If you arrive in Nishinari, you will see a strange sight.
You can buy a beverage for 70 yen. Whereas in other parts of the country, it costs 150 yen.
And there are homeless people in the streets.
There are streets where oversized garbage is dumped.
There are places in town that smell of urine.
But the people in the streets are cheerful and lively.
There, people drink at bars from noon, and laughter can be heard everywhere.
At night, in some areas, prostitutes and old women appear at the entrances of stores.
This area is a very special place in Japan.
Nishinari is an unsafe, dirty, active, mysterious, and lewd area.
What do you mean?” You would ask that way.
Nishinari is safer and cleaner than it used to be.
But in the past, it attracted day laborers.
Many of them were criminals and mafia-like people.
Therefore, Nishinari has many homeless people who are day laborers.
And cheap food, drinks, and hotels are available for them.
However, the area is full of laughter and warm people.
Osaka is known as the “City of Laughter.
Many of Japan’s comedians are born in Osaka.
Nishinari is the place where Osaka-ness is most strongly expressed.
And Nishinari has the largest brothel area in Japan, Tobita Shinchi.
Such a mysterious place is quite rare in Japan.
Recently, it has become safer and many people come here with their families.
There are also many backpackers.

In the past, Nishinari was a dangerous and dirty town.
However, today’s Nishinari has been cleaned up under the guidance of the government.
The number of homeless people has decreased in Nishinari now.
It is now a safe place for families and women to walk around.
However, it is more dangerous than other areas.
The number of people involved in drugs, crime, etc. is said to be higher than in other areas.
Do not go to places you do not know with people you do not know.
Nishinari used to be dirty and unsafe.
There were many homeless people lying on the streets.
In those days, Nishinari was famous as “Japan’s slum” and “the only town in Japan where riots broke out.
People who know Nishinari describe the past Nishinari as follows.

There is a market for stolen goods.
When you park your car, an old man will hug your car and ask for money, saying that he picked up your car.
There were many yakuza in the day labor and poverty business.
There were many homeless people lying on the streets.

Nishinari was a city of crime and unsanitary conditions.
However, when he saw the Nishinari of today, he praised it.
There are very few homeless people, many families, and the public toilets have no stolen paper.
It’s wonderful.”

Nishinari is characterized by low prices for goods.
Those who want to stay in Osaka and live cheaply are advised to stay in Nishinari.

Nishinari’s lunchboxes are ¥2.00
Other bento box lunches: Yen

Nishinari juice Yen
Other juice Yen

Hotels in Nishinari Yen
Other hotels Yen

Nishinari is 30-50% less expensive than other areas.

There are many homeless people in Nishinari.
Therefore, there are places to be careful.

Nishinari Triangle Park still has many homeless people.
They live in that park while doing day labor.
Sometimes a soup kitchen is held.
A summer festival is held in mid-August.
A sumo wrestling tournament is held at the festival.

This center was a building that served as a vocational counseling center, hospital, and municipal housing.
However, with the passage of time, it fell into disuse and was discontinued.
There are still many homeless people in this neighborhood.
And there are many illegally dumped home appliances lying around.
Nearby, there is a box with bedding for the homeless.

Tobita Shinchi is the largest Yūkaku area in Japan.
Yūkaku means a prostitution area.
The signboard of Tobita Shinchi lights up around evening.
Women and old women appear at the entrances of the stores.
About 100 such stores appear every night.
The scenery is very mysterious and fantastic.
Prostitution is prohibited by Japanese law.
In Tobita Shinchi, waitresses and customers fall in love and have sexual intercourse.
Tobita Shinchi is allowed to exist with such logic.
In the olden days, brothels were surrounded by walls and there was no escape.
Today, it is different.
Payment for sexual intercourse is 11,000 yen for 15 minutes, and women receive a higher salary.
However, in Japan, the law is becoming stricter and stricter.
There is a possibility that Tobita-shinchi will disappear in the future.
If you are interested in Yūkaku , I suggest you go to the area.
Tobita Shinchi can be walked by both women and families.
Photography is not allowed in Tobita Shinchi, but there are some videos on youtube.
If you are interested, please take a look.

There is a classic building with hanging Japanese lanterns in the center of Tobita Shinchi.

The atmosphere is like stepping back in time to the days of the samurai.
This building is a Japanese restaurant called Taiyoshi Hyakuban.
Taiyoshi Hyakuban is a restaurant that was renovated from an old Yūkaku.
It was built more than 100 years ago and is a registered national cultural property.
The Hyakuban means 100.
The building holds the title of “100” the most prestigious of the Yūkaku in the area.
The restaurant retains the interior and furnishings of its Yūkaku days.
It is a beautiful building that can only be found here.
I love the atmosphere.
The food is reasonably priced, ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 yen per person for a hot pot meal.
I highly recommend eating in an old traditional Japanese building!