Osaka Station 大阪駅

Osaka Station is a key transport hub in the northern part of the Kansai region . In addition to JR Osaka Station, the station complex, including the six neighbouring Hankyu, Hanshin and underground stations, is used by approximately 2.3 million people every day (as of 2017). There are large department stores and entertainment areas around the station serve the hordes of commuters.

If traveling via Shinkansen, you will first arrive at Shin-Osaka Station. From there, take the JR Tokaido Main Line (platforms seven and eight) to Osaka Station. Or take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line to Umeda Station. Osaka Station and Umeda Station are adjacent to one another.

Unlike the southern neighborhoods like Shinsaibashi , Namba , and Tennoji , the areas around Osaka and Umeda Stations wasn't developed until the late 19th century.

Although not centuries old, Umeda now functions as the city's “downtown,” with its high-rise buildings, large corporations and large numbers of white-collar workers.

JR Osaka Station is a massive multi-story complex full of multiple shopping centers, eateries, and more. Ride the elevators all the way to the top to arrive at Toki no Hiroba, a large square looking directly down on the dozen platforms and train lines that make up the station. Grab a coffee and relax for a moment before heading to one of the nearby department stores or attractions.

Japan is a shopper's paradise, and Osaka is no exception. Osaka and Umeda Stations boast a pristine lineup of new department stores catering to high-end retail.

Take the Hankyu Umeda flagship store for example. Start on the basement, where shoppers browse through ornately displayed collections of macaroons, chocolates, cakes, and cookies. Work your way up to the other levels, and you'll find floors of makeup and cosmetics, jewelry, designer clothes and handbags, and more.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, take a break on the 9th floor Shukusai Plaza in the Hankyu Umeda main store, a wide-open plaza with ample seating that also hosts exhibitions and events.

Bright fluorescent lights beam down from every corner of the ceiling, illuminating the shiny glass cases below, which contain rows and rows of the newest electronic gadgets and accessories.

It's unlikely you'll find such an immaculate arrangement of products anywhere outside of Japan, and Yodobashi Camera goes to great lengths to provide virtually every possible product you could need, whether its a new memory card for your camera, high-end audio components, or a smart refrigerator.

There are an endless number of dining options in Umeda , both above and below ground. Explore department store basements and the labyrinth of underground paths that stem from the stations for quick, easy and relatively affordable food.

The first and second basement floors of the Osaka Station Dai-San Building, 200-meters south of the JR station, are filled with authentic and affordable restaurants and izakayas that cater to the businesspeople working nearby.

Umeda is a great area to stay if you're a fan of skyscrapers, the hustle and bustle, and also intend on traveling to nearby cities such as Kyoto and Kobe . Most of the five-star hotels in Osaka are located here, and, of course, there are more moderately priced accommodations as well.