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Chic . Explore . ThinkerTen

My Style ~ My Journey ~ My Inspiration

JapanOsakaTravel

Japan : Den Den Town Osaka – The Animate Kingdom!

by kumamonjeng December 5, 2018
written by kumamonjeng December 5, 2018
Japan : Den Den Town Osaka – The Animate Kingdom!

Japan : Den Den Town Osaka - The Animate Kingdom!

“Anime” – refer to Japanese animation

“Anime” is a borrowed word from “animation” in English. Japanese has a lot of borrowed word from the west & China but I am not going to talk about it here. This post is about Anime Kingdom in Osaka – The Denden Town.  Let’s explore Japanese anime culture!

Japan : Den Den Town Osaka - The Animate Kingdom!

Anime Fans’ Paradise

Den Den town is a popular shopping destination for fans of Japanese anime and manga. I was doing a city tour in Osaka so included Den Den Town as well, since it is within walking distance from Nippombashi & Kuromon market.

Japan : Den Den Town Osaka - The Animate Kingdom!

Retro Gems

Over here in Den Den Town, you also find small electronic stores that selling home-ware, camera and white goods. Plenty of video games stores/vintage games, toy shops and second-hand shops here. You may find some retro gems here.

Japan : Den Den Town Osaka - The Animate Kingdom!

Second Hand Shop

I was exploring one of the toy stores and find many of the toys are second-hand and retro.  If you have lost some old toys in your childhood days and missed them badly, then this is the place to dig and very likely you can find them here.

Japan : Den Den Town Osaka - The Animate Kingdom!

This store (below) sells anime and manga figures and toys and most figures are being locked up behind the glass wardrobe. I heard you can also sell your old toy here.

Japan : Den Den Town Osaka - The Animate Kingdom!

A big fly sculpture at the top of the building in Den Den town

Japan : Den Den Town Osaka - The Animate Kingdom!

DVD & CD & Game Shops

Japan : Den Den Town Osaka - The Animate Kingdom!

Pombashi Hobbyist Village

Japan : Den Den Town Osaka - The Animate Kingdom!

Animate (Nippombashi Branch)

This is one of the biggest stores in Den Den town, it has 4 levels to see from various ranges of animate related stuff, such as comics, manga, CD & DVDs and cosplay costumes.  Animate is the chain store which can be found in all over Japan.  This place also hold events regularly so I would strongly recommend to check this store out.

Japan : Den Den Town Osaka - The Animate Kingdom!

Guru of Anime – Hayao Miyazaki

My favorite anime films would be some of the famous collections from director Hayao Miyazaki such as “Spirited Away” , “My neighbor Totoro” and the more recent masterpiece – “Ponyo”.  Have you watched any of Hayao Miyazaki’s anime?

Japan : Den Den Town Osaka - The Animate Kingdom!

Anime merchandise aren’t cheap

Anime merchandise aren’t cheap at all, especially those popular characters or figures.  Anime fan is willing to spend on their collectable.

Japan : Den Den Town Osaka - The Animate Kingdom!

Otaku’s Playground

Den Den town is favorite place for “Otaku”.  Otaku mean young Japanese single man who is obsessed with anime, manga, cosplay, collectibles, role-playing and computer games.  In English, the closer word I could think of is “geek”. Otaku usually stay hours at home and never come out to socialise with others.  Have you met any “otaku” in your country?

Japan : Den Den Town Osaka - The Animate Kingdom!

Taito Station Osaka Den Den Town

Taito Station is another huge store for anime stuff, in total there are 4 levels.

Japan : Den Den Town Osaka - The Animate Kingdom!

Final thoughts:

If you are a fan of Japanese anime, you should include Den Den town when you are in Osaka.  Wear your cosplay costume and walk around in Den Den town;  or visit the maid cafe and get serve by young Japanese maids with over-the-top French maid outfits. These are the few things you may want to experience the anime culture while in Den Den Town.

Have you watched any animation?  Which are your favorite animation and when did you watch it?

How to get there :

I was here by train as we parked our car in the hotel and took JR and subway.

  • Nearest train station – Nippombashi Station or Namba Station

 

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animateAnimate (Nippombashi Branch)Anime cultureAnime Fans' Paradiseanime kingdomden den townfly sculpture Den Den TownGuru of Anime - Hayao MiyazakiHero GongHero gong toy storeJapan anime figureJapan expertJapanese OtakuKuromon marketmaid cafe in den den townNippombashiOtaku's Playgroundpombashi hobbyist villageRetro GemsSecond Hand ShopTaito Station Osaka Den Den Town
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34 comments

Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes December 5, 2018 - 12:49 pm

Wow, so many cool shops and anime items! This is perfect for a great fan 🙂 I cannot wait to visit Japan next year.

Reply
kumamonjeng December 6, 2018 - 9:17 am

Dear Alexandra,

I hope you have a good time in Japan next year.

Reply
The Coffee Mom (@Jessi_Sullivan) December 5, 2018 - 7:34 pm

How cool is this! I love the cool unique little anime shops! I really want to travel to Japan and this looks like something really fun to do there.

Reply
kumamonjeng December 6, 2018 - 9:21 am

Dear Jessi,

Few famous shops in Denden town that sell Anime stuff are Super Potato, Animate, Joshin Super Kids Land. I visited Animate and it was so huge, few storey to climb.

Reply
Joan Cajic December 5, 2018 - 7:54 pm

Looks like a fun town to spend time in and walk around to explore more.

Reply
kumamonjeng December 6, 2018 - 9:22 am

Dear Joan,

Den den town is fun to explore even if you are not a anime fan.

Reply
Amber December 5, 2018 - 7:56 pm

My daughter would LOVE it here. She’s been aching to go to Japan. She’d love these anime stores.

Reply
kumamonjeng December 6, 2018 - 12:13 am

Dear Amber,

Anime is a global phenomenon now but actually rooted in Japan. Your daughter would love Den Den town, plenty of cute toys from the anime.

Reply
Jessica Taylor December 6, 2018 - 1:44 am

I’m not much into anime, but I know my nephew is going to love this!

Reply
kumamonjeng December 6, 2018 - 9:12 am

Dear Jessica,

There are cd,dvd, games and toys or collectables you to choose from. Plenty of second hand stuff also if you don’t mind used items.

Reply
Florence Olufemi-Ojo December 6, 2018 - 7:37 am

OMG, throughout the post I could only think of how cool it would be like to be in such an environment. My sister is 10 and I know she would love this. It looks amazing, I am glad I stumbled upon this post because I did not know this side of the Japanese culture. Thank you for sharing, I am going to ask my friend Mika to tell me more about the culture.

Reply
kumamonjeng December 6, 2018 - 9:08 am

Dear Florence,
I am sure Mika will do a good job in explaining anime culture in Japan. 🙂

Reply
Farrah Less December 6, 2018 - 11:00 am

Japan is on our bucket list we’ve been planning to go there. This is such a beautiful place to explore with rich history and culture. You made me convinced to come visit there very soon.

Reply
kumamonjeng December 7, 2018 - 5:37 am

Dear Farrah,
Den den town is in Osaka and Osaka is one of the biggest city in Japan after Tokyo. Osaka and Tokyo by bullet train needs about 2.5 hour.
If you travelling to Osaka, don’t miss the anime kingdom in Den den town.

Reply
laura dove December 6, 2018 - 5:01 pm

Oh wow Japan is somewhere I have always wanted to visit and this looks amazing! It looks exactly as I thought it would if that makes sense!

Reply
kumamonjeng December 7, 2018 - 5:39 am

Dear Laura,

Japan has plenty to offer, anime culture is one of their signature and its getting big and loved by young people around the globe.

Reply
Jessica Hendricks December 6, 2018 - 6:54 pm

Wow, Japan in Den Den Town looks like the perfect place for an anime fan to visit! Looks so much fun!

Reply
kumamonjeng December 7, 2018 - 5:43 am

Dear Jessica,

Den den town get more interesting if there are events, you get to see cosplays walking around in their fancy clothes.

Reply
A Infinite Step December 7, 2018 - 2:45 am

I am an Anime fan and this has definitely become my travel destination. I love that big bug structure on top of the building.

Reply
kumamonjeng December 7, 2018 - 5:47 am

Dear Ainfinitestep,

Not sure why the bug is at the top of the building?? Can someone tell me why?

Reply
Jennifer L December 7, 2018 - 3:20 am

Wow looks incredible! I love Hayao Miyazaki’s animes specially Spirited Away and Ponyo.

Reply
kumamonjeng December 7, 2018 - 5:45 am

Dear Jennifer,

Glad you also love Miyazaki’s Anime. The totoro is my favorite.

Reply
Enriqueta Lemoine December 7, 2018 - 7:49 pm

The thing that fascinated me the most about the Japanese animate industry is the eyes of the characters!

Reply
kumamonjeng December 9, 2018 - 11:17 pm

Dear Enriqueta,

Yes, it is pretty fascinating to see different eye’s expression from Anime story.

Reply
Arleene Mendoza December 7, 2018 - 7:57 pm

Looks like such a cool place. So many things to do.

Reply
kumamonjeng December 9, 2018 - 11:19 pm

Dear Arleena,

Den den town is also great place to get all the electronic things and also second hand stuff.

Reply
Keshia Richmond December 7, 2018 - 8:47 pm

Interesting read about anime. A lot of people enjoy it. Looking forward to more great posts.

Reply
kumamonjeng December 9, 2018 - 11:34 pm

Dear Keshia,

Animate in Japan are targetted for all ages,not just for children. Anime are not retricted by age or gender. People watch it since young and it never stop even when they grow up. Unlike cartoon from the west, you only watched till certain age and you will stop.

Reply
Alvern @ Success Unscrambled December 8, 2018 - 7:28 pm

Wow! It is amazing to see the home of anime. I don’t think I have ever seen so many Anime options in one place before. Great for Anima fans.

Reply
kumamonjeng December 9, 2018 - 11:35 pm

Dear Alvern,
You are right, Den Den town is the home of anime and great for anime fans! Plenty of gem for them to dig.

Reply
AnythingRad.Com December 9, 2018 - 7:07 am

This is anime heaven!! I’d definitely visit this area if I have to go to Japan next year.

Reply
kumamonjeng December 9, 2018 - 11:37 pm

Dear Antyhingrad,

Den den town is at Nipponbashi, Kuromon Market and Dotonbori and Namba shopping district (Glico Man), so you can do it all in a day within walking distance too.

Reply
swathiiyer December 10, 2018 - 3:33 am

Looks like great place to visit. I haven’t visited Osaka while I was in Japan. Now I miss it now.

Reply
aisasami December 11, 2018 - 2:41 pm

Den Den town is amazing to walk around. Been there about five times.

Reply

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I am the travel writer for Thinkerten. I lived in Japan, Australia, Malaysia and now based in Singapore. Speak 4 languages, Japanese, English, Malay, and Chinese. There are the many types of travels one can experience and mine are mostly focus on self-driving/road trip to explore the places I wanted to see and learn about. Only if you get out of your country, you will see the real you and understand more about yourself, to realize of your own identity, your own culture, and your root.

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