The Americana shop “RAT★RACE” in Shukugawa/Otani-cho has created a shop-hopping map for the Shukugawa area.
Here it is↓
It’s the kind of hand-drawn shop illustration map where people who know the area will go, “Oh, that place!” It features 15 shops around the Shukugawa area.
Each shop also has a QR code, so you can jump straight to their Instagram.
Speaking of RAT★RACE, they’re a local Nishinomiya apparel shop that made Shachomi’s T-shirts and hoodies for us, and somehow they also won a curry udon grand prix.
The 15 Shops Featured on the Shukugawa Map
Here’s a quick look at the 15 shops on the map, along with past articles we’ve featured on Nishitsu.
エルベラン
A well-known long-established Western-style confectionery shop in Shukugawa. Their cookies and lemon pie are famous. Founded in 1964, it’s still practically synonymous with Shukugawa cookies. Their cakes are good too
BAR MARUFUKU
An authentic bar. Apparently they also serve fruit cocktails.
夙川やまもと歯科
A dental clinic just a 2-minute walk from Shukugawa Station. It only recently opened on July 29, 2024. They’re known for gentle, supportive treatment and easy-to-understand explanations.
ブラックホールバー（BLACKHALLBAR）
A dining bar with over 300 bottles on hand at all times. The atmosphere is seriously cool. I still haven’t been inside yet
にしのみや Coworking コワクラ
A coworking space on the 3rd floor of Shukugawa Green Town. It’s not just for work; you can also eat their original lunch dish called “Shukugawa Keihan”. They also run programming classes and an IT after-school program.
喫茶ベリー
A Showa-retro coffee shop on the basement 1st floor of Shukugawa Green Town. Their seven-color cream sodas and signature “omu-curry” are popular, and their handmade pudding has that nostalgic feel.
CAFE ATIK（カフェアティック）
A cozy dining cafe where you can enjoy Italian and Spanish dishes. It also happens to be really close to the Nishitsu editorial office.
さんれも
A Western-style noodle restaurant in the basement of Shukugawa Green Town. Their motto is to be bright and energetic, and for many people, this is the place to go for yoshoku in Shukugawa. They have an unbelievable number of pasta options. Personally, I like the demi-glace omurice.
ナチュールフィット
An ear acupressure diet salon specializing in helping people aim for −10kg in 3 months without exercise. They target pressure points that suppress appetite, helping create a body that’s less prone to rebound weight gain.
ヒガシアニマルクリニック
An animal hospital that has been open for 14 years. It’s appointment-based, and they’re known for careful explanations and a treatment style that takes plenty of time. It’s right near Kumoi Bridge, where you can look down at Hankyu trains passing below.
ホビーショップ Rauta（ラウタ）
A hobby shop along Yamate Kansen that carries Gunpla, tools, paints, and more. It’s a rare kind of shop that even has a building space inside.
中華蕎麦 はれのち晴
A ramen shop in Shukugawa Green Place. They have five types of chuka soba and three types of Taiwanese ramen, and on the third Saturday of every month, they hold a strangely delightful “Coke Day,” when the usual water is replaced with cola.
RAT★RACE（ラットレース）
The very shop that made this map! It’s a wonderfully unusual space that’s part Americana shop, part cafe, part shrine, and can even host rakugo performances. Tons of celebrities have visited too, making it one of Shukugawa’s representative shops.
DCT HAIR
A two-floor setup: the 1st floor is the barbershop “DCT HAIR,” and the 2nd floor is a women-only ladies’ shaving and esthetic salon by appointment only.
WORLDTIMES
An authorized dealer of Karimoku 60. They also regularly hold exhibitions as an art gallery.
Finally
The Shukugawa map is likely being distributed at each of the 15 featured shops! If you stop by a shop that catches your interest, be sure to pick one up. Maybe more shops will be added in the future, and eventually it could even turn into a bar-hopping event.
