Amerikamura, one of Osaka's famous shopping districts
Osaka has several world class shopping districts and miles of shopping arcades, malls and streets. Osaka's shopping combines upscale, brand name and designer goods with inexpensive thrift shops and discount chains.
The city's two largest shopping districts are Umeda in the north and Namba in the south. The Umeda area (also known as Kita) is served by JR Osaka Station and Umeda Station, while the Namba area (also known as Minami) is served by Namba Station. Both areas have large concentration of department stores, shopping arcades and some of Japan's most extensive underground shopping malls.
Shinsaibashi Suji
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Tenjinbashi Suji
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In between Umeda and Namba is the covered shopping arcade Shinsaibashi Suji, one of Osaka's oldest and busiest shopping destinations which runs about 600 meters in length. Shinsaibashi Suji's collection of brand name shops, chain stores, independent boutiques and variety of restaurants makes it popular with nearly every kind of shopper. At Dotombori, Shinsaibashi Suji becomes Ebisubashi Suji, though the same shopping atmosphere remains.
Some of the most unique shopping is found in Osaka's specialized districts. Amerikamura is the city's best known center of youth fashion and contains hundreds of small, inexpensive boutiques. Nearby, the Horie and Minami-senba districts cater to slighter older, more sophisticated shoppers with prices to match.
Den Den Town
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Doguya Suji
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Another specialized area is Nipponbashi's Den Den Town, dedicated to electronic and gaming goods and often compared to Tokyo's Akihabara district. Doguya Suji near Namba Station is Osaka's shopping destination for professional and amateur chefs. This short arcade sells all manner of cooking accessories, from restaurant grade stove tops to staff uniforms to pots, pans and dishes.
For visitors interested in a low key shopping environment with lower prices, Tenjinbashi Suji shopping arcade boasts a varied collection of local shops in the northeastern area of Osaka, leading to Tenmangu Shrine. Claiming to be the longest shopping arcade in Japan, at 2.6 km, Tenjinbashi Suji has seemingly endless shopping options.
Takashimaya's flagship department store
Another aspect of Osaka shopping is the city's department stores. Many of Japan's department stores have their headquarters and flagship stores in Osaka. Takashimaya, the largest department store chain, is located in the center of Namba while Hankyu, Daimaru, Kintetsu and Sogo are also headquartered in Osaka. These department stores offer an extensive variety of upscale and brand name goods.
Several new shopping malls have also sprouted up in the city. HEP Five is located near Umeda Station and includes a large Ferris wheel on its roof. Namba Parks near Namba Station combines a large green space with shopping and dining. Tempozan Marketplace in the Osaka Bay Area, is another example of a modern shopping mall complete with entertainment and dining facilities.
Rinku Town, located outside of the city near Kansai International Airport, is a whole town devoted to shopping and shoppers. The main shopping destinations in Rinku Town are the Rinku Premium Outlet Mall, the Seacle shopping mall and a Aeon shopping mall.
Namba Parks
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Rinku Premium Outlet Mall
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