Shinsaibashi-suji 1-chome at Dotonbori, Osaka

The northern gateway section of Osaka's iconic Shinsaibashi-suji shopping arcade.

Shinsaibashi-suji 1-chome marks the northern end of Osaka's most celebrated covered shopping street, a roughly 600-metre arcade stretching from near Nagahori-dori down to Soemon-cho. The 1-chome section sits in front of the Daimaru Shinsaibashi store and acts as the natural gateway to the arcade, welcoming tens of thousands of visitors each weekday and more than double that on weekends. Under its glass canopy, shoppers find a mix of fashion boutiques, cosmetics counters, cafes and souvenir stores, with both international brands and long-standing local shops lining the route. The arcade connects directly to Shinsaibashi and Namba, making it easy to combine with Dotonbori's food scene or the boutiques of America Village just to the west. Free of weather worries and with evening opening at many stores, it suits everyone from serious shoppers to families and first-time visitors getting their bearings in central Osaka. The 1-chome entrance, with Daimaru as a landmark, is a handy meeting point and a good place to start a walking route south. For a single stretch that captures the energy of Osaka shopping, the 1-chome entrance to Shinsaibashi-suji is the perfect place to begin. It is the gateway to one of Japan's best-loved arcades - and a genuinely enjoyable wander.