• A0S04 – Doshomachi, the Medicine Town
日本で最も古い製薬企業発祥の地
中央区 マスコットキャラクター ゆめまるくん
  • Birthplace of Japan’s oldest pharmaceutical company

It is said that Doshomachi became an area for medicine in the Kan’ei era (1624-1644), when a wealthy merchant from Sakai named Konishi Kichiemon opened an apothecary there.
A government-approved organization called the Doshomachi Yakushu Nakagai Nakama (Medicine Traders Guild) inspected medicines collected in Doshomachi, set proper prices for them, and supplied them exclusively around the country. Even today, a number of pharmaceutical and other drug-related companies can be found in Doshomachi.
In addition, since the Edo period (1603-1867), people living in this area had been pooling their resources to build schools and institutions for young people and apprentices so that they can balance their work and education. The roots of schools such as Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Osaka University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences also lie in Doshomachi.
*The Japanese-style building seen in the foreground is the Former Konishi Residence (Konishi Gisuke’s store).
It has integrated the essence of Osaka’s Machiya buildings in modern times, and has been designated as a national Important Cultural Property.

地図をみる
コラムをよむ
少彦名神社
  • Sukunahikona Shrine

The deity of medicine is enshrined at Sukunahikona Shrine, where people go to pray for good health and protection from illness on November 22nd and 23rd every year.

商機最も敏感なる北浜街
  • Doshomachi in the late Showa era (1926-1989)

Decorations for the Shinnosai Festival can be seen.

昭和後期の田辺製薬前
  • In front of Tanabe Pharma in the late Showa era
御堂筋道修町北西側
  • The northwest side of Mido-suji Doshomachi

Tsuda Doll Shop
<c. 1935>

道修町新農祭軒切後
  • The Shinnosai Festival in Doshomachi after the road had been widened

<latter half of Taisho era (1912-1926)>

大阪商工銘家集
  • Osaka Shoko Meikashu (Famous Osaka Merchants)

A late Edo-period shop guidebook that also served as an advertisement.
<published in 1846>

薬のまち　道修町（どしょうまち）
  • Doshomachi Sukunahikona Shrine Former Konishi Residence
  • Column

There are a number of exhibition facilities relating to medicine along Doshomachi-dori, and the roughly 300-meter stretch of that road that connects these facilities is known as Doshomachi Museum Street, where you can learn about the history of medicine.
The Shinnosai Festival is an annual festival held at Sukunahikona Shrine, at which the deities of medicine and trade are enshrined, and every November participants attend in the hopes of being blessed with good health and business success. Traditionally, the yearly calendar of festivals in Osaka begins with the Ebisu Festival in early January and ends with the Shinnosai Festival, so it is referred to as “Tome-no-matsuri” (the last festival).
It was registered as an Intangible Cultural Property (folk event) of Osaka City in April 2007.

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
A0S04 – Doshomachi, the Medicine Town