Osaka

Named for the canal it runs alongside, Dotonbori is one of the most famous streets in Osaka. Located in the Namba district in the Chuo ward, it is particularly popular with visitors to Osaka for its shopping, street food, and nightlife. As an indication of what to expect, you should know that a word associated with the area is “kuidaore,” which means to go bankrupt spending money just on food. Here are some highlights of the area you need to check out. Billboards, Including Glico Running Man A defining feature of Dotonbori is the billboards, the most famous of which is the Glico Running Man. You can view the billboard from Ebisubashi Bridge, where you’ll likely encounter tourists taking pictures of themselves with the billboard — often with their arms raised like the running man himself. Kani Doraku You may already know the restaurant chain Kani Doraku. However, the branch in Dotonbori is extra special because of a billboard. The front of the building has a giant moving crab, representing that the restaurant specializes in crab dishes. It’s worth visiting to see the crab, but if you also want to grab a meal, try the famous kanisuki: hot crab pot.…