In recent years, Osaka has been gathering popularity as a destination for tourists traveling to Japan. The rise began around 2011, and now tourists are a common sight in the area. Osaka's fame comes mostly from its convenient position between famous sightseeing locations in the Kansai region, like Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. For instance, it's only about 43 minutes to get to the heart of Kyoto at Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station, via the express train from Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station. This makes Osaka your perfect sightseeing base.

That's not to say there aren't plenty of exceptional destinations within the city of Osaka. Osaka has two distinct areas: Umeda centered on Osaka-Umeda Station, and Namba centered on Namba Station. These two areas will check all the boxes you need to get the most out of Osaka and have a satisfying trip.

Even in Kansai, Umeda is an excellent place to enjoy shopping or fine food. You'll find many malls in the area around Osaka-Umeda Station with everything from thrifty stores to extravagant select shops and high-end brand outlets, convenient for any visitor. These malls also feature cuisine, like the Osaka classics okonomiyaki and takoyaki.
In fact, Umeda has famous restaurants from around all of Japan. A walk around most any building can take you on a shopping/culinary adventure. That is to say, walking around Umeda area buildings make for a most efficient trip.

Now for that one-day shopping/cuisine plan in Umeda. Let's simulate the perfect one-day trip that includes shopping at the wildly popular MUJI, the melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness of Kobe beef sukiyaki, and a view of the Osaka nightscape.

GRAND FRONT OSAKA is a mall that encapsulates the Osaka experience. The massive complex contains shops for fashion, variety goods, tableware, interior decoration, and more. Below the first floor is a wide variety of dining options. You could find everything you'd ever want to bring home from Japan right here.

You'll find Mujirushi Ryohin all around Japan, but the Umeda MUJI may very well be the biggest MUJI in Osaka-- nay, Kansai! You'll find the entire MUJI catalog of fashion, cosmetics, stationery, lifestyle items, and more, plus selected literature, and a cafe great for having lunch and relaxing. Like a well-unified mall, you can enjoy shopping and dining here.

All of Mujirushi Ryohin's most popular products can be found here, so you might be able to find things here that are sold out at other Mujirushi Ryohin locations. Their stock is extensive as well, so you could make purchases in bulk if you feel the need. They also feature products you won't find at other locations, like limited-edition products made with new materials. There is also a workshop for embroidering names or images on classic products.

This optical shop got its start in 1958 over in Sabae, Fukui Prefecture. Their craftsmen use traditional techniques to form sturdy frames in trendy designs, creating a lineup of long-lasting made-in-Japan eyewear.
The personal touch one can feel from their products has earned them fans in and outside of Japan. They're frequented by visitors to Japan.

You might get the impression KANEKO OPTICAL's forte is classical frames, but they have a wide selection of trendy eyewear, so you're sure to find something you'll like.
They can match lenses to the glasses you're currently wearing or measure your eyesight on the spot. The price of the lens changes based on their type, but begin at 15,400 yen (including tax) for a two-lens set. Each order can take one week to 10 days to finish, but they can mail the finished product to locations outside of Japan.

HERBIS, including "HERBIS PLAZA" and "HERBIS PLAZA ENT," is a commercial facility in Umeda, Osaka. You'll find flagship shops for luxury brands and popular select shops originated in Japan in a fun, urban environment. The B2 floor of HERBIS PLAZA is for restaurants, featuring attractive bars, cafes, and restaurants for Japanese cuisine, desserts, and more.

Kobe beef is a world-renowned Japanese brand. A great many people around the world, and even in Japan, merely hope to taste it someday. At "SUKIYAKI SHABUSHABU KOBE BEEF ISHIDA," you can eat that very same Kobe beef in shabu-shabu or sukiyaki form. The restaurant exudes high-class Japanese style; you'd be hard-pressed to find a better place to enjoy the flavors of Kobe beef.

At SUKIYAKI SHABUSHABU KOBE BEEF ISHIDA, you can take your pick between Kobe beef and Ozaki beef. Kobe beef is defined by its spectacularly rich flavor and soft texture, while Ozaki beef has a lighter flavor with the right balance of red meat and fat.
The sukiyaki course brings you sukiyaki with a parade of appetizers, tempura, and dessert. While technically a dinner course, you can also order it at lunchtime. Their lunch menu has items starting at 1,870 yen (with tax).

The sukiyaki is prepared right in front of you and brought to the perfect temperature before serving. It's served with a choice of rich-tasting whipped egg or grated yam. The soft and full-flavored beef mixes with the egg or grated yam to bring bliss to your mouth. Enjoy it in all its melt-in-your-mouth splendor.

After relishing in Kobe beef at HERBIS, it's time to get back to shopping. "HANKYU SANBAN GAI" is a mall directly connected to Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station. Here you'll find stores for fashion and an assortment of other goods which are visited by both tourists and locals alike.

At KIDDY LAND, you can purchase products relating to around 150 cute characters. Characters from Studio Ghibli movies? Check. The laid-back and charming Rilakkuma? Present. Then there are Snoopy, Miffy, and... in any case, famous characters from around the world.
The characters' amusing expressions will bring a smile to any face! It's no wonder the store is popular with both kids and women in their 20s and 30s.

There's a photo spot in the store that would make for a good Osaka vacation memory. You'll see a lot of these "gacha" machines, which dispense capsule toys when you put in a coin and pull the lever. They're a hallmark of Japanese shopping complexes.

HANKYU SANBAN GAI's North Area B2F is their UMEDA FOOD HALL, a food court with around 1000 seats in its shared seating area and 18 establishments whose food you can try at your leisure. For this simulation, let's have a fluffy pancake from the popular BURN SIDE ST CAFE.

They use egg whites and soymilk to create their famous snowy-white fluffy pancake. Top it with your choice of honey or maple syrup. The pancake also comes with maple nut butter and whipped cream.
Enjoy the gentle flavor of soymilk in a satisfyingly large serving! As a relatively healthier treat, their white souffle pancake is favored by fans of Japanese cuisine, too.

Our trip has become a night out, and we'll make the most of it at "HEP FIVE"! HEP FIVE is a commercial complex with stores featuring fashion and various other goods aimed at younger crowds. Never a dull moment at HEP FIVE: it's great for shopping, but there are plenty of entertainment facilities.

At VR ZONE OSAKA, you can put on a VR headset and explore everything the virtual world has to offer. Experience white-water rapids or flights in the sky as if you are truly there. Some of the attractions are themed on popular IPs like Evangelion, so we particularly recommend it to fans of anime.

Some of the 16 attractions like "VR Adventure Rapid River" and "Hanechari (Winged Bicycle)" have English settings. Their "Free Pass" allows you to play certain activities an unlimited number of times. Weekday prices: 2,900 yen for kids, 3,200 yen for students, 3,500 yen for adults. Weekday and holiday prices: 3,800 yen for kids, 4,100 yen for students, 4,400 yen for adults. Prices after 6:00 PM for all days: 2,000 yen for kids, 2,300 yen for students, 2,600 yen for adults.
(©BANDAI NAMCO Amusement Inc.)

For a final touch on our Osakan night, we'll head up on the red Ferris wheel, which has become an Umeda landmark since its HEP FIVE first opened. From up high, you're treated to a light show only possible in the big city. The Ferris wheel cars are air-conditioned and kept at a comfortable temperature in both summer and winter! One trip around is only 15 minutes.
And it's only 600 yen (including tax) per person. Free for children five and under!

As you can see, Osaka's Umeda area has lots to do for shopping, dining, and entertainment. You're free to take in the city sights while dining on gourmet cuisine, get the most out of your yen shopping around and dining.
It's also a breeze to get to Kyoto, Nara, or Kobe from Umeda. Don't forget that Umeda has all kinds of establishments we haven't covered in this plan, so we encourage you to do a bit of research and come up with an Osaka-Umeda Trip that's just right for you!

You can use them at any of the shopping malls introduced in this article, plus "NU Chayamachi / NU Chayamachi +" and "Diamor Osaka"! The coupons will get you sweet deals at more than 100 establishments.