Japan in Autumn - Osaka

We arrived in Osaka around lunch time and with only half a day, we focused on two areas unique to Osaka - Shinsekai and Dotonbori with their bustling, quirky atmosphere.  Shinsekai (New World), a vibrant, retro entertainment district,was a blaring blur of colours for the senses even during the day, I can well imagine what it would be like at night.   

I was in Dotonbori last year but in the day time so reserved this revisit for the evening to catch the neon.  As expected, it was dazzling at night, vibrant with sounds and sights both on the streets and along the canal.   It was an immersive experience hard to reproduce on paper but take a look at the images and use your imagination.  

We had dinner at the Douraku restaurant known for the big crab at its front.  I had expected it to be loud and touristy, but it was a nice surprise that it turned out to be low key with many locals at the tables.  The set menus included crab sashimi but also crab cooked in different ways.  While I still prefer my crab plain boiled, it was a novelty experience nevertheless.

Shinsekai (translates as "New World") main intersection

We noticed a big building with "Maruhan" on it and went inside just to see what it was.  Turns out to be a casino (with a snazzy ceiling)!  We were quickly shooed out when they saw my camera.

Pedestrian-friendly streets

Sumo wrestling themed restaurant?

Tsutenkaku Tower

Eateries advertising their specialties in 3D

A Shooting range

Looking up and down the Dotonbori canal

The famous Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel, the first oval ferris wheel in the world, also the first to have a 4 seater cabin that rotates horizontally.  The ride is 15 minutes but there are long lineups for it.  You see here, the entrance to the Don Quixote Store, a famous discount store.

Everyone here has to take a picture with the Glico running man - Osaka culture

Entrance to a covered shopping street

The main intersection in Dotonbori

The shop front of the Douraku restaurant

I've lost count of the multitude of ways crab was served but here is a sampling.

We were told not to touch the mystery pot for 30 minutes - turns out it was rice

One of many street corners in Dotonbori - this one seems to be promoting a wrestler?