Getting drawn to the neon glow of Dotonbori like moths to a flame is all too easy. The seemingly infinite shops and restaurants make a great tourist destination but the modern buildings weren't always here. Located down a narrow side street a piece of Osaka’s history still lingers. Hozenji Yokocho is a small slice of Edo lined on each side by shops and restaurants of the modern era. Famous for its moss-covered statue of Fudo-myo (the god of mercy) the area can be seen in minutes from north to south but is worth every second. Illuminated by lanterns at night the area has a personality much different from its surroundings and offers a small respite from the bustling city around you. I made my way there from Hotel Kuramoto after a 10-minute walk and spent some time enjoying what remains of the Osaka of old.
- 1 min read
Hozenji Yokocho
Remnants of Edo in Dotonbori
![John Carter John Carter](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/1335/240x240!/565e87c767ba810c868b6097.jpg)
By John Carter
Community writer
![The streets of Hozenji Yokocho soon fades off into the modern metropolis of Osaka](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6896-49074/1000/osaka-hozen-yokocho-49074.jpg)
The streets of Hozenji Yokocho soon fades off into the modern metropolis of Osaka
![The lanterns of the shrine illuminate the cobblestones at night at Hozenji Yokocho between Nanba and Dotonbori](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6896-49080/1000/osaka-hozen-yokocho-49080.jpg)
The lanterns of the shrine illuminate the cobblestones at night at Hozenji Yokocho between Nanba and Dotonbori
![A visitor prays to Fudo-myo and covers the statue with water following the tradition](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6896-49076/1000/osaka-hozen-yokocho-49076.jpg)
A visitor prays to Fudo-myo and covers the statue with water following the tradition
![I curiously wondered what was behind this door](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6896-49079/1000/osaka-hozen-yokocho-49079.jpg)
I curiously wondered what was behind this door
![When the water runs out you must fetch more from this pump so the next person can pray](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6896-49077/1000/osaka-hozen-yokocho-49077.jpg)
When the water runs out you must fetch more from this pump so the next person can pray
![Religious seals line the beams of the Hozenji Yokocho temple between Dotonbori and Nanba](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/6896-49075/1000/osaka-hozen-yokocho-49075.jpg)
Religious seals line the beams of the Hozenji Yokocho temple between Dotonbori and Nanba
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