Things to see in Shinsekai
Tsutenkaku Tower
Shinsekai is a bustling entertainment district centered around Ebisuhigashi in Osaka’s Naniwa Ward. Restaurants serving kushikatsu, doteyaki, and other local favorites line the streets around its landmark, Tsutenkaku Tower, while rows of large signs create a quintessentially Osaka cityscape.
Three-dimensional signs
As you stroll along the shopping street beneath Tsutenkaku Tower, you will notice the imaginative three-dimensional signs created by each establishment. It is a great place to experience Osaka’s down-to-earth food culture while enjoying the district’s lively atmosphere.
A neighborhood born from former exhibition grounds
The history of Shinsekai dates back to 1903, when the 5th National Industrial Exhibition was held in Tennoji and the area now known as Shinsekai. Tennoji Park was developed on the eastern half of the former exhibition grounds, while the original Tsutenkaku Tower opened on the western half in 1912, along with the Luna Park amusement park to its south.
The opening of Tsutenkaku Tower and the Luna Park amusement park attracted theaters, cinemas, and other venues to the surrounding area, which developed into an entertainment district. This history lives on in today's lively streets lined with restaurants.
Janjan Yokocho
Janjan Yokocho is an approximately 130-meter-long shopping arcade running north to south through Shinsekai. It is lined with kushikatsu and doteyaki restaurants, as well as go and shogi clubs.
Unlike the streets around Tsutenkaku Tower with their large signs, this narrow lane is packed with shops on both sides. It is a great place to eat and stroll while soaking up the traditional atmosphere of an old working-class neighborhood.
Essential Information About Shinsekai
The information below was checked against official sources on November 6, 2026. Please also check the latest information on the official website when planning your trip.
- 🔗 Official tourist information
- The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau's official tourism website, OSAKA-INFO, provides information on Shinsekai's origins, local highlights, location, and nearest stations.
大阪・新世界 観光ガイド｜通天閣・串カツ・レトロな下町の魅力を紹介通天閣やジャンジャン横丁、大きなフグ提灯で有名な大阪の定番観光スポット「新世界」。串カツなどのローカルグルメや、昭和レトロな街並みの楽しみ方、アクセス情報を詳しく解説します。大阪観光の際は外せない、活気溢れる下町の魅力をチェック！osaka-info.jp - 📍 Address
- 〒556-0002, Ebisuhigashi area, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
- 🕒 Opening hours
- Individual shops and facilities: Opening hours vary by shop and facility.
- 🚫 Closed days
- Individual shops and facilities: Closed days vary by shop and facility.
- 💶 Fees
- There is no general fee to walk around the Shinsekai district. Food, drinks, and admission or usage fees for individual facilities are charged separately.
- ⏱️ Suggested visit duration
- Allow approximately 1–2 hours to walk around Tsutenkaku Tower and Janjan Yokocho. ⚠️ The time required varies depending on how many establishments you visit and how long you spend on meals.
Getting to Shinsekai
Ebisucho Station on the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line: use Exit 3. Shinsekai, Tsutenkaku Tower, and Ebisuhigashi 1- and 2-chome are near the exit. Once above ground, head toward Tsutenkaku Tower to enter the northern side of Shinsekai.
Dōbutsuen-mae Station on the Osaka Metro Midōsuji and Sakaisuji Lines is about a 3-minute walk away. Take Exit 1 and follow the signs for Shinsekai and Tsutenkaku Tower toward Ebisuhigashi to reach the southern entrance to the block near Janjan Yokocho.
For attractions, transport and suggested itineraries, see “Osaka: Attractions, Food, Transportation, and Suggested Itineraries”.
