Dotonbori in the Namba district of Osaka is like talking a walk into a future world. The neon lights and Blade Runner-esque nightscapes are literally out of this world, and have to be seen to be experienced.
Dotonbori is the beating heart of Osaka’s nightlife and is filled with restaurants, cafes, bars, nightclubs, arcades and theatres. The area used to be known as Osaka’s pleasure district as it contained numerous kabuki and bunraku theatres as well as a geisha district. Dotonbori can trace its history back to 1612, when a local entrepreneur, Yasui Doton, started expanding the tiny river in hope of increasing commerce in the area. Taking a look at the area today, I certainly think he achieved his dream.
The area is famous for its lively nightlife and entertainment, and really comes alive at night when the neon lights up together with the sounds and smells of the district. I highly recommend a night-time stroll along the banks of the Dotonbori Canal to soak up this amazing atmosphere. The banks of the canal have been turned into attractive walkways, which make a great vantage point for the neon lights. You can also take a cruise down the canal to further enjoy the stimulation of the senses.
A highlight for me was the Ebisu-bashi bridge with the famous Glico Running Man on one side and the Asahi Super Dry sign on the other. Be warned! This is a popular meeting point as well as tourist spot for photos, so can be extremely crowded. In fact, the bridge has gained the nickname (hikkake-bashi) which means “Pick-up Bridge”, as it’s a popular spot for young Japanese guys to pick up girls.
Walk along the Dotonbori Arcade, a strip of restaurants and theatres. This is the area of Dotonbori with the famous restaurants with familiar large elaborate signs out the shop front. Walking past, I was surprised that I knew so many of them. I must have seen them on TV or maybe a picture has passed my eyes before. From the famous giant mechanical crab of Kani Douraku to the Giant Golden Dragon of the famous Kinryu Ramen restaurant, they are pretty much all represented here.
Most people like to sample some of the local delicacies when they visit Dotonbori, as this part of Osaka is known for its food. A few favourites of mine are okonomiyaki (also fondly called Osaka Soul Food), takoyaki (octopus dumplings) and kushikatsu (deep fried goodness). These are just three that come straight to mind, but there is so much more to try here as well. The food is cheap and tasty and you won’t regret eating a meal or two here.
You may recognise Dotonbori from the movies. It has been a popular movie location for Hollywood films like “Black Rain”. Dotonbori is only a 5 minute walk from nearby Namba Station. You can get to Namba Station on the Midosuji Line.
If you can only see one part of Osaka, or just have a night to spare on a stop-over, I highly recommend a visit to Dotonbori. There is nothing like the atmosphere, sights and sounds of this place on the planet.
Many of you have probably heard of the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) of Kamakura and Todai-ji in Nara, but did you know that there is a third Great Buddha in Japan?
Called the Gifu Shohoji Daibutsu (Great Buddha of Gifu) it can be found in Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture and is truly impressive. Located a short distance from Gifu Park, the Great Buddha is housed in the Hall of the Great Buddha at Shoho-ji Temple. The hall stands out in the distance with its high roof and unique design. The architecture of the building has a mixture of Chinese and Japanese influences.
The Great Buddha was conceived by the then head priest of Kinpouzan Shoho-ji Temple, Ichyuu in around 1790. Ichyuu admired the Great Buddha of Todai-ji Temple in Nara, and wanted to build a large image of Shaka Nyorai (Great Buddha) in hope of appeasing the gods and averting earthquakes and famines. Ichyuu unfortunately died in 1815 before its completion, but it was completed by his successor in 1832. The Great Buddha took a total of 38 years to construct and is one of the Great Buddha structures in Japan, along with the ones mentioned earlier in Kamakura and Nara.
The Great Buddha of Gifu is very unique due to its method of construction. A central pillar of 1.8 meters in circumference was used made from ginkgo tree wood. The shape of the Buddha was formed using bamboo lattices, which were then covered in clay to add shape and form a mould. Buddhist scriptures were added to the clay, kind of like a paper mache. The head priest, Ichyuu spent years travelling around Japan gathering the scriptures.
The scriptures were then covered in lacquer and gold leaf to complete the appearance. It is the largest statue in Japan constructed by this method, and has been given the nickname “Basket Buddha”, due to the bamboo framework used in its construction, which resemble a basket. Inside the Great Buddha is a statue of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Medicine.
The north and south walls of the hall are lined with 500 statues of Buddha’s disciples. Each one is distinctively unique and has a different expression, clothing and pose. No two are alike and I easily spent a good amount of time checking them all out, as they were that interesting! Above the statues are some fascinating dioramic paintings.
At the entrance of the hall is a wooden statue of Yakushi Nyorai, the Medicine Buddha. Legend has it that the statue can cure any aliment. Simply rub the part of the Buddha that is causing you pain and you will obtain relief. Having a broken ring finger, I naturally had to rub the Buddha’s right ring finger in hope that it would help. I did after all have a good reason for visiting this place, right?
The Great Buddha is certainly lucky that is for sure, or maybe it was Buddha’s divine power as it has managed to survive a major earthquake that levelled the city, as well as the devastating air raids of World War 2 that flattened the whole area. Today it remains an icon of the city and a must see sight in Central Japan.
The Measurements of the Great Buddha of Gifu
Height of Statue: 13.7 meters
Length of Face: 3.63 meters
Width of Eyes: 0.66 meters
Length of Ears: 2.12 meters
Width of Ears: 1.31 meters
Height of Nose: 0.36 meters
Information:
Open: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Admission: 200 yen for adults, 100 yen for children
Address: 8 Daibutsu-cho, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture
TEL: 058-264-2760
Parking: Available
Access: From JR Gifu Station or Meitetsu Gifu Station take a bus heading to Gifu Park. I recommend the N80, N32 or N86 buses. Gifu Daibutsu is a short walk from the Gifu Park (岐阜公園) bus stop.
