A Guide to the World of Otaku Culture in Osaka

In the West, the idea of reading Japanese comic books and following anime has always been seen as a hobby reserved for kids and the quirky. There have always been exceptions that have busted through the “cool” glass ceiling, including games like Final Fantasy, tv-to-movie franchises like Power Rangers and the insanely popular – though short-lived – phenom that was Pokémon Go. Forget all of those labels in Japan, where otaku culture is celebrated and enjoyed not only by kids but by adults, too. Whether they wear pocket protectors or slick business suits, you’ll spot grown-ups nose-deep in their favourite manga on their morning commute or in the magazine aisle of any convenience store in Japan. 

Where to Find Otaku 

Ask anybody in Japan where the most famous place to find otaku culture is and all fingers will point to Akihabara, a district of Tokyo lit up in a kaleidoscope of electric colours and blazing billboards. Head westwards until you get to Osaka, Japan’s third largest city, where all things otaku are found in the district of Nipponbashi Den Den Town. It gets its colloquial name from the Japanese word “denki,” which means electricity and gives homage to the district’s origins a supplier of large scale appliances and wholesale computer hardware.

With slowing customer patronage, the savvy business owners were looking for ways to expand their customer base and dissected who their main clientele were. They quickly realized that the patrons snapping up the computer hardware were kind of on the geeky side with a love of everything to do with otaku. And so, businesses catering to exactly their needs started popping up, eventually transforming into the mecca of manga (and everything else otaku) that it is today. The district even hosts a massive 1-day a year cosplay bonanza, shutting down the main drag for blocks on end as over 200,000 fill the street shoulder-to-shoulder to gawk at cosplay enthusiasts peacocking some of the best costumes you’ll ever see. Known as the Nipponbashi Street Festa, it’s definitely an event that’s not to be missed. 

So whether you’re a passionate fan of Hello Kitty, One Piece or even just trains, Japan’s got a whole subculture for you to celebrate your hobby in, in all its weird and wonderful glory. Welcome to Japan, the home of otaku.