Billiken" (known as Billiken-san in Japan) gained popularity as a "God of Luck" in America. During the late Meiji period, Billiken-san was trademarked by businessman Tamura Komajiro who enshrined it at his company and famous location in Tsutenkaku, Osaka -

A retro downtown area of southern Osaka, famous for Tsutenkaku, Janjan Yokocho Alley and a giant blowfish lantern sign. To the west of Tennoji Park is Shin-Sekai, one of Osaka's most interesting neighborhoods.

The history of this area goes back to 1612 when a merchant by the name of Yasui Doton invested all of his personal capital in an ambitious local development project. Doton’s plan was to divert and expand the Umezu River into a new waterway that would link the local canal network with the Kizugawa River. Unfortunately, Doton’s project was interrupted by war and he himself was killed during the Siege of Osaka in 1615. Later that same year, Doton’s cousins completed his work and in his memory, the new canal was named Dotonbori or “Doton Canal”.

A 2.6km-long shopping street starting at Tenjinbashi, reaching Tenjinbashisuji 7 chome to the north. It is said to be the longest in Japan, taking about 40 minutes to walk its length. Note the Welcome Doll above the entrance. Once inside the arcade, approx. 800 stores; old-fashioned diners, delicatessen, knife shops of long tradition, a tea store established in 1868, tofu, croquettes, chinaware, and kimono. It flourished in the Edo era as a town for "Osaka Tenmangu Shrine" in 2 chome, dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, the god of studies. It developed into the commercial town it is today in the Meiji era. The recreation of this town in the Edo, Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras is in the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living in 6 chome. The Tenjin Festival is held on July 24 and 25 every year with portable shrines parading here, outdoor stalls, and performances filling the air with spirits.

Kuromon Market (黒門市場, Kuromon Ichiba) is a covered public market that stretches around 600 meters parallel to Sakaisujidori Street in the Minami area of Osaka. The market has about 150 shops that predominantly sell fish, meat and produce, with other shops also purveying traditional sweets and low priced clothes and homeware. The market dates back to the Edo Period, and today makes for an atmospheric place to stroll around and try street foods.

The current Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street is lined with specialty stores of all kinds of cooking utensils and kitchen items. Osaka has long-since been called the "Kitchen of the world" where a great numbers of skillful chefs come to work.