Karahori shopping street

Karahori Shopping Street is an approximately 800-meter-long shopping arcade running east to west—from Uemachi-suji on the east, across Tanimachi-suji, to Matsuyamachi-suji on the west. The name “Karahori” (literally, “dry moat”) comes from the former outer moat south of Osaka Castle, called the “Minami Sōgamae-bori,” which was a dry moat. In contrast to a water-filled moat (mizubori), a moat without water is called a karahori. The shopping street began around the end of the Meiji era (the early 20th century), when it grew lively around the regular market held at Karahori Jizōson. Because it escaped damage from air raids during World War II, it was able to recover quickly after the war. Even today, the street retains much of the atmosphere of the Taisho and Showa eras. Since many shops are located under an arcade, you can shop without an umbrella even on rainy days. While you’ll find everyday, down-to-earth shops such as fishmongers, greengrocers, and kombu shops, you can also discover distinctive spots like “Old Yam Residence (Kyū Yam-tei),” known for medicinal-spice curry, and “Vegetable Rice Gensō Shokubutsuen,” which focuses on vegetable rice-lunch plates. Around the shopping street, there are also renovated row houses and former residences turned into multi-tenant shops. It’s a good idea to allow plenty of time and enjoy exploring the area at a leisurely pace.