a kainan. These can be folded up into a pocket-like pouch and worn as such.
Visit all the shops and restaurants along the street
Once you get to Dotonbori, you have several options for exploring. You can visit one of the many shopping districts along the street. You can try your hand at street performing arts orTalent shows.
You can try your hand at traditional Japanese cuisine or modern Japanese cuisine. You can visit one of the few traditional Japanese neighborhoods in Japan, such as Kita City, Nishinari City, and Higashinari City.
