Osaka Autumn Trip - Shopping

When it comes to shopping, Japan offers one of the best shopping experiences in all my trips. Firstly, the people are friendly and not pushy. Secondly, the fashion is very nice even though it’s more expensive than places like BKK or Taiwan. But I would rather spend more in Japan than in Taiwan, but that is my personal preference.

So what you expect in Osaka? There are a few main shopping districts, long underground shopping streets, huge malls, famous brands, local designers, etc..

One of the main area is Umeda, here you will be able to find HEP 5. This is a multi-level mall mainly on young people fashion. From the look of the crowd you will know what I mean. If you visit during the evening times, look out for groups of young people busking along the streets or just at the zebra crossings, they are actually quite good.

I would recommend HEP 5 for bag lovers, you can find very nice local designer bags at prices within $100 to $200. This is if you prefer to own something more unique other than the common brands. And the quality is very good too. You can get to this mall on Midosuji Line via Umeda Station. The mall opens daily from 11am to 9pm.

Since you are at HEP 5, then don’t miss the Ferris Wheel, which is 103m tall and you will get a good view of the surroundings with a cool breeze and also music from your own phone (iPhone docks available in every cabin). If you have bought the Amazing Pass, then your ride on the Ferris Wheel is included (normal price is 500yen). The ferris wheel opens daily from 11am to 11pm, last boarding at 10.45pm.

Still in Umeda area, you can walk about 100m from HEP 5 to Chaya-Machi, a shopping area that offers more boutique shops and some bigger brand names.

 

 

There is a mall, The Loft (sorry no photo) which I would recommend if you are looking for some cheap shopping. Inside you have 9 different levels to find your stuff, ranging from stationeries, wedding items, mobile phone accessories, bags, clothes, furniture, confectionary items, grooming supplies, travel accessories, watches, etc.

Last but not least in Umeda, you can shop at Yodobashi-Umeda. This is heaven to all camera enthusiastic, the place stocks almost every current item by the major camera manufactures. Besides cameras, you can find almost anything electronic inside too. The top floor offers restaurants with a nice view.

If you are tired of shopping (just for a while), walk around and enjoy the cool weather (about 8-9 degree), or just listen to some more street performances.

Moving away to Tenjimbashisuji Shopping Street (Tenjimbashisuji Rokuchome Station on Tanimachi Line). This is a 2.6km street with never-ending shops which runs nearly as far as 3 Subway Stations. This is Japan’s longest shopping street, therefore, you can find anything here.

 

 

To be honest, I didn’t complete the entire stretch, very tiring.

 

If you have been to Tokyo, you would probably know of Akihabara, the main place for anime, computer accessories and electronics. Here in Osaka, there is a smaller version, Nipponbashi aka Den-Den Town (Namba Station on Midosuji Line).

Personally, I feel it’s nothing spectacular, but you do get almost everything you want if you are one of the anime fans. There are some maid cafes around too.

 

Finally we reached the famous Shinsaibashii & Dotonbori shopping area. I choose to mention the 2 places together because I found it convenient to walk around in these 2 shopping streets as they are linked pretty much to each other. Just take the Subway to Shinsaibahi Station on Midosuji Line, get off and start the journey from Shinsaibashii Street and slowly walk towards Dotonbori. Perfect! But my personal take is to spend at least 2 nights here, to fully enjoy the shopping experience.

Here you can find almost everything you want and you don’t need. The fact is everything is just a want, but when you are in Japan, your “wants” are all legitimate. You cannot blame us (Singaporeans) from over-spending in Japan. That itself is a crime.

 

Take your time to shop around the entire street, pay attention that some shops have 2-levels, so don’t miss out on the goodies on level 2.

Something special to recommend. Matcha Ice Cream. Simply delicious. Personally I am not a matcha lover when I am in Singapore, but this treasure along Shinsaibashii is a must-try! I won’t tell you exactly where, it’s near Uniqlo. There must be some sense of adventure when you travel overseas too. Enjoy the find and enjoy the fun.

For your info, I ate this every night I was at Shinsaibashii.

Lastly, from Shinsaibashii you will slowly walk towards this famous bridge and signboard. Yes! You have found the Glico man and Dotonbori.

  

 

During Autumn it is especially nice to just hang around the bridge and people watch.

A couple enjoying a moment of ‘couple-time’, soaking in the cool and beautiful ambience.

 

Click here to read all about my Osaka Autumn Trip.

All my photos are taken with Canon 5D Mark III, courtesy of Canon Singapore to loan me the set for this trip.

Osaka Autumn Trip - Food

Every trip is about food, in fact when I plan for a trip, food is one major consideration, will I find food I like and what is the ‘must-try’ food in that place.

In Osaka, I found the best Udon in the world (pardon my exaggeration). This shop along Shinsaibashii Street, serves Udon noodles directly from the boiler (without cooking process), all I need is to dip the noodles into the sauce and enjoy.

The Udon noodles are placed in these large nets and into the boiler. No cooking process means the noodles are taken out of the boiler directly and placed in a bamboo bowl to be served, when normally the Chef will soak the noodles in another pot of cold water then transfer to another hot cooking pot before serving to customers in a ceramic bowl.

Try both types if you are traveling with a partner or friend, then you can taste the difference, but if you are like me, traveling alone, then try the boiler type, cos you can get the normal Udon cooking in almost everywhere else.

Look at the queue in the shop, and mind you, the queue didn’t stop for the 30-40mins I was there.

 

Mix and match the Udon with different Tempura available on the side. I ordered a large bowl of Udon and 4 Tempura sides, costs me 840yen.

If you are traveling to Minoo Park which is 30mins ride away from central Osaka, then you have to try the special fried autumn leaves, only available in this place. Buy a packet and take the walk into the nature and be captivated by the beauty of the autumn scenery.

The autumn leaves tastes sweet because I believe in the flour was added some honey. Definitely for those with a sweet tooth. Recommended to eat it while it’s hot.

Along the way into the hills, you will pass by a shop that sells Oden. It is a Japanese winter dish consisting of several main ingredients such as boiled eggs, beef, potato, radish, beancurd, etc.

Who wouldn’t like such a dish when the weather is cold. Just try it, about 700yen.

Back in Osaka, probably the most famous food everyone will talk about and try, has to be the Takoyaki. Be prepared to queue, maybe for 10mins or so.

There are a lot of roadside stalls selling the yummy Takoyaki along Dotonbori. You won’t miss it.

Inside Dotonbori is a hidden gem that is sometimes shown on the tourist maps and sometimes not. It’s a secretive alley, dark and forgotten (again I am exaggerating), but the truth is not many tourist will find it cos it’s just not easy. I walked the entire place for the first night in Dotonbori and still cannot find it. I nearly gave up until I went back again the next night and my hard work paid off.

Hozenji Yokocho Alley. It is an alley from the Edo era (1603-1868), a narrow street 80m long, 2.7m wide. It has now become a famous street with traditional restaurants set in the Edo era.

Directions as follows, “walk towards Glico signboard, turn right into the lane with Starbucks shop, walk straight till you see on the right a street name 千日前, walk in about 30m on the right”.

 

Here, I had the best Yakitori meal ever.

I spent almost 3000yen here alone. Lots of skewer food and beer!

 

Next up it’s some seafood and fantastic sashimi!

Near to Dotonbori, walking for about 15mins, you can get to Kuromon Market.

Remember to try the mega escargot, steamed on bamboo sheets. Delicious!

 

Hopped to the most talked about shop in Kuromon Market, here you can find lots of fresh sashimi and seafood for a very affordable price.

The uniqueness of the shop is buying the food pre-packed and then find a seat to enjoy it immediately. If you purchase a slab of sashimi, the kitchen staff will slice it for you too.

This set is about 1900yen.

If Kuromon doesn’t satisfy your cravings for good sushi, you are like me. Go to the Osaka Fish Market and dine at Endo Sushi. Managed by now the 4th generation family, this sushi shop serves nothing but the best.

You can order the sushi you want, but almost every customer order the ‘maze’ or ‘omakase’ sushi, or english terms, ‘the chef’s choice’. Each serving of the ‘maze’ sushi consists of 5 different pieces of sushi and definitely 1 piece will be a toro sushi.

There are 4 different sets to try, and since I have come a long way for this, I had to order all 4!

Anago (sea water eel), Uni (sea urchin), Tai (sea brean), Toro (fatty tuna), Hamachi (yellow tail), Tako (octopus), Sake (salmon), Ikura (salmon roe), Ika (calamari), Sayori (halfbeak), Hotate (scallop).

 

 

Don’t just indulge in the sushi, try the equally nice clam miso soup.

If you would like to have wasabi, indicate to the waitress when ordering, they will add in into the sushi when preparing. They do not serve raw wasabi on the side. But they do have the shoyu (soy sauce) and pickled ginger as shown above. Take note on how to apply the shoyu. You are suppose to brush the shoyu on top of the sushi once and eat it. Trust me, just one brush would be enough. The freshness of the sushi will demand no other things for enhancement.

 

Needless to say, this was my most expensive meal on the trip, about 6000yen. Every single cent was worth it.

 

Along Tenjimbashisuji Shopping Street, I found a small restaurant that sells Kobe beef. Of course, you can travel to Kobe for the most authentic one, but if you are just staying in Osaka like me, I think this is close enough for the experience.

I ordered the full set with Kobe patty and also Kobe steak. Only regret, portion is too small, for 2190yen.

Last but not least, if you have a chance to travel to Nara (one hour’s train ride from Osaka), the one thing I would recommend is this shop. Check out the crowd in front of the shop and you can be sure it is something nice.

What is the craze all about? It’s for this little green Japanese Mochi. Rice flour tinted green with yomogi (mugwort) and covered in kinako (soy bean powder).

 

 

One for 130yen, my suggestion, but at least two, you will regret after tasting one and need to queue again.

I hope you have enjoyed this post on the food I have tasted in Osaka, as much as I have enjoyed re-living the memories of the good food I had. More to come on Osaka in the coming days! Come back again.

Click here to read all about my Osaka Autumn Trip. I will update more over the next few weeks.

All my photos are taken with Canon 5D Mark III, courtesy of Canon Singapore to loan me the set for this trip.