Saturday, January 29, 2011

Amerika-mura: Youth Culture in Osaka


Amerika-mura, often abbreviated to ‘Ame-mura’, is a popular area of Shinsaibashi that is great for tourists wanting to observe a bit of youth culture from the Osaka region. It is also a great place for nighttime entertainment. The name of the location basically means ‘American Village’, but aside from a few western influences, it remains distinctly Japanese in every way.

Amerikamura features many retail clothing stores, restaurants and bars. The area is a lively hangout, especially during weekends and when the weather is nice. It is well known, perhaps infamous, for its popularity among foreigners and boasts an exciting nightlife.

Triangle Park lies at the center of Amemura. During the day, you can often glimpse interesting fashion trends by just passing through the area -- keep your camera handy! It’s also a nice place to take a break and perhaps get a bite to eat in between checking out shops. There are many great clothing stores in this area carrying USA, European and Japanese brands.

After you’re done exploring Amerikamura (it’s actually quite a small area), you can check out other parts of Shinsaibashi that cater to higher-end fashion, or visit the only Apple Store in Osaka.

No comments:

Post a Comment