In Osaka, which has prospered as the “Nation’s Kitchen,” a special
adventure begins to experience the vitality of a city filled with
merchant spirit and human warmth through Street Kart. From Dotonbori’s
neon signs to the majesty of Osaka Castle and the folksy warmth of
Shinsekai, this is a journey to feel with your whole body the human
exchanges overflowing with humanity that unfold alongside the
light-hearted conversations in Kansai dialect. From street stalls where
the aroma of takoyaki drifts to Namba Grand Kagetsu, the sacred place of
comedy, it will be a moving experience discovering the charms of food
culture and entertainment that Osaka takes pride in while racing through
the wind.
From bustling morning markets to lively evening bar districts. By
touring the city according to the daily flow of Osaka, this merchant
city, you can deeply understand the unique energy this city possesses
and the friendliness and resilience of the people living here. This is a
heartwarming Osaka experience that realizes the wishes for business
prosperity and the cultural values of Osaka that cherish connections
between people.
Dotonbori –
Osaka’s Symbolic Entertainment District
On the bustling walkway along the Dotonbori River, you can experience
the center of Kansai commercial culture with the Glico sign, which can
be called Osaka’s symbol, as a backdrop. From the proud voices of local
people saying “When you come to Osaka, this is the place!” you can feel
their deep attachment to this location. The beauty of neon signs
reflected on the river surface is etched in many people’s hearts as a
scene symbolizing the glamour of nighttime Osaka.
The giant crab sign of Kani Doraku is a specialty that expresses
Osaka’s commitment to food and the creative ingenuity of merchants. From
the expressions of local people who explain with smiles “Interesting,
isn’t it?” about the moving crab sign, you can feel the sense of humor
that Osakans possess and their desire to entertain customers. The
skillfulness of cultural transmission through food is the
crystallization of Osaka merchants’ wisdom.
On the stone pavement of Hozenji Yokocho, you can touch Osaka’s
traditional culture that has continued since the Edo period. From the
figures of people offering prayers to the water-splashed Fudo-san, you
can feel the faith cherished even today and the earnest wish for
business prosperity. This is a special place where you can realize the
charm of Osaka where old culture and modern vitality coexist.
Osaka
Castle Area – Dreams of the Ruler and Citizens’ Recreation
At Osaka Castle’s main keep, as the base of national unification
built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, you can experience the grand romance of the
Sengoku period. The castle keep where golden shachi shine is a symbolic
structure that conveys Hideyoshi’s ambition and aesthetic sense to the
modern era. From the guide’s words “This is also the scenery that
Taiko-san was looking at,” you can feel the approachable affection
Osakans have for history.
Osaka Castle Park is beloved as a famous cherry blossom spot and
bustles with many families during hanami season. As Osakans say “We love
having fun together with everyone,” you can realize the cultural values
that cherish enjoying things together. This is a place where you can
feel Osaka’s spirituality that values connections with people, still
inherited today.
Around the Osaka Museum of History, you can learn about Osaka’s
changes that continue from ancient times to the present. The ruins found
at the Naniwa Palace site tell that this land was a political and
economic center over 1400 years ago. This is precious time where you
realize that present-day Osaka exists on the accumulation of long
history, and feelings of gratitude toward predecessors well up.
Shinsaibashi –
Center of Osaka Fashion Culture
At Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, as one of Japan’s oldest
shopping streets, you can feel in your skin the commercial traditions
that have continued since the Edo period. The spirited voices of shop
owners echoing through the arcade express the merchant spirit wanting to
please customers. Price negotiations in Kansai dialect saying “I’ll give
you a discount!” represent the charm of commerce culture overflowing
with human warmth.
At long-established wagashi shops, you can feel the inheritance of
craftsmanship continuing through three or four generations. The
beautiful Japanese sweets lined up in showcases have beauty like
artworks beyond mere products. From the shop owner’s words “Our mission
is to continue making delicious things,” you can feel the uncompromising
attitude toward quality and deep love for customers.
At the latest fashion buildings, you can experience Osaka’s
flexibility that always incorporates new trends while cherishing
tradition. The caring service of staff asking “What are you looking for
today?” is an expression of the desire to enrich customers’ lives beyond
mere sales. You can realize the high cultural value of supporting
people’s lives through commerce.
Shinsekai – Warmth of Folk
Culture
Around Tsutenkaku, you can experience Osaka’s downtown culture where
the aroma of Showa era remains strongly. The words of local people “If
you touch Billiken-san, you’ll become happy” contain folk faith that
cherishes good fortune. Though a tourist spot, this is a precious place
where you can feel cultural values rooted in the lives of local
residents.
At kushikatsu shops in Shinsekai, signs saying “No double-dipping
prohibited” welcome you humorously. This rule also arose from wisdom for
everyone to eat hygienically and enjoyably together. The shop owner’s
caring heart saying “Everyone eat deliciously” is embedded. You can feel
the wonderfulness of Osaka’s food culture where deep consideration and
love are poured even into folk foods.
At shooting galleries and shogi clubs in Janjan Yokocho, the aroma of
Showa era remains strongly. The light-hearted exchanges between regulars
saying “Uncle, your skills have improved!” make us feel the beauty of
friendship transcending generations. The warmth of human relationships
born through entertainment is a value we want to cherish especially in
the digital age.
Tennoji – Abeno
Harukas and Urban Development
Around Abeno Harukas, you can experience present-day Osaka where
tradition and innovation coexist. The sight of Japan’s tallest
skyscraper adjacent to traditional shopping streets symbolizes the
spirituality of Osakans who continue advancing without fearing change.
We are impressed by the excellent sense of balance saying “New things
are important, but we must also cherish old things.”
From the observatory’s view, as an absolute scenic spot where you can
overlook the entire Osaka city, you can realize the expanse of the
Kansai plain and urban development. From visitors’ impressions “Osaka is
so big,” you can feel the surprise and emotion of grasping the overall
image of the city usually seen from the ground. You can understand the
skillfulness of urban planning and the value of citizens’ efforts
supporting it.
Tennoji Zoo, as a cultural facility providing a rich natural
environment despite being in the city center, is beloved by families.
From zookeepers’ words “The animals are also Osaka’s family,” you can
feel affection for living beings and the warmth of the local community
that nurtures them.
Namba – Sacred Place of
Comedy Culture
At Namba Grand Kagetsu, as the home of Yoshimoto Shinkigeki, you can
experience the essence of comedy culture that Osaka takes pride in. The
audience’s laughter heard from the theater seems to brighten the entire
city. On the satisfied faces of audience members saying “Today’s
Shinkigeki was really funny!” heartfelt joy overflows. The sense of
unity born from sharing laughter may be the most natural way to connect
people.
Around young comedians performing manzai on the street, warm circles
of audience always form. The cheers “Keep it up!” along with heartfelt
donations are expressions of support for those pursuing dreams. This is
a sight where you can realize the richness of the foundation where Osaka
people support performing culture and the kindness that supports those
taking on challenges.
In shopping streets, shop owners unfold light-hearted exchanges like
manzai between themselves. Listening to exchanges like “Aren’t your
products a bit expensive?” “What are you saying, this is good quality!”
you admire the high artistry of Kansai people’s conversations. The
wonderful cultural sense that finds entertainment even in daily
conversations is a charm unique to Osaka.
Sumiyoshi
Taisha – Prayer Culture for Business Prosperity
At Sumiyoshi Taisha, you can see the serious prayer figures of people
praying for business prosperity. The simple and sincere wish “God,
please take care of us again this year” contains responsibility toward
business and gratitude toward God. Sumiyoshi Taisha, famous for the call
“Business prosperity, bring bamboo!” plays an important role as the
spiritual pillar of Osaka merchants.
In the precincts, various people from successful managers to small
shop owners bow their heads in the same way. The spirit that everyone is
equal before God regardless of business size tells of the humility and
grateful hearts of Osaka merchants. This is a precious experience to
understand the cultural background that cherishes the words “Thanks to
you.”
In the amazake and mochi served after worship, the hospitality hearts
of local people are embedded. Touched by the kindness of local people
who say “Thank you for coming from far away,” you realize the depth of
Osaka people’s humanity. The strength of community bonds built through
religious events may be something precious that modern society is
losing.
Kuromon Market –
Osaka’s Kitchen Culture
At Kuromon Market, as “Osaka’s Kitchen,” all kinds of people from
professional chefs to general households gather seeking fresh
ingredients. The market’s liveliness peaks early in the morning, with
calls of “Cheap and fresh!” echoing throughout. The skillful knife work
of the fish seller’s uncle filleting fish is the crystallization of
years of experience and technique.
The serious gazes of head chefs from nearby restaurants and kappo
examining ingredients are impressive. Transactions decided with a single
word “This is good today” can only be established through trust
relationships built over many years. The craftsman spirit that doesn’t
compromise on ingredient quality and the merchant spirit that responds
to it support Osaka’s food culture.
In the moment when the fruit seller’s auntie recommends with a smile
“This is really sweet!” there is human warmth beyond mere buying and
selling. The thoughtfulness of recommending tastings and the kindness of
carefully teaching delicious ways to eat express the spirit of Osaka
merchants who value relationships with customers.
Street Kart Osaka is a special service where you can simultaneously
experience the soul of Osaka that developed as a merchant city and the
resilience of people living in modern times. Countless stories woven by
laughter and tears, success and failure, and above all, bonds between
people. By racing through Osaka’s streets packed with all of these, you
can gain opportunities to deeply consider the essence of commerce and
the meaning of life. Come, with heartfelt smiles of “Thank you very
much!” let’s begin the great adventure of Osaka overflowing with human
warmth.
