Planet-ta-kun’s Observations of New Japan

In this column, our original company character ‘Planet-ta-kun’ will travel to tourist spots in Japan that are popular with overseas visitors and will introduce some topics related to the charms and inbound expenditure of these places.

As the saying about Osakans overindulging in food and drink goes, Osaka is famous for its food. Recent years have seen the demand for inbound tourism grow, with drugstore branches successively appearing and department stores seeing stronger sales than any other regions in Japan.

Osaka - What to buy and eat -

In this issue, we will start by introducing the charms of Osaka through its food and shopping, with the help of Mr. Fujiki of PIP CO.,LTD. which celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2018, Mr. Fukuse of the Nihon Shogyo Press and Mr. Kondo from Sekkenshinposha Co.,Ltd., both are Osaka-based.

Kuromon Ichiba Market

Osaka was nicknamed “The Kitchen of the Nation” during the Edo period. These days, Kuromon Ichiba Market,“The Kitchen of Osaka”is becoming an increasingly popular spot with foreign visitors. Formerly a market for local restaurants and residents, recently there are a number of “eat on the go” products aimed at foreign tourists. Things like Kobe beef can be found in the form of easy-to-carry grilled skewers. Many people can be seen using chopsticks to nimbly nibble on crab and spiny lobster too!

Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori

The famous Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori areas of the Minami district’s downtown. Starting with the neighborhood around the Ebisubashi bridge, also known as “Hikkakebashi,” it is crowded with foreign visitors day after day. Since 2015, a number of drugstores have opened into the area. Although the momentum had slowed a little, it has become full of shoppers from around the world, day and night.

Figures in this article are based on available information from relevant organizations at the time of publication.