The Shinsekai area is an old neighborhood that feels like it has been left behind by Osaka’s modern development. The area has a distinctively different feel to the rest of Osaka, with its rundown and yesteryear appearance, you can find many old shops, cheap restaurants, bars and more.
In the center of the neighborhood is the Tsutenkaku Tower (通天閣, lit. Tower Reaching Heaven), built in 1956, this 103m tall tower has an observatory at 91m with an open-air deck above the observatory. There’s even a 60m long slide at the base of the tower.
It should be noted that the Shinsekai area has a strong stigma surrounding it for locals, and in terms of safety. After the war, and up till the 1990s, the area was infamous for the criminal activity that used to flourish in the area. The neighborhood is also has a large homeless population, and the south side of the area is also home to a red-light district. That being said, that dangerous reputation does not seem to hold true today, especially with the many tourists in the area, though it still wouldn’t hurt to be a bit more cautious in the area.
