Shopping in Osaka

Osaka is known for its vast underground shopping malls, which, even to the long-term resident, are notoriously difficult to navigate, especially the ones underneath JR Osaka Station. Seemingly the human equivalent of rabbit warrens, the various shopping malls merge with one another along ill-defined boundaries, but the wealth of shops makes strolling a pleasure, especially if it's raining or if you're seeking respite from the heat of summer. Everything from cafés and Italian restaurants to secondhand CD shops, fashionable clothing boutiques, and discount ticket outlets can be found underground. A good place to start exploring these malls is from JR Osaka Station in the northern part of the city or from Namba subway station in the south. Signage is in both English and Japanese in many places, and if you're ever not quite sure of your bearings, all you have to do is pop up to ground level, like some sort of urban submariner.

In addition to Osaka's numerous shopping arcades and underground malls, there are specialized wholesale areas throughout the city, many of which have a few retail shops and are worth a visit. One such area is Doguya-suji, just east of Nankai Namba Station and the Takashimaya department store. This street is lined with shops selling nothing but kitchen utensils—all sorts of pots, pans, and glassware are piled to the rafters. Though most customers are in the restaurant trade, plenty of laypeople shop here, too. Feel free to wander around: there's no pressure to buy anything. A trip here could be combined with a visit to nearby Den Den Town, known for its electronic goods. Also in this neighborhood, east of the main entrance to Doguya-suji, is Kuromon Ichiba, the famous market district where chefs select the treats—fruits, vegetables, meat, and much more—for meals due to be served at restaurants the length and breadth of the city that evening.

All major Japanese depato (department stores) are represented in Osaka. Some of them, like Hankyu and Kintetsu, are headquartered here. They're open 10-7, but close on Wednesday or Thursday. The following are some of Osaka's leading depatos. Note that the food hall in the basement of Hanshin is widely regarded as the city's best.

For street-cred threads, head to America-mura, where tiny boutiques are crammed with the designs of tomorrow's fashionistas. A little to the west is Minami-horie where the fashionistas have moved up a notch and are now enjoying brand recognition. A stroll in either area will give you an inkling about what will be in the department stores a year from now.

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