Shinsekai in Osaka is something else, a vintage Osaka neighborhood full of retro restaurants, bright neon lights and the famous Tsutenkaku Tower.
Known as Osaka’s ‘New World’ District, it is fine to visit any time of day but Shinsekai comes alive at night. From 24 hour izakayas to late night-shopping, Shinsekai is buzzing with back street bars, classic kushikatsu joints and retro arcades.
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Alas Shinsekai’s famous puffer fish sign may have gone, but the area looks nicely nostalgic and there are food stalls and restaurants to suit all budgets and tastes (literally).
From street-karting to kaitzensushi, takoyaki to traditional archery (kyudo), these are the best things to do in Shinsekai, Osaka in 2024 with photos.
You might like – 35 things to do in Osaka at night >
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For booking tours, transfers and SIM cards we recommend Get Your Guide, Viator or Klook.
How to get to Shinsekai
The nearest station to Shinsekai is Shin-Imamiya Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line – it is a 10 minute walk from JR Shin-Imamiya Station to the main Shinsekai area.
Dobutsuen-mae Station and Ebisucho Station are also within walking distance.
To get from Dotonbori to Shinsekai, take the Sakaisuji Line Local towards Tengachaya from Nippombashi Station to Ebisucho Station, or the Midosuji Line Local towards Tennoji from Namba Station to Dobutsuen-Mae Station.
Alternatively, it is around a 25 minute walk from Dotonbori to Shinsekai.
You might like – Our guide to Osaka’s famous Glico Man sign (plus the secret balcony viewing spot) >
Shinsekai Hotels and Recommended Accommodation
Budget ($)
Backpackers Hotel Toyo Osaka
Small guest house with affordable private rooms – perfect for backpackers. Check rates and availability on hostelworld.com, booking.com and agoda.com
Mid-Range ($$)
Spa World Hotel
Hotel located within Spa World, with affordable rooms. Facilities include a spa, indoor pool and lazy river, water park and hot springs. Check rates and availability for on booking.com and agoda.com
Luxury ($$$)
Osaka Hinode Hotel Nipponbashi
Popular hotel with rooftop terrace, located a 5 minute walk to Tsutenkaku Tower. A buffet breakfast is provided and there is free ramen every night. Check rates and availability on booking.com and agoda.com
Check out the best hotels in Shinsekai via booking.com or agoda.com
You might like – Osaka’s top 10 tours with Viator or Klook
Things to do in Shinsekai, Osaka
1. Tsutenkaku Tower
The number 1 thing to do or see in Shinsekai – Tsutenkaku Tower (meaning “Tower Reaching Heaven”), is an iconic Shinsekai structure that was opened in 1956, with an observation deck 90 meters off the ground.
Amazingly, this is the second tower built on this spot as the original one from 1912 was badly damaged in 1943. Whilst it is dwarfed by the newer Umeda Sky observation deck, this is a nice way to see Osaka from up-high (with quirky, kitsch interiors too).
Easy to spot because of its nocturnal neon lights, there is even an unlikely shrine inside to Billiken, the weird looking character known as the God of Happiness (weirdly created by an American art teacher in 1910, more on this later).
The designer was Tachu Naito, who was also the designer of Tokyo Tower and Nagoya Tower – check out our guide to all the top Tokyo observation decks here >
Book your Tsutenkaku Tower tickets in advance >
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2. Dine in Shinsekai’s kushikatsu restaurants
Osaka is famous for lots of foods but Shinsekai is synonymous with kushikatsu restaurants and izakayas, some of which are open 24 hours a day.
Kushikatsu is famous all over Japan but it is said to have originated in Osaka’s Shinsekai neighborhood.
Kushikatsu (also known as ‘kushiage’) is deep-fried breadcrumbed (panko) meat, fish and vegetables that are served on skewers (and best accompanied with a cold beer, in our humble opinion!).
Kushikatsu is quite cheap compared to other Japanese food and you’ll find lots of lunchtime specials and deals in the side-streets around Dotonbori.
The most famous Osaka kushikatsu chain is Kushikatsu Daruma (the comic chef character holding kushikatsu skewers). Expect queues in the evening but it is a lot quieter in the day.
Read more about kushikatsu in our guide >
Some of the other famous Shinsekai kushikatsu restaurants include:
Kushikatsu Daikichi Shinsekai
We went to Kushikatsu Daikichi Shinsekai for the nice interiors plus happy hour menu where we got 5 skewers each and a beer for 580 Yen per person.
The food was good, the staff were friendly and the menu easy to follow.
Yokozuna Tsutenkaku shop
This is a 24 hour kushikatsu joint in Shinsekai known for its incredible interior that lights up at night.
Just be aware in 2024, there are a few recent reviews of tourists unaware they have to pay for the appetizers that are served at the start – if you don’t want them, refuse them or don’t eat them.
Kushikatsu Takoyaki Ajinodaimaru
Famous for its huge octopus sign (possibly the most iconic awning in Shinsekai since the demise of the puffer fish sign), Kushikatsu Takoyaki Ajinodaimaru is always busy and has a huge menu and seating area inside.
Kushikatsu features on our ‘top 35 Japanese foods to try’ list >
You might like these Japan chain restaurants guides
A Happy Pancake >
CoCo Ichibanya >
Denny’s >
Kura Sushi >
Matsunoya Tonkatsu >
Mister Donut >
Saizeriya >
3. Shinsekai Street Karting
You’ve played the video games but now you can actually whizz through the streets of Shinsekai on go-karts dressed as gaming characters (but not officially as Mario, Luigi or Princess Daisy as Nintendo’s lawyers have put paid to that).
We were heading across to Tsutenkaku Tower one day when we saw loads of street karts speeding along below it.
Tour Osaka’s neighborhoods dressed as cute, Kawaii comic characters dashing around districts like Dotonbori, Shinsekai and Namba. There are both daytime and night time street karting tours in Osaka.
Please note an international drivers license is required to go street karting in Osaka.
Book your Osaka Mario Style Go Kart tour with Viator, Get Your Guide or Klook.
You might like – Otaku Japan: 20 Anime, Manga & Weeb Activities in Japan >
4. Jumbo Tsuribune Tsurikichi Shinsekai
Go fish! Time for some indoor fishing at Jumbo Tsuribune Tsurikichi Shinsekai – for ‘reel’, we ain’t talking utter ‘carp’ – this is where you literally have to fish for your supper!
Osaka’s famous fishing restaurant where it is kind of a DIY dinner, you get to fish from a wooden boat and choose your own fish of the day.
It is a lot of fun and popular with tourists but there are also a few recent bad reviews in 2024, so maybe check prices and details with your server before committing to a full fish dinner (so you don’t get ‘caught’ out like the fish).
You might like – 45+ things to do in Tokyo at night >
5. Billiken character
Walking around Shinsekai, you’ll regularly see a curious character called Billiken, Osaka’s golden mascot. The Billiken Statues will often have shiny feet – this is from all the locals and tourists rubbing his toes to bring them good luck.
You’ll see various versions and hybrids of Billiken in Shinsekai, from Kushikatsu Billiken to Kuidaore Tarō Billiken (where he is dressed as the famous Osaka clown).
Referred to as the ‘God of Things As They Should Be’, Billiken was actually created by a school teacher in the USA in the early 20th century. It became popular in Osaka around 1908 and started popping up in people’s homes and even in a nearby theme park (now closed).
Keep an eye out for Shinsekai Billiken souvenirs like socks and magnets.
You might like – Plan My Japan’s guide to Kuromon Market in Osaka (it’ll make you hungry!) >
6. Shinsekai fairground & carnival games
No trip to Shinsekai is complete without a go on the various fairground games and carnival attractions – from cork guns to ring toss, balloon popping to lucky dips, Shinsekai has all the fun of the fair.
It is a common site to see local teenagers spending lots of Yen to try and win cute and Kawaii plushies.
Most of the main games stalls can be found in Shinsekai Market or in the outer area as you walk towards Tsutenkaku Tower on the main strip.
Game prices are reasonable e.g. 7 shots with an airgun rifle for 500 yen, but some of the games do seem a little rigged – so do it for the sheer pleasure (you might even win some prizes)!
Try this – Deep backstreet Osaka tours – over 1k sold >
7. Take a traditional rickshaw ride
The best way to see Shinsekai has to be with a traditional rickshaw ride – let your licensed guide take the strain and carry you at speed through Shinsekai (seriously, their legs are so muscly).
Rickshaw rides typically last anything from 30 to 60 minutes and are also a great way to see Shinsekai and the ‘New World’ in an old school way.
Try these Osaka rickshaw experiences:
You might like – Our guide to the Osaka Lion Head Namba Yasaka Shrine >
8. Traditional Kyudo Archery
Don’t ‘quiver’ at the thought of getting a traditional Japanese bow and arrow in your hands – ‘Kyudo’ is the original martial art of archery once used by samurai warriors, dating back over a thousand years.
Shinsekai’s side alleys are full of Kyudo archery stalls where you can try your hand shooting some arrows from a ‘yumi’ bow.
After a quick practise session and some basic tuition, you are free to fire some arrows at a big target – expect to pay around 1,000 Yen for ten arrows.
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9. Shinsekai Souvenir shops
Shinsekai is souvenir central! From Kawaii gifts to super-cute socks and stationery, there are so many shops selling perfect presents to take back home.
We spotted everything from Osaka Doraemon socks to a huge range of Billiken merchandise, takoyaki themed goods plus Kuidaore Tarō the Osaka Clown.
Prices for Shinsekai souvenirs vary greatly, so do shop around – the biggest gift shop in Shinsekai is just below the Tsutenkaku Tower.
You might like – 34 cute and kawaii things to do in Tokyo >
10. Taste some takoyaki in Shinsekai
Osaka’s famous takoyaki dish is never in short supply in Shinsekai – all over Osaka, you’ll see these ‘octopus dough balls’ made from a batter mixture that is poured into a special hot plate made with rows of half-circle molds.
Bite-size pieces of ‘tako’ octopus meat are placed into the center of the mix, and the slightly cooked batter is then turned over again and again with a pick or skewer to create a perfect ball-shaped snack.
Watching the Shinsekai takoyaki vendors cook the balls by skilfully flipping them over is almost as fun as eating them!
The takoyaki balls are usually served in a similar way to okonomiyaki and brushed with a sweet/savory takoyaki sauce and topped with mayonnaise, dried seaweed and bonito fish flakes.
Many takoyaki stands are takeaway only but for the true takoyaki experience, grab a seat at Takoyaki Ichiban. They have an outdoor terrace too where you can chow down and people watch – one of the best things to do in Shinsekai (tasty too).
You might like – Our guide to the Hozenji Temple / Moss Man shrine in Dotonbori, Osaka >
11. Classic arcade games
Games arcades are nothing new in Osaka – however, whilst Dotonbori and Namba have all the big Japanese arcade chains like Taito, Round1 and SEGA Gigo, Shinsekai is special when it comes to classic gaming.
Dotted around the side-streets (and especially around Shinsekai Arcade and Janjan Yokocho shopping arcade), you’ll see a number of vintage arcades.
Some of the classic console games and retro arcade machines we spotted in Shinsekai included the 1985 version of Super Mario Brothers, the often overlooked Dr. Mario arcade machine plus the arm-wrestling arcade classic, Arm Champs.
Love vintage gaming? Check out our guide to Super Potato retro gaming stores or Mandarake second hand shops.
Try this – Top 10 Osaka at night tours with Viator >
12. Spa World Osaka
Time to get steamy in Shinsekai (and we don’t mean in a Den Den Town backroom kind of way). Spa World is a public spa, sauna and hot pools that has 8 themed floors, some of which are open from 10am to 8.45am (so almost 24 hours a day).
You can even have hot scrub treatments to get rid of the hangovers you might experience from all the nearby izakayas.
You could stay here for hours as there is a bar, restaurant, cafe and shop onsite to enjoy mid soak across several floors.
Please note showers are requested before you enter the pools at Spa World and tattoos are not allowed.
You can also stay at the Spa World Hotel with booking.com and agoda.com.
You might like – 20+ best chain shops in Japan >
13. Beer vending machines
Here at Plan My Japan, we love unusual Japanese vending machines so much that we wrote a whole article about it here >
Whilst we didn’t manage to find hot sauce vending machines or TENGA vending machines, we were buzzing when we saw a beer and sake vending machine on the main street.
So if you want to chug on a beer or sip some sake whilst wandering the streets of Shinsekai, try a beer vending machine as opposed to a konbini / convenience store.
You might like – Our guides to Japanese convenience stores including 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart and egg sandwiches
14. Janjan-Yokocho (Nanyo-dori Shopping Street)
Like taking a step back in time, there are a couple of traditional covered markets (“shōtengai”) to explore in Shinsekai, including Janjan-Yokocho itself.
A world away from the more modern Osaka shopping malls, Janjan-Yokocho is an awesome alley of old school shops, arcades and thrift stores – it is full of fun activities for all ages including nostalgic fairground games.
Here you will see everything from traditional barber shops to bustling bars and izakayas packed full of big sake bottles. If it is raining when you visit Shinsekai, this is the best place to hang out – eat, drink, game and be merry!
If you like Dotonbori but not the crowds, Janjan-Yokocho might be for you.
You might like – Things to do in Dotonbori, Osaka >
15. Shinsekai Market
At the opposite end of Shinsekai, Shinsekai Market is the other main covered shopping alley / shōtengai in Shinsekai.
It is full of vintage shops and family-run restaurants but sadly on our last visit, it seemed to be pretty run down with many vacant shops and kiosks closed.
A treasure trove of old items and cut-price gachapons, Shinsekai Market is an interesting area to explore but you may need to use Google Translate quite a bit as it isn’t as tourist friendly as Janjan-Yokocho.
Check out the Osaka Amazing Pass, which includes admission into over 40 Osaka attractions >
16. MEGA Don Quijote Shinsekai
Don Quijote Japan discount department stores are home to thousands of items generally at low prices, from Pocky to cute blind boxes, Hello Kitty to Kit Kats (plus more interesting ‘adult sections’ featuring TENGA).
There are over 30 Don Quijote stores in Osaka (including 10 MEGA Don Quijotes) of which MEGA Don Quijote Shinsekai is one of the biggest. It even has its own gachapon lounge and arcade area!
MEGA Don Quijote Shinsekai is open 20 hours a day, from 9am to 5pm so it is a good place to go shopping in Shinsekai (and Osaka at night).
Just down the road, the Dotonbori Don Quijote even has Japan’s only Donki Ferris wheel.
You might like our ultimate guide to Don Quijote stores or MEGA Donki stores.
17. Kura Sushi Shinsekai Tsutenkaku
Kura Sushi has to be Japan’s most joyful revolving sushi bar (“kaitenzushi”) and conveyor belt restaurant.
All of the sushi and drinks arrive by conveyor belt, plus putting away your finished dishes has been ‘gamified’. For every five dirty plates you drop into a slot on your table, you get a free go at an online game – great for families and big kids of all ages!
As prices at Kura Sushi in Japan start from just 110 Yen ( less than $1 / £1 a piece), it is one of the most affordable and authentic revolving sushi bar experiences you’ll encounter.
Most Kura sushi restaurants are open until midnight (last orders at 11.30pm) including the Kura Sushi Shinsekai Tsutenkaku store.
Please note queues can be big at peak times but there is an easy to use ticketed waiting system. So grab a ticket and come back at your allocated time – you’re welcome!
From ordering food to sushi conveyor belt etiquette (plus our visit to Japan’s largest Kura Sushi), here is our ultimate guide to eating at Kura Sushi in Japan >
Our final thing to do in Shinsekai
18. Shinsekai food tours
Hopefully we’ve given you a good overview so far of Shinsekai activities and the best restaurants – but if you’d like a local guide and some tasty authentic local dishes, you can always jump on a Shinsekai food tour. Some of the best include:
- Osaka Shinsekai food tour with 13 dishes at 5 eateries >
- Hungry Osaka street food tour – feast like a local in Shinsekai >
- Retro Osaka street food tour: Shinsekai >
- Osaka City, backstreets of Shinsekai half day food tour >
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