Dotonbori by Night

The Dotonbori area in Osaka needs no introduction. It’s one of Japan’s most famous tourist destinations thanks to its unique and frankly, gaudy neons. Dotonbori is one spot you should not miss when traveling in Japan.

The history of this area goes back to 1612 when Yasui Doton, a merchant invested all of his money in an ambitious development project. Doton’s plan was to actually divert and expand the Osaka Umezu river into a new waterway system that would link the local canal network with the Kizugawa river. While ambitious, the project was abruptly stopped during the Siege of Osaka (1614 ~ 1615) which also claimed the life of Yasui Doton himself. It is only years later that one of Doton’s cousins decided to complete the whole project in memory of Yasui Doton.

Now to be honest because of its popularity, the Dotonbori main road has become more and more like a tourist trap. However, if you start wondering around the Dotonbori back alleys you will discover some amazing places that only locals care about as well as stumbling on some small temple festivals as we did.