I’m back with a special feature from my recent family trip to the Kansai region of Japan: the shopping story. During our Kyoto-Osaka-Nara adventure, our family split into two teams for a day: the “Deer Team” and the “Shopping Team.” While my husband and kids had a blast with the deer in Nara, my mother and I—the dedicated “Shopping Team”—embarked on a mission in Namba, Osaka.
Initially, I considered visiting a nail salon, as I’d heard they were affordable and high-quality in Osaka. But let’s be real, a trip to Japan isn’t complete without some serious shopping! So, we decided to dedicate our time to a focused shopping tour around Namba Station. Here’s a full recap of our route, complete with all the tips and tricks we learned along the way.
1. Fueling Up for Shopping: A Local Lunch at Saka-ya in Namba City
You can’t shop on an empty stomach! Before hitting the stores, we headed for lunch at Dining Stage Saka-ya (ダイニングステージ佐海屋), located on the first floor of the Namba City South Building. We arrived around 11:30 AM, and the place was already buzzing with what appeared to be local office workers and residents.
This spot is known for its delicious and hearty lunch sets, making it more of a local favorite than a tourist trap. One small challenge was the complete lack of English or Korean menus. Thankfully, the menu had pictures, so we managed to order successfully with a bit of pointing and gesturing. The traditional grilled fish set meal was absolutely fantastic—a perfect, simple, and delicious start.
I was so focused on shopping I forgot to take a photo! This is from their official site, but trust me, the real deal is even more generous and beautifully presented.
2. The Scenic Route: Window Shopping at Namba Parks & Loft
With our energy levels topped up, we made our way toward our final destination, the Takashimaya department store. Along the way, we enjoyed some light window shopping at Namba Parks, MUJI, and Loft. At Loft, I had a specific mission: find a coffee dripper my husband had requested.
They had a great selection, but the Hario and Kalita brands stood out. Seeing the subtle differences in the drippers’ internal ridges and hole counts was a reminder of how complex the world of coffee is. While I’m no coffee expert, I was drawn to the classic, sturdy look of a Kalita dripper and bought one. It was significantly cheaper here than back home in Korea. Later, my husband mentioned he was slightly disappointed I didn’t find a discontinued blue Hario V60 model, but he was happy nonetheless!
3. The Main Event: Shopping at Namba Takashimaya
Finally, we arrived at the main stage for our shopping adventure: Namba Takashimaya. We had two primary targets in mind: BAO BAO and PLEATS PLEASE.
3-1. Pro Tip: Don’t Forget the Takashimaya Guest Coupon!
Before you start shopping, make a stop at the information desk near the main entrance on the 1st floor. If you show your passport, they’ll issue you a 5% Guest Card for foreign tourists. While it doesn’t work on every brand, it’s valid for many, including PLEATS PLEASE. It’s an essential first step that can save you a good amount of money.
3-2. BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE (Floor 2F): Finding a Hidden Gem
Our first stop was the BAO BAO boutique on the second floor. To be honest, the bags on display were the standard, classic designs, and both my mom and I felt a little underwhelmed. The sales associate must have noticed our expressions because she quickly went to the stockroom and returned with several new-season items that weren’t on display.
One tote bag with a truly unique color palette immediately caught our eye. It was a design we had never seen in Korea, so we didn’t hesitate. My mother claimed the tote bag, and I picked up a cute pouch in a lovely peach-pink hue. Just a heads-up: the 5% guest coupon does not apply to the BAO BAO brand.
- Tote Bag: ¥58,000 (approx. $385 USD) + tax
- Pouch: ¥14,000 (approx. $95 USD) + tax
The staff brought this special tote out from the backroom for us. I love that it’s not a design you see everywhere!
3-3. PLEATS PLEASE (Floor 4F): Discovering the Magic of Pleats
Next, we headed up to the fourth floor, where the Issey Miyake apparel lines are conveniently located together: PLEATS PLEASE, ISSEY MIYAKE, and me ISSEY MIYAKE. Our target was PLEATS PLEASE.
Pleated fashion that flows elegantly with every movement. It’s a perfect choice for both daily wear and travel, offering a unique style that’s comfortable and wrinkle-free.
Howere, my initial thought was, “Why is this so popular? It looks like crumpled paper.” But the moment I tried a piece on, I understood the hype. The fabric drapes beautifully, feels incredibly comfortable, and gives off an effortlessly chic vibe. The vibrant tops looked stunning on my mother, so we bought several. Best of all, we made sure to use our guest coupon here for a neat 5% discount.
4. The Final Hurdle: Navigating Tax Refunds at Takashimaya (Floor 7F)
With our shopping complete, we headed to the Tax Refund counter on the 7th floor. We were completely shocked by the scene. The entire area was packed with people, resembling a major train station during a holiday. It was only 4 PM, but the queue was already enormous.
Here is the most important tip I can give you: If you’re shopping with a partner or group, have one person go up to the 7th floor and get in line before the last person finishes their final purchase. I called my husband to do just that while I was buying my pouch, and thank goodness I did. If we hadn’t, we might have had to forfeit our refund to make our flight.
The tax refund system gives you back the 10% consumption tax paid on your purchases, minus a small service fee (around 1.55%). The wait is long, but the refund is substantial, so it’s definitely worth doing!
And with that, our half-day shopping tour came to a successful end. We met up with the “Deer Team” back from Nara and proudly showed off our bags. For anyone planning a shopping trip in Osaka, especially if you’re traveling with family, I hope our experience can help you plan the perfect day.
🌟 Recommendation Rating
This was an incredibly satisfying shopping itinerary. From a delicious local lunch to maximizing our savings with the guest coupon and tax refund at Takashimaya, it was a perfectly planned half-day. However, the tax refund wait time can be a major source of stress if you’re not prepared, so managing your time wisely is key.
- Dining Stage Saka-ya: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) – The food and value are top-notch, but the language barrier can be a minor hurdle.
- Namba Loft: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) – Great for comparing different Japanese brands and finding quality goods.
- Takashimaya BAO BAO: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – The amazing service and access to off-display new arrivals made this a 5-star experience.
- Takashimaya PLEATS PLEASE: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Trying on the clothes was a game-changer, and the 5% discount was the cherry on top.
- Takashimaya Tax Refund: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5) – The refund itself is great, but the brutal waiting time knocks off two stars. Be strategic!