#otakuspaces The smoke from cooking fires mingles with potent incense and perfume, a heavy smell that hangs cloying in the air. This is Ōsu, an old "temple town (monzenmachi) spread between Ōsu Kannon and Banshōji in present-day Nagoya. While it might seem an unlikely pairing, the spiritual and the commercial have long been aligned in Japan, with stalls situated near temples to serve visitors multiplying during festivals. The mechanical dolls (karakuri ningyō) of Banshōji have historically been an especially big draw. Over the years, stage events, theaters and bookstores contributed to a cultured image, and long, covered pedestrian shopping streets added to the appeal. More »