Viewpoint

Синсэкай

Main sights in the Shinsekai area include Tennoji Zoo, the Spa World complex, the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts and Tsutenkaku Tower. As you walk through Shinsekai you'll frequently see statues and figurines of Billiken; shops sell life‑size dolls and souvenirs related to him. Luna Park opened in Shinsekai in 1912, and Billiken became its mascot. Billiken's creator was the American illustrator Florence Pretz.