Shinsekai is a popular historic and very lively district that dates back to the early 20th century.
The Shinsekai district was established in 1912 as a leisure entertainment area. New York's Coney Island district served as the model for the southern part of the district, while the northern part of Shinsekai was modeled after downtown Paris.
A nostalgic, fun-filled neighbourhood
The centerpiece of the Shinsekai district was the amusement luna park with the Tsutenkaku observation tower. While the luna park is long gone, the Tsutenkaku tower is still one of Osaka's main symbols today.
For many decades after World War II, Shinsekai was one of Osaka's most dangerous and impoverished neighborhoods.
Today, however, it is one of the most popular tourist districts, with a touch of nostalgia as you can still find many of the older houses from the first half of the 20th century.
Shinsekai is full of restaurants serving Japanese specialities. The most popular traditional dish at many street stalls is the specialty of kushikatsu, which breaded, fried or skewered various meats, cheeses, fish and other delicacies.
This district also has the largest concentration of restaurants serving the famous poisonous fugu fish.
The Shinsekaji district is also home to the Spa World complex with its many pools, water slides and onsens, as well as the Tennoji Zoo.
Accommodation in Shinsekai
Choose the Shinsekai district for accommodation if you prefer a lively and historic neighbourhood. Although Shinsekai is not directly in the centre of Osaka, the subway to the central districts of Dotonbori or Shinsaibashi and major train stations can be reached in 15-20 minutes.
Moreover, hotels in Shinsekai are very cheap compared to other parts of Osaka, with prices starting at 45 usd.
We recommend these well rated hotels:
- Osaka Ebisu Hotel ***
- Hotel Wing International Premium Osaka-Shinsekai ***
- Spa World HOTEL&RESORT ****
How to get there
Shinsekai is located south of downtown Osaka about a 10-15 minute subway ride from downtown.
Metro
- Dobutsuen-mae (southern edge of the district)
- Red Midosuji Line - direction Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, Osaka-Umeda Station, Shin-Osaka Station, Umeda Sky Building, Harukas 300 (Tennoji Station), Nagai Botanical Garden
- Brown Sakaisuji Line - direction Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, Kitahama Station
- Ebisucho (northern edge of the district)
- Brown Sakaisuji Line - direction Shinsekai and Zoo (Dobutsuen-mae Station), Kitahama Station
Railways
- Shin-Imaniya (southern edge of the district)
Tram and buses
The Hankai tram line (Ebisucho stop) runs along the western edge of the district, which you can use to get to places like Sumiyoshi-Tasha Temple.
Bus lines 48 (towards Suminoeken) and 52 (towards Namba - but the metro is much faster) also run along the southern edge of the district.
What to see around
Discover all the places to see in Osaka.
