HOME Kansai Osaka Umeda, Osaka Station, Kitashinchi Inside Nakazakicho: 5 Cool Shops in Osaka's Bohemian Neighborhood for Cool Cafes and Funky Fashion
Inside Nakazakicho: 5 Cool Shops in Osaka's Bohemian Neighborhood for Cool Cafes and Funky Fashion

Inside Nakazakicho: 5 Cool Shops in Osaka's Bohemian Neighborhood for Cool Cafes and Funky Fashion

Last updated: 4 November 2020

Known for its charming, retro appearance, Nakazakicho in Osaka is popular among locals and visitors alike for the unique vintage vibe it exudes. The fact that it's conveniently located within walking distance from Osaka or Umeda Station is a plus as well!

Does this town sound intriguing to you? Here are some cafes, restaurants, and general stores that we highly recommend dropping by if you decide to take a leisurely stroll down its streets!

From comfort food that helps you wind down to retro items that will appeal to the collector in you, we're confident you'll find a shop in this list that will speak to your heart.

Table of Contents
  1. What's Nakazakicho all about?
  2. 1. Kaya Cafe: Tofu tiramisu for the ages
  3. 2. Cafe Taiyonoto: Regain strength with a hearty cafe lunch
  4. 3. Shokudo Plug: All-new type of Japanese-Italian fusion food
  5. 4. Green Pepe: Retro goods that speak to your heart
  6. 5. Only Planet: Amusing goods with animal designs
  7. There's plenty of fun to be had in cute and retro Nakazakicho!

What's Nakazakicho all about?

What's Nakazakicho all about?

The laid-back town has an interesting retro-style street view and occupies the area surrounding Nakazakicho Station, which can be reached in 10 minutes by foot from Osaka or Umeda Stations. Many wooden buildings and buildings with tiled roofs can be seen throughout town, and plenty of traditional bricks-and-mortar shops are still in business here as well. All of these come together to give the town a very calm and reposeful atmosphere.

Interestingly enough, it seems like the cafes and general stores here clearly strive to fit the mood of Nakazakicho as well. Many are small, private shops, and as you go around exploring them, you can't help feeling like you've found a space that feels at home. That's just how cozy the whole place is! The general stores carry goods such as vintage Japanese products that can't be found anywhere else, so each new discovery in one of these shops will feel personal and special.

As promised, here's a list of five cafes, restaurants, and general stores that you absolutely have to visit if you're in the area!

1. Kaya Cafe: Tofu tiramisu for the ages

Cocoa Tofu Tiramisu 500 yen, Shine Muscat Tofu Tiramisu 590 yen, Tofu Smoothie 700 yen (all prices excluding tax)
Cocoa Tofu Tiramisu 500 yen, Shine Muscat Tofu Tiramisu 590 yen, Tofu Smoothie 700 yen (all prices excluding tax)

Kaya Cafe operates out of a small, renovated private house and is a hot favorite among local residents. Their signature item is a tiramisu made from cheese and tofu. The regular flavor is "Cocoa Tofu Tiramisu", but the shop also features matcha or other seasonal flavors from time to time. These healthy treats are surprisingly filling and the reduced sweetness makes it especially popular among health-conscious ladies.

The tiramisu is served in a traditional Japanese masu, or wooden box and the result is simply adorable! Tofu makes up the dessert base, and because it isn't heavy on the stomach even in generous helpings, this is the perfect snack to enjoy after a heavy lunch.

In this shop, orders are made at the counter and paid for in advance before the food is served. The menu comes with English labels to help international friends order with ease and confidence.

Inside, the shop is flush with antique furniture, making the mood endearing. The decor is perfect as background for great-looking photos of all sorts. Because of its popularity, this cafe often has a long queue, but is relatively quieter when it just opens at around 12 noon, so if you're hoping for a smooth journey from cafe entrance to table, consider coming around this time. As you relax away in the calm and peaceful environment of the shop while relishing some deliciously healthy dessert, you'll be glad you made the trip down after all.

  • KAYA cafe
    家屋カフェ
    • Address 4 Chome-2-13 Nakazakinishi, Kita-ku, Osaka, 530-0015
    • Phone Number 06-6450-8300
    • Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (last order 6:00 p.m.) *Weekends and public holidays – 9:00 p.m. (last order 10:00 p.m.)
      Closed: Not fixed

2. Cafe Taiyonoto: Regain strength with a hearty cafe lunch

2. Cafe Taiyonoto: Regain strength with a hearty cafe lunch

Next on our list is Cafe Taiyonoto, yet another popular cafe in Nakazakicho with a colorfully retro look that's sure to captivate the hearts of fans of cute-looking things out there!

Butter Chicken Curry lunch menu item
Butter Chicken Curry lunch menu item

The lunchtime menu here is a lineup of two items: "Butter Chicken Curry (950 yen, tax excluded)" and "Side Dish Set With Choice of Main Dish (950 yen, tax excluded)".

"Butter Chicken Curry" blends the refreshing tartness of tomatoes and delectable richness of butter together, and the mixture goes very well with plain rice. It also comes with salad and pickles as a bonus.

Even the dessert and drinks here have a cute and retro feel to them, as highlighted by their names - especially this "Nostalgic Pudding (300 yen, tax excluded; 250 yen, tax excluded if bought along with a lunch set)" depicted in this picture. As you enjoy the visually pleasing food here to the full, don't forget to feed your camera too!

  • Cafe Taiyonoto
    cafe 太陽ノ塔
    • Address 2-chome-3-12 Nakazaki, Kita-ku, Osaka, 530-0016
    • Phone Number 06-6374-3630
    • Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
      Closed: Open daily

3. Shokudo Plug: All-new type of Japanese-Italian fusion food

3. Shokudo Plug: All-new type of Japanese-Italian fusion food

This restaurant is about a 2-minutes walk from Nakazakicho Station and its sophisticated old-style decor takes inspiration from New York eateries. The polished and professional aura of a New York-like interior matches surprisingly well with the retro townscape of Nakazaki, making the shop fit right in with the rest of the street.

Rice Carbonara (1,000 yen, tax excluded)
Rice Carbonara (1,000 yen, tax excluded)

The one item you simply have to try is "Rice Carbonara", which is exactly what its name says - a food item that combines rice with carbonara. This dish plops a domestically produced Ryunotamago egg - known for its rich flavor - onto the middle of the plate, which you can break up with a spoon and mix into the rice before starting on this delightful meal.

When the fresh cream, parmesan cheese, and egg yolk mix properly into the rice, you get an exquisitely mellow and creamy taste that soothes your soul with every bite. The coarse pepper's spiciness accentuates that taste even further. You won't be able to stop shoving spoonful after spoonful of this tasty treat into your mouth once you start! The slightly different taste it has from regular carbonara is bound to satisfy your curious taste buds as well.

  • Shokudo Plug
    食堂PLUG
    • Address 1F Suehirogari Bldg. 1 Chome-8-3 Nakazakinishi, Kita-ku, Osaka, 530-0015
    • Phone Number 06-6225-8498
    • Hours: 11:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. (last order 10:30 p.m.)
      Closed: Monday (in the case of holiday, following Tuesday), New Year's holiday

4. Green Pepe: Retro goods that speak to your heart

4. Green Pepe: Retro goods that speak to your heart

Full of old clothes and general goods that were regularly sold between the 70s to 80s in Japan, Green Pepe features a matching vintage interior design that makes you feel as if you're searching for valuable hidden treasure while wandering through the rows of shelves in the shop!

Colorful made-in-Japan water flasks
Colorful made-in-Japan water flasks
Popular old-style wall clocks
Popular old-style wall clocks

The bright and vivid colors of the items on display greet you as you enter the shop, cheering you up immediately. Their unusual design is part of the reason for their popularity. Taiwanese customers especially love the home appliances and clocks being sold here.

Lovely ornaments that are small enough to put on one's fingers
Lovely ornaments that are small enough to put on one's fingers

The Japanese folk craft here is another popular genre that customers of Green Pepe pay attention to. These captivating items are uniquely Japanese and can't be gotten outside of Japan, so they're definitely worth a second look if nothing else!

Other items on sale here are things like accessories, bags, lights, furniture, ornaments, and even signboards. Fans of retro goods would do well to check this shop out.

  • Green Pepe
    green pepe
    • Address 3 Chome-1-12 Nakazaki, Kita-ku, Osaka, 530-0016
    • Phone Number 06-6359-5133
    • Hours: 12 noon – 7:00 p.m.
      Closed: Tuesdays

5. Only Planet: Amusing goods with animal designs

5. Only Planet: Amusing goods with animal designs

Only Planet is a shop that specializes in general goods featuring animal designs. The products being sold here include items such as accessories, eating utensils, and ornaments. From simple and cozy-looking wares to stylish and trendy merchandise, it won't be hard for you to find something in the large variety of goods available here that appeals to your personal taste!

Animal earrings (from 1,600 yen, tax excluded)
Animal earrings (from 1,600 yen, tax excluded)
Cereal spoon (680 yen, tax excluded) with an animal picture on its handle
Cereal spoon (680 yen, tax excluded) with an animal picture on its handle
Nyantama Gamaro (1,040 yen, tax excluded) cat coin pouch
Nyantama Gamaro (1,040 yen, tax excluded) cat coin pouch

Being able to see all sorts of animals as you step into the store is a bonus point for sure, and just gazing at the adorable general goods available here is enough to soothe any frayed nerves as well. The shop allows customers to take photographs and write blog posts about the items here, so take as many pictures as you like to keep as memories of your trip to the lovely town of Nakazaki!

  • ONLY PLANET
    ONLY PLANET
    • Address 3 Chome-1-6 Nakazaki, Kita-ku, Osaka, 530-0016
    • Phone Number 06-6359-5584
    • Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
      Closed: Not fixed

There's plenty of fun to be had in cute and retro Nakazakicho!

Other than the shops that made it into our list, all of Nakazaki's shops - whether situated along main streets or in small alleyways - are trendy as can be, making the town an excellent place for a bit of old-fashioned exploration. It's a great stop to drop by along the way to Osaka or Umeda Stations from other major sightseeing destinations as well, due to its fantastic accessibility from these major transport hubs.

Few shops in Nakazakicho open early in the morning (although Cafe Taiyonoto is open from 9:00 a.m. onwards), so we recommend coming after 12 noon to have a better chance of seeing a wider variety of things. You could start with a tasty lunch, then hang out at a relaxing cafe before going around the general stores in search of souvenirs. Whatever you choose to do, you're sure to enjoy your time in this pretty and peaceful little slice of vintage Osaka.

English translation by: Huimin Pan

Written by:

WESTPLAN

WESTPLAN

Kiko Matsuda, Keiko Kimura, Risa Tsuji, and a team of female writers familiar with Kansai. We love eating, drinking and traveling! We share fun information based on our experiences.

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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