18 Best Shopping in The Kansai Region, Japan

This darling and inexpensive antiques shop in Kitano-cho has a large collection of high-quality yukata (lightweight summer kimonos) that you can try on. There's also a good selection of ceramics and lacquerware. Nanae, the owner, enjoys explaining the history behind the pieces.

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.

Rooted in tradition, Kai houses a collection of shops with new takes on traditional Japanese arts and crafts. In addition to a café and gallery, Kai also serves as work and gallery space for various local artisans. With artists producing everything from paintings to wood carvings to glass jewelry, this is an excellent stop for unique souvenirs.

Established in 1938, this small boutique offers unique designs and quality service. Although the shop offers many classic designs, it has a range of more modern pearl jewelry as well.

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.

For an overview of the arts and crafts of Nara Prefecture, visit the Kite-Mite Nara Shop on your way to Nara Park. A brochure in English is available.

Hidden on a narrow backstreet, this stylish and recently refurbished store sells various souvenirs and Nara specialties, including handwoven, sun-bleached linens which are a local specialty known as Nara sarashi. You can enjoy green tea and Japanese sweets while admiring views of the garden at the on-site café.

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

This store sells traditional Japanese dolls, from kimekomi (animals representing the zodiac calendar) to the samurai and kimono-clad ladies. There are also good examples of oshie (three-dimensional pictures made of silk). The tiny shop is packed with cloth for doll making, cupboards for hiding doll-making supplies, and, of course, dolls.

Santica Town is an underground shopping mall with 120 shops and 30 restaurants. It extends for several blocks beneath Flower Road south from San-no-miya Station. It's closed the third Wednesday of the month.

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

This shop not only sells pearls but also exhibits astounding works of "pearl" art, including a model of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and a rooster with an impossibly long tail.

This Tor Road boutique specializes in beautiful handcrafted glass items. It features the work of artisans from around the country, each with their own unique style.

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.