Shinsekai always had a bad rap as Japan’s “dangerous” city. This outdated stigma no longer holds any bearing as the city thrives brilliantly!
Established in 1912, Shinsekai is located in the southern part of Osaka City‘s downtown area. Due to higher-than-average crime rates prior to the 1990s, Shinsekai has always been considered a relatively unsafe area for visitors and locals alike.
As one of the lowest crime rate countries in the world, it can be easy for a city in Japan to receive this kind of stigma because of its higher standards of public safety. Indeed, Shinsekai’s outdated reputation as a “dangerous” city was likely never deserved, and it certainly shines bright as a tourist destination today!
1 – See the spectacular Tsutenkaku Tower
The Tsutenkaku Tower was originally built in 1912 and was modeled after the Eiffel Tower until a fire broke out in the building in 1943. As this was during World War II, there was a decision to disassemble Tsutenkaku Tower rather than repair it in order to use the remaining steel for the Japanese war effort.
In 1956, long after the war had ended, Japanese citizens banded together to rebuild the iconic tower, giving it the classic eight-sided design that we see today. Tsutenkaku Tower is the pride of Shinsekai, and with a modern new look, it is now home to an observatory deck and a weather beacon used for forecasts.
2 – Dine at a Fugu restaurant
One of the most strikingly unique aspects of Shinsekai is the creative architecture and artistic design of the surrounding structures. A common theme with the pop-out monuments and billboard signs is the many pictures and patterns of ocean waves and fishermen.
There is a good reason for this design choice, and that is due to the abundance of “Fugu” restaurants in the area, that is, those selling puffer fish for consumption. While this type of fish is known for its dangerous and even fatal poison contained in its flesh, chefs in Japan have reached an elite level of culinary skills to have these toxins removed.
One wrong cut could result in the fish being contaminated with deadly poison, so it’s no wonder many choose to avoid this Japanese delicacy, myself included. Admittedly, I was more afraid of the high monetary price of Fugu as opposed to the potential health risk, as you can expect to pay around 5,000-10,000 (50-100 USD) for this delicacy.
3 – Try Kushikatsu, Shinsekai’s iconic dish
A far more palatable dining option and one that pays homage to Shinsekai where it was first produced is Kushikatsu. This type of dish literally translates to “fried skewers” and encompasses the battering and deep-frying of just about any ingredient.
This means they offer so much more than fried meats and seafood, but also fried vegetables including everything from eggplants to spring onions, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, celery, and much more!
The most popular chain for this cuisine (and the one in the photo) is the famous Daruma franchise, denoted by the angry chef statue holding two Kushikatsu skewers.
4 – Buy Pocky at WAKUWAKU Land
There’s more to Tsutenkaku Tower than meets the eye, and it’s certainly worth checking out from the inside too. You can visit the WAKUWAKU Land store which is home to all things Glico, offering a plethora of confectionary goods and souvenirs.
For fans of the famous Japanese snack Pocky, you will find some of the most niche flavors in this store that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. You can also purchase your tickets to the observatory deck here for 900 JPY (< 7 USD) and a Tower Slider ticket for an additional 1000 JPY (< 8 USD).
For those wondering what the Tower Slider is, Tsutenkaku added a new feature in 2022 that lets you go down a slippery spiral slide via a tube running from 60 meters high to the bottom of the tower.
5 – Play at a retro arcade
For lovers of gaming, particularly the old souls, Shinsekai offers a retro gaming center where enthusiasts can enjoy games that have died out and are no longer in stock at video game stores. Classics such as first-generation Mario and Pac-Man can be enjoyed here, though it’s worth visiting simply for its unique layout that takes you back to the 80s.
All-in-all, Shinsekai has long outgrown its somewhat inaccurate reputation as a “dangerous” city. Visitors from all over the world now have Shinsekai on their itinerary when coming down to Osaka, and it has become one of the most popular destinations in Japan for both citizens and tourists!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!