Amerika-Mura

Top choice in Osaka


West of Midō-suji, Amerika-Mura is a compact enclave of hip, youth-focused and offbeat shops, plus cafes, bars, tattoo and piercing parlours, nightclubs, hair salons and a few discreet love hotels. In the middle is Triangle Park, an all-concrete 'park' with benches for sitting and watching the fashion parade. Come nighttime, it's a popular gathering spot.

Around the neighbourhood, look for street lamps resembling stick-figure people, some painted by artists; the Peace on Earth mural (1983), painted by Osaka artist Seitaro Kuroda, and, of course, a mini Statue of Liberty.

Ame-Mura owes its name to shops that sprang up after WWII, selling American goods such as Zippo lighters and T-shirts.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Osaka attractions

1. Triangle Park

0.03 MILES

In the middle of Ame-Mura is Triangle Park, an all-concrete 'park' with benches for sitting and watching the fashion parade. Come night, it's a popular…

2. Ebisu-bashi

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This bridge has the best views of Dōtombori's famed neon nightscape.

3. Kani Dōraku Honten

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You can't miss the giant animated crab that marks the entrance to Kani Dōraku Honten, which is, of course, a crab restaurant. The shop sells tasty crab…

4. Nakaza Cuidaore Building

0.33 MILES

Home of the most famous statue of Kuidaore Tarō – the drum-banging clown who represents the city's culture of kuidaore ('eat 'til you drop').

5. Kamigata Ukiyo-e Museum

0.35 MILES

This narrow two-storey museum is worth a visit for anyone with an interest in ukiyo-e (woodblock prints). It mainly displays prints of famous kabuki…

7. Hōzen-ji

0.37 MILES

This tiny temple hidden down a narrow alley houses a statue of Fudō Myō-ō (a deity of esoteric Buddhism), covered in thick moss. It's a favourite of…

8. Dōtombori

0.41 MILES

Highly photogenic Dōtombori is the city's liveliest night spot and the centre of the southern part of town. Its name comes from the 400-year-old canal,…