Shinsekai

In short

A downtown neighborhood in the southern part of Osaka, known for Tsutenkaku Tower and Janjan Yokocho. It began when the original Tsutenkaku Tower and the amusement park Luna Park were built on the western half of the former site of the 5th National Industrial Exhibition of 1903 (Meiji 36), and it was developed with its northern half modeled after Paris and its southern half after New York's Coney Island. Although most of the area was burned down during air raids in 1945 (Showa 20), the second-generation Tsutenkaku Tower was completed in 1956 (Showa 31), and today it bustles with people seeking inexpensive and delicious food, such as kushikatsu and doteyaki.

• ​Kushikatsu and Doteyaki​​: Shinsekai is famous as the home of kushikatsu. Because the sauce placed on the tables is shared by everyone, "double-dipping"—dipping a skewer into the sauce again after taking a bite—is prohibited. "Doteyaki," beef sinew simmered with mirin sweet rice wine and miso, is another local specialty
• ​Tsutenkaku Hondori and Shinsekai Market​​: Tsutenkaku Hondori, with its arched arcade and colored tile pavement, was modeled after Parisian shopping malls. Accessed midway along this street, Shinsekai Market is a covered marketplace established in 1914 (Taisho 3)
• ​Finding Billiken​​: The deity Billiken, seated with his legs stretched forward, can be spotted everywhere, including at Billiken Shrine and in front of restaurants. Rubbing the soles of his feet is said to bring good fortune

History and Highlights

​Shinsekai​ is a downtown neighborhood in the southern part of Osaka, known for Tsutenkaku Tower and Janjan Yokocho.

Its beginnings date back to 1903 (Meiji 36), when the 5th National Industrial Exhibition was held across the area encompassing Tennoji and present-day Shinsekai. The eastern half of the former site became Tennoji Park, while on the remaining western half, the original Tsutenkaku Tower was constructed as a symbol, with the paid amusement park Luna Park built to its south. Luna Park was modeled after the amusement park at Coney Island in New York, opening alongside Tsutenkaku Tower in 1912 (Meiji 45). Shinsekai was developed with its northern half modeled after Paris and its southern half after New York's Coney Island, and streets radiating outward with Tsutenkaku Tower at the center were laid out in the northern block.

Luna Park closed in 1923 (Taisho 12), and the site was transformed into theaters and other facilities. In the early Showa period, it became an entertainment district lined with movie theaters, casual eateries, and cafes. Although most of the area was burned down during air raids in 1945 (Showa 20), the second-generation Tsutenkaku Tower was completed in 1956 (Showa 31). Today, it is known as a bustling district filled with people seeking inexpensive and delicious food, such as kushikatsu (skewered cutlets) and doteyaki (simmered beef sinew).

Sights and Experiences

• ​Kushikatsu and Doteyaki​​: Shinsekai is famous as the home of kushikatsu. Because the dipping sauce placed on counters and tables is shared among all guests, "double-dipping"—dipping a skewer into the sauce again after taking a bite—is strictly prohibited. Another local specialty is "doteyaki," beef sinew simmered with mirin sweet rice wine and miso.
• ​Tsutenkaku Hondori and Shinsekai Market​​: Extending from Ebisucho Station to the north side of Tsutenkaku Tower, Tsutenkaku Hondori features arched arcades and colored tile pavement modeled after Parisian shopping malls. Accessed midway along this street, Shinsekai Market is a covered marketplace established in 1914 (Taisho 3) with a history of more than 100 years.
• ​Finding Billiken​​: The charming deity Billiken, seated with his legs stretched forward, can be spotted all over Shinsekai, including at Billiken Shrine and in front of restaurants. Rubbing the soles of his feet is said to bring good fortune.

Walking Tips

The area is right by Ebisucho Station on the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line, and about a 3-minute walk from Dobutsuen-mae Station on the Midosuji and Sakaisuji Lines. Tsutenkaku Tower stands toward the northern side of the district, with Janjan Yokocho located about 240 meters to the south. You can also explore surrounding destinations on foot together: Tennoji Zoo is about 260 meters to the southeast, SPAWORLD HOTEL&RESORT is about 320 meters to the south, and Imamiya Ebisu-jinja Shrine is about 500 meters to the northwest.