Osaka/South

South Osaka covers the southern wards of Osaka: Nishinari, Abeno, Ikuno, Sumiyoshi and Hirano. For the central Minami area (literally "South"), see Minami.

South Osaka is the poorest part of the city, with few top-rank attractions. However, the budget hotels that have long drawn in day laborers and itinerant workers have started to pivot towards frugal backpacker market, and while some parts of the city are seedy and rough, they are rarely if ever dangerous.

Sumiyoshi Shrine

• 🌍 Sumiyoshi Shrine (住吉大社) (access is from the Nankai line station of the same name; local trains run from Namba station in central Osaka). One of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, with a history stretching back 1800 years. Its traditional architecture is unusual among Japan's shrines, and its park-like surroundings with the sacred bridge arching over a tranquil pond make it a restful break from the busy environment of Osaka. Free. 
• 🌍 Tobita Shinchi (飛田新地 / Red-light district) (near Dobutsuen-mae station). This is Japan's largest red-light district, where ladies pose at genkan entrances Amsterdam-style to attract clientele. However, compared to Amsterdam, this place is much more impressive. No pictures allowed! And watch out, since this is not the safest place to go at night. It is however well worth the experience, even if you just came for the looks. (updated Nov 2023)

Nagai Stadium (Kincho Stadium)

• Cerezo Osaka (セレッソ大阪). The local J. League soccer team plays at Nagai Stadium. 
• Nagai Stadium (ヤンマースタジアム長居), 1-1 Nagaikoen Higashi-Sumiyoshi-ku (5 minutes walk from Nagai Station on the Subway Midosuji Line). Nagai Stadium is the home of the professional soccer team Cerezo Osaka. 

Tsuruhashi (鶴橋), near the train station of the same name, is home to a large Korean community and is particularly famous for its many yakiniku (Korean-style BBQ) restaurants.

Taiyoshi Hyakuban

Tobita Shinchi (飛田新地) near Dobutsuen-mae station is Japan's largest red-light district, where ladies pose at genkan entrances Amsterdam-style to attract clientele. It's not really a tourist attraction though, and non-Japanese clients are likely to be refused point blank.

• 🌍 Taiyoshi Hyakuban (鯛よし百番), 3-5-25 Nishinari-ku (Tobita Shinchi). Daily 5-11pm. Many brothels here operate as "restaurants", but this extravagant century-old brothel is a Tangible Cultural Property that has been turned into an actual restaurant open to the public. Specialities include hot pot dishes like sukiyaki and yosenabe. ¥5,000, reservations required. 

The ward of Nishinari, home to Japan's largest red-light district Tobita Shinchi (see Drink) and its largest slum Airin/Kamagasaki, has an exaggerated reputation of being the most dangerous place in Japan. While definitely down-at-heel, street crime is virtually unknown.