Japan's Manga, Anime, and Games Are Absolutely Amazing! Exploring Osaka's Otaku Paradise: Nipponbashi OTA-ROAD

● Why I Became an Otaku

I'm Diego from Barcelona, Spain. When I was 7 years old, I came across the manga "Dragon Ball" and was deeply impressed. Even though it was a manga, it was so cool and fun!

Since then, I've fallen in love with Japanese manga, captivated by many older Japanese works and games like "Dr. Slump" (known as "Dr. Slump & Arale-chan") and "Mazinger Z"!

My hometown, Barcelona, hosts Europe's largest Japanese pop culture event, "MANGA BARCELONA," so Japan has always felt very familiar to me. I recall that in 2019, the famous AKB48 even performed at the event! Japan has always been a country I dreamed of.

Later, when my wish came true and I visited Japan for the first time, not only manga and games but also Japanese culture, food—everything captivated me and made me fall deeply in love with Japan. Finally, I realized my long-cherished dream: I moved to Osaka two years ago and am now studying Japanese. In my beloved Osaka, I enjoy my otaku life, immersed every day in my favorite manga and games.

● "Kansai's Akihabara": Nipponbashi OTA-ROAD!

Nipponbashi is located between Osaka Metro's Nipponbashi Station and Ebisucho Station. The Nipponbashi Shopping Street (commonly known as Den Den Town) is famous as an electronics district.

Today, I'm heading to a back street west of Sakai-suji, the main thoroughfare of Den Den Town: Nipponbashi OTA-ROAD! Lined with shops for anime, games, figures, and more, it's an otaku holy land known as the "Akihabara of Kansai."

To get to Nipponbashi OTA-ROAD, take Osaka Metro's Sennichimae Line or Sakaisuji Line to "Nipponbashi Station" and walk north for about 6 minutes. Alternatively, you can walk from "Namba Station" on the Midosuji Line, Yotsubashi Line, or Sennichimae Line!

From Namba Station, take exit E9 from the underground shopping street "Namba Nan Nan" and walk southeast along NANSAN Street for about 5 minutes.

Today, I'd like to introduce some places around Nipponbashi that I, as an otaku, highly recommend—especially shops with a strong otaku vibe!

● A Game Store That Satisfies Otaku Tastes: "Super Potato Retrokan"

First up is a retro game store I visit whenever I have time: "Super Potato Retrokan OTA-ROAD Store."

They have countless used game consoles, such as Nintendo's Super Famicom and Game Boy, SEGA's SEGA Saturn and Dreamcast. These are nostalgic items I played as a child, or game consoles I always wanted—each one excites me.

A game and manga store that caters to otaku tastes: "Super Potato Retrokan"

I still love Sufami (short for Super Famicom)! I'm hooked on Mario and The Legend of Zelda.

Indeed, software in Japanese is more interesting and better. It feels more authentic. Everything here is the Japanese version. It's heaven!

Super Famicom cartridges

Wow! I found something super rare. This is a gold cartridge of "Mega Man 4" that only exists in eight copies worldwide. It was said to be a prize for winners of a boss character contest. At one point, the price was inflated to 1 million yen, but I hear people still wanted to buy it even at that price.

Game: Gold cartridge of Mega Man 4

● Endless Japanese Manga! "Wonderland Namba Store"

Nipponbashi OTA-ROAD has many manga specialty stores!

Today, I'll introduce "Wonderland Namba Store," a 2-minute walk north from "Super Potato Retrokan" along OTA-ROAD.

Because only a few famous Japanese manga are available in Spain, when I came to Wonderland and saw so many manga, I was thrilled! But since they're all in Japanese, it's a bit challenging for me, yet spending time in such a bookstore reading various manga is a really joyful time.

I love both old manga and new releases. In short, Japanese manga have very refined storylines and vivid characters—they're truly amazing. I feel I've learned a lot about Japan from manga!

● Lunch: Authentic Thai Cuisine at "Osaka Khao Man Gai Cafe"

After all this time, I'm hungry, so let's have Thai food for lunch.

I went to "Osaka Khao Man Gai Cafe," famous for its Thai chef, a minute's walk from "Wonderland Namba Store." For today's lunch main dish, I chose braised pork trotters. They were tender and flavorful! I often ate pork trotters in Spain too.

Many famous shops in Nipponbashi offer a wide variety of lunch options, from Japanese cuisine to Western, international dishes, ramen, and more—choosing what to eat today is part of the fun!

Lunch at Thai restaurant "Osaka Khao Man Gai Cafe"

After lunch, let me introduce a figure shop featuring manga and anime characters that will excite any otaku!

Stay tuned for Part 2: A Day Tour of Nipponbashi OTA-ROAD!

▼ For more information, please see the link below..

https://metronine.cn/