Super Retro Urban Vibes — Shinsekai in Osaka

Time stopped at Shinsekai after the reconstruction period post WWII. Meaning “New World,” Shinsekai was once a beacon of hope for Osaka. The area developed following the success of the 1903 National Industrial Expo, which drew 5 million people to this neighborhood. Shinsekai was meant to be where businesses and industry would flourish. After WWII, the area lies, perhaps not in ruins, but certainly in a constant state of stagnation. Its retro vibes retained their original character of the early-to-mid 20th century to this day, nostalgic in its grand display of the Ganbatte spirit.

The most significant landmark that stands testament to its history is the Tsutenkaku Tower, the construction of which began in 1912. The construction stopped during WWII and began again in 1956. Modeled after the Eiffel Tower of Paris, the Tsutenkaku Tower offers an observation deck, where tourists can see the sprawling cityscape of Osaka.

This part of Osaka presents a fish eye’s view of an aged neighborhood. The loud signages and an occasional tattered homeless man create a somewhat bloated vision of Japan that tourists don’t usually see. Shinsekai is on the edge of the largest slum in Osaka.

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Post by Helen Yu (Chestnut Journal) | Mar 26, 2025