Luna Park<\/a>, an amusement park in Shinsekai that closed in 1923.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNowadays, Billiken is known as “The God of Things as They Ought to Be”<\/strong> and you can even find him in temples and shrines. If you rub his feet you\u2019re supposed to get good luck<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure><\/li> <\/figure><\/li> <\/figure><\/li> <\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nJanjan Yokocho, the heart of Osaka<\/h2>\n\n\n\n I leave behind the colorful Shinsekai streets to get to Janjan Yokocho, a commercial street filled with small retail shops and local restaurants. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nJanjan is a deep dive into the heart of Osaka with the same retro<\/strong> atmosphere<\/strong> which is characteristic of Shinsekai. Strolling around the shops feels like a return to decades past; the street is alive as it ever was although the vibrant colors of its stalls have begun to fade over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOne of the spots I like the most on this street is a store where the locals stop by to play old-fashioned Japanese board games. Every time I walk by, I usually pause for a bit to watch the matches through its large windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure><\/li> <\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nA large avenue splits Janjan Yokocho into two areas. Although the first area (closer to Shinsekai) is packed with tourists, the other sector is rather grayish and not as touristy<\/strong>, so most businesses are small snack bars<\/em> for locals where foreign clientele are a rare sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA snack bar<\/strong><\/em> is an establishment usually managed by a woman called \u201cmama<\/em>\u201d, who takes care of business, serving drinks and simple snacks besides tending to customers. Many of these bars also have a small karaoke<\/em> available for the patrons.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPersonally, I do not advise you to enter this type of bar unless your Japanese level is high and you\u2019re familiar with Japanese customs. In most of these places, the employees cannot communicate in English and it may be difficult to understand the rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure><\/li> <\/figure><\/li> <\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nTobita Shinchi, Osaka’s red light district<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Over some adjacent alleyways to Janjan Yokocho, you can reach Tobita Shinchi, the largest red light district in Western Japan<\/strong>. Before entering here, I store my camera as shooting is prohibited in these streets<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEven though the prostitution was banned in Japan in 1958, Tobita Shinchi is one of the few small nooks in this country where it is openly displayed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAfter the prohibition, the brothels in the area closed for one day in order to be reopened under a \u201cJapanese Restaurant\u201d license. Under this pretense, they were able to skirt the laws by offering small appetizers, tea and other drinks to their customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The small buildings consist of two floors, the ground floor being completely open with the girls sitting on the tatami, easily seen by passersby. This is likely the only place in Japan this kind of business is conducted so publicly, similar to the red-light district in Amsterdam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure><\/li> <\/figure><\/li> <\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Most “Dangerous” Neighborhood in Osaka<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Unlike other countries\u2019 red light districts, Tobita Shinchi is not touristy at all<\/strong>. And although it is not as shady as it used to be, there are some things you should be aware of before visiting in order to avoid any issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\nShooting video or photographs is forbidden and checking out the girls is not recommended<\/strong>. There is a lot of organized crime activity going on this area, even if it isn’t always obvious. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAlbeit close to Shinsekai, Tobita Shinichi belongs to the Nishinari neighborhood<\/strong>, one of the poorest and most \u201cdangerous\u201d in Osaka. It is said that Nishinari is the home base of two rival criminal organizations and thus, holder of the highest crime rate area of the city. But this rate is pretty low when compared to other countries and it\u2019s actually a much safer place than most cities in the world.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAt the present day, Nishinari is still evolving with the surge of an extensive variety of low cost lodgings and apartments for foreigners<\/strong>. The crime rate is falling as well and therefore, this is actually a safe zone to explore, sleep, and eat on a budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDuring one of my visits to Osaka, I stayed in Nishinari for twenty days and did not have a single issue<\/strong>. Moreover, it was an excellent opportunity to explore Shinsekai and discover the most local and authentic side of Osaka.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure><\/li> <\/figure><\/li> <\/figure><\/li> <\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow to get to Shinsekai<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Shinsekai is a short walk from the following train stations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shin-Imamiya:<\/strong> Osaka Loop Line – included in JR Pass<\/li>Dobutsuen-mae:<\/strong> Midosuji Line and Tanimachi Line<\/li>Ebisucho:<\/strong> Tanimachi Line<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nFurthermore, this place can be reached from Tennoji station<\/strong> (14 minutes on foot). Despite being a bit farther than the other former three mentioned stations, it\u2019s an interesting area. Around the station there are several large malls, a park, a zoo and the skyscraper with the highest observatory of Osaka.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to get to Tennoji:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
JR Yamatoji Line<\/strong> \u2013 Included in JR Pass<\/li>JR Loop Line<\/strong> \u2013 Included in JR Pass<\/li>JR Hanwa Line<\/strong> \u2013 Included in JR Pass<\/li>Midosuji Line<\/strong> \u2013 Osaka metro<\/li>Tanimachi Line<\/strong> \u2013 Osaka metro<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n