HOME Kansai Osaka Umeda, Osaka Station, Kitashinchi The dazzling world of OSAKA STATION CITY is sure to delight! Quirky souvenirs from Osaka
The dazzling world of OSAKA STATION CITY is sure to delight! Quirky souvenirs from Osaka

The dazzling world of OSAKA STATION CITY is sure to delight! Quirky souvenirs from Osaka

Date published: 31 October 2023

What are the best Osaka souvenirs? Most people don't have an immediate answer. To be honest, I don't either. So, I've decided to take a trip around OSAKA STATION CITY to find some items I can recommend with confidence. I'm excited to see what kind of souvenirs I can find.

Table of Contents
  1. Sweets from a beloved coffee shop! Coffee yokan jelly & coffee beans
  2. The perfect snack! Taiyaki Specialty Shop Tokachi Anko no Sazae
  3. Crunchy chips made with rice flour! BUTTER POTATO CHIPS
  4. Aburi mitarashi rice dumplings from Namiyoshian, a long-standing Wagashi sweets maker
  5. Bonus: One-stop shop for Osaka's best souvenirs! Entrée Marché Osaka

Sweets from a beloved coffee shop! Coffee yokan jelly & coffee beans

Sweets from a beloved coffee shop! Coffee yokan jelly & coffee beans

We’ll start our trip at HIRO COFFEE, a specialty coffee brand that’s been in business for over 45 years. Though their head shop is in Suita, Osaka, we're visiting Coffee Gallery HIRO at EKI MARCHÉ OSAKA. From a coffee stand to aisles upon aisles of coffee-related goods, the store offers an irresistible line-up for coffee lovers. Among the many items you might consider taking home, the coffee yokan jelly is gaining popularity as an unexpected combination. Yokan jelly is a traditional Japanese sweet with a gelatinous texture. It comes in a variety of flavors, but coffee-flavored yokan jelly is unique, to say the least, and I strongly recommend giving it a go. You'll be surprised how perfect this pairing is.

Onishi says, "There are two types of coffee yokan jelly available. The one made with Mandheling coffee beans has a bold bitter taste, while the one using Mocha coffee beans has more of a mellow flavor. The beans are roasted at HIRO COFFEE's roasting studio, and they go well with the sweet red bean paste used to make the yokan jelly."

This light, easy-to-eat snack pairs perfectly with coffee.

Mini coffee yokan jelly, 324 yen each (w/ tax)
Mini coffee yokan jelly, 324 yen each (w/ tax)

Coffee yokan jelly is something of a rarity, so many people buy the mini size first to be safe. I also bought a mini one, but I ate it so fast that I regretted not buying a large one. That's how easy it is to eat.

Whole beans coffee chocolate, 432 yen each (w/ tax)
Whole beans coffee chocolate, 432 yen each (w/ tax)

These chocolate-coated whole coffee beans have a satisfying crunch, like peanuts. Available in milk, bitter, fraise (strawberry), and assorted flavors (all three types in one package). A bag of these makes a perfect small souvenir from Osaka.

According to Onishi, "The most popular is the assorted. These are a big hit with women, both as a snack and a gift."

Different types of coffee beans are used for each flavor, so the chocolate used is a perfect match for each bean. There's a burst of coffee flavor with each bite, and it has a wonderful aroma. In winter, the Christmas-themed packaging makes for a great present.

  • Coffee Gallery HIRO at EKI MARCHÉ OSAKA
    コーヒーギャラリーヒロ エキマルシェ大阪店
    • Address EKI MARCHÉ OSAKA, 3-1-1 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka
    • Phone: 06-6225-8516
      Hours: 11 AM - 11 PM.
      Closed: Same schedule as the shopping facility

The perfect snack! Taiyaki Specialty Shop Tokachi Anko no Sazae

The perfect snack! Taiyaki Specialty Shop Tokachi Anko no Sazae

Taiyaki is a popular Japanese street food consisting of a pancake-like outer shell stuffed with any variety of sweet fillings, like red bean paste or custard. They're great as a snack or a gift.

I came to the first basement floor of Daimaru Umeda to visit Taiyaki Specialty Shop Tokachi Anko no Sazae, which opened in October 2022. The rows of taiyaki baking in the storefront whetted my appetite and made my stomach growl. The auspicious fish-shaped taiyaki is filled to the tails with red bean paste made from 100% Tokachi azuki beans. They're so full they look like they might burst.

Thin-crust taiyaki, 194 yen each (w/ tax)
Thin-crust taiyaki, 194 yen each (w/ tax)

They make "thin-crust" taiyaki with a thin pancake shell, and you can choose between three flavors of filling: chunky sweet red bean paste, custard cream, and pistachio cream (seasonally). The Danish taiyaki is filled with mochi rice cakes and chunky red bean paste. I had the thin-crust taiyaki filled with scrumptious homemade red bean paste. The quality is no surprise since they specialize in making ohagi, which are rice cakes covered in red bean paste. The slightly salty flavor is not too sweet, so it's easy to eat a ton.

"The most popular item, by far, is the thin-crust taiyaki filled with chunky red bean paste,” mentions the store manager, Yoshida. “It's popular among people of all ages, from young to old. On weekends or holidays, when we have a lot of customers, we bake 300 to 400 of each type of taiyaki per day, or about 1,000 taiyaki in total. They almost always sell out."

Although they might be overshadowed by the chunky, sweet red bean paste in terms of popularity, the custard cream and pistachio cream are also fantastic, and they have a thick texture that matches the chewy dough.

Danish taiyaki, 219 yen each (w/ tax)
Danish taiyaki, 219 yen each (w/ tax)

Danish taiyaki is a unique variation of taiyaki. The crispy and fluffy Danish is filled with mochi and red bean paste, a perfect match for the texture of the dough.

While I speak with Yoshida, I see people of all ages, including office workers, housewives, and young men, purchasing taiyaki. Some people buy just one as a quick snack, while others get sets of five or ten as souvenirs. Even after the taiyaki cools, it can be re-baked in a toaster oven to get back that crispy texture, so it really is the king of Japanese snacks.

  • Taiyaki Specialty Shop Tokachi Anko no Sazae
    たい焼き専門店 十勝あんこのサザエ
    • Address Daimaru Umeda B1F, 3-1-1 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka City
    • Phone: 06-6343-1231 (Representative)
      Hours: 10 AM - 8 PM
      Closed: Same schedule as the shopping facility

Crunchy chips made with rice flour! BUTTER POTATO CHIPS

Crunchy chips made with rice flour! BUTTER POTATO CHIPS

Osaka isn’t just about the sweets, they have savory treats as well: like at Chips & tips. Their BUTTER POTATO CHIPS are popular as a souvenir, and they go great with alcohol. Rice flour is blended into the chips to make them less oily while giving them a puffed-rice texture. They're slightly chunky, with a solid crunch and robust flavor that makes them addictive.

Onishi says, "There are six flavors in total, with the top three being anchovy, pink salt, and honey."

The anchovy flavor, with its salty and rich umami, is unrivaled in popularity. Incidentally, Onishi recommends the bacon flavor, which goes great with beer.

BUTTER POTATO CHIPS, 350 yen each (w/ tax)
BUTTER POTATO CHIPS, 350 yen each (w/ tax)

Plus, the packaging is stylish, with an eye-catching striped pattern. The store's shopping bags are transparent so that the package of chips can be seen, and the fun design can double as a gift bag. You can also purchase a variety pack in box or bag form.

Onishi says, "With the box, you choose your favorite flavors and bundle them together. The bag comes pre-packed with four different flavors – a balance between popular and less well-known kinds. The variety packs are very popular as gifts."

There is also a package that includes all the flavors, which apparently is especially popular with men. If you're struggling to pick a single flavor, you can just try them all instead.

"The garlic flavor is very tasty when crushed and sprinkled on a salad!” Onishi remarks. “The texture of the chips and the garlic flavor go well together, even making a good substitute for dressing."

You can enjoy them as a snack or in your cooking. Try all six flavors to find the one you like best.

  • Chips & tips
    Chips & tips
    • Address Daimaru Umeda B1F, 3-1-1 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka City
    • Phone: 06-6343-1231 (Representative)
      Hours: 10 AM - 8 PM
      Closed: Same schedule as the shopping facility

Aburi mitarashi rice dumplings from Namiyoshian, a long-standing Wagashi sweets maker

Aburi mitarashi rice dumplings from Namiyoshian, a long-standing Wagashi sweets maker

Our last stop on the OSAKA STATION CITY souvenir tour is Namiyoshian, a long-standing maker of Japanese sweets established in 1858. We recommend the aburi mitarashi rice dumplings, which are grilled and coated in a special soy sauce. These frequently get media coverage and have amassed a loyal following of repeat customers. The ingredients are quite simple: rice flour (100%), sugar, and water. Although it may seem minimal at first glance, the ingredients are carefully chosen, and the product is made with love.

Aburi mitarashi (grilled rice dumplings with soy sauce), 249 yen each (w/ tax)
Aburi mitarashi (grilled rice dumplings with soy sauce), 249 yen each (w/ tax)

"The ingredients for the sauce are kelp from Rishiri, Hokkaido, and tamari shoyu [a thick soy sauce made using less wheat] from Yuasa. The dumplings are roasted over Kishu binchotan charcoal, which is beloved among chefs,” remarks Akita, the store manager. “The original recipe and grilling technique using binchotan charcoal allows the dumplings to retain their moisture content and remain soft even after cooling down.”

Namiyoshian's rice dumplings remain soft even after they cool, which is their best feature. Rice dumplings may seem like a risky gift, since they harden so quickly, but you can rest assured that these aburi mitarashi rice dumplings will stay perfectly soft. Another plus is that they don't contain any additives. Anyone can enjoy them with peace of mind.

The Namiyoshian EKI MARCHÉ OSAKA location holds an event called Aburi Mitarashi Day on the fourth Tuesday of every month. If you buy a box of five or more dumplings, you'll receive an extra one for free! This event has become so popular that some people hesitate to buy the day before in anticipation of Aburi Mitarashi Day.

Mochi-an doughnut, 346 yen per piece (w/ tax)
Mochi-an doughnut, 346 yen per piece (w/ tax)

Another Namiyoshian product I recommend is the mochi-an doughnut. The dough is made with glutinous rice flour that gives it a satisfying chewy texture, and the doughnut is filled with smooth sweet red bean paste. Only an expert in Japanese sweets could craft a unique donut like this.

"The goal was to devise a doughnut that only a maker of Japanese sweets could create. After a lot of trial and error, the final doughnut borrows some of the best aspects of Namiyoshian's rice dumplings," mentions Akita.

These doughnuts reflect all the expertise of their creators, who know exactly how to fine-tune sweetness, whether it's in red bean paste, rice dumplings, or dough. You can restore the doughnuts to their crispy glory by baking them in a toaster oven. They are great as a snack or a souvenir, so be sure to try them.

  • Namiyoshian EKI MARCHÉ OSAKA
    浪芳庵 エキマルシェ大阪店
    • Address EKI MARCHÉ OSAKA, 3-1-1 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka City
    • Phone: 06-6485-8191
      Hours: 11 AM - 10 PM
      Closed: Same schedule as the shopping facility

Bonus: One-stop shop for Osaka's best souvenirs! Entrée Marché Osaka

Bonus: One-stop shop for Osaka's best souvenirs! Entrée Marché Osaka

On weekends, Entrée Marché Osaka attracts about 6,000 customers a day. If you're low on time and don't want to run around to a bunch of stores, or if you're set on finding the perfect gift from Osaka, then visit the kingdom of edible souvenirs: Entrée Marché Osaka! You can choose from a whopping 1,200 kinds of treats, from sweet to salty and everything in between.

The manager, Tanaka, recommends the Chorokenpi crispy sweet potato sticks for 1,398 yen (w/ tax). Inside the tin, you'll find several small gift bags included so you can easily split the snacks up and gift them to multiple people. It's a convenient as well as delicious choice.

As our souvenir shopping time came to a close, Tanaka, who had been kindly sharing about the different goodies chuckled shyly and then confessed, "I showed you all these Osaka souvenirs with you, but actually, I'm from Saga Prefecture."
As our souvenir shopping time came to a close, Tanaka, who had been kindly sharing about the different goodies chuckled shyly and then confessed, "I showed you all these Osaka souvenirs with you, but actually, I'm from Saga Prefecture."

If you're wondering what to buy, Entrée Marché Osaka has you covered. There is a wide range of souvenirs, from quintessentially Osakan items, to souvenirs only available in western Japan, to treats from famous shops that you can't go wrong with. You can even find strange and wacky souvenirs that will make you giggle. Check out their ranking of popular souvenirs and see what's currently trendy!

  • Entrée Marché Osaka
    アントレマルシェ大阪店
    • Address 3-1-1 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka City, JR Osaka Station Central Concourse
    • Phone: 06-6440-1122
      Hours: 6 AM - 12:30 AM
      Closed: Open all year round

Final Thoughts
So that's our souvenir tour of OSAKA STATION CITY. It was hard to narrow it down to five stores because so many places jumped out to me. Honestly, OSAKA STATION CITY is huge, and there are so many unique things to see. Daimaru Umeda, EKI MARCHE, LUCUA, and LUCUA 1100 all have so many different stores that one day was not nearly enough time to look around. The Entrée Marché Osaka store is a treasure trove of souvenirs, so much so that it's hard to choose. There are a lot of hidden treasures around every corner in OSAKA STATION CITY, so be sure to stop by.

(*Information in this article is as of November 30, 2022. Prices and availability of products mentioned may change.)

Editor: KOTSU SHIMBUNSHA
Writer: Kotaro Shimada

Guide Profile
  • Kotaro Shimada

    Souvenir-meister & tourism specialist living in Hyogo Prefecture. Writer for the food and lifestyle media outlet "macaroni." He loves famous confections and local sweets, and has tried more than 600 delicious souvenirs so far.

    Media appearances include ‘The Ninety-nine Walls’ (FUJI TELEVISION), ‘Yoji Goji Days’ (TV Tokyo), and ‘Minna no Gohan’ (Gurunavi).
*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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  • Coffee Gallery HIRO at EKI MARCHÉ OSAKA
    コーヒーギャラリーヒロ エキマルシェ大阪店
  • Taiyaki Specialty Shop Tokachi Anko no Sazae
    たい焼き専門店 十勝あんこのサザエ
  • Chips & tips
    Chips & tips
  • Namiyoshian EKI MARCHÉ OSAKA
    浪芳庵 エキマルシェ大阪店
  • Entrée Marché Osaka
    アントレマルシェ大阪店