【Osaka Gourmet Battle Zone】Ultimate Guide to Dotonbori Shopping Street

#TopPlacesToGoMarch2025

### 🏮 Dotonbori Basic Information
- **Length**: A giant gourmet maze about 2.5 kilometers long
- **History**: Canal commercial district dating back to the Edo period
- **Must-Know Rule**: Eating while walking is OK, but don’t stop on bridges to take photos and block traffic

### 🍜 Top 5 Must-Eat Kings
**1. Kinryu Ramen**
📍 Legendary 60-year-old shop
🔥 Ordering Tip: Choose “Extra Chashu” + free spicy garlic chives to the max
💡 Hidden Service: You can get one free extra ball of noodles (quietly tell the staff “tama free”)

**2. Kani Doraku Main Store**
📍 Giant crab sign is a landmark
🦀 Must-try: Lunch-only “Crab Set Meal” is 40% cheaper than dinner
📸 Photo Tip: The crab legs on the sign start moving at 5:00 PM!

**3. Ganso Kushikatsu**
📍 Main store in Hozenji Yokocho
🍢 Eating Rule: Absolutely no double-dipping!
🌶️ Hidden Way to Eat: Order the specialty “Spicy Miso Kushikatsu” with draft beer

**4. Tako-ya Dotonbori**
📍 Moving takoyaki octopus sign
🐙 Must-try: Limited “Akashi-yaki style” takoyaki (super soft and tender)
⏰ Time-saving Tip: The branch in the alley next door has no lines at all

**5. Aka Oni Takoyaki**
🌶️ Heaven for spicy lovers
🔥 Challenge-level “Hell Spicy” requires signing a waiver
🍺 Spice Relief: Pair it with the Dotonbori limited edition Asahi beer

### 🛍️ Shopping Highlights
**• The Palace of Bargains**
🛒 24-hour open grocery paradise
💰 Must-buy: Dotonbori limited edition Glico Running Man merchandise

**• Donki Ferris Wheel**
🎡 Transparent cabins + neon night view = super romantic
🎫 Free ride with Osaka Amazing Pass

📸 Instagrammable Hotspots
- **Glico Running Man Billboard**: Best photo spot is on the rooftop of Don Quijote across the street
- **Along Dotonbori River**: Recommended to shoot canal reflections at dusk
- **Neon Street Scenery**: Use long exposure on your phone at night for amazing effects

### 💡 Local Tips
2. **Transportation Tip**: Subway “Namba Station” Exit 14 is directly connected
3. **Wallet Rule**: Bring plenty of coins! Many small shops only accept cash