If you are looking to immerse yourself in Japanese Anime/Manga (otaku) culture, then you may want to head on over to Nipponbashi’s Ota Road – aka the “Akihabara of the West” – as it’s a popular destination for Anime lovers in Osaka. Situated parallel to Den-Den Town, which is Osaka’s answer to Akihabara’s Electric Town, this is a paradise for lovers of contemporary Japanese pop culture, where you can get your hands on merchandise and collectibles related to your favourite Anime series.
You can shop to your heart’s content at major bookstores like Mandarake, Toranoana, and Animate, which offers the largest selection of of comics, magazines, and other anime paraphernalia. There are also maid (and themed) cafes where you can spend time with costumed servers, and hobby shops where you can pick up anything related to anime, from cosplay costumes to anime figurines.
If your visit there is in early March, you can even check out the Nipponbashi Street Festa which is a huge annual street celebration with a cosplay parade and roadside events.
Access: Nipponbashi Ota Road is a 10-minute walk from Namba Station (Exit 9 is the closest) and Nippombashi Station.
