Namba Travel Guide

Osaka

Namba featuring a city
Namba featuring a city and street scenes as well as a large group of people
Namba showing a city
Namba showing a city
Namba which includes a city and street scenes as well as a large group of people

With thrilling amusement arcades, underground bars, neon billboards and second-hand shopping, this dynamic district never ceases to surprise. 

Experience the excitement of ritzy Namba, Osaka's primary entertainment district. With undercover shopping centers, canalside restaurants, neon-lit thoroughfares and traditional theatres, there is plenty here to entertain.

Enter Namba from the north and follow crowds passing through the mighty Shinsaibashi shopping arcade. The walkway is just under 2,000-feet (600-metres) long and houses a range of trendy brand stores. Battle the claw machine at a Sega gaming arcade, get your phone repaired at a pop-up stall or have professional cartoonists draw you as a caricature. 

The northwestern side of the district has an adults-only vibe. Delve into the stranger lifestyles of Osaka's underground scene as you explore quirky themed bars, cat-petting cafés and stores selling imaginative gadgets.

Take a boat tour down the Dotonbori canal, which runs east to west through the centre of the district. After disembarking, you may want to wander along the promenade, where you’ll find dumpling stalls and Don Quixote, a popular duty-free department store. 

Visit the waterfront at night to experience its bar scene, which is fuelled by lively music, engaging street performers and streams of passers-by. Night is also the best time to appreciate the oversized neon billboards and the Glico Running Man, a huge depiction of a runner crossing a finishing line, which has become iconic to Osaka.

South of the canal, see rare wood block prints from the 18th century at the tasteful but small Ukiyo-e Museum. Nearby Hozenji Yokocho alley is a popular dining spot, with more than 60 traditional restaurants. Pour water over the statues at Hozenji Temple for good fortune.

In Namba's southeast, explore the eclectic Nipponbashi DENDEN town. This bohemian shopping area specializes in used clothes, secondhand books, cooking knives and discount electronics.

For a night of cultural entertainment, book a seat at one of Namba's theatres. Watch Japanese comedy at Namba Grand Kagetsu, check out an oversized puppet performance at the National Bunraku Theatre or observe an elegant, dancing kabuki show at the Shochikuza Theatre.

The Namba district is located between Shinsaibashi subway station to the north and Nankai Namba station to the south. The area is best explored on foot.


Popular places to visit


Top hotels in Namba

Centara Grand Hotel Osaka
Centara Grand Hotel Osaka
5 out of 5
Nambanaka, Naniwa-ku, 2-11-50 33, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
The price is ₹14,944 per night from 18 Jun to 19 Jun
₹14,944
₹18,904 total
18 Jun - 19 Jun
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 5 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,127 reviews)
"We had a nice stay at this hotel which is in a good location. We thought breakfast was so-so, as although there were lots of options I think it was understaffed and the food wasn’t as nice as other places we stayed while in Japan."

Reviewed on 19 May 2025

Centara Grand Hotel Osaka
Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba
Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba
3 out of 5
Nanba Chuou-ku 2-chome 3 -9, Osaka, Osaka
The price is ₹8,682 per night from 22 Jun to 23 Jun
₹8,682
₹9,602 total
22 Jun - 23 Jun
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,965 reviews)
"距離車站出口很近,附近就有25,B4 and B6出口,到道頓堀心齋橋也很近。我住的是family room,空間很闊落,還有兩間浴室。 不過酒店提供的枕頭較扁及沒有承託力,睡得很不舒服。"

Reviewed on 20 May 2025

Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba
Namba Oriental Hotel
Namba Oriental Hotel
4 out of 5
2-8-17, Sennichi-Mae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and in-room massages. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,075 reviews)
Best place to stay in Namba
"Fantastic hotel, really have all you need and amazing location"

Reviewed on 18 May 2025

Namba Oriental Hotel
Swissotel Nankai Osaka
Swissotel Nankai Osaka
5 out of 5
5-1-60 Namba Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
The price is ₹17,648 per night from 20 Jun to 21 Jun
₹17,648
₹21,937 total
20 Jun - 21 Jun
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 5 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,209 reviews)
"Good ho"

Reviewed on 20 May 2025

Swissotel Nankai Osaka
Hotel Keihan Namba Grande
Hotel Keihan Namba Grande
4 out of 5
2 Nambanaka, Naniwa-ku, Osaka, Osaka
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (545 reviews)
"Great stay in a convenient location. Laundry service was very handy, though a bit pricey."

Reviewed on 19 May 2025

Hotel Keihan Namba Grande
Hotel Royal Classic Osaka
Hotel Royal Classic Osaka
4 out of 5
4-3-3 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka
The price is ₹17,106 per night from 22 Jun to 23 Jun
₹17,106
₹21,639 total
22 Jun - 23 Jun
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (652 reviews)
Great Hotel
"Great staff. Clean, quiet room with comfy bed and good water pressure."

Reviewed on 17 May 2025

Hotel Royal Classic Osaka
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Namba

Default Image

Sennichimae

If you're spending time in Sennichimae, you might enjoy attractions like Dotonbori and Namba Walk Shopping Mall. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at Nippombashi Station to see more of the city.

Sennichimae
Default Image

Minami

4.5/5(27 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Minami. Dotonbori is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Nippombashi Station or Namba Station to see more of Osaka.

Minami
Default Image

Nishishinsaibashi

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Dotonbori to Amerikamura – discover Nishishinsaibashi, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Nishishinsaibashi
Default Image

Higashishinsaibashi

Shopping and restaurants are notable features of Higashishinsaibashi. You might consider stopping by Hope Chapel Osaka while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Higashishinsaibashi
Default Image

Naniwa

4.5/5(82 area reviews)

Dotonbori and Nipponbashi are top sights in Naniwa, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Ashiharabashi Station or Ashihara-cho Station to see more sights in the area.

Naniwa
Shinsaibashi which includes street scenes

Shinsaibashi

Travellers to Shinsaibashi praise its popular shops. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street and Mitsutera Temple.

Shinsaibashi


Namba Travel Guide