Shinsekai, Commercial district in Ebisuhigashi, Osaka, Japan
Shinsekai is a commercial district in Ebisuhigashi, Osaka, built around a tall red tower with an observation platform. Narrow lanes run between low buildings whose fronts carry oversized neon signs and painted boards advertising local shops.
The district was developed after an industrial fair in 1903 and officially opened in 1912 when the first tower was built. After World War II the area lost its shine but has seen renewed interest from tourists and locals in recent decades.
The area is known for skewered foods fried in batter, and local eateries serve everything from vegetables to sweets on sticks. Many small restaurants hang red lanterns and invite guests to sit at long counters where cooks prepare orders in full view.
Reach the neighborhood by subway at Dobutsuen-mae Station, where the platform displays animal tiles on the walls. The lanes are easy to walk, and most shops and eateries open in the evening when the colored lights show best.
The area houses a large bathing complex with themed floors that alternate between genders each month. The complex offers European and Asian style baths, so visitors can experience different sections on separate visits.
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