shopping, Osaka

In a dense population such as Japan, most available space in urban centres is used for something, and shopping is usually the filler - between buildings, there's often market stalls or ground-floor shops which spread out into the sidewalk spaces.
Many of these arcades are covered from the elements, which gives both a break from the sun when you've had a tiring day touring, but also makes you feel like you're underground all the time.
Pictured is the entrance to such an arcade.

The Shinsaibashi district stretches north-south from Nagahori-dori street to Dotonbori Horikawa, with many long-established shops and department stores. This district is represented by the arcaded Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street.

This underground street holds the Atrium Space into which the sunlight shines through the ceiling to the floor of the street. People can enjoy playing music by touching the big relief of a musical instrument. The shopping street features the European style. This shopping zone is conveniently located with easy access to the terminal of JR, Hankyu Railway, Hanshin Railway and Subway.