The Umeda underground labyrinth beneath Umeda Station can be difficult to navigate. GPS cuts out, signboards can be baffling, and it’s remarkably easy to get turned around between all the 5 kilometers of basement concourses and department store annexes. Hitting more than a few shops in an afternoon can be difficult. We will navigate you through it all to maximize your Anime, Gaming, Kawaii merch shop experience.

Following our first test run, we're holding another practice edition of our Umeda Underground Merch Tour on Tuesday, September 22nd. We’re looking for a small group of anime, gaming, and kawaii culture fans (both visitors and locals welcome!) to experience the route and give us feedback.

Testing a New Format: more Exploring or Shopping

Our first test run was a fun, high-energy overview where we scouted practically every character and hobby shop reachable through the underground concourses. It was a great way to map out the sheer scale of the labyrinth, but for this run, we’re testing a completely different style of tour!

This time, we’re shifting focus from a whirlwind overview to an immersive, relaxed shopping/exploring experience:

• Hotspot Clusters: Rather than rushing past dozens of storefronts, we’re focusing on the absolute premier hubs for official, vintage, and second-hand character goods—including Nintendo OSAKA, Pokémon Center, Capcom Store, Mugiwara/One Piece, Kiddy Land, Animate, and Surugaya Chayamachi.
• Dedicated Browsing & Shopping Time: We’re building in real, generous time inside each stop so you can actually browse the shelves, hunt for rare retro finds, pick up souvenirs, or admire Japan-exclusive releases.
• Line Strategy: Major flagships (like Nintendo OSAKA and Pokémon Center) can occasionally get busy at checkout or use timed entry passes during peak moments. We’ll help you balance register wait times with browsing time so you grab what you want smoothly without losing valuable exploration time.
• Subterranean Transit (With a Quick Hop Above Ground): We use Umeda's subterranean network for the vast majority of our walking to avoid the outdoor weather. However, to connect to two of our absolute must-visit stops (Animate and Surugaya in Chayamachi), we will pop above ground briefly—so if rain is in the forecast, definitely bring along an umbrella!
• Fandom-First Guides: Our guides are passionate fans ready to talk lore, recommend hidden-gem series, and introduce popular domestic franchises that haven't made it mainstream overseas yet.

Tour Schedule & Flow

• Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
• Gathering Time: 12:30 PM at the Hankyu "BIG MAN" screen (1F) (a classic local meeting landmark)
• Departure: 13:00 sharp (Running late? No stress—just leave a comment on this thread and our team will coordinate to meet you!)
• Mid-Tour Break: We’ll pause for a breather, snacks, or coffee at the stylish HEP FIVE TAMLO food hall (7F).
• Wrap-Up & Loot Haul: After the break we hit the big premier shops, Pokemon, Nintendo, etc. before we’ll head to the open-air covered plaza at Toki-no-Hiroba (Osaka Station City 5F) just after 17:30. We’ll kick back on the artificial turf under the massive glass canopy, show off what everyone picked up (or chat about window-shopping highlights), hear your candid thoughts on the route, and aim to wrap up around 18:00.
• Total Duration: Approximately 5 hours (13:00 – 18:00).
• Cost: Free (This is an unpaid development rehearsal; you only cover your own personal transit, snacks, and any merch you choose to buy).
• What to Bring: Comfortable shoes, your shopping wishlist, and an umbrella just in case the weather turns during our brief above-ground stretch!

How to Join (We'll be accepting ten guests total.)

To help us test out our new web platform and check-in flow:

1. Go to http://thisisosaka.org. Use the Invitation Code: PRACTICE
2. Visit the site, select the tour on the 22nd, and input your invite code to unlock the complimentary registration.
3. You’ll receive a digital pass with a QR code—snap a quick screenshot or photo on your phone so we can test scanning it when we meet at BigMan. (If any tech hiccups happen, don't worry at all—this is a beta test and we have manual check-in ready on standby).

Whether you’re hunting for rare retro games, official character plushies, or just want to master Umeda's underground layout alongside fellow fans, we’d love to have you with us. Leave a comment below if you'd like an invite code!