Amerika-mura (American Village)

Centered on Triangle Park in Nishi-Shinsaibashi, this area is home to stores selling fashion and other items for young people, and is affectionately known locally as “Amerika-mura” (American Village).

There are approximately 2,500 stores in this area, and it is known as the center of youth culture in the Kansai region.

Many apparel and fashion stores including used clothing, general merchandise stores, restaurants, and music-related stores such as live houses are gathered in this area.

This area, centering on Triangle Park, extends east to Sanoyabashi Suji, south to Mitsudera Suji, west to the site of Nishi Yokobori River (Hanshin Expressway No. 1 Loop Line northbound), and north to Taihoji Dori.

The history of Amerika-mura dates back to the 1970s, when warehouses were renovated to sell casual clothing imported from the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii, which became very popular.

In the 1980s, the area was lined with stores selling sundries, records, and second-hand clothing, and became famous as a fashion and trend-setting area for college students and others.

Today, Amerikamura is a unique town where many stores with particularties gather and young people with unique fashions walk around, making it a famous spot not only in the Kansai region but also throughout Japan.

Mitsu Park is the center of Amerikamura and is commonly known as “Triangle Park” because of its triangular plot.

This park is a lively place where people gather daily to meet or take a rest, and events are held on an irregular basis.

The area is also home to a large facility, “BIG STEP,” as well as many stores that offer fashion and music, including some of the best stores in the Kansai region, and the original design of the human-shaped street lights is another highlight of the area.

America-mura was a town for young people with many second-hand clothing stores and record stores, and its charm has not faded.