We visited
Shinsekai in Osaka
for the first time.
During our walk,
we went up
Tsutenkaku Tower,
explored the colorful streets of
Shinsekai,
and stopped at a popular
retro-style Japanese cafe.
It was a casual day of sightseeing,
but Shinsekai has such a distinctive atmosphere
that we wanted to share
what we thought of the area
and whether it is worth visiting.
Our First Visit to Tsutenkaku Tower｜What Time Should You Go?
Here it is:
Tsutenkaku Tower.
Tsutenkaku is approximately
103 meters tall.
The current tower was rebuilt in
1956.
The original Tsutenkaku was constructed in 1912,
but was dismantled during World War II.
The tower standing today
was rebuilt after the war.
For our visit,
we purchased tickets online in advance.
Tickets can also be purchased on site,
but advance tickets may sometimes be available at a different price.
At the time of our visit,
we purchased a ticket that included
the special open-air observation deck.
Prices and ticket types may have changed since then,
so check the current official information before visiting.
Even though we already had our tickets,
we visited on a weekend
and waited around
30 minutes
before reaching the observation deck.
We arrived at around 10:00 a.m.
Later in the day,
the wait appeared to increase to around 50 minutes.
Based on our experience,
going earlier in the day can be a good idea.
Views from Tsutenkaku｜The Open-Air Observation Deck Is Thrilling!
Tsutenkaku has
an indoor observation deck
and a special open-air observation area.
The regular observation deck
is enclosed by glass
and offers views across Osaka.
You will also find
many different versions of
Billiken,
one of the symbols of Shinsekai.
You can take photos
in front of the golden walls
and Billiken displays.
But if you really want to enjoy
the Osaka skyline from Tsutenkaku,
we recommend considering
the open-air observation deck.
It is quite thrilling!
You can take unusual photos like this.
To be honest,
I was very scared
and could hardly look down!
If you are afraid of heights,
this part may not be for you.
But if heights do not bother you,
it offers a very different experience
from a normal indoor observation deck.
There was also
a Glico-themed area inside Tsutenkaku.
The weather was extremely sunny that day,
so our photo ended up backlit.
We also learned more about the connection
between Osaka-based Ezaki Glico
and Tsutenkaku during our visit.
Tsutenkaku Souvenirs｜A Good Place to Find Billiken Goods
There are plenty of souvenirs
inside Tsutenkaku.
In particular,
we found a large selection of
Billiken merchandise.
If you want a Billiken souvenir,
the shops inside Tsutenkaku
are a good place to look.
There were also
Kyoro-chan character goods
and other Japanese souvenirs.
We also found
Tomica cars
and Chicken Ramen merchandise.
Chicken Ramen originated in Osaka,
so these goods felt especially appropriate.
The Chicken Ramen Tomica was unusual,
so we bought one.
Even if you do not plan to buy anything,
the souvenir shops are fun to browse.
Kushikatsu Lunch in Osaka Shinsekai
After visiting Tsutenkaku,
we stopped for lunch at
Kushikatsu to Odashi Kushiuemon
in Shinsekai.
The restaurant was spacious
and looked large enough for groups.
We started with
a draft beer at lunchtime.
We also ordered
Akashiyaki.
I had tried it on a previous trip
and became a big fan.
It is not something we often find in the Tokyo area,
so I always enjoy eating it when we travel around Kansai.
The light dashi broth
had a gentle flavor
and was delicious.
There were many kinds of
kushikatsu
to choose from.
Our favorite was the
chicken breast kushikatsu with
plum and shiso.
It had a lighter,
refreshing flavor.
Restaurant Information
Kushikatsu to Odashi Kushiuemon Osaka Shinsekai
Address: 2-5-2 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka 556-0002, Japan
Phone: 06-6643-2468
The opening hours below were listed when this article was originally written:
Weekdays and days before holidays: 11:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
Weekends and public holidays: 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
※Restaurant hours may change. Please check current information before visiting.
Shinsekai Is Filled with Billiken Statues
One of the things that surprised us most
about Shinsekai
was how many
Billiken statues
we saw everywhere.
We expected to find Billiken
inside Tsutenkaku,
but not throughout the neighborhood.
A huge Billiken!
And a smaller one above a shop.
And another one here!
It really showed us
how strongly Billiken is associated
with Shinsekai.
The neighborhood has
a colorful,
slightly chaotic,
retro atmosphere
that feels very different
from many other parts of Osaka.
For us,
that unique atmosphere alone made Shinsekai worth visiting.
Retro Cafe in Shinsekai｜Cafe Tamaichi
It was extremely hot on the day we visited,
so after lunch
we decided to take a break at
Cafe Tamaichi.
Shinsekai has several
old-fashioned Japanese cafes,
often called
kissaten.
We wanted somewhere comfortable
where we could relax without cigarette smoke,
and a friendly local man we met on the street
showed us this cafe.
We ordered a
cream soda.
The combination of
ice cream
and the classic cherry garnish
felt wonderfully nostalgic.
After walking around in the summer heat,
it was exactly what we needed.
This is what the cafe looked like inside.
It had a warm,
old-fashioned atmosphere
that felt like stepping back in time.
Our relaxed walk around
Tsutenkaku and Shinsekai
turned into one of the most memorable parts
of our Osaka trip.
Even for travelers in their 60s and beyond,
Shinsekai is worth experiencing at least once.
Cafe Information
Cafe Tamaichi
Address: 3-4-1 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka 556-0002, Japan
Phone: 06-6643-2309
The opening hours below were listed when this article was originally written:
9:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
※Opening hours and closing days may change. Please check current information before visiting.
Where We Stayed in Osaka
During this Osaka trip,
we stayed at
Moxy Osaka Honmachi,
a casual Marriott hotel in central Osaka.
