9 Best Shopping in The Kansai Region, Japan

The department stores in Osaka are "gourmet palaces," each with several floors of restaurants. Daimaru, an Osaka landmark, has one of the best selections.

Opened in 2013, this stylish shopping complex sits just outside Umeda Station. With more than 266 shops, restaurants, and galleries as well as the InterContinental Hotel, this all-in-one complex is set to fulfill just about any shopping needs. It is a pleasant space to wander around, and the seats on the upper floors are relaxing spots to chill and people-watch.

Headquartered in Osaka, Hankyu has 15 floors of shopping. Across the street is Hankyu Men's Osaka, which claims to have the country's largest selection of men's clothing.

The food hall in the basement of Hanshin department store is the city's best.

If you want to take a break from shopping, head to the roof of HEP Five, where you can take in great night views of the city from the enormous Ferris wheel for just ¥600.

Occupying 16 floors at the base of Abeno Harukas, Osaka's tallest building, this is one of the largest department stores in Japan. In addition to the usual shops and restaurants, there are numerous stores specializing in souvenirs of all kinds, and the useful Foreign Customer's Salon helps with tax-free shopping and overseas shipping.

To the east of the Hankyu Grand Building is NU Chayamachi—a collection of small boutiques, both local and foreign, and some good cafés.

One of the largest Japanese department store chains, Takashimaya has an impressive presence in Osaka.

Don't be put off by the name: this enormous electronics department store sells far more than just cameras. On the north side of JR Osaka Station, the store is impossible to miss.