Tenjimbashi-Suji Shopping Street, Osaka

The Tenjimbashi-Suji Shopping Street is the longest shopping arcade in Japan. It is a covered arcade in Osaka that is flanked by shops, theaters and game centers. It is frequented by locals and by tourists who want to enjoy the local flavor of the city.

The Tenjimbashi-Suji Shopping Street was first the Tenman Vegetable Market during the Edo Era. It is located near the Tenmangu Shrine. It was one of the most important markets for the people of Osaka at the time. Today the street runs from the Tenjinbashi 1 Chome and the 9 Chome for a length of 2.6 kilometers.

The Tenjimbashi-Suji Shopping Street is a covered arcade with over 600 shops. The high vaulted roof and the broad street give it a spacious look unlike many other covered shopping areas. Visitors can buy clothes, snacks, second hand books and a range of other products. It does not have large departmental stores selling high end brands or souvenir shops. Most of the shops are small and cater to the local population. The shops have the same appearance as they had when it was a vegetable market. The Tenjimbashi-Suji Shopping Street becomes very crowded with locals and tourists during the summer festival called Tenjin Matsuri hosted by the Tenmangu Shrine.