The main Dotonbori canal-front strip, with its large chain restaurants, is generally card-friendly. Smaller izakaya and street-food stalls tucked into side alleys are more likely to be cash-only.
The main canal-front strip
The well-known restaurants along the canal, including most of the large chains near the Glico sign, accept cards without issue.
Side alleys and smaller spots
Step a block back from the canal and the picture changes: smaller, family-run izakaya and street-food counters are noticeably more likely to be cash-only.
Tip: Keeping a modest amount of cash on hand lets you follow a good smell down a side alley without worrying about whether the spot takes cards.
Staying prepared
Dotonbori is dense with convenience stores, so topping up cash mid-evening is rarely inconvenient if you run low.
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