Shopping in Kansai

One of the best record stores in the city, Time Bomb stocks an excellent collection of vinyl and CDs from '60s pop and '70s punk to alternative, soul and psychedelic. Find out about gigs around town here, too.

This long arcade sells just about anything related to the preparation, consumption and selling of Osaka's principal passion: food. There's everything from bamboo steamers and lacquer miso soup bowls to shopfront...

Nara's famed 300-year-old linen producer now creates beautiful bags, pouches and scarves out of natural materials, subtly adorned with traditional motifs. It's easy to miss, with no obvious sign; look for the...

Nominally a DIY and homewares chain, Tokyū Hands is Japan's favourite place to browse for items you probably didn't need but will end up loving. It's stacked floor-upon-floor with everything from obscure tools to...

Tower Knives has a fantastic selection of kitchen knives – both carbon steel and stainless steel; some are hand-forged by Osaka artisans. The English-speaking staff will walk you through the different styles, let...

Hankyū, which first opened in 1929, pioneered the now ubiquitous concept of the train-station department store. One of Japan's largest department stores, 'Ume-Han' is also among the most fashion-forward, with a...

This third-generation-run sake store has narrow wooden stairs leading to a basement cellar where you can sample small glasses of sake (¥220 each), while sitting at tables made from sake barrel bottoms and...

East of Midō-suji, Shinsaibashi is one of Japan's great shopping zones, most notably in this eight-block-long covered arcade that's crammed with domestic and international clothing brands, drugstores, bookstores...

This is the largest bookstore in Osaka, the result of two established chains joining forces. There's a big range of English-language books (on the 6th floor) and travel guides (3rd floor). It's in the Tadao...

This sixth-generation fan maker sells Nara-style uchiwa, paddle-style fans whose washi (Japanese handmade paper) covering has been intricately carved with local and nature scenes. Their silk backing makes them...

Flake is Osaka's most in-the-know music shop, selling new and used, Japanese and imported, CDs and vinyl. The owner speaks some English; ask him for his recommendations on local bands. This is also a good place...

Graf is a sleek furniture and design studio close to the National Museum of Art. Pick up some lovely homewares by Japanese and international designers; it stocks ceramics, jewellery and kitchenware. The attached...

This cult-fave Osaka bookstore prides itself on not stocking any bestsellers. Instead, it's stocked with small-press finds, art books, indie comics and the like, plus CDs, quirky fashion items and accessories.

Lose hours browsing four floors of retro Japanese toys (Astroboy!), collectible figurines, manga (Japanese comics), DVDs, art and counterculture books, cosplay uniforms and more.

This small record store in the Maru Building packs in a great selection of vinyl and has a friendly and knowledgeable owner.

Good-quality tea towels, homewares and totes with cute Nara motifs (lots of deer) from a centuries-old local linen producer.

Tanabe is Japan's top producer of ume (Japanese apricot), and this shop sells dozens of varieties of umeboshi (pickled ume) and umeshu ( ume wine). Ask the owner to let you sample a few to help you decide.

Perfect for last-minute souvenir shopping is this outlet of Tokyū Hands, with the chain's signature range of must-have gadgets, homewares and stationery. Find it inside Daimaru Umeda.

At 16,000 sq metres over five storeys, this is Japan's largest men's fashion retailer. Though there are a few domestic names represented here, it's mostly international brands. It's inside the Hep Navio building,...

This old warehouse has a work space with vintage silkscreen machines that allow local artists to create small batches of T-shirts, posters, notecards, zines and the like, which are also sold in the shop here....