Takashimaya Osaka: A Treasure Trove of Kansai Goods Right Next to Namba Station

*This article was sponsored by Takashimaya.

About Takashimaya's Osaka Store

Takashimaya Osaka is a long-standing department store housed in a grand-old building on a 78,000 m² plot in the bustling commercial center of Namba in Osaka, Japan. It is the largest-scale store of the Takashimaya Group, and one of Osaka’s most iconic examples of modern architecture. It is directly connected to Namba Station on the Nankai Electric Railway, and is perfectly located for travelers to drop by on their way to Kansai International Airport for a meal and last-minute shop.

Takashimaya Osaka’s B1 floor presents a wealth of food, like confectionery and delicacies from around the country, along with books and stationery. The 1st floor hosts women’s accessories, cosmetics, international brands, and jewelry; the 2nd to 5th floors are for men’s and women’s clothing and sporting goods; the 6th floor has children’s clothing, toys, and household goods; and the 7th floor has an exhibition hall holding events, plus a tax refund counter. Each floor also has a “Pop-up Station” where craftspeople, creators, and brands from across Japan sell their wares for a limited time, so you never know what treasures you’ll encounter! For something to eat after shopping, the 7th to 9th floors are packed with a collection of renowned restaurants and cafes.

7F – 9F: NAMBA DiNiNG MAiSON

One of Takashimaya Osaka’s biggest appeals are its three floors of 36 restaurants. Options range from Japanese food, like “kaisendon” seafood bowls, “yakitori” fried chicken, and tempura, to Taiwanese, Korean, and Western cuisines. Highlights include Fukutaro, a popular okonomiyaki restaurant with lines out the door; Maguro Entoki, originally from the Kuromon Market and famous for its “maguro” tuna bowls; and the long-established Mimiu, who serve their specialty “udon-suki” consisting of udon noodles in a special dashi broth with plenty of fresh toppings. In addition, the Japanese restaurant, ON THE SQUARE, offers nutritious sets of soup and side dishes.

After being guided through the restaurant floors, we were taken to an eatery serving “kuwayaki,” a rare Osakan specialty. Kuwayaki is a type of “kushiyaki” (grilled food on skewers) that spread after WWII from locals grilling food on hoes due to a shortage of iron plates. This one-of-a-kind dish is available at Kushiyakitei in Takashimaya Osaka, who cook with a variety of techniques like steaming, deep frying, and broiling, in addition to traditional grilling, to yield a wide range of textures.

6F: Add Homespun Beauty to Your Daily Life

Osaka Naniwa Tinware

Tinware is thought to have arrived in Japan about 1,300 years ago. Initially, it was as valuable as gold and silver, and only the privileged in the Imperial Court, powerful Shinto shrines, and the aristocratic and samurai classes could afford it. However, after mass production started in Osaka during the Edo Period (1603-1868), it was adopted by the general public as a local craft. In 1983, tinware was recognized by the government as a Traditional Craft of Japan.

Tin is softer and more difficult to manage than other metals, and is often processed by hand, reflecting the skills and experience of the craftspeople. Tin is rust-resistant and prevents bacteria in liquids from propagating. It also has fantastic heat conductivity, keeping drinks at just the right temperature. It is an excellent craft that combines beauty, practicality, and durability.

Sakai Knives

The city of Sakai in Osaka is one of Japan’s three major producers of knives, and is particularly famous for its handmade “uchihamono” (forged blades), the go-to for many professional chefs. To make these knives, soft iron and steel are heated and stretched through hammering to become denser and stronger. The resulting knives are sharp and durable, and will cut food without damaging the fibers or cellular membranes to retain peak freshness and flavor.

Takashimaya Osaka has showcases full of top-tier Sakai knives. While they all look wonderfully sharp, it's important to actually hold a knife before buying it to make sure that it suits you, so don’t hesitate to talk to a salesperson. There are also a variety of utensils such as slicers and more, making it paradise for those who love to cook!

B1: Gourmet Food + Osaka Products and Souvenirs

The most popular floor of a Japanese department store is usually the “depachika” (combination of “department” and “chika,” meaning basement). These floors are packed with ready-to-eat foods, confectionery, and seasonal delicacies to treat yourself to or purchase as gifts. With the help of Takashimaya's PR team, we picked out our favorites!

GOKAN

GOKAN is a popular pâtisserie with branches in the Kansai region. It focuses on “people,” “freshness,” “seasonality,” “terroir,” and “quality ingredients” to make confectionery that bring out the natural flavors of ingredients by working with farmers around Japan and creating tailored recipes.

Our colleague from Kansai suggested GOKAN’s famous “Lemonsan,” a moist, fluffy cake with chocolate combined with the rich aromas of sour lemons grown under the bright sun of the Setouchi region. We can’t wait to see what enticing flavors they come up with next time we visit!

Bâton d'or

Bâton d'or comes from Glico, one of Japan’s leading confectionery companies, and has stores in the Kansai region and Fukuoka. The name means “golden stick” in French, and the main flavor is “Sugar Butter.”

Other flavors include white strawberry and matcha green tea. We always make sure to pick up a bunch whenever we’re in Osaka!

*A limited-time product, no longer available.

Ek Chuah

Ek Chuah is a Japanese chocolatier that seeks to “go beyond reproducing the flavors of European chocolates by connecting them with Japan’s climate and natural features.” It selects seasonal ingredients from around Japan to create chocolates that suit the Japanese palate, yielding an innovative lineup with unique flavors that catch the eye.

Asking the staff for a recommendation, we were told that the “Salted Chocolate” is an excellent all-rounder. The natural salt topping gives it a kick of umami, balancing beautifully with the rich flavor of the chocolate—definitely one to try! We’ll certainly be keeping an eye on Ek Chuah to see what other strange and wonderful flavors they invent!

*The packaging and/or product contents are subject to change.

Kakitane Kitchen

“Kaki no tane” is a rice-based, peanut-sized Japanese snack with a salty soy sauce flavor and a hint of chili that goes well with alcohol. Kakitane Kitchen makes them three times bigger than usual with a hollow inside for an even more satisfying and addictive bite.

Kakitane Kitchen’s kaki no tane also come in a variety of tantalizing flavors, all showcasing the ingenuity of the creators and essence of the ingredients. Popular choices include “Zeitaku Cheese” and “Takoyaki Sauce,” which is only available in Osaka. After much debate, we went with Takoyaki Sauce which perfectly replicates the rich, savory flavor of the sauce used on “takoyaki” (octopus batter balls). It’s easy to see why Japanese people love kaki no tane so much!

*The packaging and/or product contents are subject to change.

Meika Hyakusen

Meika Hyakusen presents a wide assortment of confections from across Japan, including a bunch from Osaka. Of the many choices, our eyes were immediately drawn to the “Strong Coffee Manju,” made through a collaboration between Fukujudo Hidenobu, a renowned traditional Osaka sweets maker, and the beloved coffee shop Marufuku Coffeeten. Manju are a flour-based treat filled with sweet bean paste found throughout the country. Curious to see what a coffee-flavored manju tastes like, we grabbed some and sat down to eat.

Upon opening the package, we were greeted by the enticing aroma of coffee. Taking a bite, we found the coffee’s bitterness and sweetness of the brown sugar to be a heavenly combination, instantly explaining why they often sell out as soon as they are stocked! Meika Hyakusen also sells limited-edition products on specific days, and many of the hit items are long gone by closing time. So, if you find something that piques your interest, don’t wait around!

Essential Services for International Customers

5% Off Shopper’s Card

Takashimaya offers the Takashimaya Shopper’s Card to international tourists, so if you are eligible to shop tax-free, you can pick up a Takashimaya Shopper’s Card by showing your passport at a shop counter. With this card, you’ll receive 5%* off from purchases over 3,000 yen (excl. tax). The card for each Takashimaya features a different design of Hello Kitty in front of the city’s most iconic sights, making it worth keeping as a souvenir!

*Excludes some shops and brands

Click here for details on the Takashimaya Shopper’s Card

Tax Refunds

Tax-free shopping is one of the main perks of being an international tourist in Japan. To get your tax refund at Takashimaya Osaka, bring your passport, purchased items, receipts, and the credit card you used to the Tax Refund Counter on the 7th floor.

Foreign Currency Exchange Machines and International ATMs

There is a foreign currency exchange machine on the 1st floor, and an international ATM on the B1 floor of Takashimaya Osaka. If your card can be used internationally, you should be able to withdraw Japanese yen from it.

*Exchange rates and fees vary by bank, so be sure to check with your bank.

How to Get to Takashimaya Osaka

Thankfully, Takashimaya Osaka is very easy to get to! Use the “No. 4 Exit” towards the Nankai Electric Railway or the “NAMBA Nannan E2 Exit” of Namba Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, Yotsubashi Line, and Sennichimae Line or Osaka Namba Station on the Hanshin Electric Railway and Kintetsu Railway. If you are taking the Nankai Electric Railway, get off at Namba Station and go to the “3F North Gate” and you’ll see an entrance to the 3F of Takashimaya Osaka just to the right.

Takashimaya Osaka is a convenient location for tourists on their way to the airport to pick up brand-name Japanese products, household goods, and souvenirs while dining on some of Osaka’s best food. For some last minute shopping in Kansai, be sure to stop by Takashimaya Osaka!

*Prices, product designs, and other info are accurate as of January 31, 2023.

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