Osaka/South

South Osaka covers the southern wards of Osaka: Nishinari, Abeno, Ikuno, Sumiyoshi and Hirano. For the central Minami area (literally "South"), see Minami.

South Osaka is the poorest part of the city, with few top-rank attractions. However, the budget hotels that have long drawn in day laborers and itinerant workers have started to pivot towards frugal backpacker market, and while some parts of the city are seedy and rough, they are rarely if ever dangerous.

Eat
Tsuruhashi (鶴橋), near the train station of the same name, is home to a large Korean community and is particularly famous for its many yakiniku (Korean-style BBQ) restaurants.

Drink


Tobita Shinchi (飛田新地) near Dobutsuen-mae station is Japan's largest red-light district, where ladies pose at genkan entrances Amsterdam-style to attract clientele. It's not really a tourist attraction though, and non-Japanese clients are likely to be refused point blank.



Stay safe
The ward of Nishinari, home to Japan's largest red-light district Tobita Shinchi (see Drink and its largest slum Airin/Kamagasaki, has an exaggerated reputation of being the most dangerous place in Japan. While definitely down-at-heel, street crime is virtually unknown.