Japan Series: Shinsekai

Welcome back to the Japan Series! I am excited to share the next place with you…Osaka Shinsekai 😊 This place was a super cool experience.

Osaka Shinsekai

Shinsekai is a district of Osaka that developed before the war and was neglected for decades afterward (Japan Guides, 2024). It’s current layout originated after the 1903 National Industrial Exposition was modeled after both Paris, France (North side) and Coney Island (South side). I don’t know about you, but I can definitely see the influence! The main attractions in this area are Tsutenkaku Tower, Spa World, and the kushikatsu restaurants.

Tsutenkaku Tower (pictured below) is 100 meters (328 feet) and has an observatory (at 91 meters) and open air deck on the top, as well as a 60 meter slide! I enjoyed the tower form the outside, but people from the group did go in and said it was cool.

Spa World (I saw as we walked around but didn’t go inside) is a hotel and resort that has a huge public bath complex where the hot spring water is pumped in, hot stone saunas, and a swimming area. There are different international themes on each floor and each month the gender of each floor changes. At the time of writing, the European themed floor (4th floor) is for the Gentlemen and the Asian themed floor (6th floor) is for the Ladies. I definitely want to check this out when I go back. Because I will be going back…..

Kushikatsu is a specialty for Osaka. It’s a variety of skewered and battered food. The veggies, fruit, meat, and some dessert items are deep fried and served fresh at the table. If you’re an allergy/intolerance person, like me, you can ask for the items to not be battered. I did and the food was super good. I also ordered things I knew wouldn’t be battered anyways. Some of my choices are pictured below 😊

This info is from my experiences and the Japan Guide website. Credit where credit is due.

Accessibility of Shinsekai

Parking

I didn’t see any parking available here, lot wise anyway. We took public transportation from subway station K17 to K18 and walked the rest of the way to the district. According to Japan Guides (2024), Shinsekai is a short walk from Shin-Imamiya Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line, Dobutsuen-mae Station on the Midosuji and Sakaisuji subway lines, and Ebisucho Station on the Sakaisuji Subway Line.

Bathrooms

Public bathrooms are far between here. I used the bathroom at the restaurant we went to, which is probably your best bet. Use the bathroom when you have the opportunity, don’t wait for a bathroom emergency.

My Experience

This area is a busy place and unlike anything I’ve experienced before. There is so much going on visually that I didn’t know where to look first, but I loved the colors. The weather was overcast and we did get rained on for a few minutes, so I think it could be busier on the bright, sunshiny days.

When my new friends and I were walking around we saw restaurants, arcades (I didn’t win the Boo keychain from the crane game), fortunes (I got a love one), convenience stores, and souvenir shops. There are Billiken throughout the district, which are the official mascot of Tsutenkaku Tower. They are a good luck figure that represents “things as they ought to be”, which is written on the base of each statue. It’s said the good luck happens when you rub their feet. Wish I would have known that at the time…definitely would have done it. I enjoyed looking for them like a scavenger hunt of sorts 😊

The main areas of Shinsekai have flat, wider stone walkways making it easier to navigate with mobility issues or devices. Some of the shops have single steps up into the building, but most of them are either flat or have a ramp. The side streets are made of stone, like the main ones, but they are narrower. I’d think they’re still doable with devices or wheels, but it is smaller.

My rating

If I had to throw a rating on this activity, I would say it was easy. Shinsekai itself doesn’t have a grade (aka change in elevation) and I got around without shortness of breath. Getting there from the subway station did include some stairs, however, escalators and elevators are an option in most places. You have to keep an eye out for them in some areas of the station. The route from the station was fairly flat as well. My group did walk a little fast at times, but if you can go at your pace, it isn’t a bad jaunt.

Anything else you want to know about this area? Comment below!

Unfortunately, Cardybear did not come on the Japan adventures. I wanted to bring him, but he takes up my whole backpack. He was definitely there in spirit though.

Be safe out there and remember your passport! Seeyalaterbye 💜

Also, if you feel called to help a sista out with her travels, check this out!