Sunday, March 19, 2017

Tenjinbashisuji Shotengai 天神橋筋商店街 - All the Temptations of Japans longest Shopping Arcade

See the locations on Treasures of Osaka Google Map

Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street 天神橋筋商店街 stretches approximately 2.6km north to south, and is said to be the longest straight shopping street in Japan. Approx. You find around 600 shops 600 shops, including good old specialty shops, and many restaurants. You may go there on the way to worship at Osaka Temmangu Shrine. Tenjinbashi neighborhood was one of the earliest shopping streets in Osaka. Shops were already lining the area in the early Meiji era (1868-1912).

Ten Ichi (Ten-1-chome, 天神橋1): We start with an open-air shopping street. If we turn into a side street at our right we find an art gallery in Fujihara Building, a brown-brick structure constructed in 1923. Today it houses a graphic design firm on the second floor with an accessory showroom above. The building was used as a set for a TV drama in 2009. The basement is home to Fujihara art gallery アートギャラリーフジハラ, a multi-media space that is only open for special exhibitions. On weekdays, you can enter the main part of the building and discover the artwork in the public areas. There are creative displays everywhere, including a looped recording of a static-filled lecture wafting up from the darkened halls of the basement. The art continues outside as well, as an adjacent parking lot hosts a permanent exhibition of paintings and sculpture attached to the walls.


Window of Fujihara building

Heading back to Tenjinbashisuji we will enter the arcade in the middle of our way.


Entrance of Ten Ichi 天神橋1

If you turn right before entering the arcade you find Torii Miso とりゐ味噌, a shop specializing in miso, established in the Edo era (1603-1868). Heihachiro Oshio, a Confucian scholar, was a regular customer. Torii Miso sells its fermented soybean pastes from wooden barrels. Read more: 100 years of fermenting miso in Osaka. Inside the arcade you discover restaurants.


Ten Ni (Ten-2-chome, 天神橋2):





We are greeted by four dolls suspended from the entrance of the shopping arcade. These are replicas of the mukae ningyo, or welcome dolls, which are adorned to the floating procession of boats during the Tenjin Matsuri, held every July 24th and 25th at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine.



In this part of the arcade you will pass Osaka Chakai 大阪茶会, a green tea shop with an attractive second floor lounge space with free wi-fi. Visitors can enjoy the drink menu from the cup of their choice, with over 100 different varieties to choose from on shelves that line the interior. Cups include mug cups, matchawan (traditional tea bowls) and free-style cups made by artists from western Japan. See more pictures of Osaka Chakai.

Later on your way you probably see people queuing at Nakamuraya 中村屋コロッケ, famous for its hot croquettes and ground meat cutlets. And you will pass Maruichi Bakery, where you get success-wishing buns, which are popular among students taking examinations.



Ten San (Ten-3-chome, 天神橋3):



Kunkundou 薫々堂, a Japanese sweets shop, has been here for over 150 years. The shop makes rice cakes and dry confectionary for Temmangu. Also popular are their novelty sweets such as “Hatsutenjin”, associated with a rakugo piece. Walk on and find Bunkyudo イナガキハイツ. An ordinary stationery shop, but you get here the “Toryanse Pencil” and “Success Eraser”, useful for students who search success in examination. You also discover the wooden storefront of Kurume, a store specializing in traditional, high quality wooden items including chopsticks, shoehorns, ear picks, and tableware.

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Delicacies at Le Moule a Tarte

T'Green's Café looks inviting and has also vegetable dishes.





Ten Yon 天神橋4: The area near Ogimachi station is nicknamed “Tenyon”, while the area north of 4-Chome near Temma station is nicknamed “Tenshi (“angel”) Kita”. You find bargain-priced supermarkets as well as sophisticated interior shops.


Entrance of Ten Yon block







Ten Go, 天神橋5: The street becomes narrow, the bars are fairly crowded even in the daytime. Lots of discount shops. Narita-ya 成田屋呉服店 may be the only kimono shop where kimono are sold in auction style (from 14.30 every Sunday). Aiming further north you can enjoying the crisp crust of a hand-baked fish shaped cake of “Taimu”. You will also pass Kitaoka, a shop specializing in curtains since the Taisho era (1912-1926). if you turn right soon after passing the railway subway of Osaka Loop line, you will arrive at Purara Tenma ぷららてんま Market.










Sushi shop Harugoma (春駒), which often has a long line of waiting customers.

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You have the possibility to turn west to Tengo Nakazachi-dori Shotengai 天五中崎通商店街, another arcade with many food options including a cat cafe, a freshwater fish bar and a cramped sushi joint. Read more: Naniwa: The taste of summer in Japan



Tenroku 天神橋6: You arrive in a stained glass style arcade. A retro coffee shop offers good taste. Or you can experience Osaka in the Edo–Showa era at the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living.




Read also: How to have Fun in Osaka: Tenjinbashi-suji Shotengai
Walk and you will know! Charm of the shopping street and shops you cannot miss
Tenjinbashi by Inside Osaka


Friday, March 10, 2017

Tsuruhashi 鶴橋 - Flavours of Korea in Osaka

See the locations on Tsuruhashi 鶴橋 Google Map

Picture by Ken OHYAMA

All around Tsuruhashi station, under the train tracks, there is a labyrinth of Koresn market stalls. You can find all sorts of imported items, k-pop goods and Korean food. But this is not yet Korea Town. A few more blocks away you will find Miyukimori Shrine, which is the entrance to Korea Town, also known as Miyukimori Shopping Street (御幸森商店街). A three hundred-meter-long shopping street with about 150 Korean food stores, restaurants and clothing stores. In both areas you will find some of the finest Korean food in Japan, Kimchi of every type, for example soft-shelled crab kimchi, cucumber kimchi or celery kimchi. Outside Tsuruhashi station an entire side street is devoted to Korean barbeque (yakiniku), for this street you leave the West gates of the station.

Picture by kana

Picture by m-louis .®

Picture by Jon Power

Most young people in Tsuruhashi can't speak Korean anymore. They all converse in Japanese. Tsuruhashis population comes from South and North Korea. Korea was a Japanese colony from 1910 to 1945. At that time, the country was extremely poor and many Koreans migrated to Japan in their search for a better life. During World War II, Japan recruited a great number of Koreans to do forced labor in coal mines and the industries. After the war, in 1948, a rebellion broke out on the southern-most Korean island of Jeju. It was stimulated by agents from North Korea - but the Jeju islanders didn't feel that they wanted to be ruled by Syngman Rhee, the dictator from Seoul. They wanted to live their own way. Rhee cracked down on the rebels. Thousands were killed. The ones who made it out alive fled to Japan. They settled in the Koreatown of Tsuruhashi. Kim Jong-un’s mother, Ko Yong-hui, was born and raised in Tsuruhashi until her family repatriated when she was about 10 years old.

Read also: Tsuruhashi Walking Tour


See the location: Tsuruhashi 鶴橋 Google Map


The Best Blossom Spots in Osaka

See the locations on Treasures of Osaka Google Map

Are you looking for the best place to experience cherry or plum tree Blossom in Osaka? Then Nishinomaru Garden outside Osaka Castle is one of the places to go. Here are some more ideas:

Kema Sakuranomiya Park 毛馬桜ノ宮公園: Nearly 5000 cherry trees and a promenade line Okawa River for several kilometers. Ships are cruising the river. The park is popular for picnics. Next to Sakuranomiya Station (JR Loop Line). Also nearby: Osakajokitazume Station (Tozai line) and Temmabashi Station (Subway Tanimachi Line).





See the location: Kema Sakuranomiya Park 毛馬桜ノ宮公園 Google Map



Banpaku Kinen Koen (Expo Commemoration Park) 万博記念公園: The former site of the 1970 World Exhibition in Osaka was turned into a large public park with over 5000 cherry trees along its paths and around its large lawn areas. There is light up in the evenings. Tower of the Sun. Located in Suita, this park can be reached via the Osaka Monorail (get off at Banpaku-kinen-koen Station).





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See the location: Banpaku Kinen Koen (Expo Commemoration Park) 万博記念公園 Google Map



Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park 鶴見緑地公園前: Hundreds of cherry trees are planted across the park, offering visitors lots of attractive picnic spots. There are also about 50 small, representative gardens from countries across the world



See the location: Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park 鶴見緑地公園前 Google Map



Daisen Park 大仙公園: Here you can enjoy cherry blossoms in Sakai, surrounded by the ancient tombs of emperors past. Daisen Park is a short walk from Mozu Station (JR Hanwa Line).





See the location: Daisen Park 大仙公園 Google Map:


Take the Osaka Municipal Bus - Routes and Timetables

See the locations on Osaka Municipal Bus Google Map

Picture by hans-johnson

This listing of lines of Osaka Municipal Bus is an ongoing work. Please use, what is available for the moment. This blog helps you to use navitime.co.jp.


Maps of important Bus Stops: Here You find maps for Osaka Ekimae Bus Terminal, Abenobashi, Namba, Uehommachi 6-chome, Juso, Subway Miyakojima, Temmabashi, Nodahanshin Mae, Taishobashi and bus lines with their directions.


Osaka Municipal Lines and Route Maps

1 From Kumata 杭全 to Kumata 杭全: 1 Route Map

2 From Outbound Bus Terminal 出戸バスターミナル to Nagayoshinagaharahigashi 3-chōme 長吉長原東三丁目: 2 Route Map

3 From Outbound Bus Terminal 出戸バスターミナル to Suminoekoen 地下鉄住之江公園: 3 Route Map

4 From Outbound Bus Terminal 出戸バスターミナル to Suminoekoen 地下鉄住之江公園: 4 Route map.

5 From Abenobashi あべの橋 to Miyakenaka 三宅中: 5 Route Map

6 From Abenobashi あべの橋 to Sunjiyata 住道矢田: 6 Route Map

8 From Osaka Station 大阪駅前 to Namba なんば: See 8 Route map. Timetable Bus Stop Osaka Station Front; Timetable Bus Stop Namba.

9 From Outbound Bus Terminal 出戸バスターミナル to Hirano kuyakusho mae 平野区役所前: 9 Route Mapp

10 From Tenmabashi 天満橋(大阪府) to Moriguchi shakomae 守口車庫前: 10 Route Map

11 From Kunijima Station Yodogawa Christian Hospital Bus Stop 柴島駅淀川キリスト教病院前 to Hoshin 1-chome 豊新一丁目: 11 Route Map

12 From Abenobashi あべの橋 to Fuse Station 布施駅前: 12 Route Map

13 From Abenobashi あべの橋 to Kitatatsumi Busterminal 北巽バスターミナル: 13 Route Map

14 from Outbound Bus Terminal 出戸バスターミナル to Koyaobashi 高野大橋(大阪府): 14 route map

15/15A From Suminoekoen 地下鉄住之江公園 to Nankōminami 6-chōme 南港南六丁目: 15/15A Route Map

17 From Cosmo Square Station コスモスクエア駅前 to Port Town Higashi Station 南港ポートタウン東駅前: 17 Route Map

18 From Tamatsukuri 玉造 to Kitatatsumi Bus Terminal 北巽バスターミナル: 18 Route Map

19 From Chikatetsu Imazato 地下鉄今里[南] to Kamihigashi 3-chōmekita 加美東三丁目北: 19 Route Map

21 From Tenmabashi 天満橋(大阪府) to Fukaebashi Subway 地下鉄深江橋: 21 Route Map

22 From Abenobashi あべの橋 to Suwajinjamae 諏訪神社前: 22 Route Map

24 From Sumiyoshi shako mae 住吉車庫前 to Minami Nagai 南長居: 24 Route Map

25 From Sumiyoshi shako mae 住吉車庫前 to Suminoekoen 地下鉄住之江公園: 25 Route map

27 From Tenpozan 井高野車庫前 to Aikawa Ekimae 相川駅前: 27 Route Map

29 From Namba なんば to Suminoekoen 地下鉄住之江公園: 29 Route map.

30 From Abenobashi あべの橋 to Hirano kuyakusho mae 平野区役所前: 30 Route Map

31 From Tenmabashi 天満橋 to Hana Hiroshi Memorial Park 花博記念公園北口: 31 Route Map

33 From Outbound Bus Terminal 出戸バスターミナル to Nagayoshikawanabe 4-chōme 長吉川辺四丁目: 33 Route map.

34 From Osaka Station 大阪駅前 to Moriguchishako-mae 守口車庫前: 34 Route Map.

35 From Moriguchishako-mae 守口車庫前 to Kumata 杭全: 35 Route Map

36 From Osaka Station 大阪駅前 to Kadoma Minami 地下鉄門真南: 36 Route Map

37 From Itakanoshako-mae 井高野車庫前 to Osaka Station 大阪駅前: 37 Route Map

38 From Nodahansin Station 野田阪神前 to Takejima 3-chome 竹島三丁目: 38 Route Map

39 From Nodahansin Station 野田阪神前 to Shin-Osaka Station North Exit 新大阪駅北口: 39 Route Map

41 From Osaka Station 大阪駅前 to Enokibashi 榎木橋: 41 Route Map

42 From Osaka Station 大阪駅前 to Nakajima 2-chome 中島二丁目: 42 Route Map

43 From Osaka Station 大阪駅前 to Torishimashako-mae 酉島車庫前: 43 Route Map

45 From 総合医療センタ(バス)General Medical Center to 諸口 Shokuchi: 45 Route Map

46 From Tenmabashi 天満橋 to Yakeno 焼野: 46 Route Map

48 From Abenobashi あべの橋 to Suminoe Park Subway 地下鉄住之江公園: 48 Route Map

49 From Suminoe Park Subway 地下鉄住之江公園 to Suminoe Park Subway 地下鉄住之江公園: 49 Route Map

50 From to Itakano Shako-mae 井高野車庫前 to Kami-shinjo Station 上新庄駅前: 50 Route Map

51 From Dome-mae Chiyozaki Station ドーム前千代崎 to Tempozan 天保山: 51 Route map

52 From Namba なんば to Abenobashi あべの橋: 52 Route Map

53 From Osaka Station 大阪駅前 to Funatsubashi 船津橋: 53 Route Map

54B/54D From Sumiyoshi shako-mae 住吉車庫前 to Sumiyoshi shako-mae 住吉車庫前: 54B/54D Route Map

55 From Tsurumachi 4-chome 鶴町四丁目 to Osaka Station Front 大阪駅前: 55 Route map.

56 From Osaka Station 大阪駅前 to Torishimashako-mae 酉島車庫前: 56 Route Map

57 From Kema Chuokoen 毛馬中央公園 to Kyobashi Station 京橋駅前: 57 Route Map

58 From Osaka Station 大阪駅前 to Nodahanshin-mae 野田阪神前: 58 Route Map

59 From Osaka Station 大阪駅前 to Hokko Yacht Harbour 北港ヨットハーバー: 59 Route Map

60 From Namba なんば to Tenpozan 天保山: 60 Route Map

61A From Outbound Bus Terminal 出戸バスターミナル to Outbound Bus Terminal 出戸バスターミナル: 61A Route Map

61B From Outbound Bus Terminal 出戸バスターミナル to Outbound Bus Terminal 出戸バスターミナル: 61B Route Map

62 From Osaka Station 大阪駅前 to Sumiyoshishako-mae 住吉車庫前: 62 Route Map

63 From Abenobashi あべの橋 to Asaka 浅香(大阪市): 63 Route Map

64 From Abenobashi あべの橋 to Ori-onobashi おりおの橋: 64 Route Map

65 From Prefecture General Medical Center 府立総合医療センター to Yata Gyōkiōhashi 矢田行基大橋: 65 Route Map

69 From Osaka Station front to Enokibashi 榎木橋: See 69 Route map. Timetable Bus Stop Enokibashi 榎木橋.

70 From Nishifunamachi 西船町 to Dome-mae Chiyozaki Station ドーム前千代崎: 70 Route Map

71 From Tsurumachi 4-chome 鶴町四丁目 to Namba なんば: 71 Route map

72 From Tsurumachi 4-chome 鶴町四丁目 to Tempozan 天保山: 72 Route map

73 From Namba なんば to Outbound Bus Terminal 出戸バスターミナル: 73 Route Map

75 From Osaka Station 大阪駅前 to Namba なんば: 75 Route Map

76 From Suminoe Park 地下鉄住之江公園 to Dome-mae Chiyozaki Station ドーム前千代崎(バス): 76 Route Map

78 From Osaka Station 大阪駅前 to Moriguchishako-mae 守口車庫前: 78 Route Map

79 From Nishikujo 西九条(バス) to Sakurajima 3-chōme 桜島三丁目: 79 Route Map

80 From Tsurumachi 4-chome 鶴町四丁目 to Abenobashi あべの橋: 80 Route Map

81 From Nishikujo 西九条(バス) to Maeshima supōtsuairando 舞洲スポーツアイランド: 81 Route Map

82 From Nishikujo 西九条(バス) to Takami 1-chome 高見一丁目: 82 Route Map

83 From Osaka Station 大阪駅前 to Hana-haku kinen kōen 花博記念公園北口: 83 Route Map

84 From Namba なんば to Yahataya 3-chōme 八幡屋三丁目: 84 Route Map

85 From Kumata 杭全 to Namba なんば(バス): 85 Route Map

86 From Kamishinjo Station 上新庄駅前 to Fuse Station 布施駅前: 86 Route Map

87 From Tsurumachi 4-chome 鶴町四丁目 to Namba なんば: 87 Route Map

88 From Osaka Station 大阪駅前 to Tempozan 天保山: 88 Route Map

89 From Suminoe Park Subway 地下鉄住之江公園 to Sakai Station 堺駅西口: 89 Route Map

90 From Tsurumachi-4-chome 鶴町四丁目 to Nodahanshin-mae 野田阪神前: 90 Route Map

91 From Tsurumachi 4-chome 鶴町四丁目 to Dome-mae Chiyozaki Station ドーム前千代崎: 91 Route Map

92 From Osaka Station 大阪駅前 to Fuku-cho 福町: 92 Route Map

93 From Itakanoshako-mae 井高野車庫前 to Osaka Station 大阪駅前: 93 Route Map

94 From Tsurumachi 4-chome 鶴町四丁目 to Dome-mae Chiyozaki Station ドーム前千代崎: 94 Route map

95 From Kamishinjo station 上新庄駅前 to Toyosato Danchi mae 豊里団地前(大阪府): 95 Route Map

97 From Osaka Station 大阪駅前 to Kashima Station 加島駅前: 97 Route Map

98 From Dome-mae Chiyozaki Station ドーム前千代崎 to Taishō kuyakusho mae 大正区役所前: 98 Route Map


How to use the bus

Map of Osaka Bus Routes in Japanese