Shopping
Osaka is an ancient trade city, where trading has always been as essential part of life. Visiting Osaka’s shopping centers alone offers more experiences than many other destinations put together.
Shopping culture and the best spots
Probably the best, or at least the most central, shopping area in Osaka is the Umeda area near the main railway station. The number of department stores, boutiques, restaurants, and other shops is simply massive.
Shinsaibashi, the main shopping area
Shinsaibashi is a very important shopping area, with its large, covered shopping streets filled with the most imaginative little shops. The area contains several department stores and shopping centers, which says something about its size.
Fashion is born on the streets of Osaka
As far as fashion goes, Osaka is the place to try something new and imaginative, any time. The center of young street fashion is the America-mura, which is filled with unique clothes and merchandise.
What to buy
Visitors to Japan are not short of shopping opportunities. The country’s many shops are filled with incredible products that you’ll never see in your home country. In brief, Japan is full of all things exotic and electronic.
Local and international fashion
Designer clothes, bags and shoes are easy to buy in Japan, as there is plenty of choice. Both international and local brands are represented. The Japanese brands are surprisingly affordable, and certainly rarer back home.
The Japanese love electronic appliances
If you really want to save money, electronics, especially cameras, are very cheap in Japan. In small shops, haggling over the price is expected, and often worth it. Please note, however, that the voltage or the picture format of Japanese TVs may be different to those in your home country. You can find appliances that are compatible with European standards in shops with the tax-free sign in the window.
Spot tomorrow’s trends today on the streets of Japan
Japan is the center of street fashion, dictating trends for the rest of the world. Japanese design is imaginative and unique, which explains its worldwide appeal. And to top it all, Japanese street fashion brands are not always that expensive.