Osaka Shopping

Osaka is one of the greatest shopping cities in Asia, if not the world. Many people come here just to shop. Here’s everything you need to know on what and where to buy.

[Shin Sai Bashi-Suji: psgxxx/Shutterstock.com]

The Takeaway — Where To Buy It

• Electronics: Yodobashi Camera (Kita), Den Den Town (Minami)
• Computers: Yodobashi Camera (Kita), Den Den Town (Minami)
• Gadgets: Tokyu Hands Shinsaibashi Store (Minami)
• Clothing: Hankyu Umeda Main Store (Kita), Midosuji/Shinsaibashi Brand-Name Area (Minami), Expo City (Northern Osaka)
• Pop Culture Goods: Amerika Mura (Minami), Den Den Town (Minami)
• Japanese Cooking, Kitchen and Table Supplies: Doguyasuji Shopping Arcade (Minami)

The Details

Where to Shop in Osaka

• Kita:

  The Kita District narrowly beats Minami as Osaka’s premier shopping district. JR Osaka station is literally surrounded by stores, malls and department stores. Right in the station, you’ll find Osaka Station City mall. Just north of the station, you’ll find the excellent Grand Front Osaka mall. Next door to that is the superb Yodobashi Camera Umeda Store, which is a vast electronics, camera and computer emporium. Beneath the neighboring Hankyu Umeda Station, you’ll find the labyrinthine Whity Umeda underground mall. And, as you walk north, east and west of the station, you’ll find sprawling shopping districts catering to all interests and budgets. For details on the places mentioned here, visit our Kita District page.

• Minami:

  A few stops south of Kita on the subway, the Minami District is really a giant market, with shops, department stores and shotengai (covered shopping arcades) extending in every direction around Shinsaibashi and Namba stations. The main avenue of Minami, Midosuji is lined with the city’s most fashionable boutiques and the main branch of Daimaru Department Store, one of Japan’s finest. As you head into the neighborhoods on the east or west side of Midosuji, you’ll find small and more interesting shops and boutiques, as well as the bustling Shinsaibashi-suji Shotengai (shopping arcade). To the south, Namba is another bustling shopping area. Takashimaya Department Store is right above the station. To the east of the station, you’ll find several shopping arcades, including the famous Dogusujiya kitchen street. To the southeast of the station, you’ll find Osaka’s electronics and pop culture district, Den-Den Town. For details on the places mentioned here, visit our Minami District page.

• Tennoji:

  A few stops south of Minami by subway, the Tennoji Area is a huge shopping district in its own right, but it’s slightly less fashionable that it’s northern neighbors. The main shopping is concentrated above Tennoji Station, especially in the excellent Kintetsu Abeno Harukas Main Store, the main branch of this nationwide department store.

• Northern Osaka:

  The Banpaku Memorial Park/Expo City area in Northern Osaka has recently been developed into a major shopping destination. Here, you’ll find the sprawling Lalaport Expo City shopping mall. This is probably the best collection of major Japanese brands in all of Kansai. You’ll find huge branches of brands like Muji, Uniclo and ABC Mart, as well as most of the major international brands. If you’re a keen shopper, you can easily make this a half-day or even full-day destination. For details on the places mentioned here, visit our Northern Osaka page.

What to Buy in Osaka

Clothing and Fashion Goods:

• Hankyu Umeda Main Store (Kita)
• Lalaport Expo City (Northern Osaka)
• Midosuji/Shinsaibashi Brand-Name Area (Minami)

Gadgets/Hi-tech Items/Toys:

• Tokyu Hands (Minami)
• Den-Den Town (Minami)
• Yodobashi Camera (Kita)

Pop Culture Goods:

• Den-Den Town (Minami)
• Amerika Mura (Minami)

Souvenirs:

For tips on great Osaka souvenirs and where to buy them, visit our Best Osaka Souvenirs page.

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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