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Osaka Shopping Guide: Best Areas for Malls, Department Stores & More in Osaka Umeda

Osaka Shopping Guide: Best Areas for Malls, Department Stores & More in Osaka Umeda

Last updated: 27 October 2022

Osaka's two biggest shopping districts are Umeda in the north and Namba in the south. The areas around JR Osaka Station, Osaka Metro Umeda Station, and the Osaka-Umeda Station can be said to be the representative area of Osaka. With convenient access to numerous places and a large variety of shopping spots available, you can get everything from daily necessities to luxury branded goods here.

This is the Umeda area, and its draw lies in the large number of shopping complexes and underground shopping malls available, making shopping especially convenient. We’ll be introducing shops that you absolutely have to drop by while in Umeda!

Table of Contents
  1. What kind of place is Umeda?
  2. If it’s Osaka shopping you want, Umeda is the place for you
  3. The three department stores in the Umeda area: Hankyu Umeda Main Store, Hanshin Department Store Umeda, and Daimaru Umeda
  4. Hankyu Umeda Main Store: For those looking for a luxurious shopping experience
  5. Hanshin Department Store Umeda: If you’re looking for restaurants and local cuisine
  6. Daimaru Umeda: Conveniently connected to JR Osaka Station
  7. Umeda’s three main landmarks: Grand Front Osaka, LUCUA Osaka, and LINKS UMEDA
  8. Grand Front Osaka: An ample choice of high sense fashion and miscellaneous goods
  9. LUCUA osaka: A station shopping mall for the fashion-conscious young lady
  10. LINKS UMEDA: Located in the same complex as Yodobashi Camera, it has its own drug store and Uniqlo!
  11. Other recommended Osaka shopping spots in the Umeda area
  12. HEP FIVE: Where trendy youth gather
  13. Herbis Plaza: A lineup of brand name stores
  14. Hankyu Sanbangai: For both fashion and souvenirs
  15. Whity Umeda: The underground mall with the heaviest footfall in Japan
  16. Have fun Osaka shopping in Umeda all the way

What kind of place is Umeda?

Toki-no-Hiroba Plaza in JR Osaka Station
Toki-no-Hiroba Plaza in JR Osaka Station

Umeda is one of the districts in Osaka city’s Kita Ward, and mainly refers to the area around JR Osaka Station, Osaka Metro Umeda Station, Higashi-Umeda Station, and Nishi-Umeda Station, and Hankyu-Hanshin Osaka-Umeda Station.

It’s the most extensive and busiest street in the west of Japan, with department stores, shopping malls, hotels, and other complexes all lined up side-by-side. As there are many offices in the area, everyone from business people, to the young and old, regardless of gender, come shopping and playing here day in and day out.

Besides the towering skyscrapers, there are underground streets and other places where you can enjoy some retail therapy or delicious cuisine.

If it’s Osaka shopping you want, Umeda is the place for you

The Uniqlo in LINKS UMEDA
The Uniqlo in LINKS UMEDA
The G-Shock Store in Grand Front Osaka
The G-Shock Store in Grand Front Osaka

In the sophisticated skyscrapers and convenient underground malls of Umeda, there are all kinds of shops around. You can make a beeline for the shop carrying what you need, or you can find everything from luxury brand goods to trinkets and other small souvenirs. Regardless, you will be spoilt for choice with the staggering variety available.

The three department stores in the Umeda area: Hankyu Umeda Main Store, Hanshin Department Store Umeda, and Daimaru Umeda

In Umeda, there are three department stores, namely Hankyu Umeda Main Store, Hanshin Department Store Umeda, and Daimaru Umeda. They’re all close to the JR line, subway, and private railways, making it a very accessible and convenient location. Next, we’ll introduce the perks of each one.

Hankyu Umeda Main Store: For those looking for a luxurious shopping experience

Kapi Ng / Shutterstock.com
Kapi Ng / Shutterstock.com

Hankyu Umeda Main Store opened in 1929 as the world’s first station terminal department store. It carries many leading fashion brands, providing a selection of the latest and newest in shopping, making it a hot favorite amongst both Japanese and foreign visitors. In particular, the International Boutique lines up only the best and most famous brands shops, with the largest cosmetics department in west Japan.

On top of that, the food hall in the basement brings together trendy gourmet foods of Japan, selling Japanese, western, and Chinese cuisine, along with various desserts and snacks. For people looking for the best shopping and food in Japan, we definitely recommend this department store.

Hanshin Department Store Umeda: If you’re looking for restaurants and local cuisine

Hanshin Department Store Umeda: If you’re looking for restaurants and local cuisine

Hanshin Department Store Umeda is a department store with deep roots, well-loved by the locals. The store offers luxury brands and select shops, daily necessities, and other goods as well, but its real specialty is in its food products.

The first floor of the department store is the food floor, and with everything from souvenir specialties of Osaka to snacks and other foods lined up, it’s hard to control yourself from snapping up everything you see.

The store also has special events for holidays such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day, and it can get crowded with long snaking queues. The fukuburo, or lucky bags, that go on sale during the first sale of the new year are also extremely popular and are usually completely sold out. If you’re celebrating the new year in Osaka, why not try lining up for a lucky bag at Hanshin Department Store Umeda?

Daimaru Umeda: Conveniently connected to JR Osaka Station

Gengorou / Shutterstock.com
Gengorou / Shutterstock.com

Connected directly to JR Osaka Station is the South Gate Building, and occupying the second basement floor to the fifteenth floor, is the shopping complex Daimaru Umeda. Besides a direct link bridge from JR Osaka Station, and from the Toki-no-Hiroba Plaza, the seventh floor has 37 entrances, making access very convenient indeed.

  • Daimaru Umeda Store
    • Address 3-1-1, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, 530-0001
      View Map
    • Nearest Station Osaka Station (JR Kansai Main Line / JR Tokaido Line / JR Kyoto Line / JR Osaka Loop Line / JR Kobe Line / JR Takarazuka Line / JR Osaka East Line)
      1 minute on foot
    • Phone Number 06-6343-1231

Umeda’s three main landmarks: Grand Front Osaka, LUCUA Osaka, and LINKS UMEDA

Next, we’ll be introducing the shopping complexes Grand Front Osaka, LUCUA Osaka, and LINKS UMEDA, which can also be considered landmarks in Umeda. With bright and shiny interiors, there are specialty brands all lined-up inside.

Grand Front Osaka: An ample choice of high sense fashion and miscellaneous goods

twoKim studio / Shutterstock.com
twoKim studio / Shutterstock.com

Located south of JR Osaka Station, it’s a shopping complex with a north and south building. Besides a shopping mall, there are restaurants and cafés, a hotel, a theatre, and a high-rise mansion as part of it, and it sees plenty of human traffic day by day.

From select fashion brands such as Beams House and Ron Herman, jewelers like 4℃ BRIDAL, and lifestyle stores like Muji, there are many fashionable shopping opportunities, so be sure to check them out.

LUCUA osaka: A station shopping mall for the fashion-conscious young lady

psgxxx / Shutterstock.com
psgxxx / Shutterstock.com

Composed of a west building, LUCUA 1100, and an east building, LUCUA, this is the largest station shopping mall in Japan. It’s easily accessible from the first-floor fare gate of the central concourse of JR Osaka Station.

LUCUA 1100 was designed with the keywords “Gap, Contrast, Marriage” in mind. The second floor has many unique and personality-driven trinket shops arranged in a marche style, while the seventh floor has lifestyle goods stores to improve your living spaces, as well as fashion items, with each floor having a different concept. On the other hand, LUCUA is targeted at trendy and fashion-conscious working ladies.

With prices comfortably in the range for everyday use, there are many items that are currently in fashion. For those quick to pick up on new trends, and who enjoy Japanese fashion items, why not take a look here?

  • LUCUA osaka
    • Address 3-1-3, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, 530-8558
      View Map
    • Nearest Station Osaka Station (JR Kansai Main Line / JR Tokaido Line / JR Kyoto Line / JR Osaka Loop Line / JR Kobe Line / JR Takarazuka Line / JR Osaka East Line)
    • Phone Number 06-6151-1111

LINKS UMEDA: Located in the same complex as Yodobashi Camera, it has its own drug store and Uniqlo!

LINKS UMEDA: Located in the same complex as Yodobashi Camera, it has its own drug store and Uniqlo!

Opened in November 2019, LINKS UMEDA is part of the Yodobashi Umeda Tower complex that houses Yodobashi Camera, and occupies the basement first floor to the eighth floor. From drug stores to supermarkets, it’s an all-in-one place where you can shop for everyday goods and necessities.

In the heart of Umeda, there aren’t many other supermarkets that you can casually enter nearby, so for those staying in hotels around the Umeda area, this is an important find indeed. There are three Starbucks Coffee outlets too, allowing you to take a rest whenever and wherever.

On top of that, there’s a Uniqlo and Global Work, along with other reasonably priced and high-quality fashion brands, making it a place that the whole family can enjoy.

  • LINKS UMEDA
    LINKS UMEDA
    • Address 1-1 Ofukacho, Kita-ku, Osaka, 530-0011
    • Hours:
      B2F-5F: Yodobashi Camera (9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
      B1F: LINKS MARCHE Eat&Walk (9:30 a.m. to 8:00p.m.), Oishimono Yokocho (11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., last order at 11:30 p.m.)
      1F-7F: 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
      8F: 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., last order at 10:30 p.m.
      2F Starbucks (in front of the Lausanne Terrace): 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
      *Some shops may differ from the above opening hours
      Open year round

Other recommended Osaka shopping spots in the Umeda area

Besides department stores and large-scale shopping malls and complexes, there are other attractive fashion malls and underground streets in Umeda too. We’ll be rounding up a few of these malls and streets that you should check out.

HEP FIVE: Where trendy youth gather

Nor Gal / Shutterstock.com
Nor Gal / Shutterstock.com

This is a fashion mall known for its giant Ferris wheel on the roof. A familiar place with trendy young people, people in their teens to twenties gather here regardless of gender. With many reasonably priced and tasteful Japanese brand shops, this is a spot that foreign visitors with a love for Japanese fashion won’t be able to resist.

Herbis Plaza: A lineup of brand name stores

Herbis Plaza: A lineup of brand name stores

If you’re looking for some classier brand-name products, look no further than Herbis Plaza. Besides top European brands, a selection of stylish and tasteful shops is lined up, allowing you to enjoy a refined a refined atmosphere while shopping.

Hankyu Sanbangai: For both fashion and souvenirs

daphne.t / Shutterstock.com
daphne.t / Shutterstock.com

Connected directly to the Hankyu Railway’s Osaka-Umeda Station, this is a shopping mall with a north and south building. From trendy items to hobby goods, there are many shops selling fashion and daily necessities too, providing fun for the whole family.

The basement also features a selection of shops selling gourmet foods from Osaka, and make for perfect souvenirs. From tea to snacks, you can choose your favorite souvenirs from the wide variety available.

Whity Umeda: The underground mall with the heaviest footfall in Japan

Connected directly to Hankyu Sanbangai, this is one of the main underground malls of Umeda. Over 400 thousand people pass through it every day, and it’s bustling with activity every day of the week.

One unique aspect of Whity Umeda is the large number of everyday shops available, such as drug stores and other shops selling daily necessities. With easy access from the JR line, Osaka Metro, and Hankyu Hanshin lines, if you need to buy something you’ve forgotten, this is a convenient place to drop by.

Have fun Osaka shopping in Umeda all the way

From luxury goods displayed in top-class brand shops to everyday necessities, there is a wide variety of shopping available at the Umeda area. The underground streets are a great option too, to fit various changes in scene and mood.

With so many different malls and facilities clustered around the station, it’s a great place to hop between stores and malls while shopping. Come to Osaka Umeda for a fulfilling shopping experience!

*The above article is based on information from May 2020

Written by West Plan

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*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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