11 - Days of Free and Easy: Japan (Osaka Highlights), Osaka, Japan

Located in the vicinity of Namba station, Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi together are one of the most popular (if not the most popular) places to go for shopping, food and entertainment while in Osaka. On the few nights that I visited, the entire area was always brimming with visitors even when it is raining.

Located parallel to the canal with its namesake, Dotonbori is an unsheltered pedestrian street (a few hundred metres in length) populated mainly by food establishments. The most crowded portion appears to be the 300 metres section starting from Kani Doraku (the seafood restaurant with a gigantic crab on its billboard) and ending at Kinryu Ramen restaurant. Many tourists to Osaka (like myself) would typically end their day here with dinner at one of the numerous restaurants, followed by shopping or entertainment in the surrounding streets.

Not someone keen with gastronomic delights, I tried the famous but “no-frills” Kinryu Ramen (aka Golden Dragon Ramen) as recommended by a friend working in Japan. The restaurant’s facade and interior decor doesn’t appear impressive, however, you can tell from the queue that it’s no ordinary food outlet. The ramen is excellent with the broth extremely fragrant. Most importantly to me, the price is very reasonable! ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).