Amerikamura
About Amerikamura
The counter-culture centre of Osaka, Americamura is the neighbourhood of the cool kids: hip hop fans, punk-rockers, skaters and goths.
Amerikamura, or Amemura for short, is the local gathering spot for Osaka’s rebellious youth and counterculture trendsetters.
Originally developed in the late 1960s, the area became famous for alternative fashion, record stores, and shops selling western merchandise and media primarily imported from America; hence the name.
Over time, the area has become a creative fashion and entertainment hub, place for showcasing street art, and a gathering spot for punk, goth, Lolita and other subculture groups. With a mixture of open spaces, shopping and eating, it makes an excellent place to just hang out.
Amemura doesn’t wake up until after 11am, and doesn’t really get active until after lunch. Afternoons are a great time for clothes or record shopping, with evenings being the time for live music and all-night club events. There are several foreigner friendly bars and restaurants.
Sometimes called the “Harajuku in the West”, a visit to Amemura may be a bit loud and a bit intense, but it’s well worth a visit to see this very unique side of Japanese culture.