Hi,I’m Keiko from Osaka!
Hozenji Yokocho Alley is located within few minutes’ walk from the Glico Man sign which is one of the symbol of Osaka.
The narrow,stone-paved atmospheric alley feels like the old days of Osaka.
There is a small temple called “Hozenji” in Hozenji Yokocho,and many locals and foreign tourists visit here to pray and enjoy local foods in Osaka.
After visiting Hozenji temple, enjoy local foods!
There are many restaurant,shops and bars along this old alley.
The famous restaurants such as Matsuzakagyu yakiniku M or Michelin-Star restaurant Wasabi are located in this area.
I’ll guide you Hozenji Yokocho Alley and must-eat local foods in Osaka this time!
Local Guide:Hozenji Yokocho Alley in Osaka!Must-go temple and restaurants!
Hozenji Yokocho Alley has two 80m streets going east to west,and at the end of corner you’ll find Hozenji Yokocho Temple.
Hozenji Temple was built in 1637. There were execution ground and graveyards around this area at that time.It is said Hozenji Temple was built in order to appease the spirit of dead people.
There is Fudo-myoo statue(one of the important deities of Japanese Buddhism)which is covered by green moss in there.
Locals affectionately call it “Mizukake-Fudo-san”.Mizu means “water”,Kake means “splash” in Japanese.
People visit Hozenji temple to pray for good fortune by pouring water on the statue of Fudo-myoo with a ladle.
It is said if you splash water with this statue and pray for your wishes,your wishes will be fulfilled.
A lots of green moss has grown on the statue. I wonder how many people splash water to pray for their wishes after the Mizukake Fudo statue was built.
Hozenji Temple was destroyed by an air strike in 1945,but Fudo-myoo statue was remained.Therefore,local people have a special feelings for this statue.
After visiting Hozenji Temple, let’s enjoy local foods!
5 Must-go restaurants around Hozenji Yokocho Alley
As I mentioned above, there are many famous restaurants around Hozenji Yokocho Alley.I’d like to introduce you 5 must-go restaurants at Hozenji Yokocho Alley.
1.Meotozenzai夫婦善哉
“Meoto” means husband and wife in Japanese.Zenzai is sweet, thick bean soup with rice cakes or dumplings in it. This restaurant serves two bowls of Meotozenzai for one person.
So you can eat two bowls of them by yourself!
It is believed that if marital couple eat this Meotozenzai together, they will live happily ever after.
I like Zenzai, but some of my foreign friends don’t like Japanese sweet beans.
It’s a famous local foods,but it is better for you not to eat if you don’t like Japanese sweet beans.
Have a try for those who like Japanese sweet beans!
Address:Hozenji Meouto Bldg. 1F.1-2-10 Namba, Chuo-Ku,Osaka
Location: 5 minutes from Subway Midosuji-line Namba Station exit 14
Phone: 06-6211-6455
Open Hour: Mon-Sun 10:00～22:00
Closed:-
Price:〜1,000yen
Map
2.Hozenji Sanpei 法善寺三平
There are many famous Okonomiyaki restaurants around Hozenji Yokocho Alley area, and Hozenji Sanpei has been open in Hozenji Yokocho area for 40 years.This is an authentic Osaka okonomiyaki made with beef tendon stock, Konnyaku which is a cake made from the arum root and green onion.
This is one of my favorite Okonomiyaki styles in Osaka.
It is delicious with the fluffy texture stuffed with ingredients inside and crunchy green onion outside.
It’s difficult to find but it’s a hidden gem.
Address:1-7-10 Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Location: 5 minutes from Subway Midosuji-line Namba Station exit 14
Phone: 06-6211-0399
Open Hour: Mon,Wed-Thu 17:00～23:00(L.O.22:30),Fri 17:00～24:00(L.O.23:30),Sat11:30～15:30（L.O.15:00）17:00～24:00（L.O.23:30)Sun,Public Holiday,11:30～15:30(L.O.15:00),17:00～23:00(L.O.22:30)
Closed:Tuesday
Price:Lunch 1,000〜2,000yen Dinner2,000〜3,000yen
Map
3.Katsudon Hozenji Yokocho 喝鈍 法善寺横町店
Katsudon Hozenji Yokocho has been open in Hozenji Yokocho area for more than 30 years.Katsudon is a deep-fried pork cutlet rice bowl covered with a half-cooked egg.
Katsudon Hozenji Yokocho serves a variety of Katsudon dishes, I didn’t know there are so many Katsudon dishes until I came here.
Crispy pork cutlet with fluffy, moist egg is the perfect combination!
There is no English menu, but the menu has pictures,so it would help you when you order.
Address: 1-1-18 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Location: 5 minutes from Subway Midosuji-line Namba Station exit 14
Phone: 06-6213-7585
Open Hour: Mon,Wed-Sun 11:00～21:00
Closed: Tuesday
Price(Lunch) ～1000 yen (Dinner) ～1000 yen
Map
Next,let’s go to the yakiniku restaurant in Hozenji Yokocho!
If you’re looking for unique activities and experiences in Osaka,you can find them here:
4.Matsuzakagyu Yakiniku M Hozenji Yokocho 松阪牛焼肉 M 法善寺店
Matsuzakagyu Yakiniku M Hozenji Yokocho is a Yakiniku restaurant which offers you Matsuzakagyu, one of the major Wagyu( Japanese beef) in Japan. This beef is very tender. It melts in your mouth when you eat it.
I love yakiniku here. I often recommend my foreign freinds, and they always told me it is so nice!
Reservations are must before you go to this restaurant.
Address: 1-1-19 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Location: 5 minutes from Subway Midosuji-line Namba Station exit 14
Phone: 06-6211-2917
Open Hour: Mon-Fri 17:00～24:00(L.O.23:00)/ Sat-Sun and Holidays 12:00～15:00
Closed: –
Price(Lunch) ～1000 yen (Dinner) 4000～5000 yen
Map
5.Daruma だるま
Daruma is a popular kushikatsu chain restaurant in Osaka and it is located next to Matsuzakagyu Yakiniku M Hozenji Yokocho restaurants.Their Kushikatsu have three flavors, original sauce, coating and good oil.You can enjoy original tasty Kushikatsu here.
Address: 1-1-4 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Location: 5 minutes from Subway Midosuji-line Namba Station exit 14
Phone:06-6211-8112
Open Hour: Mon-Sun12:00～22:30 (L.O. 22:00)
Closed:1/1
Price:Lunch 1,000～2,000yen Dinner 2,000〜3000yen
Hozenji Yokocho Temple Information
Address:1-2-16 Namba, Chuo-ku, OsakaLocation: 5 minutes from Subway Midosuji-line Namba Station exit 14
Phone: 06-6211-4152
Opening hours:24 hours
Closed:-
Map
If you’re looking for unique activities and experiences in Osaka,you can find them here:
If you want to try Izakaya and other finest Osaka’s food, try Osaka Bar Hopping Food tour with Magical Trip.
They’ll get to experience authentic Osaka foods and drinks by pub crawling local izakaya bars that travelers normally couldn’t find.
Click here for related information:
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Local tells Top 5 best Izakaya restaurants in Namba!
Local tells 5 Must Eat Foods in Amerikamura!Location and Map
Hi! I’d love to visit this street – great job on highlighting places to eat! Can you recommend any bars, pubs, or shops?
Hi,
Thank you for your inquiry.
I recommend “Bar Zerro” which is located 5 minutes walk from Hozenji Yokocho Alley.
http://stevejobko.com/1596.html
The staff are very friendly,and my friend used to work there too.
Kind regards,
Keiko
HI! I know there are 3 Michelin Star restaurants along the Hozenji alley, Kigawa, Wasabi and I forgot the 3rd one. Would you know? I think It’s right across wasabi.
Hi,
I think it’s Honkogetsu. It’s Michelin two starred restaurant.
Kind regards,
Keiko