Hozenji Yokocho
1 Chome-1-6 Nanba, Chuo, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, 542-0076
The narrow alleys, paper lanterns, and traditional tea houses of Hozenji Yokocho are a far cry from the neon lights and pulsing atmosphere of Dotonbori. The historic alley’s most famous attraction is the 17th-century Hozenji Temple, where devotees come to splash water over a moss-covered statue of the Buddha.
The basics
Hozenji Yokocho is crammed with restaurants and izakayas (casual Japanese bars) that serve Osaka specialities such as takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (crispy pancakes), and ramen. That said, Hozenji Yokocho is a common feature of Osaka food tours, which typically also explore Dotombori and the Namba district. Plus, because the alley lends itself so well to relaxed wanders, its also a staple of Osaka walking tours and evening tours that reveal the alley in all of its lantern-lit beauty.
Things to know before you go
*The stone-paved path is relatively even and therefore possible for travelers using wheelchairs and strollers to travel on. The alley can however get crowded and limit mobility. *If visiting the moss-covered Fudo-myo statue, bear in mind that its a sacred site—dress appropriately and keep noise to a minimum. *Unlike some of Osaka’s more casual street food alleys, the 60 plus restaurants of Hozenji Yokocho are more on the sophisticated side and are therefore more expensive.
How to get there
The closest metro station to Hozenji Yokocho is Namba, which is serviced by the Hanshin-Namba and Kintetsu-Nara lines. From Namba, the alley is a 5-minute walk.
When to get there
Though the restaurants in Hozenji Yokocho are generally open throughout the day, the best time to visit the alley is after sunset, when the paper lanterns emit an atmospheric glow over the cobbles. This is also when the bars comes to life.
Exploring the Alleys of Osaka
Among the neon-lit strips of Osaka’s modern district, you’ll find alleys that transport you to bygone eras. Highlights include Ohatsu Tenjin Urasando, home to an eclectic combination of pizza joints and oyster bars, and the more contemporary Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho, which is located beside Kaiyukan Aquarium, one of the largest in the world.
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