Reports Things to See & Do in Osaka at Night

The Dotonbori is a canal that crosses the south part of Osaka. Since ancient times, rivers played a vital role in the city's life, which acted as gateway port for the rest of Kansai, where the capital was traditionally located. Thanks to several initiatives, rivers are being more accessible to the population, and the Dotonbori is a prime example.

The final stages of a long river promenade, that connects the Sakaisuji street to the east and Minato River Place to the west, will cover a distance of about 1 kilometer on either side of the river. While it can be visited in the daytime, the colorful array of neon signs at night enlivens the area. Located in the center of an entertainment district, it is busy 7 days a week, 365 days a year, both with locals and visitors. It is a great chance to see Osakans in their natural environment. The most popular spot is the Ebisu Bridge along the Shinsaibashi shopping arcade, where the neon signs compete for attention, the leader being the Glico 'Running Man'.

Ipponmatsu Shipping Co. offers several boat tours, including some in the evening, which gives passengers a unique perspective of the area and of Osaka. Starting east of Ebisu Bridge, there are 20-minute tours, which go along the river, and a 90-minute tour, which goes around Osaka and departs from the
Minato River Place. The longer tours (reservation required at least 3 days in advance) come with guides, who are all rakugo performers (English skills vary). Options include box lunch and open bar.

The Dotonbori area, with its dizzying array of restaurants, also exemplifies Osaka's tradition of kuidaore, eating yourself bankrupt! Traditionally, with the wide abundance of food, both from the land and sea, the city was considered the kitchen of Japan, and locals love their food. It is not unusual for groups of friends and colleagues to go restaurant hopping, eating somewhere here and there, and Dotonbori is a destination of choice to this end.

Most famous in Osaka are takoyaki (dough balls filled with octopus) and
okonomiyaki (flour, cabbage, yams, pickled ginger and other ingredients cooked in a pan, topped with a Worcestershire-like sauce), and are available at many stalls and restaurants in the area. Other popular foods include crab, fugu (puffer fish), yakiniku, sushi, udon noodles and ramen (often eaten at the end of the night to replenish one's liquids).

To escape the mayhem and recover your senses, a night visit at
Hozen-ji temple is in order, although your stomach might try to divert you to the shops lining the quaint little streets leading to it. With its moss-covered Buddhist figure and ceiling of paper lanterns, the small temple is a small oasis of quietude a stone’s throw away from the action. Take a deep breath, before joining the fray again.

By Jean-Yves Terreault