Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street

In short

A shopping street extending north to south for approximately 2.6 kilometers, from Tenjinbashi 1-chome to 7-chome, known as the longest shopping street in Japan. From the early Edo period, many people came and went along it as the front approach to Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, and entering the Meiji period, it developed into its current form as a shopping street.

• ​Food Tour Offering a Glimpse into Osaka Life​​: There are many shops that Osaka locals use for everyday shopping, and you can walk along while hopping from one casual bite to another, such as takoyaki, croquettes, and Japanese sweets
• ​Shops with Historic Charm and the Temple Town​​: You can also find shops unique to such a long-standing street, including cutlery shops, tea merchants, and secondhand bookstores. Around Teramachi-dori Street, which crosses 3-chome from east to west, temples still remain from the temple town created in the Tenma area about 400 years ago
• ​Tenjin Matsuri and Gal Mikoshi​​: In conjunction with Osaka Tenmangu Shrine's Tenjin Matsuri held every year on July 24 and 25, the "Gal Mikoshi," in which women carry a portable shrine, takes place in the shopping street on July 23

History and Highlights

​Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street​ is a shopping arcade extending north to south for approximately 2.6 kilometers, from Tenjinbashi 1-chome to 7-chome. Due to its length, it is known as the longest shopping street in Japan. It is said to take over 40 minutes to walk from one end to the other, and the street, lined with eateries, prepared food shops, and stores selling daily necessities, is always bustling with many people.

From the early Edo period, many people came and went along this street as the front approach to Osaka Tenmangu Shrine. Nearby, along the Okawa River, the Tenma Aomono Market was opened in 1653 (the second year of the Joo era) and came to be counted as one of the three major markets of Osaka. People from throughout the Kinki region who arrived by boat to sell produce wholesale are said to have looked forward to continuing on to shop along the street that corresponds to today's Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street. Entering the Meiji period, it developed into its current form as a shopping street.

Due to the consolidation of market functions into the Osaka Municipal Central Wholesale Market in 1931 and the opening of large commercial facilities, it suffered a decline in shoppers for a time. In response, it promoted the catchphrase "Japan's longest" and focused on building connections with customers, resulting today in a shopping street with very few vacant storefronts.

Tips for Viewing and Experiencing

• ​Food Tour Offering a Glimpse into Osaka Life​​: Unlike heavily touristed downtown areas, there are many shops that Osaka locals use for everyday shopping, and its appeal lies in offering a glimpse into the daily lives of local citizens. You can walk along while hopping from one casual bite to another, such as takoyaki, croquettes, and Japanese sweets.
• ​Shops with Historic Charm​​: You can also find shops unique to such a long-standing street, including cutlery shops, tea merchants, and secondhand bookstores. Around Teramachi-dori Street, which crosses 3-chome from east to west, temples still remain from the temple town created in the Tenma area about 400 years ago.
• ​Tenjin Matsuri and Gal Mikoshi​​: In conjunction with Osaka Tenmangu Shrine's Tenjin Matsuri held every year on July 24 and 25, the "Gal Mikoshi," in which women carry a portable shrine, takes place in the shopping street on July 23.

Strolling Tips

Because the shopping street is long, there are several nearest stations—Minamimorimachi Station, Osakatenmangu Station, Ogimachi Station, Temma Station, and Tenjinbashisuji 6-chome Station—and it is just a short walk from any of them. Since you can walk under the arcade, there is no need to worry about sudden rain. In addition to combining your visit with worship at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine in 2-chome, it is also nice to extend your walk north to visit the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living.