10 Best Shopping Places in Osaka: Outlet, Cheap Shopping Spots, Mall etc
Osaka is famous as the second-largest city in Japan after Tokyo. It's a popular tourist destination with many attractions such as Osaka Castle, Dotonbori shopping street, and Abeno Harukas. Known for its unique food culture, it's also called "The Nation's Kitchen" and "The City of Kuidaore" (eating until you drop).
Osaka is bustling with residents and tourists, making it a hub for carefully selected items from all over the country. From long-established individual stores to large commercial facilities, many shops contribute to the vibrancy of Osaka. Especially around Umeda Station, where the Shinkansen stops, there's a concentration of commercial facilities housing various shops from dining to fashion. It's perfect for those who want to complete their Osaka shopping 2024 experience in a short time.
In this article, we'll introduce major commercial facilities, gourmet streets where you can buy souvenirs, and areas where you can enjoy shopping.
Shopping is a must when you come to Osaka! Fully enjoy food and fashion
When visiting Osaka, try to enjoy shopping while touring historical tourist spots. One of Osaka's features is its many shopping areas, including long-established department stores around Umeda, Dotonbori shopping street, and Kuromon Market's gourmet street.
From traditional Japanese items to cutting-edge fashion and Osaka's unique food culture, there's a wide range of items available, offering various shopping experiences. Even window shopping is sure to be exciting.
From here, we'll thoroughly explain carefully selected shopping facilities popular with both locals and tourists, perfect for your Osaka shopping 2024 adventure.
Everything you need! 4 Osaka department stores with hundreds of shops
Osaka Station City
Osaka Station City is a complex commercial facility consisting of hotels, offices, cinemas, and shopping facilities. Impressively, 60% of the stores are first in Japan, first in Kansai, or first in Umeda, offering unique attractions not found in other facilities. The commercial facility houses about 600 stores, from popular restaurants to shops dealing with cutting-edge fashion, allowing you to enjoy shopping to your heart's content.
The facility is divided into areas, making it easy to find what you want as the target age groups and genres handled are clearly different.
With direct access from Osaka Station and good accessibility, the mall is open until 21:00. Why not look for souvenirs during your spare time while sightseeing?
<Store Information>
・Address: 3-1-3 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka
・Closed: None
・Phone: 06-6458-0212
・Hours: 10:00-21:00 (may vary by store)
・Official website: https://osakastationcity.com/
Hankyu Umeda Main Store
source: Official Facebook
Hankyu Umeda Main Store opened in 1929 as the world's first terminal department store. With a total area of 84,000 square meters, it's also known as one of Japan's largest department stores. Rather than simply selling "things," it proposes more attractive shopping by also conveying the cultural value behind the products.
The attractive points of Hankyu Umeda Main Store are its luxurious atmosphere unique to department stores, attentive hospitality, and the abundance of items targeting a wide range of customers. The cosmetics floor, in particular, is the largest in western Japan, with domestic and international brands lined up.
I also went to the cosmetics floor, which I love, and lost track of time browsing the sales floor with its extensive selection. It's a department store especially recommended for cosmetics lovers and a must-visit spot for Osaka shopping 2024.
<Store Information>
・Address: 8-7 Kakuda-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka
・Closed: Irregular holidays
・Phone: 06-6361-1381
・Hours: 10:00-20:00
・Official website: https://www.hankyu-dept.co.jp/
Grand Front Osaka
source: Official website
Grand Front Osaka is a complex commercial facility consisting of hotels, offices, theaters, apartments, and shopping malls. With the concept of "wanting to continue to be the most advanced city open to the world," it houses about 270 stores, including flagship stores of popular shops.
The facility is divided into three main areas: North Building, South Building, and Umekita Plaza. In the Knowledge Capital of the North Building, you can experience Japan's cutting-edge technology, while in the South Building, you can enjoy shopping for fashion, cosmetics, interior goods, and more. At Umekita Plaza, you can take a break on benches or by the water, making it comfortable to spend a whole day there.
It's also conveniently located, directly connected to JR Osaka Station and close to Osaka-Umeda or Umeda stations on the Hankyu Railway, Hanshin Electric Railway, and Osaka Metro lines. This accessibility makes it an ideal spot for Osaka shopping 2024.
<Store Information>
・Address: (South Building) 4-20 Ofukacho, Kita-ku, Osaka (North Building) 3-1 Ofukacho, Kita-ku, Osaka (Umekita Plaza) 4-1 Ofukacho, Kita-ku, Osaka
・Closed: Irregular holidays
・Phone: 06-6372-6300
・Hours: 10:00-21:00 (may vary by store)
・Official website: https://www.grandfront-osaka.jp/
Namba Parks
Namba Parks is a large commercial facility consisting of about 250 stores, including a large cinema, fashion outlets, gourmet restaurants, and an urban theme park. It's characterized by many high-sensitivity shops such as popular select shops and imported brands.
In addition to shopping at the stores, a key point is that you can enter and exit the urban park "Parks Garden" from all floors from the 1st to the 9th. You can appreciate about 500 species and 100,000 plants, making it a valuable place to feel nature in all four seasons. When I used it during a break from shopping, I forgot I was in the city and could relax in the lush greenery.
In winter, the famous illumination event begins. The scenery expressing various themes in each area is impressive, making you want to keep watching and forget the winter cold. It's a great addition to your Osaka shopping 2024 experience.
<Store Information>
・Address: 2-10-70 Nambanaka, Naniwa-ku, Osaka
・Closed: Irregular holidays
・Phone: 06-6644-7100
・Hours: 11:00-21:00 (may vary by store)
・Official website: https://nambaparks.com/
Lots of souvenir shops too! 3 gourmet streets where you can enjoy Osaka's food
Dotonbori
Dotonbori is one of the popular tourist spots where Osaka-style restaurants and souvenir shops gather. It's also a photo spot where you can take Osaka-like pictures such as the "Glico" and "Kani Doraku" signboards, and the "Kuidaore Taro" doll.
There are three restaurants in Dotonbori that you should check out, offering Osaka's soul food:
・551 Horai Main Store: A Chinese restaurant that adheres to same-day production and sales of takeout steamed pork buns
・Tako-hachi: A takoyaki specialty store where skilled artisans grill using copper plates
・Mizuno: A long-established okonomiyaki restaurant listed in the Michelin Guide
I often eat 551's steamed pork buns. The sweetness of the dough and the juicy pork meat are a perfect match, and I always finish them in no time. Check out Osaka-like souvenirs while eating and walking around.
<Store Information>
・Address: Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka
・Closed: Varies by store
・Phone: 06-6211-4542
・Hours: Varies by store
・Official website: http://www.dotonbori.or.jp/ja/
At night, enjoy local izakayas with the Osaka Bar Hopping Night Tour in Namba!
Why not enjoy the local atmosphere and izakayas at night with the Osaka Bar Hopping Night Tour in Namba? On the tour, you can enjoy meals while feeling Japan's history at old-fashioned izakayas scattered throughout the Namba district. The restaurants chosen by guides who know Osaka well are all hidden gems.
Osaka's unique foods like takoyaki and kushikatsu go perfectly with drinks such as local beer, sake, and shochu. Mingle with the locals and enjoy Osaka's night with delicious food and drinks. Your stomach and heart are sure to be satisfied.
Kuromon Market
Source: Official website
Kuromon Market is a shopping street that mainly gathers food items such as fresh fish, fruits, processed foods, and sweets. About 150 shops, from long-established stores that have continued for decades to new stores, line up in the 580-meter-long arcade. You can feel the unique vitality of the market from the loud calls of "Buy it!" from the shops and the smell of food wafting through the air.
There's a wide variety of eat-in options popular in Japanese cuisine such as sushi, seafood bowls, and tempura, as well as takeout items like Osaka's soul food kushiyaki, takoyaki, and sweets like soft-serve ice cream. Freshly made and fried foods are crowded everywhere, and I always have trouble deciding what to eat.
Try exploring the market with a one-handed food item. The roofed arcade allows for sightseeing even on bad weather days, making it a perfect spot for Osaka shopping 2024 regardless of the weather.
<Store Information>
・Address: 2-4-1 Nipponbashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka
・Closed: Varies by store
・Phone: 06-6631-0007
・Hours: Varies by store
・Official website: https://kuromon.com/jp/
To enjoy exquisite gourmet food, the Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour in Osaka is also recommended!
To enjoy exquisite gourmet food, the Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour in Osaka is recommended. The guide will introduce you to foods that can't be missed, such as takoyaki, popular in Osaka's street food, fresh seafood dishes, and hot pot dishes.
After enjoying delicious Osaka gourmet food at Kuromon Market, you'll move to Doguyasuji. This is a shopping street filled with Japanese kitchen utensils, tableware, and cooking tools. There are many items that you don't usually see in ordinary shops, making it recommended for those looking for unique souvenirs as part of their Osaka shopping 2024 experience.
Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street
Source: Official website
Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street is a shopping arcade with about 800 shops including delicatessens selling takoyaki and croquettes (mashed potatoes mixed with meat and vegetables and fried in batter), pottery shops, kimono stores, and izakayas. The shopping street, formed along with its long history, has many retro-atmosphere, casual stores where you can enjoy casual shopping.
The shopping street is 2.6 km long and is said to be the longest shopping street in Japan, taking about 40 minutes to walk the entire length. However, with the abundance of easy-to-eat gourmet foods, you'll reach the end point before you know it while eating and strolling.
My recommendation is the croquette from Nakamuraya. The crispy batter and the fluffy, sweet potatoes are so delicious that you'll want to eat several.
<Store Information>
・Address: Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka
・Closed: Varies by store
・Phone: 06-6358-6145
・Hours: Varies by store
・Official website: https://www.tenjin123.com/
Great access too! 3 recommended izakaya streets to visit after shopping
Hozenji Yokocho
Hozenji Yokocho is perfectly located, just 3 minutes on foot from Namba Station, 5 minutes from Nipponbashi Station, and 11 minutes from Shinsaibashi Station. It's also easily accessible from Umeda Station via the Midosuji Line to Namba Station without any transfers, making it ideal for a post-shopping visit during your Osaka shopping 2024 trip.
The yokocho consists of two 80m long and 3m wide alleys extending east and west, lined with long-established Japanese restaurants, izakayas, and sweet shops. Despite being in a bustling area, it has a calm atmosphere with cobblestone streets and shops renovated from old Japanese houses, giving you a feeling of time-slipping to old Japan.
Escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and spend a relaxing mealtime here.
<Store Information>
・Address: Near 1 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka
・Closed: Varies by store
・Phone: Varies by store
・Hours: Varies by store
Juso
Source: Wikipedia
Juso Station is the second station from Umeda Station on the Hanshin Electric Railway, well-located and has flourished as a branching point to Kyoto and Kobe. As soon as you get off at Juso Station, you'll see a shopping street loved by locals. Not only are there shops essential for daily life, but long-established restaurants also still exist, making it perfect for a break after shopping.
Popular gourmet options include "Negiyaki" from the long-established okonomiyaki shop Yamamoto and "Juso-yaki" grilled mochi from Imarizaya Kyubei.
Negiyaki, in particular, originated from Yamamoto and is even trademarked. The batter, filled with sweet green onions, has a light and fluffy texture that's easy even for children to eat. Try this addictive taste that has continued since the old days.
<Store Information>
・Address: Near Yodogawa-ku, Osaka
・Closed: Varies by store
・Phone: Varies by store
・Hours: Varies by store
Nishinari
Source: Rakuten Gnavi
The Nishinari area has multiple nearby stations and can be reached in about 15 minutes without transfers from Umeda Station. The area where restaurants gather is also close to the station, so it's easy to extend your visit after shopping.
As it was once a district where day laborers gathered, the charm is that you can enjoy meals at reasonable prices. You can experience things you can only taste here, such as shops where you can order a meal and drink for less than 1000 yen, or B-grade gourmet (popular local dishes created from a town revitalization perspective).
Some shops are open from early morning, allowing for morning drinking. It's also recommended to drink-hop from the morning in the deep Nishinari area, adding a unique experience to your Osaka shopping 2024 adventure.
<Store Information>
・Address: Nishinari-ku, Osaka
・Closed: Varies by store
・Phone: Varies by store
・Hours: Varies by store
If you're visiting Universal Studios Japan, shopping at Universal CityWalk is recommended
Source: Official website
If you're visiting Universal Studios Japan, shopping at Universal CityWalk is recommended.
Universal CityWalk is a commercial facility adjacent to Universal Studios Japan. The facility is filled with beautiful neon-lit shops, and its pop atmosphere is an attractive point.
About 60 stores are in the facility, including Universal Studios-related items and souvenirs, Osaka-specific food shops, convenience stores, and drug stores. I've been there too, and Universal CityWalk helped me buy souvenirs I forgot to get at Universal Studios Japan.
There are also restaurants of all genres. When you go to Universal Studios Japan, be sure to stop by. It's a great way to conclude your Osaka shopping 2024 experience.
<Store Information>
・Address: 6-2-61 Shimaya, Konohana-ku, Osaka
・Closed: Open all year round
・Phone: 06-6464-3080
・Hours: 10:00-23:00
・Official website: https://ucw.jp/