Osaka Station City Guide: Enjoy a Huge Complex Above Osaka Station
In 1603, Osaka, located in the mid-western part of Honshu, was nicknamed "The Nation's Kitchen" (Tenka no Daidokoro) due to its thriving distribution of goods. Today, Osaka continues to develop as a "Gourmet Paradise" (Kuidaore no Machi) where you can experience various delicacies such as okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and kushikatsu.
Osaka is Japan's second major city after Tokyo. Approximately 8.8 million people live in Osaka Prefecture, accounting for about 7% of Japan's total population. Additionally, about 10% of foreigners living in Japan reside in Osaka.
With its large population and many tourists, Osaka is rich in both individual shops and large commercial facilities. Particularly around Osaka Station, which is close to Shin-Osaka Station where bullet trains stop, there are many large shopping facilities housing various stores for dining and fashion.
This time, we'll introduce the massive commercial complex "OSAKA STATION CITY," which has excellent access from JR Osaka Station and Hankyu Umeda Station.
Osaka Station City: A Massive Complex Comprising 4 Facilities, a Cinema, and 9 Plazas
"Osaka Station City" is a large facility consisting of four buildings housing offices, hotels, and shopping centers, along with nine plazas.
- SOUTH GATE BUILDING
- NORTH GATE BUILDING
- JR TOWER
- INOGATE OSAKA
- 9 plazas (including the Farm Plaza with fruits and herbs, and the Wind Plaza perfect for relaxation)
It's a spot where you can enjoy shopping and gourmet experiences, featuring "LUCUA" with trendy fashion and cosmetics, "Daimaru Umeda" handling select brands, and "Eki Marche Osaka" with its array of restaurants.
Excellent Access! Being Directly Above the Station is Its Greatest Appeal
Osaka Station City is located in the heart of Osaka and is easily accessible from multiple train lines, including JR Osaka Station, JR Kitashinchi Station, Subway Midosuji Line Umeda Station, and Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station.
Being directly connected to Osaka Station and Umeda Station, you can move between facilities without worry even on rainy days. It's a spot where you can enjoy a full day of activities from morning to night, including shopping, movies, lunch, and dinner.
Introduction to Facilities Comprising Osaka Station City and Their Highlights
LUCUA
Source: Yahoo! map
"LUCUA," the east building of "LUCUA osaka," is a fashion building targeting fashion-conscious women. The building, spanning from basement level 1 to the 9th floor, houses over 200 shops, including select shops, cosmetics shops, and cafes.
This facility, directly connected to JR Osaka Station's central exit, is very convenient for transportation and perfect for outings on rainy days. With various cuisines available, from Japanese to familiar Western, Chinese, and Spanish dishes, you won't have trouble finding a restaurant.
It also includes specialty stores for tarts, cinnamon rolls, bagels, and more. It's perfect for those wanting to take a break while shopping or go on a sweets tour.
Facility Information
- Address: 3-1-3 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka
- Hours: Shopping floors 10:30-20:30 / LUCUA Dining, Balchika & LUCUA Food Hall 11:00-23:00 (※Some stores have different hours. Please check the website for details)
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone: 06-6151-1111
- Official Website: https://www.lucua.jp/
- Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucua_osaka/
- Access: 1 min walk from JR Osaka Station Central Exit / 2 min walk from Osaka Metro Umeda Station (Midosuji Line) North Exit
LUCUA 1100
Source: Wikipedia
"LUCUA 1100" is the west building of "LUCUA osaka." Besides fashion and cosmetics, it also has a great selection of interior and outdoor goods.
The writer's recommendation is @cosme OSAKA, which handles many quality Japanese cosmetics. It's perfect for souvenir shopping with many reasonably priced items like face masks and lipsticks.
The 7th floor features shops selling daily necessities. It's ideal for souvenir shopping with its selection of everyday kitchen goods and sundries. On the 9th floor, you can try reading books while enjoying Starbucks drinks at Tsutaya Bookstore. It's recommended to spend a relaxing time reading with coffee in hand.
Facility Information
- Address: 3-1-3 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka
- Hours: Shopping floors 10:30-20:30 / LUCUA Dining, Balchika & LUCUA Food Hall 11:00-23:00 (※Some stores have different hours. Please check the website for details)
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone: 06-6151-1111
- Official Website: https://www.lucua.jp/
- Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucua_osaka/
- Access: 1 min walk from JR Osaka Station Central Exit / 2 min walk from Osaka Metro Umeda Station (Midosuji Line) North Exit
If you are interested in LUCUA Osaka, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
Daimaru Umeda Store
Source: Wikipedia
"Daimaru Umeda Store" is a commercial facility directly connected to JR Osaka Station, spanning from basement level 2 to the 15th floor. From the 1st to 15th floors, you'll find various stores including high-end brand cosmetics, quality ladies' and men's wear, and jewelry shops.
On the 13th floor, you'll find "Nintendo OSAKA" featuring Nintendo goods including Mario Brothers, and "Pokémon Center OSAKA" which attracts fans from around the world. You can enjoy shopping surrounded by exciting game and anime character goods.
The two basement floors feature restaurants, delicatessens, sushi, bakeries, and Japanese and Western confectioneries. With various cuisines available, you might consider taking out food to enjoy at your hotel.
Facility Information
- Address: 3-1-1 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka
- Hours: All floors 10:00-20:00 / 14th floor Restaurant floor 11:00-23:00 (※Hours vary by store. Please check individual shop guides for details)
- Closed: January 1st and 2nd
- Official Website: https://www.daimaru.co.jp/umedamise/
- Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my_daimaruumeda/
- Official X (Twitter): https://x.com/my_daimaruumeda
- Access: 1 min walk from JR Osaka Station / 6 min walk from JR Kitashinchi Station / 3 min
walk from Hankyu Umeda Station
Eki Marche Osaka
Source: Wikipedia
"Eki Marche Osaka" is a gourmet town directly connected to JR Osaka Station. It offers a wide range of cuisines, including Japanese food like ramen, beef tongue, conveyor-belt sushi, sweets shops, and Chinese restaurants.
Seven-Eleven and Starbucks open from 7 AM, making them very convenient for breakfast, bottled drinks, coffee, and light meals. "Eki Donki" is recommended for shopping, where you can purchase food and daily necessities at reasonable prices. Just looking at the store packed with products is enjoyable.
Being directly connected to Osaka Station, you can spend time here without worry even in bad weather. With its wide variety of restaurants, it's a great option when you're unsure where to eat.
Facility Information
- Address: 3-1-1 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka
- Hours: 6:30-23:30 (Hours vary by store. Please check individual shop guides for details)
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone: 06-4799-3828
- Official Website: https://osaka.ekimaru.com/
- Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ekimarcheosaka/
- Official X (Twitter): https://x.com/ekimaruosaka
- Access: Immediately outside JR Osaka Station Sakurabashi Exit (outside ticket gates)
Osaka Station City Cinema
Source: Official website
"Osaka Station City Cinema" is a large movie theater located on the 11th floor of the North Gate Building. It has a total of 12 screens, ranging from a large screen with 502 seats to smaller screens with 113 seats, totaling 2,564 seats.
You can enjoy an immersive movie experience while relaxing in comfortable seats with the latest sound facilities. The seats are elevated, so you don't have to worry about the person in front blocking your view.
On holidays, it's recommended to purchase movie tickets in advance online to avoid crowds. The elevators to the 11th floor can get very crowded, so it's best to allow extra time for getting there.
Facility Information
- Address: North Gate Building 11F, 3-1-3 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka
- Hours: 8:00-23:00 (varies according to screening schedule)
- Closed: None
- Phone: 050-6861-8100 (24-hour automated voice guidance) Operator hours 10:00-21:00
- Official Website: https://www.osakastationcitycinema.com/site/oscc/
- Official X (Twitter): https://x.com/osakastacinema
- Access: Directly connected to JR Osaka Station
9 Plazas
Source: jcomm.co.jp
Osaka Station City features nine different plazas scattered throughout. These plazas, which let you experience history and nature, are convenient for meeting points and rest areas.
- Atrium Plaza featuring an open-air atrium
- Departure Plaza (Tabidachi no Hiroba) decorated with a large mural
- Wind Plaza (Kaze no Hiroba) with artificial turf and wood decking
- South Gate Plaza (Minami Gate Hiroba) marked by a water clock
- Sun Plaza (Taiyo no Hiroba) offering open views
- Carillon Plaza (Kariyon Hiroba) convenient for meeting up
- Sky Farm (Tenku no Noen) where vegetables and herbs are grown
- Time Plaza (Toki no Hiroba) featuring a dome roof
- Japanese Garden (Yawaragi no Niwa) with beautiful traditional landscaping
All plazas are popular with locals and tourists as urban oases and event spaces.
Facility Information
- Phone: 06-6344-5804
- Official Website: https://www.osakastationcity.com/green/
- Access: Please check the official website
3 Must-Try Restaurants in Osaka Station City
Hakkakuan Osaka Station City Branch
Source: Tabelog
"Hakkakuan Osaka Station City Branch" is located on the 16th floor of the South Gate Building, specializing in kaiseki cuisine using tofu and yuba (a traditional Japanese ingredient made from the thin skin that forms on the surface of heated soy milk, which can be eaten in various ways such as sashimi or simmered dishes).
The colorful dishes using seasonal ingredients are all delicately and artistically presented. The freshly made oboro tofu, eaten with dashi soy sauce and condiments, is especially exquisite.
Why not enjoy the variety of tofu dishes while taking in the views of Osaka from the 16th floor?
Facility Information
- Address: South Gate Building 16F, Osaka Station City, 3-1 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka
- Hours: Lunch 11:00-15:00 / Dinner 17:00-22:00
- Closed: January 1
- Phone: 050-3200-0702
- Official Website: https://www.dynacjapan.com/brands/hakkakuan/shops/sgb/
- Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tofuryori_hakkakuan/
- Access: 1 min walk from JR Osaka Station, 2 min walk from Hankyu Umeda Station, 1 min walk from Subway Midosuji Line Umeda Station
Uosa Osaka Station City South Gate Building Branch
Source: Official website
"Uosa" on the 16th floor of the South Gate Building is a high-end Japanese restaurant where you can enjoy quality sashimi, sushi, and crispy tempura made with seasonal vegetables.
The dishes, carefully arranged with a seasonal touch, are all delicate and high-quality. Why not try the Japanese cuisine prepared by top-class chefs in an elegant, relaxed setting?
They also offer a wide selection of sake and shochu from across Japan. This restaurant is recommended for those who want to try premium Japanese cuisine that emphasizes ingredients and cooking methods.
Facility Information
- Address: South Gate Building 16F, Osaka Station City, 3-1-1 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka
- Hours: 11:00-22:00 (Last order 21:00, Drink last order 21:30)
- Closed: Irregular (follows South Gate Building schedule)
- Phone: 06-6344-0887
- Official Website: https://k077600.gorp.jp/
- Access: 1 min walk from JR Osaka Station, 3 min walk from Hankyu Umeda Station, 1 min walk from Subway Midosuji Line Umeda Station
Osaka Ikuno Momotaro
Source: Official website
"Osaka Ikuno Momotaro" expanded from Ikuno Ward, an area famous for okonomiyaki, and now has two locations: one in the LUCUA Osaka Building and the main store in Higashinari Ward.
The restaurant's specialty is okonomiyaki with fluffy potatoes. Their okonomiyaki with sweet potatoes, pork, shrimp, and squid is an exquisite dish where you can taste the umami of vegetables and seafood together.
You can also order okonomiyaki with various toppings such as kimchi, mochi, and cheese. If you want to try different varieties, it's recommended to order several types and share. Make sure to try okonomiyaki, Osaka's soul food, as a memorable part of your trip.
Facility Information
- Address: LUCUA Osaka Building 10F, 3-1-3 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka
- Hours: 11:00-21:00
- Closed: None
- Phone: 06-6151-1388
- Official Website: https://momotarou1.com/
- Access: 1 min walk from JR Osaka Station Central Exit / 2 min walk from Osaka Metro Umeda Station (Midosuji Line) North Exit
If you are interested in Shopping in Osaka, check the article below! I summarized Shopping Places in Osaka I recommend and how I felt each Place.
Beyond Osaka Station City! Two Other Massive Commercial Facilities Near Osaka Station
Hankyu Umeda Main Store
Source: Official Facebook
"Hankyu Umeda Main Store" is a major department store representative of the Kansai region, directly connected to JR Osaka Station and Hankyu Umeda Station. The building, from basement 2 to the 9th floor, houses a comprehensive food floor selling Japanese and Western sweets, side dishes, and alcohol, as well as high-end brands, cosmetics, accessories, and women's clothing stores.
The writer recommends the 7th-floor living goods floor for those who love kitchenware. It displays tableware and folk crafts collected from all over Japan, along with sophisticated Japanese-made kitchen tools. You can actually handle familiar Japanese kitchen items such as tea canisters, teapots, and wire mesh strainers.
It's a must-visit for those looking for uniquely Japanese souvenirs.
Facility Information
- Address: 8-7 Kakuda-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka
- Hours: All floors 10:00-20:00 / 12th & 13th floor restaurants 11:00-22:00
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone: 06-6361-1381
- Official Website: https://www.hankyu-dept.co.jp/
- Access: 3 min walk from Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station, 3 min walk from Hanshin Osaka-Umeda Station, 3 min walk from JR Osaka Station
If you are interested in Hankyu Umeda Mainstore, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.
Grand Front Osaka
Source: Official website
"Grand Front Osaka" is a large complex consisting of three areas: North Building, South Building, and Umekita Plaza. Up to the 9th floor of both North and South Buildings, there are about 260 diverse shops including fashion, interior, and restaurants where you can enjoy shopping and dining.
On the 9th floor of both North and South Buildings, there are terrace gardens with benches and lawns where you can spend relaxing time while viewing Osaka's skyline.
At the spacious "Umekita Plaza" on the 1st floor, outdoor events are regularly held. Events range from craft beer tasting to climbing and yoga experiences, offering fun for both children and adults. Check the event schedule in advance and participate if it matches your stay.
Facility Information
- Address: Umekita Plaza / 4-1 Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka; South Building / 4-20 Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka; North Building / 3-1 Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka
- Hours: Shops / 11:00-21:00, Restaurants / 11:00-23:00 (hours vary by store)
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone: 06-6372-6300
- Official Website: https://www.grandfront-osaka.jp/
- Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grand.front.osaka/
- Access: 1 min walk from JR Osaka Station, 9 min walk from JR Kitashinchi Station, 4 min walk from Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station
If you are interested in Grand Front Osaka, check the article below! I summarized in more details and how I felt there.