If you’re a shopaholic, a trip to Osaka will be a treat for your soul but a torture to your wallet. We’ve come up with a list of places to shop based on your specific hunts to help you decide where to spend that extra Yen you secretly know you shouldn’t ?
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Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a couple of bargain spots as well. That way you can convince yourself you’ve got some self-control! So, here’s our list of shopping whats and wheres that’ll make your life easier while in Osaka ?
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Underground
1. Whity Umeda
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While most of us think of subways when we hear ‘underground’, Japan offers visitors literal hidden gems underground in the form of shopping complexes! If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, it’ll be more fun starting out at the world’s largest underground shopping mall complex as you head on down(stairs) to Osaka’s “White City” right where major subway lines meet ?
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Whity Umeda is an emporium of commuters, shoppers and over 200 outlets as far as the eye can see. Try not to get lost in the complicated pathways, or even worse, the great retail deals!
Address: 530-0018 Umeda Chikagai, Komatsubaracho Kita-ku Osaka
Operating hours: Open daily; 10AM-9PM
Directions: 3-minute walk from the Midosuji Exit Osaka of JR Station
2. Crysta Nagahori
Our next pick is a shopping haven designed to feel anything but underground! With glass ceilings above and indoor waterfalls within, Crysta Nagahori will be your new favourite retail destination ?
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With over 100 stores ranging from fashion boutiques, home decor to quaint cafes, Crysta Nagahori is a shopping spot you wouldn't want to miss (except when leaving) ?
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Address: 542-0081 2-4 Chome Minamisenba Chuo-ku Osaka
Operating hours: Mon-Sat; 11AM-9PM , Sun; 11AM-8:30PM
Directions: Take the Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line or Subway Midosuji Line for a direct connection to Shinsaibashi Station.
Bargain
3. Tenjinbashisuji Shotengai
Our next pick is best to visit wearing your most comfortable pair of shoes because you’re going to need them to get through 2.6km of Japan’s longest straight shopping street!
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Tenjinbashi Street covers 7 blocks of bargain shopping for the Scrooge within. Get the best deals from essentials right up to clothing while munching on the best place to find vegetarian-friendly Okonomiyaki!
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Address: 6 Chome-4 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 532-0011, Japan
Operating hours: Differs according to shop
Directions: Get to Ogimachi Station for direct access to the shopping centre.
4. Tennoji MIO
If you’re in Osaka for a limited time and budget, then 380 stores within one complex is going to save you a lot of both!
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Less fancy shops and more affordable retailers, MIO in Tennoji is all you could possibly need when your wallet needs a breather. It’s a complex with way too many choices for a way less budget.
Address: 10-48 Hidenincho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka 543-0055, Osaka PrefectureOperating hours: Open daily; 11AM-9PM
Directions: Directly linked to Tennoji Station
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Fancy
5. Midosuji Boulevard
Now if you’ve put aside some of your traveling allowance to spoil yourself silly, then Midosuji Boulevard is the place for you!
Find your favourite international luxury stores along this street or wow yourself with some of Japan’s own quirky creations with price tags that will definitely leave you saying “wow” too ?
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Pick between shopping where the crème de la crème of Osaka does or stop by one of the many fancy cafes here for some crème brûlée because if you’re going to spoil yourself, it’s probably best to go all out!
Address: Shinsaibashisuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0085, Osaka Prefecture
Operating hours: Differs according to shop
Directions: Direct access through Midosuji Line
6. Herbis Plaza ENT
Herbis Plaza ENT is a visual treat with extravagant rococo only matched by the shops within ?
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Bear in mind that the stores here offer personalised customer service to go with the high prices so you’re probably going to end up purchasing something because of persuasion rather than desire ?
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Address: 2 Chome-2-22 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 530-0001, Japan
Operating hours: Open daily; 11AM-8PM
Directions: 2-minutes walk from JR Osaka Station
Technology
7. Yodobashi Camera
Before you skip this section, we’ll go straight to the point and say Yodobashi Camera is a 12-storey complex filled with gadgets you probably never knew existed. Still think you wouldn’t be interested to check it out? Think again ?
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It’s certainly an electrical Mecca not just for enthusiast of new technology but with something of interest for even the biggest tech-critic (or tech-noob)!
Address: 1-1 Ofukacho, Kita Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 530-0011, Japan
Operating hours: Open daily; 9:30AM-10PM
Directions: 5-minutes walk from JR Osaka Station
8. Den Den Town
Den Den Town is yet another spot for your inner geek to play. Not only is it another great place to shop for latest gadgets, but it's also a favourite among Otakus!
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Grab your favourite Manga, Anime or even laptop while you’re here because there’s no better place than Den Den Town for you to find the latest issue of whatever it is you’re into.
Address: Namba | Nihon-bashi, Ebisu, Osaka 542-0071, Osaka Prefecture
Operating hours: Differs according to shop
Directions: 5-minutes walk from Nipponbashi Station
Everything
9. Shinsaibashisuji Shopping Street
Now if you’re looking for a retail stop with a little bit of everything, then Shinsaibashisuji will definitely have all that you need.
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From clothing stores to traditional pieces, even the fussiest shopper wouldn’t be able to resist a purchase or two. Safe to say if whatever you’re looking for is not here, it probably doesn’t exist!
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Address: 2 Chome-2-22 Shinsaibashisuji, Chūō-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 542-0085, Japan
Operating hours: Differs according to shop
Directions: Direct access from Shinsaibashi Subway Station
10. America-Mura
While in Shinsaibashisuji, you’ll definitely need to stop by America-Mura for your Western fix. It may be confusing if you stumble upon this little USA in the middle of Osaka but with various imports directly from the America, you could probably postpone your shopping trip to the States after visiting America-Mura.
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With stores carrying records and pre-loved items for Western-collectibles enthusiasts, it’s said to be America’s answer to Japan’s Harajuku!
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Address: 1 Chome-6 Nishishinsaibashi, Chūō-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 542-0083, Japan
Operating hours: Differs according to shop
Directions: 3 minutes walk from Shinsaibashi station
Traditional
11. Hankyu Umeda Main Store
Our final recommendation is a bonus for Japanese culture enthusiasts!
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Hankyu Umeda Main Store carries everything traditional you could possibly need. Want a cute kimono? They’ve got them! Fancy dishes? Also there. What about souvenirs? Yup, they’ve got you covered.
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With staff proficient in English, you won’t have to worry about finding Japanese memorabilia while getting lost in translation.
Address: 8-7 Kakudachō, Kita-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 530-8350, Japan
Operating hours: Open daily; 10AM-8PM
Directions: 4 minutes walk from JR Osaka Station
Food, fashion and fun fuse in the vibrant city of Osaka - the shopping destination with a little piece of Japan woven into an international retail experience! With a little something for everyone, it’s the shopping destination to take home a piece of Japan (perhaps even Milan, New York or London!) ?
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