Midōsuji (御堂筋, Midō-suji) Avenue is the primary main street in central Osaka, Japan. It runs north-south, passing Umeda, Nakanoshima, Shinsaibashi, Dōtonbori, Ame-mura, and Namba districts. Underneath the street is the Midōsuji Line subway. Especially in autumn when leaves of the ginkgo roadside trees turn yellow, a beautiful landscape can be seen.

Midōsuji
Autumn colors along Midōsuji
Former name(s)Yodoyabashisuji (淀屋橋筋)
Length4.027 km (2.502 mi)
Width43.6 metres (143 ft)
LocationOsaka (Umeda, Nakanoshima, Shinsaibashi, Dōtonbori, Ame-mura, and Namba)
South end National Route 25 north in Namba
Major
junctions
North end National Route 176 / National Route 423 in Kita-ku
Yodoyabashi intersection of Midōsuji

Route description

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Midōsuji becomes the Shinmido-suji in Kita-ku, Osaka, running concurrently with Japan National Route 423. After travelling about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) to the north it becomes the Minō Toll Road.[1] To the south, Midōsuji becomes the Kishu Highway.[2]

History

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In Edo period, Midosuji was just a narrow street called "Yodoyabashisuji (淀屋橋筋)". Midōsuji was built in the Taishō period, widening an existing north-south street and extending it to run all the way to Umeda in the north and Namba in the south.

Today Midōsuji is an ultra high-class shopping street, housing clothing stores by such brands as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, major hotels, and even an Apple flagship.[3]

The area has been referred to in songs by popular artists such as Hitomi Yaida on her 2006 album It's a New Day.[4]

Features

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Point Coordinates
(links to map & photo sources)
Notes
Ōsaka Station 34°42′06″N 135°29′55″E / 34.7018°N 135.4986°E / 34.7018; 135.4986 (Ōsaka Station) Umeda
Keihan National Highway 34°41′54″N 135°30′02″E / 34.6983°N 135.5005°E / 34.6983; 135.5005 (Keihan National Highway) The terminus of Japan National Route 1
Shin-Midōsuji 34°41′47″N 135°30′05″E / 34.6963°N 135.5013°E / 34.6963; 135.5013 (Shin-Midōsuji)
Nakanoshima 34°41′38″N 135°30′04″E / 34.6938°N 135.5011°E / 34.6938; 135.5011 (Nakanoshima) Nakanoshima
Chūō Ōdōri 34°40′54″N 135°30′02″E / 34.6818°N 135.5006°E / 34.6818; 135.5006 (Chūō Ōdōri)
Nagahori-dōri 34°40′30″N 135°30′01″E / 34.6751°N 135.5004°E / 34.6751; 135.5004 (Nagahori-dōri) Shinsaibashi
Dōtonbori Canal 34°40′08″N 135°30′01″E / 34.669°N 135.5003°E / 34.669; 135.5003 (Dōtonbori Canal) Dōtonbori
Sennichimae-dōri 34°40′02″N 135°30′01″E / 34.6671°N 135.5003°E / 34.6671; 135.5003 (Sennichimae-dōri)
Namba 34°39′53″N 135°30′00″E / 34.6647°N 135.4999°E / 34.6647; 135.4999 (Namba) Namba


References

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  1. ^ "大阪府道路公社−箕面有料道路(箕面グリーンロード)". www.osaka-road.or.jp. Archived from the original on 12 June 2009.
  2. ^ "Sumiyoshi ward | Attractions | Kishu Highway".
  3. ^ "Midosuji". Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  4. ^ "Midousuji PLANET (御堂筋PLANET) Lyrics". Retrieved 4 August 2019.