• A0D04 – From a Theater District to Osaka’s Premier Downtown Area
04-000
中央区 マスコットキャラクター ゆめまるくん
  • A stylish area with its roots in the theater district
After the construction of the Dotombori River was completed, a theater in Minamisemba was relocated to Dotombori, which ushered in its era as a theater district. As the theatergoers were further entertained by the teahouses and red-light districts that sprung up, its existence as a downtown area began to take shape. The Minami area has long been considered the center of Osaka culture, including both theater and film, and is loved by people of all ages and generations, from businessmen to families. Even today, the area surrounding the Dotombori River boasts a lively atmosphere with its numerous bustling shopping spots with a long history including the Shopping District of Dotombori, Ebisubashi-suji Shopping Street, Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, and Soemon-cho Shopping Arcades.
04-990

The scenery of the Dotombori theater district as depicted in Ashiwakebune: Naniwa Meisho and Naniwa-Kagami, which is considered to be the first substantial guide to landmarks in Osaka.

地図をみる
コラムをよむ
04-010
  • Ebisubashi-suji

Once the Dotombori River was completed and Ebisubashi Bridge was built, it developed as a route for shrine visitors during Toka Ebisu. It became a lively area that served as an entryway to the Dotombori theater district.

04-020
  • Soemon-cho

After the theaters populated the south bank of the Dotombori River, the Soemon-cho area on the north bank developed as theatergoers went there for dinner and drinks.

04-030
  • Shinsaibashi-suji

Shinsaibashi-suji developed during the Edo period (1603-1867) as a walkway that connected the Shimmachi red-light district with the theater district of Dotombori.

04-040
  • Ebisubashi-suji as seen from the roof of Takashimaya Department Store

<1958>

04-050
  • Ebisubashi Bridge, Shinsaibashi-suji, the Dotombori River, and modern architecture

<1925>

04-060
  • Shinsaibashi-dori Hatsu-uri no Kei (First Sales of the Year on Shinsaibashi Avenue), from the series Naniwa Hyakkei (One Hundred Views of Osaka)

<early Meiji era>

芝居のまちから大阪随一の繁華街へ
  • Shinsaibashi-suji Soemon-cho Dotombori Ebisubashi-suji
  • Column

Since long ago, Tokyo has been known as the city of “hakidaore”, Kyoto as the city of “kidaore”, and Osaka as the city of “kuidaore”.
When you look up “kuidaore” in the dictionary, the meaning you find says, “losing your property because of eating too lavishly.”
Put more simply, it’s a joking way of describing the act of indulging oneself in culinary delights, and spending a lot of money on it in the process.
This idea of “kuidaore” contains within it the spirit of the people of Osaka, who are passionate about eating, discerning when it comes to ingredients, and have a zeal for thrift as they seek to avoid wastefulness and make the most of the ingredients they have available.

中央区 マスコットキャラクター ゆめまるくん
中央区 マスコットキャラクター ゆめまるくん
A0D04 – From a Theater District to Osaka’s Premier Downtown Area