Dotonobori: Japan's Venice

Although Japanese culture is often perceived as reserved, Dotonbori is an avant-garde space that thrives after the sun sets. Music pulses through the streets, paired with flashing neon billboards, culturally diverse restaurants, and bustling global crowds. It's like a giant block party, echoing the energy of Times Square in New York, though it stretches only two miles. To some younger visitors, it even draws comparisons to Little Venice. Doton, the visionary who created the canal in 1615, laid the foundation for what would become a stage for performers, puppeteers, and street vendors, much like those of Shakespeare's contemporaries. However, by the time of World War II, much of it had been erased by bombings.

 In the 1960s, Western influences reshaped the landscape. Neon lights replaced gifted performers, and retail shops took over the space. With the rise of the internet, Dotonbori has become a globally recognized destination.