Shinsaibashi

Shinsaibashi is central Osaka's premier shopping district, anchored by a long covered arcade that has drawn merchants and shoppers for centuries. Under its roofed passage run hundreds of stores ranging from venerable specialty shops to global fashion brands, with crowds thickening toward the neon of nearby Dotonbori. The name comes from a bridge that once crossed the Nagahori canal, and the area has long been a hub of Osaka commerce and fashion. Side streets branch off into boutiques, cafes, and the upscale Europe-inspired shops.