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Tucked beneath the shadow of Tsutenkaku Tower, Janjan-Yokocho is one of Osaka’s most atmospheric alleyways. Its name comes from the janjan plucking of shamisen players who once busked outside its shops, though today it’s better known for kushikatsu—deep-fried skewers of meat and vegetables, served hot with sauce you never double-dip. The arcade stretches about 180 meters and remains frozen in time: neon-lit signs, shopkeepers calling out specials, and old-timers playing board games outside storefronts. This is everyday Osaka—rough around the edges, heavy with scent and steam, and alive with local character.

そらみみ, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons