Located not far from Namba, Osaka, Nipponbashi Ota Road is a must-visit spot for anime, manga, and video game enthusiasts.
Nippombashi Ota Road is a must-visit spot for anime, manga, and video game enthusiasts. Nipponbashi Ota Road has made a name for itself as a mecca of otaku culture to the extent that it is also referred to as the "Akihabara of Osaka".
It is a must-visit place for those who want to learn more about Japanese pop culture and get their favorite anime goods.
In this article, I, an Osaka resident, will introduce Nipponbashi Otaku Road, which is called the "Mecca of Anime" and "Osaka's Akihabara"!
What is Nipponbashi Ota Road?
Nipponbashi Ota Road is a shopping street called ‘Nipponbashisuji West Shopping Street’ in the area of ‘Nipponbashi’ in Naniwa-ku, Osaka City.
Originally, this area, similarly with Akihabara in Tokyo, was known as "Denden Town," an electric town with a high concentration of stores selling home electric appliances and electrical parts.
Later, in the late 1990s, the number of stores selling anime and game-related products began to increase, and the area gradually developed into a mecca for otaku and anime related subcultures.
It is now called "Nipponbashi Ota Road" and has become a popular area that attracts not only Japanese otaku but also tourists from overseas who love anime, manga, and video games.
＜Top 3＞ Recommended stores on Nipponbashi Ota Road
There are many stores selling anime and game related goods and figures, as well as maid cafes, etc. on Nippombashi Ota Road, but we will introduce three stores that are particularly popular.
1. Animate Osaka Nipponbashi
Animate is an anime/game store that is well-known to most people in Japan, even if they are not ‘otaku.’ It is a must-visit place when visiting Nipponbashi Ota Road.
Whether you are looking for figures, plush toys, card games, or any other Japanese anime, comic, or game merchandise, you are sure to find what you are looking for at Animate, which has a large selection of items.
Events are held from time to time, so it is recommended that you visit at the right time.
Animate Osaka Nipponbashi also has an Animate Cafe where you can enjoy menus and goods collaborated with various anime and games for a certain period.
In many cases, reservations by lottery on the web are required for the café, so please check the official website in advance when you decide when to visit.
| Address | Animate Bldg. 1F and 2F, 1-1-3 Nipponbashi Nishi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture |
| Phone | 06-6636-0628 |
| Business Hours | Weekdays 11:00 am - 8:00 pm Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 10:00 am - 8:00 pm open every day of the year |
| Official Website | Animate Osaka Nihonbashi - Anime store and specialty store in Osaka |
2. Gee Store Osaka
(source:Gee Store Osaka)
Gee Store Osaka is a store that mainly sells cosplay goods including characters from manga and anime.
It is recommended when you want to buy costumes of your favorite characters.
Cosplay costumes can also be custom ordered, so it is a good idea to order a cosplay costume that fits your taste and size.
In addition, they also sell goods, CDs, books, etc., so please go and visit.
| Address | 7-7 Sennichimae, Namba, Osaka City, Osaka |
| Phone | 06-6630-7655 |
| Business Hours | 10:00 am - 8:00 pm Open all year round (with inventory closures twice a year) |
| Official Website | Gee Store Information & Events |
3. Maid Café - Café Doll
(source:Café Doll)
If you are interested in Japanese pop culture, you must visit a maid café at least once.
Café Doll, located on Nipponbashi Ota Road, is one of the oldest maid cafés in Osaka.
Opened in 2005, the brightly lit store offers a wide variety of menu items, making it a place that can be enjoyed as a café as well.
Of course, you will be welcomed by maids in cute original maid uniforms, so please enjoy a wonderful time.
Bar time is open ❕.
- Cafe Doll (Maid Cafe) (@cafedoll_osaka) December 5, 2024
era during mid-1990s dominated by grand champions Taiho and Kashiwado@himenyann9
jellyfish@kurage__doll
capsule (moss sporangium) @Saku_cafedoll
We look forward to seeing you soon at ✨ pic.twitter.com/sGzxH831Oe
| Address | Esta Building 3F, 5-4-20 Nihonbashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka |
| Phone | 06-6631-8829 |
| Business Hours | 11:00 am - 10:00 pm open every day of the year |
| Official Website | Café Doll |
Access to Nipponbashi Ota Road
Nipponbashi Ota Road is easily accessible from Namba Station on any train line.
There are many hotels, restaurants, and leisure spots in the Namba area, so it is easy to visit even if it is your first time in Osaka.
| Address | Nipponbashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka |
| Nearest Station | Namba Station of Osaka Metro Midosuji, Sennichimae, and Yotsubashi Lines 10 minutes walk from Namba Station of Nankai Railway |
If you want to enjoy Japanese pop culture, go to Nipponbashi Ota Road
Nipponbashi Ota Road, known as the "holy land of Japanese anime in the west" and the "Akihabara of Osaka," is the best place to enjoy Japanese pop culture. It is the best place to enjoy Japanese pop culture.
If you have never been to this area, it is a must-visit tourist spot in Osaka for those who love Japanese manga, anime, and video games.
It is only about a 10-minute walk from Namba Station, one of the main stations in Osaka, and the area is lined with hotels and restaurants, so you should never be bored!
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