Namba is regarded as the center of so-called Minami (“South”) area of Osaka.
Some of the most famous images of Osaka, including the Glico Man and the Kani Doraku Crab, are located around the Dotonbori canal in Namba. Namba is also known as an entertainment district, and hosts many of the city’s most popular bars, restaurants, and arcades. The area is also known for shopping, with the Takashimaya department store and the sprawling underground Namba City shopping mall.