Here are some ways to enjoy Osaka's Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, Japan's longest shopping district, for just 2,000 yen!

At approximately 2.6 km long, the Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street is Japan's longest shopping street. It has long been cherished as a traditional neighborhood for the common people. The shopping district is lined with 600 diverse shops, including a shrine dedicated to the god of learning and stores that are centuries old, as well as supermarkets that support the daily lives of local residents. This shopping district's charm lies in its ability to allow you to casually experience Japanese culture and observe the daily lives of the locals.

First up is easy and affordable fun! Get takeout gourmet food from the shopping district.
■Freshly fried croquettes are the best. Try "the Tenjinbashi Nakamuraya" Croquettes, 100 yen/each.

This deli is always packed with people waiting in line. It's very popular with locals. The famous croquette is truly the quintessential taste of the common people. Its golden-brown, crispy exterior is crunchy and fragrant, and the potato filling has a slightly sweet flavor and a fluffy, light texture. You'll be hooked on its simple yet delectable flavor after one bite. It's perfect for takeout and eating on the go.

In addition to the croquettes, we recommend the second and third most popular items: the minced pork cutlet (160 yen) and the ham cutlet (100 yen).Because each item is fried to order, you can always enjoy it fresh and crispy. There is also an eat-in area located across from the store.

■"Maeda Tofu Shop's" handmade soy milk pudding has a gentle flavor and costs 300 yen per piece.

▲"Plain" soy milk pudding (left in photo) and "cocoa" soy milk pudding

"The Maeda Tofu Shop" offers handmade tofu that is made using traditional methods. Tofu is well-liked, but the soy milk pudding made with tofu is even more popular. The rich flavor of soybeans comes through strongly, offering a healthy, gentle sweetness. They are available in three flavors: Plain, Green Soybean (300 yen each), and Cocoa (350 yen).Each one has its own unique flavor, making them perfect for a tasting comparison. They're also ideal for a quick, sweet break.

▲Another charming feature is the cheerful and friendly owner!

The tofu from the "Maeda Tofu Shop" is a culinary masterpiece. It is crafted with meticulous attention to the ingredients and finished without additives, allowing you to fully savor the authentic flavor of the soybeans. The store is open year-round. Due to their production schedule, they are open at 11:00 a.m. daily.

■Craftsmanship shines! Get a nail clipper from the long-established knife shop, Kunishige Hamono-ten! 1,400 yen (tax included, same below).

Since its founding over 250 years ago, the shop has offered a wide range of hand-forged knives made with "Japanese steel" and "Japanese iron," including traditional Japanese knives and mainstream stainless steel knives.　Boasting astonishing sharpness, these knives are widely favored by everyone from professional chefs to home cooks.

▲ Recommended Knives “Santoku Knife Damascus Steel Forged” (Photo above) “Thin Blade Knife Damascus Steel Forged” 15,500 yen.

A well-maintained kitchen knife is durable enough to last a lifetime—truly a tool for life! If you're looking to experience authentic Japanese craftsmanship, this is a shop you absolutely must visit.

・The popular "nail clippers" are the perfect souvenir, second only to kitchen knives.

What about an affordable Japanese souvenir: a high-quality, practical, small, lightweight stainless steel nail clipper? Prices start at 1,200 yen, but we recommend the slightly larger size, which is priced at 1,400 yen. Additionally, there are types with covers that prevent cut nails from flying off (see the left photo; 1,900 yen).）

■Near the shopping district, you'll find "Osaka Tenmangu Shrine" — a place where you can try your luck.

▲Image source: Osaka Tenmangu Shrine

The "Osaka Tenmangu Shrine", founded in 949, is a historic shrine dedicated to Lord Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning. During entrance exam season, many students and their families visit to pray for success. However, the temple is also popular among those seeking blessings for "warding off misfortune," "domestic safety," and "prosperous business." ※Although the main hall is undergoing restoration until autumn 2026, worship is still possible.

・【Experience】Try your luck with a "Omikuji, as fortune slip” draw! 200 yen

Reach into the omikuji box and pull out a ball with a number written on it. Tell the shrine maiden the number written on your ball, and she will give you the corresponding fortune slip. The omikuji fortune slip features ten categories of fortune written in kanji. These categories include overall fortune, love fortune, health fortune, and travel fortune. They offer insights into your future. If your fortune is good, it's marked "Daikichi" (great luck); if it's not so good, it's marked "Kyo" (bad luck). Even if the result is unfavorable, maintain a positive mindset and think, "This is your lowest point, and from here on out, it's only up!"

・This is a unique charm for the god of learning. It is also recommended as a souvenir for those taking exams!

If someone close to you is preparing for an entrance exam, the "Good Luck Charm for Passing Exams" (pictured left) would make a great gift. Write the name of their desired school on the votive tablet and pray for their success! We recommend the “Academic and Moral Improvement Amulet” (pictured right) for those wishing for daily academic improvement.Similarly, people write their wishes on votive tablets and tie them to racks or trees within the temple grounds as offerings.
　
■ This time, the total amount spent at the shopping district was 2,000 yen!
While exploring the shopping district this time, the expenditure was a total of 2,000 yen: 100 yen for croquettes at Nakamuraya Tenjinbashi, 300 yen for plain soy milk pudding at Maeda Tofu Shop, 1,400 yen for nail clippers at Kunishige Hamono Shop, and 200 yen for a fortune slip at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine. It was a thoroughly satisfying day! The Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street is unbelievably affordable!

▲The shopping street has an overhead arcade, so it's comfortable even on rainy days.

■Locations of Each Shop and Shrine:
・Tenjinbashi Nakamuraya
2-3-21 Tenjinbashi, Kita Ward, Osaka City
・Maeda Tofu Shop:
3-4-9 Tenjinbashi, Kita Ward, Osaka City
・Kunishige Cutlery Shop:
3-2-36 Tenjinbashi, Kita Ward, Osaka City
・Osaka Tenmangu Shrine:
2-1-8 Tenjinbashi, Kita Ward, Osaka City