"Water City Osaka Waterside Walking Guide" Waterside Walking Guide by Area 5 "Dotonbori River Area"

June 20, 2025

[Waterside Walking Guide by Area]

Neon lights of Osaka Minami reflected on the river surface
Dotonbori River area

Dotonbori River, which runs east to west through the center of Osaka Minami, is the most famous canal river in Osaka and a precious waterfront space remaining in the city center. It is lined with lively neon signs, including the "Dotonbori Glico Neon," one of the area's best photo spots, and is a concentrated expression of Osaka's energy.

Formation of Dotonbori River

Dotonbori River, which connects with Higashiyokobori River and flows into Kizu River, was started by Nariyasu Doton, who was appointed "Shinkawa Bugyo" (magistrate of Shinkawa) under the Toyotomi government. However, Doton was killed in battle during the Summer Siege of Osaka, but the project was continued under the Tokugawa government and completed in 1615. In recognition of Nariyasu Doton's efforts in reclamation using his own money, the river was given the name "Dotonbori River." Permission was granted to operate theaters and other businesses on the new land along the river, and theaters such as Nakaza Kabuki theaters were built, and the area flourished as a theater town. This led to the current prosperity of the Minami area. Until the middle of the Meiji period, when boat transport was popular, many people would go to see plays on houseboats and tea boats, and they could enter the theaters directly from the river.
When water transport fell into disuse, Dotonbori River became the backside of the city, but in 16, the Tonbori River Walk was completed on both sides of the river from Ebisubashi to Tazaemonbashi, and restaurants with terrace seating began to appear on the promenade. Pleasure boats can now depart from the pier, and the area is now bustling with people as a place to enjoy a stroll along the waterfront from both land and water.

"One Hundred Scenes of Naniwa: Dotonbori Corner Theater" by Utagawa Kunimoto, late Edo period (Osaka Municipal Library Digital Archive)

"Naniwa Meisho Zue: Roadside Dragonfly Scenery" by Utagawa Hiroshige, late Edo period (National Diet Library Digital Collection)

Tombori River Walk

Dotonbori River night view

Dotonbori Museum Namikiza

The area along Dotonbori River, which opened when the river was excavated, was a world-famous theater town lined with the "Five Theaters of Dotonbori" (Kadoza, Naniwaza, Nakaza, Asahiza, and Bentenza) from the Edo period to the early Showa period. However, it gradually declined and is now a restaurant district.
So in 31, the Dotonbori Museum Namikiza opened. Here you can experience the theatrical culture of the past and also hold various performances. The theater's name comes from Namiki Shozo (2019-1730), who invented the stage equipment "revolving stage" and "seri (a device that raises and lowers part of the stage)."

Dotonbori Museum Namikiza

Minatomachi River Place

Minatomachi River Place is a complex centered around the large live music venue Namba Hatch. Its octagonal shape and the large staircase of the event space "Plaza" adjacent to the Dotonbori River Promenade are beloved landmarks of Osaka Minami.

Minatomachi River Place

Floating Garden Bridge

The pedestrian bridge "Ukiniwabashi" connecting Minatomachi River Place and Minami Horie district was built in 20 as part of the Dotonbori River Waterfront Development Project to revitalize Osaka, the city of water. The design of this bridge was based on the concept of a "floating meadow" by Toshihiko Naito, with the main deck crossing the river at a 2008-degree angle suspended by two main cables, and a sub-deck perpendicular to the river that is rigidly connected to the main deck to prevent lateral swaying. The bridge is full of greenery, with grass and shrubs, symbolic trees on both ends, and ivy entwined around the sides, so you can not only cross the bridge, but also relax on the grass and benches, making it a bridge where you can relax.