Namba

Osaka
Namba showing street scenes and a city as well as a large group of people
With thrilling amusement arcades, underground bars, neon billboards and second-hand shopping, this dynamic district never ceases to surprise.

Experience the excitement of ritzy Namba, Osaka's primary entertainment district. With undercover shopping centers, canalside restaurants, neon-lit thoroughfares and traditional theaters, there is plenty here to entertain.

Enter Namba from the north and follow crowds passing through the mighty Shinsaibashi shopping arcade. The walkway is just under 2,000-feet (600-meters) long and houses a range of trendy brand stores. Battle the claw machine at a Sega gaming arcade, get your phone repaired at a pop-up stall or have professional cartoonists draw you as a caricature. 

The northwestern side of the district has an adults-only vibe. Delve into the stranger lifestyles of Osaka's underground scene as you explore quirky themed bars, cat-petting cafés and stores selling imaginative gadgets.

Take a boat tour down the Dotonbori canal, which runs east to west through the center of the district. After disembarking, you may want to wander along the promenade, where you’ll find dumpling stalls and Don Quixote, a popular duty-free department store. 

Visit the waterfront at night to experience its bar scene, which is fuelled by lively music, engaging street performers and streams of passers-by. Night is also the best time to appreciate the oversized neon billboards and the Glico Running Man, a huge depiction of a runner crossing a finishing line, which has become iconic to Osaka.

South of the canal, see rare wood block prints from the 18th century at the tasteful but small Ukiyo-e Museum. Nearby Hozenji Yokocho alley is a popular dining spot, with more than 60 traditional restaurants. Pour water over the statues at Hozenji Temple for good fortune.

In Namba's southeast, explore the eclectic Nipponbashi DENDEN town. This bohemian shopping area specializes in used clothes, secondhand books, cooking knives and discount electronics.

For a night of cultural entertainment, book a seat at one of Namba's theaters. Watch Japanese comedy at Namba Grand Kagetsu, check out an oversized puppet performance at the National Bunraku Theatre or observe an elegant, dancing kabuki show at the Shochikuza Theatre.

The Namba district is located between Shinsaibashi subway station to the north and Nankai Namba station to the south. The area is best explored on foot.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Namba

Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba
Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba
3 out of 5
Nanba 2-chome 3 - 9, Osaka, Osaka
The price is HK$499 per night from 23 Apr to 24 Apr
HK$499
per night
23 Apr - 24 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Dotonbori and Nipponbashi are located nearby. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (420 reviews)
"Newer building and roomy"

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba
Centara Grand Hotel Osaka
Centara Grand Hotel Osaka
5 out of 5
Nambanaka, Naniwa-ku, 2-11-50 33, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is HK$1,163 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
HK$1,163
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, 5 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Popular attractions Nipponbashi and Tsutenkaku Tower are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (319 reviews)
"Easy walk to Dontoburi. Good restaurants around."

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

Centara Grand Hotel Osaka
Swissotel Nankai Osaka
Swissotel Nankai Osaka
5 out of 5
5-1-60 Namba Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
The price is HK$1,535 per night from 24 Apr to 25 Apr
HK$1,535
per night
24 Apr - 25 Apr
Stay at this spa hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, 5 restaurants, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,007 reviews)
SWISSÔTEL NANKAI Osaka
"The bathroom in our suite needed refurbishing. Stepping into a bath to take a shower is very old fashioned. We need a wet room instead. Some USB ports would be a useful addition to the room although the concierge provided us with adapters. Breakfast was excellent. The views towards Shinsaibashi from ..."

Reviewed on 22 Mar 2024

Swissotel Nankai Osaka
Namba Oriental Hotel
Namba Oriental Hotel
3.5 out of 5
2-8-17, Sennichi-Mae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
The price is HK$879 per night from 24 Apr to 25 Apr
HK$879
per night
24 Apr - 25 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and in-room massages. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
"The hotel may be a bit old fashioned, but it has everything you needed. And the location is very good."

Reviewed on 17 Mar 2024

Namba Oriental Hotel
Hotel Royal Classic Osaka
Hotel Royal Classic Osaka
4 out of 5
4-3-3 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka
The price is HK$2,211 per night from 26 Apr to 27 Apr
HK$2,211
per night
26 Apr - 27 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (309 reviews)
"Excellent hotel, premium double room was large, lots of room to put suitcases. Restaurant ok, buffet had many varieties but overall the American portion was not tasty and overpriced in my opinion. No coin laundry knocked the rating down. Tried to have my laundry done by the hotel on March 20 but ..."

Reviewed on 22 Mar 2024

Hotel Royal Classic Osaka
Hotel Keihan Namba Grande
Hotel Keihan Namba Grande
2 out of 5
2 Nambanaka, Naniwa-ku, Osaka, Osaka
The price is HK$1,100 per night from 22 Apr to 23 Apr
HK$1,100
per night
22 Apr - 23 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Nipponbashi and Dotonbori are located nearby. Discover ...
9/10 Wonderful! (168 reviews)
"Room wifi is slow and spotty at times."

Reviewed on 22 Mar 2024

Hotel Keihan Namba Grande
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Namba

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Minami

4.5/5(27 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Minami. Dotonbori is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Nippombashi Station or Namba Station to see more of Osaka.

Minami
Satsumasendai showing shopping as well as a large group of people

Nishishinsaibashi

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Dotonbori to Amerikamura – discover Nishishinsaibashi, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Nishishinsaibashi
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Naniwa

4.5/5(82 area reviews)

Dotonbori and Nipponbashi are top sights in Naniwa, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Ashiharabashi Station or Ashihara-cho Station to see more sights in the area.

Naniwa
Shinsaibashi which includes street scenes

Shinsaibashi

Travellers to Shinsaibashi praise its popular shops. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Shinsaibashi-suji and Tombori River Walk.

Shinsaibashi
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Tennoji

4.5/5(21 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Shitennoji Temple while getting to know Tennoji, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka Station or Momodani Station to see more of the area.

Tennoji
Osaka Castle featuring a city

Chuo

4.5/5(55 area reviews)

Chuo is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Dotonbori and Osaka Castle. See more of Osaka by jumping on the metro at Sakaisuji-hommachi Station or Matsuyamachi Station.

Chuo


Namba