As one of Osaka's major tourist attractions, Dotonbori is a vibrant and bustling area in Japan known for its lively atmosphere, dazzling neon lights, and diverse culinary scene.  It is a single street running parallel to the Dotonbori Canal, from Dotonboribashi Bridge to Nipponbashi Bridge in Osaka's Namba district. The photo-taking spots are highlighted as follows:-

• The neon billboard of Glico, a major Japanese confectionery company, was installed in 1935. The sign is 10.38 meters wide and 20 meters high, and when it gets dark, the background light of the runners is turned on, projecting a moving image.
• The mechanical clown drummer doll in front of Cui-daore store was first displayed to attract customers in 1950. The restaurant is now closed, but the mechanical doll is still nearby.
• The giant 6.5-meter mechanical crab is in front of the Kanidoraku restaurant. It can move its arms and eyes. First installed in 1960, the colors stand out at night.

Tourists can indulge in a gastronomic adventure, sampling a wide array of local and international cuisines at the countless restaurants, food stalls, and izakayas lining the streets. From mouthwatering takoyaki and okonomiyaki to delectable sushi and ramen, there is something to satisfy every palate. The area is also a shopper's paradise, offering an extensive range of shops, boutiques, and department stores, showcasing the latest fashion trends and unique souvenirs. Visitors can explore the bustling Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade, a vibrant pedestrian street filled with shops, cafes, and entertainment venues. 

A brief history

Dotonbori is a street with a long history. It dates back to 1612 when Yasui Doton, a local merchant, began widening the Umezu River that flows from east to west, hoping to increase his trade income in the area by digging a canal to connect the two tributaries that flow from north to south of the Yodo River. The Doton merchant's project was halted when he died in battle during the Siege of Osaka to protect Toyotomi Hideyori, but Doton's grandson continued his ambition and completed the canal in 1615. The new lord of Osaka Castle, Tadaki Matsudaira, named the canal and the road along it "Dotonbori" (bori comes from the word hori, meaning "canal" or "moat"), even though Doton had died during the war between the two rulers of Japan.

In 1621, the Tokugawa shogunate restructured the city, designing Dotonbori as Osaka's entertainment district. In 1662, the Kabuki and Bunraku theaters were established, as well as the Takeda Karakuri puppet theater, which was unique. Restaurants and cafes have been opening to accommodate the influx of tourists and night owls in Osaka.

The theaters were badly damaged during World War II and are now gone.

How to get to the Dotonbori area.

From Osaka Station City, take the Midosuji Line at Umeda Station (M16) to Namba Station (M20). The distance is about 5 kilometers, about 17 minutes, then walk about 600 meters to the Glico sign.

Opening and closing hours: The Glico sign is open for tourists to visit and take pictures at all times, but the LED lights that show beautiful images are only turned on from 18:00 to 24:00.

Dotonbori is about a five-minute walk from the JR Namba Station station(Yamatoji line).