If you’re traveling in Japan, a visit to Osaka isn’t complete without a Dotonbori Food Trip. When my friends and I first visited Japan in 2015, we chose to spend our first night immersing ourselves in Dotonbori’s vibrant atmosphere. Originally, we had planned to explore Osaka Castle in the afternoon, but with our late check-in at the accommodation, we had to change plans. All the reviews suggested experiencing Dotonbori at night, so we embraced the change and headed straight there. It turned out to be the perfect way to kick off our adventure with Osaka’s iconic nightlife and mouthwatering street food.
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Our Hotel in Osaka (near Dotonbori)
Our home away from home in Osaka was Hiyori Hotel Osaka Namba Station. The location couldn’t be more convenient—it’s just a 2-minute walk from Namba Station. I loved how close it was to Dotonbori too (15-minute walk). Our room was comfortable and thoughtfully designed. It was the perfect base for exploring Osaka and I’d definitely stay here again!
Dotonbori, Osaka’s Lively Food Street
Dotonbori (道頓堀) is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Osaka. This street, which runs parallel to Dotonbori canal, offers abundant dining and shopping options. It is best to visit Dotonbori at night because the street is lit by hundreds of neon lights and extravagant signage, including the iconic Glico Running Man sign.
How to get to Dotonbori
Dotonbori (道頓堀) is located at Namba District, which is basically the heart of Osaka. The key is to get to Namba Station, but keep in mind that it isn’t a single station—it consists of multiple interconnected platforms:
- Kintetsu’s Osaka Namba Station: This is part of the Kintetsu Railway line.
- Nankai Namba Station: Ideal if you’re arriving from Kansai International Airport (KIX) or southern areas via the Nankai Railway line.
- JR Namba Station: The station for travelers using JR lines.
Once you’re at Namba Station, follow the signs for Dotonbori or Exit 14 (which leads to Ebisu Bridge). It’s just a short walk away, and you’ll start seeing the iconic neon signs and bustling atmosphere of Dotonbori.
Travel Tip: For first-time travelers, don’t stress too much about the complexities of Japan’s railway system—it’s normal to get a bit lost! Just focus on knowing your destination and the station you need to reach. And if you find yourself confused, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Japanese people are generally very friendly and willing to assist, especially if you’re unsure of where to go.
Where to Eat in Dotonbori
Dotonbori offers an endless array of food choices, so don’t feel limited to what I’ve listed here. These are just some of my personal favorites that I’d happily recommend to anyone visiting. However, one of the best things about exploring Dotonbori is the adventure of discovering new places on your own. Take a stroll through the lively street, and if something catches your eye, don’t hesitate to give it a try! If you’re unsure, a quick glance at Google reviews can help you decide.
Kobe Beef WANOMIYA
During my first trip to Japan, my friends and I had a great Kobe beef teppanyaki dinner at Kobe Beef WANOMIYA. Watching the chefs work was like witnessing a culinary performance—each dish was prepared with precision and artistry. The Kobe beef was simply extraordinary, melting in my mouth with each bite. Following the chef’s recommendations, I tried the beef in two ways: first, paired with garlic and salt, which enhanced its rich flavor, and then with wasabi and a special sauce, adding a delicate kick. The beef’s buttery texture and depth of flavor truly lived up to its reputation as one of the best in the world. What an awesome intro to the world of Wagyu!
Gyukatsu Motomura
On my most recent trip to Japan, I finally got to try the popular Gyukatsu Motomura. For those unfamiliar, gyukatsu is a deep-fried beef cutlet, perfectly crispy on the outside and still rare on the inside. What made the experience even more enjoyable was getting to cook the beef myself on a small hot plate provided at each table. The beef was incredibly tender and melted in my mouth with every bite. Will recommend to anyone visiting Dotonbori! Luckily, Gyukatsu Motomura has many branches across Japan, so you don’t have to limit yourself to Dotonbori to try it.
Chibo Okonomiyaki Restaurant
During one of my trips to Osaka, I found myself craving okonomiyaki. Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake made with shredded cabbage as the main ingredient, topped with a deliciously sweet and tangy brown sauce and a drizzle of Kewpie mayo (optional, but highly recommended). While exploring Dotonbori, I stumbled upon a restaurant with a long line outside. I decided to join the queue—and trust me, it was worth it. Once inside, I was lucky to snag a seat right at the bar, giving me a front-row view of the chefs at work. Watching them cook with precision was a real treat! The experience was well worth the wait!
Shopping at Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade
Aside from Dotonbori food trip in Osaka, shopping is another great thing to do in this area! On our first night, we went to H&M to see if the prices are lower compared to H&M Manila. I got a winter scarf for only JPY 300 or about PHP 110! My friends Jett and Maki get to stock up on their wardrobe too!
Count on the Japanese to have the best shoes and weird selection of platforms. Japanese girls walk around a lot, so you cannot question the quality of their shoes. It won’t survive the whole day if it was poorly made. They have this technology to create durable and comfy shoes. My cousin Ate Ann bought a 3 inch platform wedge type shoes for me which I wore for one whole day. I was really surprised I survived all the walking! Not only it provides you with extra height, but it also provides great solution for people like me who struggle with stilettos.
Japan is basically the perfect place for a Nike sneakerhead! Not only their Nike concept stores are huge, they also have shoe boutiques that specializes in out of print sneakers and hard to find stuff. There are so many designs that I’ve never seen in the Philippines! The price is also a lot cheaper here. I got two Nike Air Max (a present from my cousin) which costs around JPY 9,500 per pair. That’s like PHP 3,500!
Glico Running Man and Dotonbori Canal
After a long walk at Shinsaibashi’s shopping arcade, the Glico Running Man sign welcomed us. There are so many photo bombers in this area. It was almost impossible to get a good selfie. This area also has a lot of Ikemen (good looking guys) hanging around, inviting people to visit their clubs and restaurants. We walked towards the other side of Dotonbori and we saw a lot of weird looking people. We got a little scared so we went back. Lol!
Shopping in Dotonbori
Before going home, we went to this huge Donki store (short for Don Quijote) along Dotonbori canal. I was actually overwhelmed because they sell almost everything! From stationary to household goods and foods to make-up products and adult items, you’ll find anything you want. The best part is, you can buy bulk of chocolates at reasonable rates! I bought different flavors of Kitkat, Pocky and Macadamia! Chocolate panic buying? Not really. Lol!
That’s it for Osaka’s Namba District! Though I was pretty tired on our first day (we went back to our guesthouse at around 12 midnight), it seemed like I had an infinite amount of energy. So please stay tuned for my picture spam in the next couple of days!
4 replies on “Dotonbori Food Trip in Osaka”
Same… I was hoping for Autumn as well 🙂 Japan is beautiful during Sakura season and during Autumn. Thought of clubbing it along with Tokyo Games Show which usually takes place in let September.
That's alright! You'll have more reasons to go back! My next visit would probably be next year Autumn 🙂 How about you?
I could not visit Osaka, so I’m hoping I can do it on my next visit to Japan.