About Shinsaibashi: Osaka's Shopping Center
Shinsaibashi is an area near Namba, the center of Osaka sightseeing, and Dotonbori. Here, you’ll find a famous Osaka shopping arcade called Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street.
Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street is approximately 600 meters (1,968 feet) long. If you include the separate shopping streets connected to the front and back of Shinsaibashi, then the shopping district itself is a total two kilometers in length.
Drugstores and shops with cosmetics, duty-free items, 100-yen items, and character goods line the street. There are also many restaurants and cafés. Just about everything a shopper would want is here.
In this article, we’ll introduce the kind of shops there are in Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, separated by category. Directions to the shopping street are written at the end of this article, so be sure to use it for future reference.
Where Does Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street Begin?
Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street begins at the Ebisu Bridge located right in the middle of Dotonbori. Look opposite the Glico sign pictured above (the signboard with the character raising its hands).
You’ll find the entrance to Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street. Let’s begin walking down Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street from here!
Drugstores and Cosmetics Shopping in Shinsaibashi
There are many drugstores in shopping districts in Japan. Drugstores were opened one after another in Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street. You will find many stores in the same area.
Two well-known drugstore chains, Matsumoto Kiyoshi, located to the left, and Daikoku Drug to the right, are at the entrance of Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street!
There are also other major chain stores such as Sundrug, Kokumin, and TSURUHA Drug, which you’ll find just a short walk away. Several stores can assist customers in various languages, you can enjoy shopping with ease.
Matsumoto Kiyoshi Shinsaibashi (located at the entrance of the shopping street) Google Map
LUSH
LUSH Shinsaibashi
LUSH Shinsaibashi (pictured), a location of the handmade cosmetics brand, is a popular store with a lot of top-selling products worldwide. A second location, Shinsaibashi 2, opened in the same shopping arcade in 2018 and has also become known for its traditional Japanese style design.
LUSH Shinsaibashi Google Map
LUSH Shinsaibashi 2 Google Map
Duty-Free Stores
LAOX
LAOX Shinsaibashi-suji
At LAOX, a duty-free shop, you can purchase a wide variety of Japan-made products without paying taxes. These include a range of products, from electronics to folk crafts, watches, jewelry, cosmetics, and food.
DAIMARU
LAOX has established four locations in the Shinsaibashi and Namba area. One of them is LAOX Daimaru Shinsaibashi. This store is huge, selling cosmetics, electronics, general goods, and other items, spanning six floors of the South Building of Daimaru, a major department store.
The store has international staff available as well as a tourist information desk on the second floor.
LAOX Shinsaibashi-suji Google Map
LAOX Daimaru Shinsaibashi Google Map
100-Yen Shops in Shinsaibashi
Souvenirs, daily necessities, and food—you can get all of these items for just 100 yen at 100-yen shops. The popular 100-yen shop shown above is DAISO. Inside this expansive three floor, 1000-square meter store is a complete lineup of merchandise including miscellaneous goods to food.
Other 100-yen shops in Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street include Can☆Do and Seria.
DAISO Shinsaibashi 3F Google Map
Can☆Do Shinsaibashi OPA Google Map
Seria Crysta Nagahori Google Map
3COINS
3COINS is a shop that carries products priced at 300 yen, just as its name suggests. They have a selection of products such as household goods, kitchen, bath, home interior, socks, and accessories. It is immensely popular with home decor enthusiasts.
3COINS +plus, located in the Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, sells small furniture in addition to its usual lineup.
3COINS +plus Shinsaibashi Google Map
Character Shops
Disney Store
You’ll also find stores in Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street with official and popular Disney character merchandise.
The Disney Store is packed with Disney goods including fashion, general goods, toys, and stationery. Immerse yourself in the world of Disney as you listen to the music played inside!
Disney Store Shinsaibashi Google Map
Sanrio Gallery
Sanrio Gallery is a licensed shop carrying Sanrio products featuring Hello Kitty, My Melody, and other characters.
There are endless Sanrio products here, from the first to the third floor! Sanrio Gallery also carries a lot of limited edition and rare items.
Sanrio Gallery Shinsaibashi Google Map
Fashion
You’ll find rows of apparel shops in Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street from fast fashion, such as UNIQLO and H&M, to unique stores. Stores often hang SALE signs outside their storefront.
High-end brand shops such as Chanel and Cartier can be found on Midosuji, the main street adjacent to the Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street.
UNIQLO Shinsaibashi Google Map
H&M Shinsaibashi Google Map
Onitsuka Tiger
The popular sneaker brand Onitsuka Tiger is also located within Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street.
At this location, which is the largest in Kansai, you’ll find an abundance of items available aside from basic sneakers including sportswear and accessories. A location in Namba was opened in 2018 and is a ten-minute walk away.
Onitsuka Tiger Osaka Shinsaibashi Google Map
Onitsuka Tiger Namba Google Map
Restaurants and Cafés
Soba
There are several restaurants offering different cuisines here. This is the soba (buckwheat noodle) restaurant Sobayoshi. Sobayoshi is popular for its health-conscious menu. Two examples are Gomakiri Soba, made with sesame seeds, and Dattan Soba, a type of soba that containing a type of polyphenol called rutin.
You’ll be able to enjoy soba in this restaurant's peaceful atmosphere despite the liveliness of the Shinsaibashi area.
Sobayoshi Shinsaibashi Google Map
Kushikatsu
There are also shops where you can try famous and local Osaka dishes. Kushikatsu is enjoyed by dipping its crisply fried ingredients in sauce and is something you must experience in Osaka.
Kushikatsu Daruma is a kushikatsu specialty shop with its flagship location in Shinsekai, southern Osaka. Here you can try kushikatsu made from different meat such as beef and pork, vegetables like as potatoes and shiitake mushrooms, and even fish and cheese.
Kushikatsu Daruma Shinsaibashi Google Map
Conveyor Belt Sushi
Genrokuzushi started the concept of kaitenzushi (a restaurant serving sushi revolving on a conveyor belt). You can eat various types of sushi here, from classic sushi such as tuna and white fish to dry-cured ham sushi and rolls with salad. A plate starts from 125 yen (tax excluded).
Genrokuzushi Dotonbori is famous for their impressive and giant display of tuna sushi being prepared!
Genrokuzushi Shinsaibashi http://www.mawaru-genrokuzusi.co.jp/shop/shinsaibashi/ (Japanese)
Genrokuzushi Dotonbori http://www.mawaru-genrokuzusi.co.jp/shop/dotonboriten/ (Japanese)
Izakaya
Isomaru Suisan is an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) chain with locations across the country open 24 hours!
The pub is complete with famous specialty dishes like miso mixed with crab, grilled shellfish, sashimi (raw sliced fish), and a la carte dishes. Here you can leisurely enjoy the Japanese izakaya experience. Those interested in going are recommended to make a reservation, as it is popular. You can receive a discounted plan by reserving online via Klook here.
Isomaru Suisan Kita-Shinsaibashi Google Map
Café Stands
You’ll also come across fashionable café stands when you walk along the shopping arcade. Pictured above is the GREEN BAR. It is located on the corner of SENSE OF PLACE, a popular apparel store.
Here, you can enjoy nutrition-filled drinks, like green smoothies (480 yen including tax) made with Japanese mustard spinach, apples, and bananas.
GREEN BAR Google Map
Souvenirs
To look for Japanese souvenirs, head to Nakao Shoten. This is a second-hand bookstore that carries history books and other materials.
Replica ukiyo-e paintings are sold at the storefront while works by well-known ukiyo-e artists such as Sharaku are obtainable at reasonable prices beginning at 700 yen (including tax).
If you’ll be purchasing food products like sweets as souvenirs, then we recommend the several wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) shops located in the shopping arcade as well as the basement floor of Daimaru.
Nakao Shoten Google Map
Places Near Shinsaibashi
Dotonbori
Shinsaibashi is connected to Dotonbori, a well-known Osaka sightseeing area. You’ll find several jumbo-sized and unique signs in Dotonbori! There are also many eateries where you can enjoy Osaka dishes, such as takoyaki and okonomiyaki.
Namba
Namba Station is also located within walking distance. It is about a five-minute walk from the entrance of Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street (Dotonbori) to Nankai Namba Station.
Access to Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street
From Shinsaibashi Station
To get to Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, Shinsaibashi Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line is the closest station. Exit near Daimaru Shinsaibashi by taking Exit 5 or 6.
From Namba Station
The arcade is about five minutes on foot from Namba Station. You’ll find the entrance to the shopping arcade as pictured above by turning your back to Takashimaya, the department store connected to Namba Station on the Nankai Line, and going to the other side of the intersection.
Continue straight from here and you will arrive at Dotonbori (Ebisu Bridge) and the entrance to Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street in around five minutes.
Takashimaya Osaka Google Map
Travelers can take advantage of the Osaka Amazing Pass, a discount transportation ticket with discounts at sightseeing facilities in Osaka, on both methods and travel around the city.
Shop to Your Heart’s Content!
Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street is shopping heaven! Be sure to include exploring this lively district as you sightsee around Osaka, and take your time to visit your favorite stores.
Read also
Shinsaibashi And Dotonbori - 11 Fun Things To Do In Osaka!
Explore Osaka's Lively Downtown! Top 10 Spots To Visit In Namba
Osaka - 15 Must See Spots, Both Famous And Little Known
Six Namba Stations!? How to Navigate Osaka's Namba Area
How To Easily Reach Osaka, Kobe And Kyoto From Kansai Airport
This article is an updated version of an article originally published on May 24th, 2016.