Osu
Nagoya's most energetic shopping district — covered arcades packed with street food, vintage clothing, anime and electronics, wrapped around the historic Osu Kannon temple, with a much-loved antique market twice a month.
Plan your visitA few minutes from the centre of Nagoya, Osu is the city at its most cheerful and chaotic — a maze of covered arcades where street food, vintage shops, anime stores and an old temple all jostle happily together. If Nagoya has a beating heart for everyday culture, this is it.
A district that grew up around a temple
At the centre stands Osu Kannon, a temple of around four hundred years' standing, its red main hall and pigeon-filled plaza a familiar meeting place. The shopping streets grew out from its gates, and that mix of the sacred and the everyday still gives Osu its character — you can light incense one moment and be eating a skewer the next.
Eat your way through the arcades
Osu is made for grazing. The arcades are lined with stalls and tiny shops selling tenmusu, kushikatsu, karaage, taiyaki and snacks from Korea, Taiwan, Brazil and beyond. Come hungry, walk slowly, and share things as you go — half the fun is deciding what to try next.
Vintage, anime and the hunt for treasure
The district grew from an old electronics quarter, and that DIY, collector's spirit never left. Today you'll find anime and game shops, retro curiosities, quirky second-hand fashion and small independent stores you won't see anywhere else. On the 18th and 28th of each month, an antique and flea market spreads across the Osu Kannon grounds — a lovely thing to wander even if you go home empty-handed.
Good to know
Much of Osu is under covered arcades, which makes it a reliable choice on a rainy or very hot day. It's busiest on weekends. Shops keep their own hours, so for the antique market or a particular store, check the day before you set out.
Make it part of your trip
Osu is an easy, fun half-day right in the city, and pairs naturally with Nagoya Castle, Atsuta Jingu or the Sakae shopping area. We can guide you in English or Vietnamese and help you find the best food and shops — tell us your dates and what you're into.
Highlights
An all-weather arcade
Much of Osu runs under covered arcades, so it's a comfortable wander in rain or summer heat — perfect when the weather won't cooperate.
Street-food heaven
Graze your way through tenmusu (shrimp rice balls), kushikatsu skewers, karaage and snacks from all over the world.
Subculture & vintage
Born from an old electronics district, Osu is now a happy jumble of anime and game shops, retro finds and second-hand fashion.
Osu Kannon temple
A temple of around four centuries' standing sits at the heart of it all, its red main hall a calm counterpoint to the bustle.
The antique market
On the 18th and 28th of each month, an antique and flea market fills the temple grounds — fun for browsing even if you don't buy.
A suggested route
- 1
Osu Kannon temple
Start at the red main hall and its lively plaza.
- 2
Osu Kannon-dori & Nio-mon-dori
Dive into the food arcades for skewers, sweets and snacks.
- 3
Banshoji-dori
Browse the vintage, anime and second-hand shops down the side lanes.
- 4
Banshoji temple
A small, surprisingly lively temple tucked among the shops.
- 5
Kamimaezu end
Finish at the eastern edge, near Kamimaezu Station.
Best time to visit
Good all year — much of the district is under cover, so it works in rain or summer heat. Liveliest on weekends, and the antique market falls on the 18th and 28th of each month. Confirm market days officially before you go.
Getting there
- Osu Kannon Station (Tsurumai Subway Line)Steps from the exit — the temple and arcades are right there.
- Kamimaezu Station (Meijo / Tsurumai Lines)A few minutes' walk to the eastern end of the district.
- Nagoya (Nagoya Station)About 10 minutes by subway (Tsurumai Line) to Osu Kannon.
Would you like to visit?
Plan your visit
Want to include this in a guided day with transport and an English- or Vietnamese-speaking guide? Tell us your dates and we’ll build it around you.