Old family owned shops in quiet side streets give Kita Horie a genteel grace just moments from Shinsaibashi and Dotobori (Photo: Bonson Lam)

Kita Horie and Yotsubashi

Osaka Shinsaibashi's genteel Upper West side

Bonson Lam   - 1 min read

Every night, as the tourists gasp at the larger than life street theater that is Dotonbori, the residents of Kita Horie greet the evening in a more intimate and subdued manner. Long a home for designers and long term expatriates, these folk know and treasure the genteel cafes, piano bars and galleries that dot each street corner, much like the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York. Each street has its own surprises, and if you are starting from Toyoko Inn Nishi Shinsaibashi, you can easily stroll around in any direction.

Bonson Lam

Bonson Lam @bonson.lam

I knew my future was destined to be with Japan the moment I flew from Sydney to experience the atmospheric laneways of Kyoto last century.  I am humbled to have met many distinguished people during this time, especially the national living treasures of Japan, such as the doll maker to the Imperia...