Osaka - A Shoppers' Paradise
#Osaka Shopping Guide
Osaka is a shopper's paradise. Our family loves drugstores, affordable fashion and local specialty products.
The drugstore shopping paradise is in Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori. There are many drugstores near Shinsaibashisuji Shopping Street and Dotonbori, such as Matsumoto Kiyoshi, SUNDRUG and OS Drag. Be sure to bring your "passport" to enjoy tax refunds. Common popular products include Shiseido, ROHTO eye drops, Saborino masks, etc. Compare prices before buying, sometimes the same brand products have different prices in different stores.
In addition to food, Dotonbori also has affordable clothing stores such as Daikoku Drugstore, Don Quijote, GU, and UNIQLO. Don Quijote is open 24 hours a day, so you can shop without thinking.
For transportation, you can take the Osaka Metro to Shinsaibashi Station or Namba Station. It is very convenient to go to Dotonbori from Shinsaibashi, and the two places are about 10 to 15 minutes away by foot.
Tenman Shopping Street (Tenman Market Street) is a popular local shopping street in Kita-ku, Osaka. It combines a nostalgic atmosphere and authentic food, and is one of the few shopping streets in Osaka that still retains the "common people's life flavor". Clothing, daily necessities, fruits and vegetables, fresh fish, etc. are all available. I think the price is much cheaper than tourist areas such as Shinsaibashi.
Cheap and good places to find treasures are second-hand stores such as App Tenma, Hard Off, and Book Off near Tenma Station. It is a concentration of second-hand and discounted electrical appliances, games, and toys. There are also many second-hand brand bags, watches, and trendy clothing. The price is affordable and suitable for slow treasure hunting. There are small shops gathered here, and it is recommended to reserve 1-2 hours for a detailed tour. Some stores only accept cash, so remember to prepare Japanese yen.
Convenient transportation: JR Tenman Station is within walking distance, or you can take the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line to Tenjinbashisuji Rokuchome Station and walk for 5-10 minutes.
Regarding tax refund, it is actually very easy to understand. For example, electrical appliances, clothing, watches, etc. can be refunded at a tax rate of 10%. However, consumables such as cosmetics, food, and beverages can be refunded at a tax rate of 8%. All items must be put into sealed bags and must not be opened before leaving Japan. If the total amount of general items and consumables purchased at the same time is more than 5,000 yen before tax, they can be combined for tax refund and regarded as consumables. They must be taken out of the country within 30 days and cannot be used in Japan.