Nishinari: Features, Popular Tourist Attractions, Gourmet

Nishinari Ward, located in the southwestern part of Osaka City, is a valuable destination for tourists looking to experience the authentic atmosphere of Osaka’s working-class culture.

The Airin district, in particular, is a must-visit area within Nishinari Ward. This neighborhood vividly reflects Osaka’s downtown culture and is particularly attractive for culinary tourism. The Airin district is lined with traditional izakayas and standing bars, offering genuine Osaka flavors at reasonable prices.

At popular local izakayas, you can enjoy Osaka specialties such as dote-yaki and kushikatsu. Dote-yaki, a dish of simmered pork offal in miso sauce, is a quintessential representation of Osaka’s izakaya culture. There are also numerous standing bars where you can casually enjoy a drink at the counter, allowing you to experience the lively atmosphere of Osaka while rubbing shoulders with locals.

Another highlight is the “Aizuya Main Store” near Tamade Station, a famous long-established takoyaki shop that has even been featured in the manga “Oishinbo”.

The area boasts convenient transportation access, with JR Osaka Loop Line’s Shin-Imamiya Station, Subway Yotsubashi Line’s Hanazonochō Station, and Nankai Main Line’s Kishinosato-Tamade Station all available. Due to its good connections to Osaka’s major tourist destinations, it’s also recommended to use Nishinari Ward as a base for exploring Osaka.

While Nishinari Ward isn’t particularly popular as a tourist destination, it actually has many deep spots where you can make new discoveries beyond the typical tourist experience. It’s an area where you can experience the atmosphere of a traditional Osaka downtown.