Shinsaibashi
Encyclopedia
Chuo-ku
Chūō-ku is a common ward name in many large Japanese cities. It can be translated to mean "central district."This is a list of Chūō-ku in cities in Japan.* Chūō-ku, Sapporo* Chūō-ku, Saitama* Chūō-ku, Chiba* Chūō, Tokyo...
ward
Wards of Japan
A is a subdivision of one of the cities of Japan that is large enough to have been designated by government ordinance. Wards are used to subdivide each city designated by government ordinance...
of Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
, Japan and the city's main shopping area. It centers around Shinsaibashi-suji, a covered shopping street, that is north of Dōtonbori
Dotonbori
is one of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka, Japan. It is a single street, running alongside the Dōtonbori canal between the Dōtonboribashi Bridge and the Nipponbashi Bridge in the Namba ward of Osaka...
and parallel and east of Mido-suji
Midosuji
Boulevard is the primary main street in central Osaka, Japan. It runs north-south, passing Umeda, Shinsaibashi, Dōtonbori, Ame-mura, and Namba districts. Underneath the street is the Midōsuji Line subway.-History:...
street. Associated with Shinsaibashi, and west of Mido-suji
Midosuji
Boulevard is the primary main street in central Osaka, Japan. It runs north-south, passing Umeda, Shinsaibashi, Dōtonbori, Ame-mura, and Namba districts. Underneath the street is the Midōsuji Line subway.-History:...
street, is Amerika-mura, an American-themed shopping area and center of Osaka's youth culture. Major stores and boutiques concentrates are found around the area. Shinsaibashi is easily accessed via the subway.
History
Like many place names in Osaka, the Shinsaibashi shopping district gets its name from one of the many "Machi-bashi" (town bridges) that were built and managed by the local merchants. Shinsaibashi was a much loved, landmark bridge that spanned the Nagahori-gawa canal.In 1622, at the time of the excavation of the Nagahori-gawa canal, the original 35 metre long and 4 metre wide wooden bridge was built by Shinsai Okada, one of the four merchants who dug the Nagahori-gawa canal. The bridge was named after its builder.
As the popularity of Shinmachi to the north and the Dōtonbori theatre district to the south increased, so did the popularity of the shops lining the streets connected by the bridge, establishing the area as Osaka's main shopping district.
The well-used wooden bridge required considerable maintenance and repairs by the townspeople who owned it. In 1873 the wooden bridge was replaced with a 37.1 metre long and 5.2 metre wide arched truss iron bridge that was imported from Germany. The arched bridge was considered to be quite unusual and became a popular topic of conversation amongst Osakans.
In 1909, accompanying the construction of a street car along the Nagahori-dori road, the iron bridge was replaced with Osaka's first stone bridge. It was a Western-styled, elegant double arched bridge with a row of four-leafed clovers carved into the railings. At night the bridge was illuminated by eight gas lamps. The beautiful bridge was affectionately nicknamed "Eyeglasses bridge" by the townspeople because the bridge, with the reflection of its two stone arches in the water, looked like a pair of glasses.
In 1964, the Nagahori-gawa canal was reclaimed to become a road, the bridge taken down, and the carved railings and the lamps from the stone bridge were used in the construction of a pedestrian overpass. This bridge was used in one of the scenes in the 1989 Hollywood movie, Black Rain.
The overpass was removed as a part of the construction of the Crysta Nagahori, an underground shopping mall beneath the Nagahori-dori road. In 1997 the mall opened and the lamps and part of the carved stone railing of the overpass were used for a sidewalk bridge above the mall. Water in the ceiling of the mall flows under the bridge.
In 1973, to commemorate its 100th anniversary, the German-made iron bridge was reconstructed and is now a pedestrian overpass in Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park.
Establishments around Shinsaibashi
- DaimaruDaimaruis a Japanese department stores chain, principally located in the Kansai region of Japan. The chain is operated by Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores, a subsidiary of J. Front Retailing...
- Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Arcade
- OPA
- Tokyu HandsTokyu HandsNote: Tokyu Department Store is a different department store run by the same company Tokyu Group.Tokyu Hands Inc., known as , is a Japanese department store. Tokyu Hands is part of the Tokyu Group, its first store opened in Shibuya, Tokyo in 1976...
- Apple StoreApple Store (retail)The Apple Retail Store is a chain of retail stores owned and operated by Apple Inc., dealing in computers and consumer electronics. The stores sell Macintosh personal computers, software, iPods, iPads, iPhones, third-party accessories, and other consumer electronics such as Apple TV...
- Crysta Nagahori: an underground shopping mall, 81,765 square meters.
- Sinsaibashi PARCO (closed on September 30, 2011)
- Camera Naniwa
- Coach
- DiorDiorDior can mean:* Christian Dior SA, a French clothing retailer* In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional Middle-earth legendarium:**Dior Eluchíl, a Half-elven of the First Age**Dior , a Steward of GondorDior is a surname, and may refer to:...
- ChanelChanelChanel S.A. is a French fashion house founded by the couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, well established in haute couture, specializing in luxury goods . She gained the name "Coco" while maintaining a career as a singer at a café in France...
- GucciGucciThe House of Gucci, better known simply as Gucci , is an Italian fashion and leather goods label, part of the Gucci Group, which is owned by French company PPR...
- Louis VuittonLouis VuittonLouis Vuitton Malletier – commonly referred to as Louis Vuitton , or shortened to LV – is a French fashion house founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton. The label is well known for its LV monogram, which is featured on most products, ranging from luxury trunks and leather goods to ready-to-wear, shoes,...
- Diesel
- CartierCartier SACartier S.A., commonly known as Cartier , is a French luxury jeweler and watch manufacturer. The corporation carries the name of the Cartier family of jewellers whose control ended in 1964 and who were known for numerous pieces including the "Bestiary" , the diamond necklace created for Bhupinder...
- Harry WinstonHarry WinstonHarry Winston was an American jeweler. He donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution in 1958 after owning it for a decade, and traded the Portuguese Diamond to the Smithsonian in 1963.-History:...
- Versace
- Armani
- FendiFendiFendi is an Italian high fashion house best known for its "baguette" handbags. It was launched in 1925 as a fur and leather shop in Rome, but today is a multinational luxury goods brand owned by LVMH...
- Dolce & GabbanaDolce & GabbanaDolce & Gabbana is an Italian luxury industry fashion house. The company was started by the Italian designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana in Milan, Italy. By 2005 their turnover was €597 million....
- Giorgio ArmaniGiorgio ArmaniGiorgio Armani is an Italian fashion designer, particularly noted for his menswear. He is known today for his clean, tailored lines. He formed his company, Armani, in 1975, and by 2001 was acclaimed as the most successful designer to come out of Italy, with an annual turnover of $1.6 billion and a...
- RolexRolexRolex SA is a Swiss watchmaking manufacturer of high-quality, luxury wristwatches. Rolex watches are popularly regarded as status symbols and BusinessWeek magazine ranks Rolex No.71 on its 2007 annual list of the 100 most valuable global brands...
- BeamsBeamsBeams is a Japanese clothing brand, established in 1976, whose chief executive officer is Yo Shitara. Besides stores in many places in Japan, they have branch offices in New York, Milan, London, and Paris....
- HermèsHermèsHermès International S.A., or simply Hermès is a French high fashion house established in 1837, today specializing in leather, lifestyle accessories, perfumery, luxury goods, and ready-to-wear...
- Omega
- GivenchyGivenchyGivenchy is a French brand of clothing, accessories, perfumes and cosmetics with Parfums Givenchy.The house of Givenchy was founded in 1952 by designer Hubert de Givenchy and is a member of Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture et du Pret-a-Porter...
- Yves Saint-Laurent
- DunhillDunhillDunhill may refer to:* Alfred Dunhill, a luxury goods company owned by Richemont* Dunhill * Dunhill , a brand of cigarettes made by British American Tobacco* Dunhill Records, a record label* ABC Dunhill Records, a record label...
- BVLGARI
- FendiFendiFendi is an Italian high fashion house best known for its "baguette" handbags. It was launched in 1925 as a fur and leather shop in Rome, but today is a multinational luxury goods brand owned by LVMH...
- Samantha ThavasaSamantha ThavasaSamantha Thavasa is a Japanese fashion company, known primarily for their popular handbags. It was founded in 1994 by Kazumasa Terada, the current CEO and president....
- Franck MullerFranck MullerFranck Muller is a noted Swiss watchmaker and the company of the same name. The brand of watches carries the slogan "Master of Complications". Franck Muller's watches are worn by various celebrities, among them Demi Moore, Robin Williams, Elton John, 50 Cent, and José Mourinho...
- BennetonBenetton GroupBenetton Group S.p.A. is a global luxury fashion brand, based in Treviso, Italy. The name comes from the Benetton family who founded the company in 1965. Benetton Group is listed in Milan....
- UniqloUNIQLOis a Japanese casual wear designer, manufacturer and retailer.The company was originally a division of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.. On November 1, 2005, it was restructured as a separate wholly owned subsidiary called Uniqlo Co., Ltd. , which is listed on the first section of the Tokyo Stock...
- GapGap (clothing retailer)The Gap, Inc. is an American clothing and accessories retailer based in San Francisco, California, and founded in 1969 by Donald G. Fisher and Doris F. Fisher. The company has five primary brands: the namesake Gap banner, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta. As of September 2008,...
- Ships
- United Arrows
- H&MH&MH & M Hennes & Mauritz AB is a Swedish retail-clothing company, known for its fast-fashion clothing offerings for women, men, teenagers and children....
Osaka Municipal Subway Stations
- Shinsaibashi StationShinsaibashi Stationis a train station of the Osaka Municipal Subway located in Shinsaibashi, Chūō-ku, Osaka, Japan.-Lines:*Osaka Municipal Subway**Midosuji Line **Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line...
- Midosuji Line (M19), Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line (N15) - Yotsubashi StationYotsubashi Stationis a train station on the Osaka Municipal Subway Yotsubashi Line in Nishi-ku, Osaka, Japan.-History:*October 1, 1965 - The station opened, because the section of the Yotsubashi Line from Daikokucho to Nishi-Umeda was opened.-Lines:*Osaka Municipal Subway...
- Yotsubashi Line (Y14)