2017.03.02
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If you want to enjoy otaku culture in Osaka, this is the place to be! 5 Recommended Spots in Nipponbashi

Nipponbashi is known as the area in Osaka to fully enjoy otaku culture. This is an area for those who like Japanese anime, games, idols, and other types of subcultures. Here are 5 popular spots within the Nipponbashi neighborhood to check out.

Index

1. Nipponbashi Information Center
2. Animate Osaka Nipponbashi
3. Volks Osaka Showroom
4. Maidreamin Osaka Nipponbashi Ota-road Branch
5. Nipponbashi Pollux Theater

See all

1. Nipponbashi Information Center

Nipponbashi is one of Japan's leading "denkigai," neighborhoods known for having shops specializing in appliances, computer and audio equipment, and electronic parts as well as anime goods, models, figurines, video games, and more. If you want to enjoy the neighborhood as much as you can, stop here first. The staff knows Nipponbashi very well, so it's good to ask if you aren't sure of things, such as event hours or shop locations. Also, you can get a free town map (Japanese, English, traditional Chinese, and Korean available) as long as supplies last. There is also a currency exchange machine that can handle 12 different currencies, so it's very convenient.

*Photo is of Nipponbashi

DocChewbacca/Flickr

1. Nipponbashi Information Center

5-9-12 Nipponbashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

2. Animate Osaka Nipponbashi

Anime fans won't be able to resist this store. It's one of Japan's largest anime merchandise shops and you can find wall-to-wall anime-related items here. Other than anime, manga, and video game character goods, there are also comics, CDs and DVDs, video game software, and even art materials! They also have a wide variety of costumes and goods for cosplay. They also hold events like talk shows, handshake events, autograph events, and more.

*Photo is of a different branch

: : Ys [waiz] : :/Flickr

2. Animate Osaka Nipponbashi

Animate Building 1-2F, 1-1-3 Nipponbashi-Nishi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

3. Volks Osaka Showroom

Volks makes dolls, models, and figurines. They have branches all around the country, but this showroom in Nipponbashi boasts of the largest number of products available. The sales area from the 1st to 7th floors are full of products, including character goods, figurines, plastic models, battleship and car models, and even model trains! They also have items for making your own models and tools. There's a tool experience corner as well, so it's a line-up that beginners to model experts alike can enjoy.

ZephyThor/Flickr

3. Volks Osaka Showroom

4-9-18 Nipponbashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

Next page: 4. Maidreamin Osaka Nipponbashi Ota-road Branch

4. Maidreamin Osaka Nipponbashi Ota-road Branch

If you're going to Nipponbashi, you can't forget to visit a maid cafe! Maid cafes are entertainment cafes where maids wearing cute costumes will treat you like a "goshujin-sama" (master) or "ojo-sama" (highly respectful version of "miss"). This maid cafe has the concept of "the country of dreams." The cute maids will greet you with a smile and when you order a drink or a dish they even chant a good luck charm over it to make it taste better! There are maids that speak English, Chinese, and Korean (depending on the day), so you can talk to them, take photos with them (500 JPY (excl. tax)), and have a great time. Budget: 1,000 JPY - 3,500 JPY.

Ryo FUKAsawa/Flickr

4. Maidreamin Osaka Nipponbashi Ota-road Branch

4-16-15 Nipponbashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

5. Nipponbashi Pollux Theater

You can enjoy various entertainment shows here, including cute idol concerts, manzai comedy, or theater. There are events where you only need to pay for a drink, so you can casually enjoy stopping by. The events change by the day and sometimes it's closed, so please check the schedule before you visit.

*Photo is for illustration purposes

5. Nipponbashi Pollux Theater

4-14-3 Nipponbashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

Nipponbashi is an area recommended to people who love Japanese subculture as well as those who have never experienced it! Please stop by and take a look.

*Please note that the information in this article is from the time of writing or publication and may differ from the latest information.