“Depa Chika” refers to the food stores found on the 1st and 2nd basement floors of most department stores in Japan. In addition to fresh produce, they feature a wide assortment of prepared dishes, lunch boxes, cakes and Japanese sweets, and local specialties. They’re always crowded with shoppers in search of delicious food!

Among these, the basement of Hankyu Umeda Main Store boasts the most extensive sales floor in western Japan. The 100-meter-long "Sweets Street" is lined with glittering Western confections as well as exclusive, limited-edition product collaborations with major confectioners.

Only a two-minute walk from both Hankyu Osaka Umeda Station and JR Osaka Station, the main Hankyu department store is also directly connected to the subway and other private railways. If you're running low on time to pick out souvenirs before your train leaves, it's a convenient place to do some last-minute shopping!

The Hankyu staff have noted that the following souvenirs are especially popular with foreign tourists.

Limited edition Cororo gummy sweets are produced exclusively for the Hankyu Umeda Main Store in collaboration with major confectioner UHA Mikakuto. These sweets are considered “luxury” gummies. Using premium ingredients, the gummies have an enjoyable flavor close to that of the real fruit on which they’re based.

From November 12, there will be six flavors: Nagano Purple, Shine Muscat, Yuzu, Strawberry, Choco Framboise, and Chocolate Apple.

Each flavor can be purchased separately or in a variety gift box. You’ll love these rare souvenirs!

With another limited item that can only be bought at the Hankyu Umeda Main Store, Japan's leading instant noodle company Nissin Foods gives customers the chance to make their own special cup noodles. Choosing from one of three types of soup and four of ten available ingredients, you can get your very own cup of noodles made to order.

The noodle cups feature natural vegetable flavors without the use of chemical seasonings. Soup bases are green broccoli and spinach, red tomato and paprika, and yellow garlic and coconut milk curry flavors. The vegetable selection includes spinach, edamame, pumpkin, carrot, avocado, and more, while the stylish packaging makes these cup noodles perfect for souvenir gift-giving.

With a total of 2,860 possible combinations, you’ll surely want to try as many as you can! If you don't have time to choose, you may want to purchase a “Recommended Selection” that combines recommended soup and ingredients.

The Lupicia tea brand sells black tea, oolong tea, Japanese tea, and original blended and herbal teas from all over the world.

White Peach Sencha is a herbal tea that combines Japanese sencha (green tea) with a sweet and fresh fragrance reminiscent of fresh white peach. Both fruity refined, it’s delicious hot or iced.

Lupicia is a popular shop for both its variety of carefully selected tea leaves and its attractive packaging. With such a wide variety, you’ll certainly find your favorite tea.

Although it’s produced by the same manufacturer as the famous “Tokyo Banana” that’s now available throughout the country, you’ll only find Ginnobudo’s Lemonase at Hankyu. Sandwiching lemon-flavored white chocolate between two delicate langue de chat cookies, these elegant and cutely decorated souvenirs are worth a try.

Also available is the hit “Chocolate Sand” gift box.

Nakamura Tokichi was founded in Uji, Kyoto in 1854. In addition to tea, the shop also offers jellies and chocolate. "Cha Colate" (A fun play on “cha” – tea, and “chocolate”) sandwiches thick matcha chocolate between crispy matcha cookies creating a rich matcha flavor and is especially popular with foreign tourists.

At the main store in Uji, you can enjoy matcha sweets while viewing a beautiful Japanese garden and experiencing a tea ceremony.

There are two tax-free counters at the Hankyu Umeda Main Store: the Overseas Customer Counter on the first basement floor and the Tax-free Counter on the first floor. When you show your passport at the Overseas Customer Counter, the Information Counter on the same floor, or the Information Center on the first floor, you can get a “Guest Coupon” good for a 5% discount.

The Information Counter has staff who can speak English, Chinese, or Korean, to assist tourists conveniently. Have fun shopping for souvenirs at Hankyu Umeda’s Depa Chika!

Text by:WESTPLAN