Shinsaibashi Suji Shopping Arcade

Running a whopping 600 meters long, Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Arcade is the quintessential “shotengai” or covered shopping arcade. Even if you don’t intend to do any shopping, it’s well worth taking a walk along this street to see the incredible cast of Osaka characters who prowl this place.

[Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Arcade - image © Florentyna Leow]

Visiting a shopping arcade in Japan is usually a great insight into what makes a local neighborhood tick. Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Arcade, along with its longer, more traditional cousin Tenjinbashi-suji Arcade up in the Kita district, is one of Osaka’s quintessential “shotengai” (covered shopping arcade) and one of the city’s major tourist destinations.

[Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Arcade - image © Florentyna Leow]

It runs for approximately 600 meters, parallel to and one block east of Midosuji. Shinsaibashi-suji Arcade is located within walking distance from Dotombori, Namba Parks, and Amemura.

[Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Arcade - image © Florentyna Leow]

While there are still pockets of traditional retailers like kimono shops, tea purveyors, and neighbourhood restaurants along the arcade, parts of Shinsaibashi-suji are changing rapidly. Part of this is in response to the influx of tourists, but it is also to do with its proximity to the center of town - there’s simply more foot traffic overall. Correspondingly, there’s a higher density of more commercial, fashion-oriented shops here: think trendy boutiques, high-end designer labels and department stores, chain retail shops, and drugstores. It’s a very busy street.

[Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Arcade - image © Florentyna Leow]

This is a fantastic place if you have a lot of shopping stamina and a high tolerance for crowds and bright lights. While the main arcade can be quite overwhelming, it is worth walking through to see what’s on offer. It’s equally worthwhile wandering off the side streets to explore smaller shops - you might find some lovely secondhand kimono, old woodblock prints, or just a small mom-and-pop sushi shop.

English name:
Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Arcade

Japanese name:
心斎橋筋商店街

English address:
Shinsaibashi-suji, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, 542-0085

Japanese address:
〒542-0085 大阪市中央区心斎橋筋

Opening hours:
Varies by shop

Admission:
free

Nearest Transport:
Subway: 2-minute walk from exit 2 of Shinsaibashi Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji and Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Lines.

Nearest Hotels:
Check availability and pricing for hotels near Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Streeton Booking.com or Agoda.com.

Telephone:
+81-6-6211-1114

Website:Official Website (English)

Near To Here:
Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Arcade is located in Osaka’s Minami district. See our complete list of things to do in the Minami district, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.

Where Are These Places Located?

• Open the Osaka map
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
• If you’re using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

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