HOME Kansai Osaka Umeda, Osaka Station, Kitashinchi Grand Front Osaka: Popular Shopping Complex Conveniently Connected to Osaka Station
Grand Front Osaka: Popular Shopping Complex Conveniently Connected to Osaka Station

Grand Front Osaka: Popular Shopping Complex Conveniently Connected to Osaka Station

Last updated: 4 January 2021

Grand Front Osaka is the largest commercial facility in west Japan, with over 270 establishments. From cafes to relax in, restaurants to enjoy, and boutiques to buy clothes in, you’ll find what you’re looking for.

Table of Contents
  1. Fukutaro (Okonomiyaki restaurant): Like being at a concert!
  2. Nana’s green tea: Relax with some matcha
  3. Iori: High-quality Imabari towels for sale
  4. Muji Osaka: Kansai’s largest Muji shop
  5. The Lab: See Japan’s latest technology for free

Grand Front Osaka is split into three areas: Umekita Plaza, the South Building, and the North Building. Since it’s attached to JR Osaka Station, you don’t need to worry about getting wet on rainy days, either.

It’s an easy place to visit if you’re a tourist, too – with multilingual assistance and tax-free shops, they have you covered. And shopping isn’t all there is, either – there are places like ACTIVE Lab., where you can check out Japan’s latest technology. Here we'll introduce some of our recommended shops at Grand Front.

Fukutaro (Okonomiyaki restaurant): Like being at a concert!

Fukutaro (Okonomiyaki restaurant): Like being at a concert!

The okonomiyaki restaurant on Grand Front Osaka South Building’s 7th floor, Fukutaro, has a large lantern out front as its sign. It has a large griddle inside that they make your food on right in front of you, so you can enjoy taking pictures of the scene yourself!

The appeal of seeing food on the griddle in real time
The appeal of seeing food on the griddle in real time

There are plenty of photos on the menu as well as English, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified) and Korean text. Popular items include the cheesy Mochidama-yaki, and the Tonpei-yaki Classic. The soft and fluffy okonomiyaki with plenty of cabbage has fully customizable toppings, and that’s half the fun. You can also order a vegetarian version, without the pork.

Popular item: Tonpei-yaki Classic (680 yen, tax included)
Popular item: Tonpei-yaki Classic (680 yen, tax included)

The side dishes other than okonomiyaki are also excellent, so groups will often order and share them.

Side dish: Baked cuttlefish (380 yen, tax included)
Side dish: Baked cuttlefish (380 yen, tax included)

Including the counter, the shop has 28 seats. Lines form on weekends and around dinner, but people tend to eat fast so you won’t be in line for too long. It’s also a fun place to visit alone or with a group.

The counter seats are directly at the grill, so the food doesn’t get cold
The counter seats are directly at the grill, so the food doesn’t get cold

The sights and sounds of okonomiyaki being made in real-time are things to be witnessed. Be careful if you’re bringing children since the grill gets hot, but there’s plenty of fun to be had – the staff will agree to take photos, so shoot away!

  • Fukutaro
    福太郎
    • Address 7F Grand Front Osaka South Building 4-20, Ofukacho, Kita-ku, Osaka
    • Nearest Station Attached to JR Osaka Station, right next to Hankyu Line, Hanshin Line, and Osaka Metro Umeda Stations
    • Phone Number 06-6359-2951
    • Hours: 11AM to 11PM
      Closed: Irregularly

Nana’s green tea: Relax with some matcha

Nana’s green tea: Relax with some matcha

The Japanese café nana’s green tea, with a selection of matcha and green tea, is to be found on the 4th floor of Grand Front Osaka’s South Building.

Large with 132 seats, it exudes the aura of a modern teahouse. There are booth seats perfect for families and groups, and parfaits and other desserts that use matcha to enjoy. The menu is only in Japanese and English, but all of the items have photographs, making pointing and ordering a cinch.

Large windows and a bright, wide open interior
Large windows and a bright, wide open interior
The photos on the menu make ordering easy
The photos on the menu make ordering easy

The café has a variety of teas and tea-based drinks, most popular of which are the Matcha Shiratama Parfait and Matcha Latte. The matcha used is from Uji in Kyoto, guaranteeing you an authentic taste. With Japanese ingredients such as matcha pudding, shiratama, and red bean paste, the parfait’s fetching appearance has gained popularity on social media, drawing more guests to the café. The Matcha Latte can be had hot or iced, with the iced having a more pronounced matcha taste.

Matcha Shiratama Parfait (860 yen, tax included)
Matcha Shiratama Parfait (860 yen, tax included)
Matcha Latte (M 470 yen, L 550 yen, tax included) Drinks may be taken out
Matcha Latte (M 470 yen, L 550 yen, tax included) Drinks may be taken out

The sweets and drinks aren’t the only popular items at this Grand Front Osaka cafe. The Salmon and Roe Oyako-don (1,060 yen; Small 880 yen, tax included) and other food items are available for lunch. There are also plenty of seats, making this a perfect place to relax after a shopping session.

  • nana's green tea
    ナナズグリーンティ
    • Address 4F Grand Front Osaka South Building 4-20, Ofuacho, Kita-ku, Osaka
    • Nearest Station Attached to JR Osaka Station, right next to Hankyu Line, Hanshin Line, and Osaka Metro Umeda Stations
    • Phone Number 06-6485-7078
    • Hours: 10AM to 9PM
      Closed: Irregularly

Iori: High-quality Imabari towels for sale

Iori: High-quality Imabari towels for sale

Iori, on the second floor of the Grand Front Osaka North Building, is a shop in which you can buy the highest quality Imabari towels. Imabari is known as a high-class Japanese brand, even outside of Japan. Inside, you’ll find towels with all sorts of designs, colors, and functions. The most popular ones are the Mt. Fuji and cherry blossom designs.

“sakura” mini-handkerchief 648 yen, face towel 1,620 yen, “Fujisan” mini-handkerchief 648 yen, face towel 1,620 yen (all include tax)
“sakura” mini-handkerchief 648 yen, face towel 1,620 yen, “Fujisan” mini-handkerchief 648 yen, face towel 1,620 yen (all include tax)

The towel designed after the nature of Ehime Prefecture, “Ehime no Tabimonogatari MIKAN” has a variety of sizes, from mini-handkerchief to bath towels, allowing you to collect your favorites. Since they’re so soft and comfortable, plenty of people buy them for use at home.

MIKAN mini-handkerchief 810 yen, face towel 1,728 yen, bath towel 4,536 yen (all include tax)
MIKAN mini-handkerchief 810 yen, face towel 1,728 yen, bath towel 4,536 yen (all include tax)

The popular, fast-drying towel “umi” is a Japanese innovation: a towel with a gauze side. There’s also the “Face Mask”, a cosmetic hot mask heated in a microwave and put over a facial mask to prevent drying up. There are other items that are just as comfortable as the Imabari towels, such as hair drying gloves and baby bathrobes.

“umi” wash towel 864 yen, face towel 1,404 yen, bath towel 3,780 yen (all include tax)
“umi” wash towel 864 yen, face towel 1,404 yen, bath towel 3,780 yen (all include tax)
Iori Face Mask, 2,736 yen (tax included)
Iori Face Mask, 2,736 yen (tax included)

High quality Imabari towels make a great souvenir, or a great addition to your home. There are all sorts of color variations and sizes, so try picking up one you like!

  • Iori
    伊織
    • Address 2F Grand Front Osaka North Building 3-1, Ofukacho, Kita-ku, Osaka
    • Nearest Station Attached to JR Osaka Station, right next to Hankyu Line, Hanshin Line, and Osaka Metro Umeda Stations
    • Phone Number 06-6136-5851
    • Hours: 10AM to 9PM
      Closed: Depends on Establishment

Muji Osaka: Kansai’s largest Muji shop

Muji Osaka: Kansai’s largest Muji shop

Kansai’s largest Muji establishment is on the 4th floor of the Grand Front Osaka North Building. It’s a massive store with plenty of items, from food to stationery to clothes and furniture. On the fashion side, the most popular are linen tops, stoles, and sneakers. Items tend to have a variety of colors, too, letting you pick the one you want.

Items comes in a variety of colors
Items comes in a variety of colors

The bright, resilient gel ink ball-point pens are a popular item that draws in repeat buyers. Their ink tubes are replaceable, allowing you to use the pens without waste.

Popular gel ink ball-point pens. A single pen is 30 yen, replacement ink tubes are 60 yen (both with tax included)
Popular gel ink ball-point pens. A single pen is 30 yen, replacement ink tubes are 60 yen (both with tax included)

Though Muji Osaka has branches abroad, it has a much greater selection at lower prices in Japan itself. This shop has a tax-free counter where people buy pens, lotion, snacks, and other supplies in bulk. The shop also has free wi-fi, allowing you to search the web to help you find what you’re looking for.

The shop’s tax-free counter
The shop’s tax-free counter
Lotion for sensitive skin: 580 yen (tax included). There are a variety of lotions for different skin types, too
Lotion for sensitive skin: 580 yen (tax included). There are a variety of lotions for different skin types, too

Muji Osaka has a comfortably large, wooden interior that’s easy for lugging your baggage through. It’s the perfect place to buy what you want all at once.

  • Muji
    無印良品
    • Address 4F Grand Front Osaka North Building 3-1, Ofukacho, Kita-ku, Osaka
    • Nearest Station Attached to JR Osaka Station, right next to Hankyu Line, Hanshin Line, and Osaka Metro Umeda Stations
    • Phone Number 06-6359-2171
    • Hours: 10AM to 9PM
      Closed: Depends on Establishment

The Lab: See Japan’s latest technology for free

The Lab: See Japan’s latest technology for free

Shopping and food aren’t all that Grand Front Osaka has to offer, either. “The Lab.” on both the second and third floors of the North Building is an exhibition area anyone can enter for free, but it is surprisingly unknown.

Various companies, schools, and research organizations display yet unreleased prototypes there, allowing visitors to experience the latest in Japanese technology. Some of the exhibits don’t have multilingual support, but the floor has expert staff and simple, picture-based explanations, allowing anyone to experience the displays.

Multiple booths stretching from the second to third floor
Multiple booths stretching from the second to third floor

One trendy booth is the “Virtual Fitting” exhibit, where you can experience wearing a glamorous kimono just by standing there. There are also costumes available for children and men.

View Paint is an exhibit where the viewer uses a controller to view Vermeer’s famous “The Milkmaid” painting from various angles. The ceiling, not shown in the original painting, was recreated with scholarly supervision, allowing one to take on an entirely new view of a classic painting.

View the painting from a variety of angles with the controller©Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. Purchased with the support of the Vereniging Rembrandt. ViewPaint: Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid” Produced by Toppan Printing Co., Supervisor: Yoriko Kobayashi
View the painting from a variety of angles with the controller©Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. Purchased with the support of the Vereniging Rembrandt. ViewPaint: Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid” Produced by Toppan Printing Co., Supervisor: Yoriko Kobayashi

Kishiman, the next-generation picture book, plays out its story with a large display. It uses projection mapping technology, and kids love the different images with every turn of the page.

The book is in Japanese, English, Chinese, French, Polish, German, and Thai
The book is in Japanese, English, Chinese, French, Polish, German, and Thai

“The Lab.” can be visited for absolutely free. After you’ve finished up some shopping or eating, try paying it a visit to enjoy some of Japan’s latest technologies!

  • The Lab.
    The Lab.
    • Address 2/3F Grand Front Osaka North Building 3-1, Ofukacho, Kita-ku, Osaka
    • Nearest Station Attached to JR Osaka Station, right next to Hankyu Line, Hanshin Line, and Osaka Metro Umeda Stations
    • Hours: 10AM to 9PM
      Closed: New Years Eve/Day

Text by:Niki Shigemi

*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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