Japan’s Most Raw Neighbourhood? Let’s Look Round Nishinari
Join me as I walk through Nishinari, a ward in Osaka often regarded as one of Japan’s poorest and most raw areas. Starting near Shin-Imamiya, I explore Doubutsuenmae, the infamous Tobita Shinchi red-light district, Tengachaya, and Hanazonominami. Nishinari is a stark contrast to tourist hotspots like Namba and Shinsaibashi, offering a grittier, more unfiltered look at life in Osaka.
From karaoke bars to izakayas, and even glimpses of its ties to the yakuza, this area tells a story most tourists never experience. Despite its rough reputation, Nishinari is surprisingly safe by global standards, and its character is shifting with signs of gentrification. If you’re curious about the real Osaka, this video takes you right to its heart.
Want to uncover the hidden side of Japan? Let’s walk through Nishinari together.
#osaka #japantravel #japanvlog #japanlife #japanstreets #japanadventure #japanculture #explorejapan
8 Comments
Just outside Chuo is Higashinari Ward, we're planning to stay between Tsuruhashi Station and Imazato Station more or less.I know Tsuruhashi is known for it's Yakiniku restaurant and bordering to Korea town (to the south side). How is that area?
ahh yes infamous tobita 😅
I was staying there last week, i booked a hotel there for 6 nights, i hated it so much, i was about to camp my whole trip in japan, then i went for Kyoto and realized that there is more to see , i just packed and left with 2 nights left on my booking, and now im in Tokyo is waaaaay more fun than Osaka
OMG! I lived in Nishinari for 6 months back in 1992 and loved it. I had two young Japanese construction dayworker guys as roommates and they were NUTS. They were growing pot in the living room, trying to perfect the curing process with each new plant (pre-internet). We'd smoke at night and getting the munchies, of course, we'd drive to the midnight open air ramen park in Nara and gorge ourselves on kimchi ramen with heaping spoonfuls of garlic. At night, the neighborhood streets would fill with families walking to the public baths and I loved every minute of it.
Domníval jsem se, že v Japonsku se jentak nevidí něco jako pomalované automaty nebo graffiti na vratech garáže, ale očividně je to možné i tam. A na konci jak ten pán s lahví v ruce, který na konci videa vkročí na přechod pro chodce ještě dříve, než je zelená, byl také velmi šokující.
Last Summer we were on the Northern edge of this area at the South entrance of Tennoji Zoo and close to the tower.
The area was gritty indeed.
We are staying in an Airbnb between Hanazonocho and Haginochaya stations. I mean, we are only using it as a base to explore Osaka and the wider area so not bothered about it being a bit more 'gritty'.
Great video — hit all the right notes on the cross-cultural points, which is rare on YouTube.