Meet Osaka’s Most Famous Clown, Kuidaore Taro♪

● Who is Kuidaore Taro?

One of the highlights of Osaka is its people and their warm, friendly nature. Throughout its history, Osaka developed as the city of merchants and entertainers, and this is reflected in the high value the people here place on good laughs and relationships♪

Kuidaore Taro is one of the famous “Osakans” that make Osaka what it is. You might have seen him in the media, but let’s take a closer look at Osaka’s most iconic clown!

Kuidaore Taro has long been the poster boy of Osaka’s top destination, Dotonbori.

Dressed in his signature red and white striped outfit and wearing a pair of round black eyeglasses, he’s truly one of a kind—and pretty cute, too! ♡

Kuidaore Taro first came to Osaka in 1950 as the mascot of a restaurant called Kuidaore, banging on his drums in front of the restaurant every day to attract and welcome guests to the business.

Kuidaore Taro retired when the restaurant closed its doors, but after receiving numerous passionate requests from locals, he made a triumphant return.

He is now back in his post in front of the Nakaza Kuidaore Building, located about a 5-minute walk from Osaka Metro’s Namba Station, drumming away to welcome guests from all over the world just as he did back in the 50’s♪

●The Newly Renovated Nakaza Kuidaore Building

The Nakaza Kuidaore Building was recently renovated in March 2025 and is a fun place to visit! With the giant Kuidaore Taro on the outer wall, the building stands out more than ever, welcoming everyone in.

The building is home to a variety of entertainment venues and Kansai gourmet restaurants, including Third Planet Osaka Dotonbori Asobi Town—packed with claw machines and gashapon capsule toy machines—the Yoshimoto Dotonbori Theater by Yoshimoto Kogyo, a next-gen entertainment venue GIRAFFE Japan, and Karaoke Manekineko. It’s the perfect place to experience all kinds of Osaka fun!

●Osaka Souvenir: Kuidaore Taro Merch

Nestled among a variety of shops on the first floor of the Nakaza Kuidaore Buildilng, Ichibiri-an Honten sells a wide selection of Osaka souvenirs—including plenty of Kuidaore Taro goods. Pick up some unique merch, snap a photo, and enjoy the best of Osaka!

┣Kuidaore Taro Key Chains

From a walking Kuidaore Taro to a nutcracker-style Taro and even an acrylic Taro that looks just like the real thing, it’s hard to pick just one key chain to take home.

┣Everyday Kuidaore Taro Goods

You can also find practical items you can use every day, like handkerchiefs (super handy while traveling in Japan), a cute little pouch (filled with Remune flavored candies inside!), and Japanese “mix juice” scented hand creams and lip balms. Everything is Kuidaore Taro here!!

┣Kuidaore Taro Socks!

Everything…including socks! …Which, by the way, I highly recommend as a souvenir.

There’s a wide variety to choose from—socks with bold, impactful Kuidaore Taro face (very Osakan, I might add), socks with a simpler Kuidaore Taro design, and even baby socks with a Kuidaore Taro! (lol) I’m sure your friends will get a good laugh when you give them a pair as a souvenir from Osaka. And imagine how fun it would be to wear matching Kuidaore Taro socks with your family and friends♪

┣Kuidaore Taro Sweets♡

There are, so, many, snacks! Cookies, choco crunchies, sweet azuki bean butter cream puffs, puddings…the shelves are packed full with treats, all with an impressive line of Kuidaore Taro designs. With so many options available, I am sure you’ll find at least one (if not more!) that you’ll love ♡

●Kuidaore Taro Purikura Pictures

I found a Kuidaore Taro Purikura photo booth tucked away in one corner of the souvenir shop!
A Purikura picture you can only take in Osaka…it’s the perfect way to capture a fun memory of your trip♪

●Kuidaore Taro “Mix Juice”

I was ready for a break when I came across a Kuidaore Taro “mix juice” at TARO’s PARLOR.

In Japan, “mix juice” is a popular blended fruit drink that is much like a smoothie, a staple at old fashioned Japanese coffeehouses known as Kissaten.

And—here is not a well-known fact—Osaka is actually the birthplace of “mix juice”! A cup of sweet and fruity Mix Juice—made with banana, pineapple, peach, and orange mixed with milk—was just what I needed during a busy day of sightseeing.

I truly believe Kuidaore Taro is the most Osakan—and the funniest—attraction in all of Osaka. Don’t miss him when you’re in Dotonbori!
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