Last 3 pics - Dotonbori (district the game is based on), Osaka. Pics from my bf's visit home last year.
Pic with the penguin is Don Quijote, commonly called Donki, a discount store chain that also includes Mega Donki (huge stores, the one in Shibuya is 6 floors with an additional 2 basement levels) and specialty shops like Platinum Donki (more upscale products), Okashi Donki (sweets/snacks), Osake Donki (alcohol), Kyokara Donki (spicy food), and Cosme Donki, cosmetics!
Normally he'd avoid this area since it's similar to Times Square here in NYC (which we both avoid like the plague due to the amount of tourists) but he went to get me some cutesy, touristy souvenirs & pics of the Glico Man.
Ezaki Glico is a well known food processing company headquartered in Osaka, probably best known in the West for Pocky and Pretz Sticks.
Dotonbori is located in Chuo Ward, Osaka City, and is one of Osaka's representative downtown areas and tourist attractions. This riverside area is a symbol of Osaka, and is visited by many tourists from Japan and abroad.
Dotonbori is an area surrounding the Dotonbori River that flows through Osaka city, and its name comes from the fact that a moat was dug in this area during the Edo period. Today, it is known as a symbolic area of Osaka, lined with skyscrapers, billboards, and neon signs.
Some of the most famous tourist attractions include:
1. Glico signboard
The giant running man signboard (Running Man) in the center of Dotonbori is famous for Glico's ``Glico signboard''. It is popular as one of the symbols of Osaka.
2. Stalls and restaurants along the Dotonbori River
There are many local restaurants and shops where you can enjoy Osaka's famous dishes such as okonomiyaki and takoyaki.
3. Cruise ship
There are also cruise ships operating on the Dotonbori River, where you can enjoy the night view.
4. Shopping streets and shopping areas
There are many shopping streets and shopping areas around Dotonbori, where you can enjoy shopping and buying souvenirs.