Poulp fiction (Japan, Osaka)

Osaka, Japan — Dōtonbori, a mecca of street performance and culinary marketing, embodies the exuberance of Japanese popular culture. This iconic district is a hub of mascots, neon lights, shouting vendors, and playful displays designed to capture attention in a constant visual competition. The octopus ( tako ) is an omnipresent symbol, notably via the famous takoyaki , a specialty of octopus dumplings born in Osaka in the 1930s. This humorous merchandising reflects a typically Japanese commercial strategy: making a product emotional, cute, and shareable. Dōtonbori thus offers a lively interpretation of the Japanese relationship with image, the street, and play.