Written by Jane Pipkin
Famous for its retro esthetics and slightly seedy reputation, Shinsekai is full of wonders. While most people head to the area to see the landmark Tsutenkaku Tower and the amusing Billiken statues, there’s so much more to explore. Here are five other things you can do in the New World.
Recommended: To fully experience Shinsekai, book a guided food tour. You’ll see the area’s best spots — and find out a few local secrets, too.
1. Try out shooting and arcade games
Living up to its retro reputation, Shinsekai is packed with vintage arcades and shooting galleries where you can win small prizes or just enjoy the satisfaction of playing. As you stroll down the strip, you’ll notice these arcades nestled among the izakaya (Japanese pubs).
One of the most famous game centers in the area is Kasuga Gorakujo. A pitstop for locals and salarymen since the late 1950s, this arcade is a paradise for video-game lovers. With a mix of old-school video games, medal games, and pachinko machines, you’ll easily lose track of time here. Make sure to bring plenty of coins.
2. Shop for Japanese knives, denim, and more
Shinsekai is similar to other parts of Osaka, with its blend of souvenir shops and stores catering to locals. Among the more tourist-oriented shops, one standout is Tower Knives Osaka, a specialist knife store where you can buy your own kitchen knives.
For high-quality Japanese denim, there’s Yamane Shinsekai, a well-known shop that sells denim featuring colorful graphics.
And for snacks, the Umaibo Shop is a must-visit, as it stocks a variety of one of Japan’s most beloved savory, crisp-like snacks — Umaibo.
Some of the more local shops include Kiteya Kouteya, right near Janjan-Yokocho, where you can snag garish leopard-print goods that are sure to make the Osaka Obasan nod in approval.
Wander through Shinsekai Market, and you’ll find even more leopard-print treasures — plus a whole lot else. This underrated shopping street is packed with small local businesses specializing in everything from jazz to pickles. What makes it truly special is that each shops has its own personal history, which we encourage you to read about here.
3. Explore the world of traditional theater
Although it is called the “New World”, you’ll actually find many traditional things in Shinsekai — one of which is the Asahi Theater. Having been open since 1910, this long-established venue hosts a variety of performances, from traditional Japanese comedy (such as Manzai) to more serious theater productions.
You can catch performances twice a day, in the morning and afternoon. Tickets typically start around ¥1,000, though prices can vary depending on the show.
Pro tip: Next door to Asahi Theater is ZAZA House, a smaller venue that primarily hosts comedy shows and plays. Keep in mind that most performances are likely to be in Japanese.
4. Watch a film at an old-school cinema
As well as a traditional theater, Shinsekai is home to two old-school cinemas. The main one, Shinsekai Kokusai Gekijō, is distinguishable by its seedy exterior and rather risqué hand-painted posters.
Inside, it shows both past and present films — throughout the day and night. Though, as the posters suggest, this cinema does show films of a different nature too, so make sure you buy the right ticket at the vending machine.
A few minutes’ walk away is the Shinsekai Toei Cinema, which, as the name implies, focuses on classic Toei films. Tickets at both cinemas start from around ¥1,000.
Both places feel like relics of another era — stuck in time — in the best possible way. They are true symbols of Shinsekai, and they will give you a taste of the area’s unique character.
5. Stop by some shrines
There are two shrines in Shinsekai, one of which is somewhat unconventional. The main Shinto shrine in the area, Shinsekai Inari Shrine is tucked away on one of the quieter streets.
Though much is still unknown about its origins, the Inari shrine has historical ties to Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, and it has been around since the creation of Shinsekai. It’s also known to bring prosperity to local businesses.
The other shrine is located in the heart of Shinsekai, nestled among the many izakaya. This is the Billiken Shrine, a small but charming shrine with a red torii gate covered in fortune-telling slips. Its dedicated to the smily, golden figure, Billiken.
Note: Japanese shrines should be visited with respect. Read our guide to visiting shrines and temples before you go.
Along the main road, you’ll find several Billiken statues, and further down, there’s a giant golden Billiken statue. Many visitors rub its feet, believing it will bring them good luck.
A quick history of the “New World”
Shinsekai means “New World”, and when the district opened in 1912, it truly was one. The north half was laid out like Paris, with streets radiating from Tsutenkaku Tower the way boulevards fan out from the Arc de Triomphe. The south half took its cues from New York’s Coney Island, complete with its own amusement park, Luna Park, which was connected to the tower by an aerial ropeway. Even the original tower was a Parisian mash-up — an Eiffel-style upper half on an Arc de Triomphe-style base — and its name, meaning “tower reaching heaven”, was chosen by the Confucian scholar Fujisawa Nangaku.
Luna Park closed in 1923, and the original tower was dismantled in 1943 after a fire, with its steel going to the war effort. Today’s Tsutenkaku is the 1956 rebuild, nearly 40 meters taller than the first one, and now a registered Tangible Cultural Property.
And Billiken? Shinsekai’s grinning “god of things as they ought to be” isn’t Japanese at all. He was created by American art teacher and illustrator Florence Pretz in 1908 — supposedly after he appeared to her in a dream — and a wooden statue of him presided over Luna Park. That statue vanished when the park closed, a replica was installed in the rebuilt tower in 1980, and he has watched over the neighborhood (and had his feet rubbed for luck) ever since.
Honorable mentions: Other things to do in Shinsekai
Eat kushikatsu, Shinsekai’s specialty
You can’t leave without trying kushikatsu: skewers (kushi) of meat, seafood, and vegetables that are battered, breaded, deep-fried (katsu), and served with a tonkatsu-style dipping sauce and fresh cabbage. The dish was born in Shinsekai, and it goes dangerously well with beer. The most famous name is Kushikatsu Daruma, frying here since 1929 — the original Shinsekai branch is tiny, so expect a queue at busy times. Wherever you end up, remember the golden rule if there’s shared sauce: no double-dipping.
Go to a kissaten
No retro town is complete without its kissaten, and Shinsekai, with its nostalgic charm, is home to some of the best. These traditional coffee shops not only serve strong coffee, but also light meals and desserts like parfaits. Two of the most popular are Doremi and Cafe Tsutenkaku.
Savor vegan versions of Osaka’s classic dishes
It’s hard finding vegan food in Japan at the best of times, but Shinsekai Paprika Shokudo has made it easier. This hidden gem, located by the start of Janjan-Yokocho, serves vegan takoyaki and an original take on kushikatsu. Not only is this spot suitable for vegans, but also for those who are gluten-free.
Try a Billiken taiyaki
If you want to feed your Billiken obsession, grab a Billiken-shaped taiyaki at Coconchi Osaka Shinsekai. You can choose between a custard or red-bean filled pastry (both priced at ¥350, as well as ice creams. It’s the perfect pitstop for a happy afternoon pick-me-up.
Bathe your way around the world at Spa World
At the edge of Shinsekai, Spa World is an onsen theme park with two themed bathing floors: a European zone (think Roman baths, a Finnish sauna, and a blue grotto) and an Asian zone (Persian- and Bali-style baths, plus a Japanese open-air bath). The floors swap between men and women each month, so which world you soak in is the luck of the draw, and there’s also a mixed swimsuit area. One important note: tattoos — even small or covered ones — are strictly banned.
Elementary School students: ¥1,500
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.
