Shopping Paradise

The port city of Osaka has been Japan's economic hub for more than a thousand years, making its reputation as a mercantile city even older than its time as the country's kitchen. So what better way to celebrate Osaka's strength in business than to visit one of the city's many top-notch retail areas? Electronics lovers will find paradise in DenDen Town (also known as Nipponbashi), while Shinsaibashi and Midosuji are home to luxury brand retailers. Massive retail malls can be found in Tennoji and Namba, and Amerikamura is a popular location for cool vintage clothing. They're all enjoyable and far less congested than their Tokyo counterparts.

Japanese department shops are distinct from American ones. With everything from clothing and jewelry to mattresses and athletic goods, they can have dozens of floors. Some have multiple floors of eateries as well as groceries on their lower levels. A single department store can keep you occupied for hours in Umeda, Namba, and Tennoji. Tenjinbashisuji, a 2.6-km-long pedestrian path in the town's north, is reputed to be the nation's longest shopping street. It is home to Meiji-era owl cafes, retailers of cheap clothing, and the Osaka Museum of Housing & Living, where you may have your photo taken while donning traditional attire. Don't forget to sample some korokke, a local potato croquette appetizer. Amerikamura, a neighborhood with a lot of restaurants and businesses with American themes, is especially entertaining for Americans. There are many vintage shops that sell pre-owned American clothing, such as T-shirts, coats, and sneakers. Finding anything from your institution or state by rummaging through the racks is a lot of fun. That;s all about the seventh reason to visit Osaka we want to mention.