The name comes from the Dotombori river, a canal that runs east to west through the middle of the Dotombori district. Although it was a theatre district starting in the seventeenth century, Dotombori is primarily a shopping and entertainment area today, so there are numerous bars, izakaya, restaurants, food stalls, and entertainments facilities. The city has done extensive urban revitalization work in the area in recent years to boost tourism, focusing on beautification of the canal-side boardwalks.

Famous landmarks include the giant crab with moving pincers ; the night view of the Glico "running man" billboard. Ebisubashi Bridge ; the Ferris wheel on the side of the Don Kihote shop ; and the view of the river itself from one go its many bridges. There is a Starbucks at the most crowded point in Dotombori, which offers a great view if you like people-watching or just want to take a breather. Boat tour go along Dotombori River and connect to other parts of Osaka. Don't forget to pick up some affordable, delicious okonomiyaki and takoyaki from the out door food stalls near the river, as both of these are Osaka specialities.