On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, the Rikutogyo (land procession) of the Namba Yasaka Shrine summer festival marched through the Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street.
When the parade of portable shrines and lion dances arrived in the shopping district to the sound of taiko drums, many people gathered to watch, taking photos and sending applause.
It was a moment filled with a festive, vibrant atmosphere, allowing us to feel the summer of Minami.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the procession in the heat, everyone involved with Namba Yasaka Shrine, and everyone in the local community.
Today, we conducted a fire drill at Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street.
To prepare for potential fires and disasters, the shopping district regularly conducts fire and disaster prevention drills.
We learned initial fire suppression training using fire extinguishers, as well as courses on how to use an AED and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (chest compressions), and how to use a stretcher to safely transport injured persons.
We also reviewed the disaster prevention equipment in the shopping district. We learned about the operational methods and procedures for the arcade of the Doguyasuji Shopping District, which is designed to open and close for smoke evacuation in the event of a fire and for emergency response.
It is important to be able to properly use equipment that we casually use every day in the event of an emergency. Through the drill, this served as an opportunity to deepen knowledge on disaster prevention and raise awareness so that we can respond promptly in an emergency.
With the goal of creating a shopping street that customers and local residents can continue to visit with peace of mind in the future, Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street will work on disaster prevention and safety measures.
Thank you to everyone who participated and cooperated.
Recently, the Doguyasuji Shopping Street had the opportunity to visit Taiwan to learn about local shopping districts, regional revitalization initiatives, and community development utilizing design.
This visit was made possible thanks to a connection formed when Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI), a design organization directly affiliated with the Taiwan government, visited the Doguyasuji Shopping Street last year, and we were warmly welcomed by many people there.
Through exchanges and site visits across Taiwan, these three days provided many valuable lessons and inspiration regarding the approach of communities, local government, design sectors, and shopping districts working together to cultivate the charm of a town.
From Taipei to Taichung. Inspecting the Tianwei Highway Garden
I traveled from Taipei to Taichung, and the first place I visited was the Tianwei Highway Garden.
Tianwei is home to about 300 plant-related shops, and rather than just selling plants, efforts have been made to create an area that can be enjoyed throughout the entire town, incorporating experiences, tourism, and community exchange.
Locally, efforts to build a brand across the entire region and convey the charm of the town to visitors could be seen everywhere.
Also, initiatives in collaboration with the Taiwan Design Research Institute are underway, and I was very impressed by how they are creating new value for the city while utilizing local resources.
Town development connecting the old and the new learned in Konishi-dori Shopping Street
Next, we visited "Konishi Characteristic Streets and Alleys," which is working on regional revitalization by making use of its historical streetscape.
In Konishi Characteristic Street, we also visited the historic building "Kobinkaku (former Changhua Railway Hospital)."
Built in 1938, this building once flourished as the luxury traditional Japanese restaurant "Kohikaku," and later became cherished by the community as a railway hospital. Today, it has been revitalized as a place for culture, exchange, and creativity, serving not only to preserve the historic building, but also as a hub for generating new value.
The approach to urban development that leverages history and local memory while passing them on to the new generation serves as a highly informative reference for future shopping district activities.
I was impressed by the attitude of not just preserving old things, but creating new stories together with the community by utilizing the younger generation and digital technology. In addition, the development of mechanisms to revitalize the town in cooperation with local governments and community organizations was underway, and I could see many ingenious ways to pass culture on to the next generation.
Returned to Taipei and visited the Nanjichang Night Market
I returned to Taipei and visited the Nanjichang Night Market.
On site, we were invited to the shop of Mr. Lin, the president of the Nanjichang Night Market, and received a very warm welcome.
The vibrancy of the entire night market and the bustling crowds made me feel the strength of a deeply rooted local commercial culture.
I was also able to experience the local culture through food, such as the peanut butter cake popular as B-class gourmet food, Taiwan's representative Lu Rou Fan, and stinky tofu, which I tried for the first time.
I was reminded once again that the charm of a city is created not only by its shops, but also by the people who gather there and its overall atmosphere.
Visited the Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI)
One of the most significant learnings from this visit was our visit to the Taiwan Design Research Institute.
Where is TDRI located? This is the "Songshan Tobacco Factory (Songshan Cultural and Creative Park)" area, which was originally built during the Japanese colonial rule.
Currently,
Design
Art
culture
Startup
Display
Café
Event
has become a representative creative hub of Taiwan where people such as gather.
Efforts were underway to make the entire country better by utilizing "design." In Taiwan, the concept that "design is the power of the nation" is emphasized, and I was deeply impressed by how this philosophy is being shaped into concrete organizations and policies.
It was a place where I could strongly feel the energy and creativity of the younger generation, as well as the power to connect the community and its culture to the future.
For the future
Through this visit to Taiwan, it became an opportunity to re-evaluate the charm and potential of the Doguyasuji Shopping Street once again from an external perspective.
Through our exchanges with the people of Taiwan, I am once again reminded of the importance of creating new value while cherishing local history and culture.
From now on too Taiwan Design Research Institute While deepening interaction with everyone, we hope to rediscover the appeal of Doguyasuji from an external perspective and apply those insights to the shopping district's activities.
First, aiming to visit the Taiwan Design Expo scheduled for October, I hope to lead this to further exchanges and initiatives moving forward.
This stay in Taiwan was a very fruitful opportunity that allowed us to build international relationships.
(May 20–22, 2026 Visit to Taiwan)
To be held at Namba Plaza on Friday, March 27, 2026, and Saturday, March 28, 2026 DODODO Festival (DD Festival) will also feature a stall from Doguyasuji Shopping Street!
This time, we're setting up an experience booth with the theme of **"Tsunagu" (Connection Tools)** ✨
Highlights
✔ Experience professional tools firsthand ✔ Workshops (knives, pewterware, signs, etc.) ✔ Garapon Raffle (Participation OK with SNS posts or experiences)
■ Event Overview
Dates: Friday, March 27th and Saturday, March 28th ・Hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Location: Namba Hiroba
Please do come and visit!
A chance to “experience” the charm of Doguyasuji! We look forward to seeing you all there!
Today, students from the University of Melbourne in Australia visited the Doguyasuji Shopping Street as part of their off-campus training.
The purpose of this training is to experience "living Japanese" as it is actually used in Japan, rather than Japanese learned in classrooms or textbooks.
Sennichimae Doguyasuji was chosen as the training location not as a tourist spot, but as a place for learning that allows participants to experience everyday Japanese life and business interactions, fostering natural human connections.
As part of the training, we held okonomiyaki making experience at Chibo, sandblasting experience at Senda Glassware, knife sharpening experience at Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide, and job shadowing experiences at Chida, Ebisuya Hardware Store, and Chida Glass.
Students experience Japanese expressions, customer service phrases, and Kansai-specific ways of speaking by visiting specialty stores that handle kitchen knives, cooking utensils, kitchen equipment, and food samples, and by conversing with shop owners and staff.
Listening to product descriptions, asking questions, and engaging in casual conversation all provide practical Japanese learning opportunities.
Sen-nichimae Doguyasuji is not just a place where tools are sold; it's a place where Japanese food culture, the spirit of commerce, and everyday Japanese language come alive.
I hope this off-campus study trip will be a valuable experience for all students to deepen their understanding of Japan.
Today, January 10th (Saturday), the "Hoe-Kago Procession," a traditional event heralding the New Year in Osaka's Minami district, took place.
Starting from the send-off ceremony at the promenade along the Dotonbori River (Tonbori Riverwalk).
A spectacular parade processed through the streets of Osaka's Minami district, accompanied by the chant "Hoe-kago, Hoe-kago."
Local shopping streets and various organizations adorned palanquins, and many spectators gathered along the roadside.
And this year, from the Doguyasuji Shopping Street, All Hanshin-Kyojin rode the Hoe-kago, further enlivening the New Year's mood in Minami.
The Hoekago procession is a traditional event in Osaka's Minami district, continuing for over 200 years, held in conjunction with Imamiya Ebisu Shrine's "Toka Ebisu" festival to pray for business prosperity.
This year, the area around Douguya-suji Shopping Street was once again filled with a festive atmosphere befitting the start of the new year.
Thank you very much to everyone who participated and came to our town.
We look forward to celebrating this tradition with all of you again next year and wish you prosperity in the year to come.
We look forward to your continued patronage of Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street.
At Doguyasuji Shopping Street, we will be holding the "Doguyasuji Garapon Year-End Grand Raffle" as a token of our gratitude for your continued patronage.
During the campaign period, present your shopping receipt (or invoice) from participating stores to enter a lottery (garapon).
The promotion will end when the prizes run out, so please visit us as soon as possible.
[Event Period]
Friday, December 19th - Sunday, December 28th
12:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Prize
Douguya-suji Shopping Street 500 yen shopping voucher
Valid until January 31, 2026.
Raffle Prize: Many (Sweets)
※Only purchase receipts from eligible stores within the event period are valid.
*Those using smartphone payments can also participate in the lottery by showing their payment screen.
Prizes are while supplies last.
The annual New Year's event, the "New Year's Tool Market," will be held again this year at Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street!
In addition to the “New Year's Sale” packed with bargains, a "Gara-pon Grand Lottery" where you can win luxurious prizes will also be held simultaneously.
Please come with your family and friends on Friday, January 9th and Saturday, January 10th!
[Event Outline]
Dates: Friday, January 9, 2026 - Saturday, January 10, 2026
Time: 10 AM - 5 PM
Venue: Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street North Entrance Lottery Venue
Organized by: Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street Promotion Association
Cooperation: Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd.
★ Grand Lottery Draw
Present a receipt for purchases of ¥500 or more at eligible stores within the shopping arcade to participate in one lottery draw per receipt!
You can add receipts from multiple stores together.
Also, get another service when you post on social media!
★ Osaka Pro-Wrestling Appearance! (January 10th only)
On Saturday, January 10th, we will host the "Osaka Pro-Wrestling Commemorative Photo Session" featuring popular wrestlers!
The lively pro-wrestling stage and photo session will make Doguyasuji even more exciting this New Year!
★ Happening concurrently: Bargain Fair
Each store in the shopping street will sell off inventory and outlet items at special prices!
From professional tools to everyday items, we have a wide selection of great deals.
A chance to win luxury prizes while enjoying your shopping!
Please come to the Doguyasuji Shopping Street for the first weekend of the New Year.
Let's all enjoy our first shopping spree with smiles!
This year's first attempt, the "Mr. Douguya Sugito" challenge ✨
Many people participated, and foreign tourists also enjoyed it.
The venue was filled with many smiles and cheers.
To everyone who challenged, and to everyone who supported,
Thank you very much!
It's being held with even more power!? 🔥
[Renovation Notice]
The "Ringer Hut Namba Sennichimae Store" located within Doguyasuji Shotengai will be closed for store renovation work during the following period.
Renovation period: Monday, November 4, 2025 - Friday, November 28, 2025
Renewal Opening Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
We apologize for any inconvenience during the construction period, but we are transforming into a store that you can use more comfortably.
After the renovation, we sincerely look forward to seeing you in our new space.
