Dotonbori & Namba Osaka’s High-Energy Food Hub.

Osaka is currently the center of Japan’s sports and culinary world. While the March Grand Sumo Tournament began yesterday at the EDION Arena, the surrounding Namba and Dotonbori districts are where the after-party happens. Today marks the peak of the Osaka Strawberry Festival (March 5–8) and the Bungu Joshi Haku Stationery Festival. Locals are flooding the Nanko and Namba areas for limited-edition Kawaii stationery and seasonal strawberry treats. The Yakiimo Paradise (Sweet Potato Festival) is preparing to launch at Tenshiba on March 20, but for now, the local buzz is around the Good Coffee Fest at the Hanshin Department Store. Night tours through Dotonbori and Shinsekai are seeing record attendance as the Kuidaore (eat until you drop) culture remains the city's biggest draw.

©YovaniBernard