America-mura (American Village) in Osaka

This post can contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using these links.

Facts & Figures

America-mura, meaning American Village, is a vibrant shopping and entertainment district in Osaka, popular among the fashion-crazy youth. Locals also refer to this area as Amemura. Like Dotonbori, it's bustling with trendy individuals seeking the latest styles. In this compact area, you'll find over 2,500 shops offering both imported and local fashion, including vintage clothing, urban apparel, and hip-hop wear. The heart of America-mura is Sankaku Koen (Triangle Park), a concrete area with benches that serve as the best people-watching spot in the city. No fashion show can compare to the unique blend of self-expression and creativity found here. Experience the Ultimate Japanese Hospitality at a Osaka Ryokan.
 Find Your Perfect Ryokan Now > On weekends, nearly 200000 young visitors come to Amemura to enjoy live music performances, comedy shows, flea markets, street stalls, galleries, tattoo and piercing parlors, nightclubs, trendy clothing shops, and various dining options. Strolling through the narrow streets and alleys allows for exploring this unique cultural hotspot, adorned with graffiti and murals on the buildings. At night, the area becomes a popular meeting place for young people in Osaka. Note that nightclubs close at 1:00 AM. My tip: During Halloween festivities, you will see some of the wildest costumes!

• America-mura
• Open - 24/7
• Closed - no closing days
• Admission Fee - free

My tips for local activities

How about exploring the highlights and hidden gems of the fascinating metropolis Osaka with a local guide? The personalized tour by our partner GetYourGuide can take between 3 - 4 hours. For more details check out this page >

History

In 1969 and the beginning of the 1970s shops in this area started to sell vintage fashion items from the West Coast of America and surfer clothes from Hawaii. More and more old warehouses and lumberyards were transformed by young entrepreneurs and followed this popular trend and Americamura (Ame-mura) was born. In 1969 interior designer Mariko Higiri opened the first cafe in this rundown area and started a trend. Many creative people like artists and designers followed or got interested in this place and it’s now for over 50 years one of the centers of Japanese youth culture, comparable to Harajuku in Tokyo. During the 1980s the area got its name Amerika-mura (Ame-mura). In the 1990s huge stores like OPA Shinsaibashi and Big Step opened their doors to the public and attracted more and more foreign tourists and expats. Some would say Americamura became a bit more mainstream.

Sightseeing spots in America-mura

Top:

Triangle Park (Sankaku Koen) - It is a small park in the center and on the weekends you can enjoy here live music and a flea market.

Statue of Liberty - This small-scale reproduction of the Statue of Liberty marks the entry to the area. Do not miss the large clown nearby.

Big Step - It is a huge complex with fashion shops, cafes, restaurants, a movie theatre on the 4th floor, a sports gym, and a stage for live music.

Shinsaibashi OPA - You can find this fashion center close to Exit 7 of the Shinsaibashi Station.

Peace on Earth Mural - The mural of a large dove dates back to 1983 and was painted by Seitaro Kuroda, a famous Osaka artist born in 1939.

Mitsu Hachimangu Shrine - The small shrine was built in 749. It is the guardian shrine of the current Shinsaibashi area. Mitsu Hachimangu was destroyed through the air raids in 1945 and rebuilt in 1960.

Best Vintage Shops - Check out these popular vintage shops called Pigsty, VANCY, and JAM.

Festival & Events (dates can change without notice)

July

Namba Yasaka Shrine Summer Festival Funatogyo (13th)
Funatogyo (Boat Procession) is a Water Metropolis festival where you can see many beautiful decorated boats (Shinto-style) sailing up and down the Dotonbori River. More than 20 boats with some of them carrying musicians, and drummers provide the visitors with a great show.

Tenjin Matsuri Festival (24th till 25th)
Osaka’s greatest traditional festival (over 1000 years old) and ranked as one of the top 3 festivals in Japan. Enjoy spectecular processions on land and in the water, great fireworks and a unique atmosphere created by the traditional costumes and music. My must-see recommendation for you.