Den Den Town

Nipponbashi Den Den Town is one of the leading shopping districts in Osaka, made up of more than 150 shops along about 1 km of arcade on the east and west sides of Sakaisuji. Known simply as Den Den Town, it grew up long ago as an electronics quarter, and now holds a concentration of shops selling manga, anime, games, figures, trading cards and other otaku goods, forming the largest electronics and otaku quarter in western Japan. The Nipponbashi Street Festa, held around Den Den Town since 2005, has made its name as one of the largest cosplay events in the country, drawing cosplayers from all over Japan, and word of it reaches far beyond Japan as well. People also come looking for things to make, such as plastic models and electronics kits, and for high-end goods of the kind represented by audio and home theatre equipment, so the district is growing as a town of the newest hobbies. What Den Den Town offers above all is the depth of its specialisation. Professional shops with wide stock and deep knowledge across many fields are gathered here, some items can be found nowhere else, and many shops deal in secondhand goods and junk parts, so the street has many repeat customers and fans who enjoy hunting for treasures and bargains.

Translated and shortened from the Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City tourist listings (観光施設一覧, CC BY 4.0).