Namba Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Namba featuring a city
Namba featuring a city and street scenes as well as a large group of people
Namba showing a city
Namba featuring a city
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 centres, canalside restaurants, neon-lit thoroughfares and traditional theatres, 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-metres) 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 centre 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 theatres. 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

Activities


Our pick of the best Namba Hotel Deals

Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba

Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba

3 out of 5
Nanba Chuou-ku 2-chome 3 -9, Osaka, Osaka
The price is AU$119 per night from 20 Oct to 21 Oct
AU$119
20 Oct - 21 Oct
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,545 reviews)
"Amazing place! I accidentally left my earrings behind and they took the initiative to send them to my next hotel. Truly top-notch service — so impressed!"

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba
Namba Oriental Hotel

Namba Oriental Hotel

4 out of 5
2-8-17, Sennichi-Mae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
The price is AU$191 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
AU$191
3 Nov - 4 Nov
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and in-room massages. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,298 reviews)
"Great location. Rooms could do with an upgrade Booked for a family of 5 but the room only had 4 small beds, staff at the hotel didn’t help at all and it was fully booked, couldn’t get an additional room either. Had to purchase an inflatable mattress for one of the children.."

Reviewed on 15 Oct 2025

Namba Oriental Hotel
Swissotel Nankai Osaka

Swissotel Nankai Osaka

5 out of 5
5-1-60 Namba Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
The price is AU$349 per night from 16 Nov to 17 Nov
AU$349
16 Nov - 17 Nov
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 5 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,515 reviews)
"Loved the spa amenities. The lobby is a bit tricky to get to but very central position. The breakfast was not as good as I usually get in a Japanese restaurant. The bacon was like meat jerky and the other choices were just not as good as the breakfast options I am used to getting in Japan."

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

Swissotel Nankai Osaka
Centara Grand Hotel Osaka

Centara Grand Hotel Osaka

5 out of 5
Nambanaka, Naniwa-ku, 2-11-50 33, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
The price is AU$442 per night from 24 Oct to 25 Oct
AU$442
24 Oct - 25 Oct
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 5 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,416 reviews)
"We loved this hotel - the room was spacious with the gorgeous view. Bathroom was exceptional! Room had everything- even an umbrella! Close to shopping, train station - perfect location. Breakfast was amazing too - lots of variety, fresh and high quality good. Roof top bar was perfect to finish a ..."

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

Centara Grand Hotel Osaka
Hotel Keihan Namba Grande

Hotel Keihan Namba Grande

4 out of 5
2 Nambanaka, Naniwa-ku, Osaka, Osaka
The price is AU$198 per night from 18 Nov to 19 Nov
AU$198
18 Nov - 19 Nov
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (730 reviews)
"The bed was against the wall so difficult for me to get up in the night without disturbing my husband. Very comfy though. Room tired. Enjoyed the breakfast and and the location. Free Starbucks coffee a bonus…"

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Hotel Keihan Namba Grande
Hotel Royal Classic Osaka

Hotel Royal Classic Osaka

4 out of 5
4-3-3 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka
The price is AU$372 per night from 19 Nov to 20 Nov
AU$372
19 Nov - 20 Nov
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (770 reviews)
"Very good overall"

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

Hotel Royal Classic Osaka
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(20 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
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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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Higashishinsaibashi

Shopping and restaurants are notable features of Higashishinsaibashi. You might consider stopping by Hope Chapel Osaka while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Higashishinsaibashi
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Naniwa

4.5/5(89 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 showing street scenes

Shinsaibashi

You'll love the popular shops in Shinsaibashi, and you might want to stick around to check out Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, a top place to visit.

Shinsaibashi
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Minamisenba

While you're in Minamisenba, take in top sights like Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street and jump on the metro at Shinsaibashi Station to see more of the city.

Minamisenba


Namba Travel Guide

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