Best Osaka Souvenirs

Osaka is a shopper’s paradise. If you can’t find it here, it probably doesn’t exist! Here is a list of suggested Osaka souvenirs and where to buy them.

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Yukata (light summer robe)

Yukata are the light summer robes that you wear at ryokan (traditional Japanese inn). They’re super-comfortable for lounging around at home in. You can find them at any Japanese department store, near the kimonos. Here’s our favorite place to buy them:

• Hankyu Umeda Main Store: This huge department store in Kita has a good selection of yukata and other traditional Japanese products.

Gadgets/Hi-tech Items/Toys etc

Japan is the world capital of hi-tech and gadgets and these items make great souvenirs. My favorite place for all kinds of cool gadgets, DIY items and hobby goods is Tokyu Hands, followed by Den-Den Town.

• Tokyu Hands: The huge Minami branch of this famous chain is a must for gadget fans.
• Den-Den Town: If you can’t find something in Tokyu Hands, head further south in the Minami District to Den-Den Town, Osaka’s sprawling electronics neighborhood.

Pop Culture Goods

If you’re into manga, character figures, kawaii goods and anything else related to Japanese pop culture, head to Den-Den Town, the city’s center of pop culture goods. Try these stores:

• Den-Den Town: This shopping district in Minami has a lot more than just electronics. It’s packed with shops that specialize in Japanese pop culture goods like anima, manga and character goods.
• Amerika Mura: A bit further north in Minami, this district also has plenty of shops selling pop culture goods (as well as urban fashions).

Clothing and Fashion Items

As you explore Osaka, you might notice how well dressed many people are. If you want to buy some of the fashions you see around you, head to the department stores in Kita or the departments stores and boutiques of Minami. Another great choice would be the vast Expo City Complex in Northern Osaka:

• Expo City: The single best collection of shops in the Osaka area can be found in the Expo City complex, which is about a half an hour journey from Kita, in the Northern Osaka District.
• Hankyu Umeda Main Store: This huge department store in Kita has a good selection of yukata and other traditional Japanese products.
• Midosuji/Shinsaibashi Brand-Name Area: This stretch of Midosuji is Osaka’s main high-end fashion street. It includes the main branch of the Daimaru department store and most famous international luxury brands.

Japanese Sweets

As long as you can give them to your family or friends soon after returning home (so they don’t spoil), Japanese sweets are a unique gift that everyone appreciates. Any department store food floor will have a great selection. However, for convenience and selection, this is our pick:

• Hankyu Umeda Main Store: This huge department store in Kita has a good selection of Japanese sweets on the B1 floor.

Green Tea

Green tea is the perfect souvenir because it’s light, compact and everyone likes it. You can buy decent green tea in loose or tea bag form in every grocery store in Osaka. You can buy loose tea, tea bags and matcha (powdered green tea) at the tea vendors in any department store food floor, including the following.

• Hankyu Umeda Main Store: This main branch of the Hankyu department store has several shops that specialize in green tea on their food floor. We particularly like the branch of Kyoto’s famous Ippodo tea shop here.

Japanese Cooking Supplies, Kitchenware and Tableware

Japanese cookware is famous the world over, particularly Japanese knives and lacquerware. You can find a good selection of these things in any Osaka department store, but if you want a much bigger supply, head to the following:

• Doguyasuji Shopping Arcade: The restaurant and kitchen supply shopping street will blow your mind. You won’t find a bigger selection of cooking and eating supplies anywhere in the world. And, you can even get that quintessential Osaka souvenir: a taco-yaki maker!

Where Are These Places Located?

• Open the Osaka map
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
• If you’re using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

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