In Osaka City, there are a wide variety of shopping streets, and upon actually visiting them, you’ll notice that many of them are formed in a “vertical” layout. Even bustling shopping streets like Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street and Ebisu-bashi Shopping Street, which attract tourists, are structured vertically. This can be attributed to the historical significance of the “vertical” connections such as Midosuji and Sakaisuji in Osaka’s development. Setting that aside, the uniqueness of Osaka’s streets is truly remarkable.
“Shinsaibashisuji shopping street”,one of the most famous Shopping street in Osaka
However, it goes without saying that the “horizontal” streets in Osaka are not at all neglected. There are also numerous shopping streets that connect the east and west. The recent “Ikeda-cho Chuo Street” is one example, and it seems to be the reality due to the abundance of shopping streets in Osaka. But still, Osaka has a strong inclination towards the “vertical” layout lol.
Furthermore, near one of Osaka’s representative shopping streets, the “Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street,” there are remaining shopping streets that create a horizontal flow as if to complement it, forming an arcade shopping street. This time, let’s discuss the current situation of the “horizontal” flow in Osaka’s Kita Ward, specifically the “Tengo Nakazaki Dori shopping street(天五中崎通商店街)”.
Location
Name: Tengo Nakazaki Dori(天五中崎通商店街)
Access: Subway Tanimachi Line Nakazakicho Station(地下鉄谷町線 中崎町駅) Connected directly
Four shopping associations are connected “Tengo Nakazaki Dori(天五中崎通)”
difficult to distinguish from one another, “Naniwa-cho shopping street(浪花町商店街)” and “Kurosaki Higashi shopping street(黒崎東商店街)”
Tengo Nakazaki Shopping street is an arcade shopping street that connects the Tenjinbashisuji 5-chome intersection to Nakazakicho Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line, as the name suggests. In the past, there used to be a tram running through Tenjinbashisuji 5-chome, and it seems that many movie theaters were located in this area. However, due to the discontinuation of the tram service, the opening of the Sakaisuji Subway Line, and the shift of Osaka’s main street from Sakaisuji to Midosuji, the shopping street is now primarily occupied by local-oriented shops.
Tengo Nakazaki shopping street is divided into four shopping associations: “Naniwa-cho shopping street(浪花町商店街)”, “Kurosaki Higashi shopping street(黒崎東商店街)”, “Kurosaki Nishi shopping street(黒崎西商店街)”, and “Nakazaki shopping street(中崎商店街)”. The name “Tengo Nakazaki shopping street” is just a collective term for these four sections. Additionally, this shopping street is also known by the nickname “Oideyasu-dori(おいでやす通り),” which seems to be more commonly used.
Let’s enter from the easternmost part of the shopping street, “Naniwa-cho shopping street”. As you go further inside, you’ll notice a significant number of shops that evoke a sense of bygone eras, creating a remarkable Showa-era ambiance, accentuated by the vintage arcade. It has a calm and pleasant atmosphere. It is conveniently located adjacent to the Tenjinbashisuji shopping street(天神橋筋商店街) and provides access to Ikeda-cho Chuo street(池田町中央通り) by passing through it. While it offers convenient access to other shopping streets, the close proximity to Tenjinbashisuji seems to have an impact.
As you continue walking, you find yourself entering Kurosaki Higashi shopping street without even realizing it. Wait, where did the transition happen? Surprisingly, these two shopping streets have such little difference that it’s really difficult to tell where they separate. Well, it’s probably not a concern for local residents, so it can’t be helped.
According to what I’ve heard, there is supposed to be a boundary between Naniwa-cho Shotengai and Kurosaki Higashi Shotengai somewhere between the signs of these two shopping sections. However, it seems quite challenging to distinguish it.
strong presence compared to others “Kurosaki Nishi shopping street(黒崎東商店街)”
Once you pass through “Kurosaki Higashi shopping street”, you’ll come across “Kurosaki Nishi shopping street”. Tengo Nakazaki shopping street also makes a turn here. In relation to this, there is a sign at the entrance of the shopping street that says “Come and shop at Kurosaki Nishi shopping street, Oideyasu,” making its presence easily noticeable ha-ha.
By the way, this sign boldly displays the words “Kurosaki Nishi Shopping street”. It has a tremendous presence. It seems that they put a lot of effort into emphasizing the name of Kurosaki Nishi shopping street compared to others. I wonder what could be the reason behind this difference…
There are even buildings like this within the shopping street. In the past, there were many movie theaters lined up in this area, and there might have been some elements reminiscent of the red-light district. However, it seems that Tengo Nakazaki Shotengai has been thoroughly transformed into a calm and peaceful shopping street, attracting local residents.
By the way, there are signs like this on the advertisements within the shopping street… I apologize, but is this truly a bustling shopping street nowadays? In a way, it’s an incredibly rare sight, but seeing such signs preserved so perfectly in such close proximity to Umeda leaves one speechless, surpassing mere surprise.
pentagonal-shaped signboards is the landmark “Nakazaki shopping street”
After passing through Kurosaki Nishi shopping street, you’ll reach the final shopping street, “Nakazaki shopping street”. Nakazakicho is famous for its trendy cafes and restaurants that appeal to young people in Japan, but you won’t find much of that atmosphere here. Instead, you’ll encounter a charming and flavorful shopping street in this area.
In Nakazaki shopping street, you’ll notice these pentagonal-shaped signs, which add a lot of character to the street. They certainly have a unique charm and well-designed.
When it comes to Nakazaki shopping street, one cannot overlook the famous “Curry Ramen” shop. This unique dish involves mixing curry powder into the ramen noodles, and it is served at a restaurant called “Chikaramochi Shokudo(力餅食堂)” within Nakazaki shopping street. Although there are multiple Chikaramochi Shokudo locations across different areas, each operates as an independent establishment, and it seems that the Curry Ramen menu is exclusive to this particular shop. It’s a truly special offering, so if you’re interested, I highly recommend giving it a try.
At the endpoint of Nakazaki shopping street (which is also the endpoint of Tengo Nakazaki Shotengai), there is an entrance that leads to Nakazakicho Station on the subway Tanimachi Line. Back when there was only the Tanimachi Line, this entrance was likely one of the routes connecting to Tenjinbashisuji shopping street. However, with the addition of the subway Sakaisuji Line and the JR Tozai Line, it is undeniable that the relative significance of this shopping street has diminished. Nevertheless, the fact that it continues to attract many customers is truly commendable. I hope they will thrive and continue to do well in the future. It was a day that left me with such a sentiment.
