On a recent trip to Japan we stopped off in Osaka for a day of shopping, eating, and wandering. Very different from the more scenic neighbouring city of Kyoto, Osaka is a wonderful place to spend the day if you’re feeling a little fatigued from more touristy sights like shines and temples. While it’s nowhere near as cosmopolitan as Tokyo, Osaka has a cool burgeoning vibe, especially around the Minamihorie district.
We rounded up our favourite things to check out in Osaka, which all just so happen to be walking distance from each other!
Mister Hollywood 〒550-0015 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, 西区南堀江 1-14-5
Visit Japanese menswear label N.HOOLYWOOD’s Osaka location Mister Hollywood for your dose of minimal cool guy cred. The small yet curated shop stocks the brands apparel, footwear, and jewellery on edgy concrete displays. Pick up a super cozy crewneck, a printed rain shell, or other small moments like lighters and keychains.
Look out for their new 4-level Osaka flagship location opening in Minamihorie this summer.
HUF 〒550-0015 大阪府大阪市西区南堀江1-16-4
While you’ll find HUF available at a number of boutiques in Japan, in addition to their dedicated flagship in Tokyo, their Osaka location is just over three weeks old and boasts a large selection of apparel, footwear, and accessories as well as a vending machine stocked with their signature socks. You’ll also find Thrasher goods, as well as number of Osaka-exclusives including a collaborative line of apparel produced with illusive graffiti artist Remio.
Giracha Coffee 〒1 550 0015, 1 Chome-21-9 Minamihorie, Nishi Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 550-0015
This former grocery store is a neighbourhood fixture that is equal parts coffee bar and bicycle shop specializing in fixed gear bikes. Opening after the Osaka branch of Steamer Coffee Company closed down, head barista Taira Nemoto took his team and opened up Giracha Bicycle & Coffee. There he serves up Espresso beverages on a machine fitted with bike handles and sweet jelly donuts from a local bakery to a hip yet kid-friendly crowd of locals. If you’re after some latte art, this place will surely deliver some of the best, but also balances their menu with chai and caramel lattes which are left off the menu at most espresso bars. If you’re feeling like something with a little less milk, order ‘Magic’ on the menu which is basically an espresso macchiato.
BIOTOP 〒550-0015 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka 西区南堀江1丁目16-1 メブロ16番館1/2/4F
The perfect place to start your weekend shopping on Orange Street, this three level shop is part coffee stand, plant and flower nursery, rooftop restaurant and multi-designer boutique. Stocking a well curated selection of brands from around the world like Acne, Alexander Wang, A.P.C., AMI, Maison Kitsuné as well as many notable Japanese brands such as visvim, uniform experiment, TOGA, HYKE, and more, BIOTOP Osaka is a one stop shop for food, fashion, and lifestyle
Amerikamura (or America-Mura) 〒1-6-14 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 542-0086, Japan
Located the in the Minami district of Osaka near Shinsaibashi station, America-Mura is broadly put, the centre of youth culture in Osaka. Centralized around Sankaku Koen or Triangle Park you’ll find tons of amazing cafes, galleries, sneaker shops, and used clothing stores. Unlike an area like Tokyo’s Shibuya, you can easily cover most of America-Mura in about half a day, depending on how much shopping you’re look to do.
Chow down on some tasty snacks like Japan’s tallest ice cream cone, octopus balls, cream puffs, and candy floss larger than your head.