If you are walking the streets of Dotonbori in Osaka, you’ll likely see a colourful and comical character – the Osaka Clown, known as Kuidaore Tarō (did you think we were talking about the Dotonbori Wolfen?)
Kuidaore Tarō is the famous mechanical Osaka clown character, dressed in red and white stripes banging a big drum and the mascot of Dotonbori.
This post may contain affiliate links to tours and hotels. These help us earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.
Such is his popularity, there is even a Kuidaore Tarō clown gift shop in the Nakaza Kuidaore Building where you can buy everything from clown magnets to circus sweets.
From its history to the most clown-like gifts, check out our guide to the Osaka clown, Kuidaore Tarō and the famous Nakaza Kuidaore building.
This article was originally published on 13 July 2024.
You might like – 25+ things to do in Dotonbori, Osaka >
Japan checklist
We love using booking.com and agoda.com (use the Agoda code TAIWANDERERS for a discount) for researching and booking all our hotels. You can also purchase eSIMs from Airalo.
For booking tours, transfers and SIM cards we recommend Get Your Guide, Viator or Klook.
For booking rental cars visit Discover Cars.
Check out our Japan travel resources page >
How to get to the Osaka Clown & Nakaza Kuidaore building in Dotonbori
Using public transport in Osaka, the nearest station to the Kuidaore Tarō clown statue is Namba metro station.
From Osaka JR Station, it is 4 stops / 8 minutes to Namba Station along the red Midosuji line, and then a five minute walk from the station to the Nakaza Kuidaore building where Kuidaore Tarō is located in the ground floor entrance.
Alternatively, it is a 7 minute walk from the Osaka-Namba Station to the Nakaza Kuidaore Building.
You might like – our guides to Japanese convenience stores, including 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson and our guide to konbini egg sandwiches
Join our Facebook Japan Travel Tips Group!
Need help with your Japan itinerary or have any questions?
Head on over to our friendly Facebook group with 130,000+ members and ask the experts!
Click here to join our group >
We also run a brand new Japan Hauls, Souvenirs and Shopping Tips group >
Or if you just want to see more of our Japan photos and videos, follow our Plan My Japan Facebook page >
In search of Kuidaore Tarō, the Osaka Clown
Usually a ‘neighborhood clown’ isn’t a good thing but Kuidaore Tarō is a colorful character that regularly bangs his drum and one of Dotonbori’s most famous characters – and just to be clear, it is a plastic clown not a real person!
Osaka’s most famous clown wears a red and white striped clown costume, with a silver drum, blue hat and collar plus dark rimmed glasses.
Kuidaore Tarō is quite the Japanese style icon! Whether you think he is kitsch or Kawaii, he is definitely one cool and comical clown that is synonymous with Dotonbori and Osaka at night.
P.S. If you suffer from Coulrophobia (the fear of clowns), this is one thing in Dotonbori and Osaka you will definitely want to avoid!
You might like – Our guide to Osaka’s famous Glico Man, including the ‘secret’ viewing balcony >
History of the Osaka Clown, Kuidaore Tarō
Dotonbori’s famous clown has been around for decades (since the 1950s) originally created as the ‘all you can eat’ mascot of the restaurant that used to call the Nakaza Kuidaore building home.
Every day, Kuidaore Tarō the clown could be seen in Osaka banging his drum (not a euphemism) to attract attention of passers by and ‘drum up’ trade. He has a drum at the front plus a larger foot operated drum at the rear.
With all those drum skills, maybe he should have a go at the Taiko no Tatsujin famous Japanese Drumming Game.
The restaurant sadly closed a few years ago but this cheerful clown Kuidaore Tarō lives on after a campaign by passionate local Osaka residents who missed the repetitive rapping of the Dontonbori clown.
You might like – Plan My Japan’s guide to Hozenji-shrine & Fudo Myo (the Mossy Man) >
You might like these Tokyo neighbourhood guides:
Akihabara
Asakusa
Ginza
Harajuku
Ikebukuro
Nakano
Odaiba
Ryogoku
Shibuya
Shimokitazawa
Shinjuku
Also check out our
Where to stay in Tokyo guide
Kuidaore Tarō today
Now returned to his rightful place, Kuidaore Tarō now has pride of place in the entrance to the Nakaza Kuidaore Building (although he doesn’t seem to drum as much any more).
His drum is polished daily to keep it shiny and sparkling plus if you look up above him, you’ll see the light is made from hundreds of miniature Kuidaore Tarō clowns! (2025 update – we have seen photos of the 2025 Osaka Clown renovations and the miniature Kuidaore Tarō clowns have been removed).
These days the Nakaza Kuidaore building itself has several storeys of food and drink, entertainment, gift shops and more. The building closed for a few months in late 2024 for rennovations, and re-opened in spring 2025 with a brand new six metre tall 3D moving signboard of the Osaka clown busting out of the building!
The 3D mechanical clown’s eyes looks around and the hands move. There is also a sound of a drum beating.
The gift shops inside the Nakaza Kuidaore (and other nearby gift stores in Dotonbori) are home to many colorful clown souvenirs…read on for more ‘funny business’.
You might like – Our guide to Osaka Lion Head Namba Yasaka Shrine >
Love cute and ‘kawaii’ stores in Japan?
Check out our shopping guides!
• Tokyo Character Street stores
• Studio Ghibli stores
• Don Quijote stores
• Doraemon Future Department store
• B-Side Label stores
• Mandarake stores
• Best Gachapon Capsule toys
• Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo
Plus our guide to the best kawaii things to do in Tokyo >
Kuidaore Tarō Osaka Clown souvenirs and gifts
If you are looking for cute and quirky souvenirs in Osaka, Kuidaore Tarō and his banging drum have got you covered.
The downstairs gift shop in Nakaza Kuidaore is a place of plush presents, covered in Kuidaore Tarō clowns and a sea of red, white and blue.
Some of the best Kuidaore Tarō Osaka Clown souvenirs and gifts include socks, sweets, magnets and keyrings plus cute children’s clothing.
Our favorite Osaka souvenir had to be the Kuidaore Tarō Osaka Clown socks featuring takoyaki balls, Osaka’s famous street food. These socks cost 495 Yen a pair, around £2.50 or $3 USD plus tax.
You might like – Japan’s top chain stores or top cheap chain restaurants
Other things to know about Kuidaore Tarō Osaka Clown
- In late 2023, the famous mechanical clown Kuidaore Taro can be found in the new game Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. It is billed as the “Osaka’s Famous Clown” Mission – very cool!
- The Nakaza Kuidaore building is open 24 hours a day as there are so many businesses inside – however, the Kuidaore Tarō gift shop is open until late and closes overnight.
- You can find a Billiken statue in the Shinsekai neigbourhood, dressed as the Osaka clown!
You might like – Our guide to the Osaka Don Quijote Ferris Wheel / Ebisu Tower >
Found this article helpful?
Did you enjoy our Kuidaore Tarō Osaka Clown blog post? Let us know by sharing it on social media.
You can follow us on:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube