Dotonbori lights camera action
October 6, 2015 by David Herd
Dotonburi Osaka
Dotonbori lights camera action
Dotonbori lights camera action, this is the entertainment centre of Osaka, it has the lights & the action you just need the camera. The number of restaurants large & small is mind boggling.
The big crab beckons at Kani Doraku Crab restaurant
Huge crabs, dragons, & octopus adorn the restaurant façades to entice you in for a feast. This six and a half meter crab is on the front of the crab restaurant Kani Doraku. It is mechanized, being able to move its arms and eyestalks. Built in 1960, this mechanical billboard soon spawned imitations, including a squid that puffs steam and oni (demons) that light up at night.
You have seen the crab, well here is the octopus. 🙂
Dōtonbori traces its history back to 1612, when a local entrepreneur, Yasui Dōton, began expanding the tiny Umezu River, which ran east to west, hoping to increase commerce in the region by connecting the two branches of the Yokobori River, which ran north to south, with a canal.
There is even some giant Gyoza. 🙂
What a fabulous city, I will certainly visit again in the future.
David Herd and Hamish Elton first night in Osaka
We had just arrived from Tokyo which was Hamish’s first visit. Osaka was the first time for both of us, so we headed for Dotonbori and started our night off with some ice cold Super Dry Asahi which is one of the world’s great beers.
Dotonbori lights camera action
We were sitting by the canal watching the tourist boats go by and waiting for the neon signs to come on.
Cruising the canal
We had some sensational food in Tokyo and were hoping for a similar experience in Osaka. High on my agenda was visit to the city of Nara which used to be the capital of Japan from the year 710 to 784, and the Todai-ji Buddist temple.
The cameras are locked & loaded
I am usually the one taking hundreds of photos.
The lights are coming on in Dotonbori
My favourite time of the day for taking photos.
Beside the canal
View from where we were drinking Asahi.
French restaurant
So many restaurants and such little time.
Another octopus
Use this link for a good budget hotel in a great location.
Has Hamish found his twin?
My friend Hamish Elton on his first trip to Japan.
Or perhaps I have found mine. 🙂
There is a photo opportunity around every corner.
More dragons
Dotonbori is a kaleidoscope of images.
So many restaurants and such little time.
The food choices in Dotonbori is quite amazing. I look forward to returning.
An interesting hotel
We were actually staying at a very good budget hotel in Namba which is only 10 minutes walk to Dotonbori and 5 minutes to the railway station. Use this link for a very good rate.
A beautiful sight at night
Most evenings we would sit by the canal and start the night off with a couple of ice cold Asahi beers.
Dotonbori lights camera action
Glico Man: Originally installed in 1935, the giant neon athlete on a blue track is a symbol of Glico candy. The sign has been altered on several occasions to celebrate events such as the World Cup and to show support for the Osaka baseball team, the Hanshin Tigers.
Dotonbori lights camera action
I hope you are beginning to understand why I chose “Dotonbori lights camera action ” as the title for my Osaka post.
Shinsaibashi
Shinsaibashi is the upmarket centre of Osaka and only about 10 minutes walk to Dotonbori. Shinsaibashi is the largest shopping area in Osaka with many boutiques and speciality shops attracting local people and visitors. The Shisaibashi has developed from the arcaded streets “Shinsaibashi Shopping Street” which runs east to Mido-Suji Avenue, is the best-known shopping area in Osaka, and a wonderful symbol of the city. With a history of 380 years, it was already an established shopping area in the Edo Period. Shops of all kinds and for all ages line the street featuring a roofed arcade 600 meters long.
Thanks for visiting my post
I have so much more to show you about the great food in Dotonbori I thought it best to do a separate post. Thanks for visiting my Dotonbori lights camera action photo blog.
My favourite song which has a sad story regarding the artist Kyu Sakamoto who died on August 12, 1985, in the crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123, the deadliest single-aircraft accident in history.
Fukuoka – Hiroshima – Sapporo – Sendai
Tokyo – Kagoshima – Kanazawa – Nagoya
Nagasaki – Yokohama – Kyoto – Kamakura
Counter only started June 16 2020.
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