Osaka One-Day Shopping Guide (No Need to Compare Prices)
Osaka is truly a shopping paradise! Reserving just one day to shop from Shinsaibashi to Umeda is simply not enough~ I recommend staying between Shinsaibashi and Umeda, and most importantly, close to a subway station! After shopping in the morning, you can return to the hotel to drop off your loot and continue the second round in the afternoon. If you plan to visit Kyoto, I suggest staying in Yodoyabashi, as it is the starting station for the Keihan train to Kyoto, making it very convenient.
🌟Pre-trip Tips: Make sure to list everything! Go for the items you want most first, or else the popular goods might be sold out by the afternoon. Focus on two or three locations instead of running around everywhere, or else you might end up like me, still missing many items at the last minute 🥲
1️⃣ Most importantly❗ For big-brand cosmetics, it’s best to buy at Sunrise Duty-Free Shop when leaving the country! You can also restock upon arrival; remember to scan the 5% off code (search the mini-program “Play with Sunrise” or “Duty-Free Shopping Helper”), and get an additional 10% off when you spend over 6,000 RMB, which is cheaper than local prices plus tax refund in Japan. For example: Anessa sunscreen at Sunrise is just a little over 100 RMB for 90ml, but at Osaka drugstores, 60ml costs 2,780 yen. Plus, you can store your purchases on-site, so it won’t take up your luggage space. Buy in Osaka only if out of stock~
2️⃣ For glasses, it’s best to get them done early in the day. Regular Nikon lenses can be ready the same day, and a pair of glasses costs about 400 RMB, with a half-price discount on the second pair~ I don’t recommend the popular Owndays at Namba Station, as I found it a bit of a rip-off 😅 When I asked for high-end lenses, they said they didn’t have them, but actually, they do… There are many eyewear stores in Shinsaibashi and Umeda with Chinese-speaking staff, so no worries about communication. Even if only Japanese staff are available, using a translation app to find a patient staff member works fine~
3️⃣ If you buy a lot of cosmetics, remember to shop at stores with Chinese discount signs at the entrance, most of which offer 5% off for purchases over 30,000 yen. Avoid Daikoku Drug in Shinsaibashi‼️ They randomly increase prices at checkout, which is shocking and not recommended. Although many say OS Drug is cheap, after discounts and tax refunds, prices are about the same, and they have fewer products. I personally follow the @Kosme awards for purchases, like ihada sleeping masks, Kose setting sprays, and hard-to-find Shelgam products.
4️⃣ For luxury brands, if you have a UnionPay credit card starting with 62 (debit cards don’t qualify), go to Daimaru Department Store and remember to get the “Trip.com Global Shopping” discount (5% off + 2% cashback), plus an additional 2% cashback from UnionPay itself, which basically covers your tax refund handling fee~ You must scan the discount code to get the cashback❗️ If you don’t have a UnionPay credit card, buying directly at brand stores is fine too, as it’s tax-free and hassle-free, with better service. Other credit cards also offer different cashback deals~
5️⃣ The same strategy applies to other brands: buy all your big items in one mall, don’t run around~ If something is out of stock, then check the second mall. Go early for the items you want most, as it gets harder to find them later in the day~ It seems Umeda Hankyu Department Store has the most complete brand selection (with 5% off + tax refund). For recommended brands, see page 3.
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