Osaka, known as Japan's second major city after Tokyo, is one of the country's most famous tourist destinations, particularly renowned for its delicious food. Often called the "Nation's Kitchen" or the "City of Kuidaore" (eating until you drop), Osaka has developed its own unique food culture since ancient times.
While Osaka is home to many skyscrapers, it also boasts numerous retro spots and areas filled with downtown charm, making it a place brimming with attractions.
Among these, Nakazakicho is one of the retro neighborhoods not far from the high-rise buildings of Umeda. The area is home to old-fashioned cafes, retro diners, and stylish vintage clothing stores, with many old wooden buildings and row houses creating a relaxed atmosphere.
In this article, we'll introduce the charms of Nakazakicho, known for its retro and stylish vibe, along with some recommended spots.
Nakazakicho: Osaka's Hidden Popular Spot with Stylish Cafes and Vintage Clothing Stores
Nakazakicho is a hidden gem in Osaka, popular for its concentration of stylish cafes and vintage clothing stores. It retains a retro atmosphere from the Showa era, with many old buildings still standing, making it an excellent spot for a stroll.
Many cafes are housed in renovated old wooden buildings, offering delicious drinks and sweets. Not only cafes but also vintage clothing stores and galleries have opened, making it a neighborhood that has become popular with young people in recent years.
While Osaka is strongly associated with food, Nakazakicho allows you to enjoy browsing stylish vintage stores and galleries as well.
Excellent Access from Umeda! Nakazakicho is Recommended for Those Who Want to Enjoy a Relaxed Atmosphere
Nakazakicho, where you can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, is also conveniently located near Umeda. It's about a 10-minute walk from Umeda to Nakazakicho, covering a distance of about 1km.
You can also access Nakazakicho by subway from Umeda. Take the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line from Higashi-Umeda Station towards Dainichi and get off at Nakazakicho Station, which is just one stop away.
Although it's only 1km away from Umeda, Nakazakicho has a retro and relaxed atmosphere that feels far from the urban hustle, making it ideal for a leisurely stroll. It's also recommended as a break spot when you're tired of the city's bustle.
The Top 3 Stylish Vintage Clothing Stores to Enjoy "Vintage Fashion" in Nakazakicho
Green Pepe
Source: Official website
Green Pepe, located in the heart of Nakazakicho, is a vintage clothing store housed in a renovated old traditional house. This shop mainly deals in vintage clothing with pop designs that were popular in the 1970s, corresponding to Japan's Showa era, as well as retro Japanese furniture and kitchenware. The variety and selection of items are extensive, ensuring you won't get bored browsing.
In Japan, these items are affectionately called "Showa Retro" and are popular among Japanese people over 40, including myself, who get excited seeing nostalgic items from their childhood.
The items sold at Green Pepe are stylish and in good condition. In front of the store, you can find gacha-gacha machines (vending machines that dispense small toys when you insert a coin and turn the handle), which have recently become popular overseas. Feel free to try them out!
<Store Information>
Address: 3-1-12 Nakazaki, Kita-ku, Osaka
Opening Hours: Weekdays 12:00-18:00, Weekends and Holidays 12:00-19:00
Closed: Tuesdays
Phone: 06-6359-5133
Official Website: https://www.greenpepe3104.com/
Vintage Clothing TAD
Source: Official X
Vintage Clothing TAD is a vintage clothing store located near Nakazakicho Subway Station. The cozy interior is filled with stylish vintage clothes, making it irresistible for vintage fashion enthusiasts.
Most of the items sold are vintage pieces. You can purchase attractive vintage clothing at reasonable prices. The owner's carefully selected collection includes clothes with bold patterns, making it an ideal shop for those who love unique vintage designs.
Please note that some items displayed in the store may show signs of use or age-related wear, so be careful when making a purchase. If you're looking for stylish vintage clothing with great taste, be sure to visit Vintage Clothing TAD.
<Store Information>
Address: Core Nagasaki 102, 1-7-17 Nakazaki Nishi, Osaka
Opening Hours: 13:00-20:00
Closed: Thursdays
Phone: 06-6377-1767
Official Website: https://tadvintage.thebase.in/
3 Recommended Cafes You Should Visit in Nakazakicho
Kissaten are Japanese-style cafes that focus not only on coffee but also on food. In addition to drinks like coffee, you can also enjoy Western-style dishes like pasta and gratin, as well as light meals and desserts.
Many of these shops are particular about their coffee, making them recommended for those who want to enjoy a delicious cup. Additionally, many retro Japanese-style cafes offer breakfast items like toast.
Salon de AManTo
Source: Official website
Salon de AManTo is a cafe housed in a 120-year-old traditional house surrounded by greenery, offering a retro atmosphere that makes you feel like you've time-traveled to old Japan.
Many old traditional houses remain in Nakazakicho, and many of them have been transformed into stylish shops through redevelopment projects. Salon de AManTo is known as the starting point of the Nakazakicho redevelopment project.
In addition to being a cafe, they also host English conversation meetups with foreign guests and events where you can converse in Spanish or French. These events are held frequently, so I recommend them to those who, like me, enjoy international exchanges with foreigners.
If you want to experience old Japan and enjoy a leisurely meal, this is definitely a place to visit.
<Store Information>
Address: 1-7-26 Nakazaki Nishi, Kita-ku, Osaka
Opening Hours: 12:00-22:00
Closed: Open every day
Phone: 06-6371-5840
Official Website: http://amanto.jp/
Cafe Arabiq
Source: Google Maps
Cafe Arabiq, housed in an old traditional house in Nakazakicho, wears three hats: a cafe, a bookstore, and an art gallery. The cafe offers seasonal original coffee blends and coffee cocktails.
The bookstore stocks mystery novels and fantasy books, ranging from rare out-of-print editions to new releases. It's a must-visit for those who love Japanese old books or find retro books fascinating.
They also exhibit paintings and art pieces. The doll collection is particularly extensive, featuring Western and Japanese dolls. The interior has a very quiet atmosphere, perfect for spending a relaxed time.
<Store Information>
Address: 3-2-14 Nakazaki, Kita-ku, Osaka
Opening Hours: 13:30-21:00
Closed: Wednesdays
Phone: 06-7500-5519
Official Website: http://arabiq.net/
OSA COFFEE
Source: Official website
OSA COFFEE is a stylish cafe with its main store in Fukuoka, Kyushu, themed around travel. The interior is designed with an airplane motif. Even the latte art features airplanes, which is irresistible for travel enthusiasts like myself.
Their recommended item is the pudding, which has a rich, firm texture with a slightly bitter caramel that's exquisite. You can also add ice cream as a topping to the pudding, making it an indulgent treat for dessert lovers.
OSA COFFEE is one of the most popular cafes in Nakazakicho, with high popularity among foreign visitors, resulting in daily queues. There's also terrace seating, which is recommended on nice days.
As it can get crowded, it's best to visit early if possible.
<Store Information>
Address: 3-3-10 Nakazakicho, Kita-ku, Osaka
Opening Hours: 11:00-18:00
Closed: Irregular
Phone: 06-6359-6900
Official Website: https://fuk-coffee.com/shop/osa-coffee/
Recommended for Lunch! 3 Selected Diners to Enjoy Delicious Food in Retro Nakazakicho
Taiyo no Tou Cafe
Source: Official website
Taiyo no Tou Cafe is a stylish cafe with a nostalgic atmosphere. It's known as the shop that sparked the cafe culture in Nakazakicho back in 2002. The talented owner not only runs the cafe but also manages a wide range of businesses including a pastry shop and an apparel store.
This cafe is modeled after the "jun-kissa" (pure cafe), a type of cafe that emerged in Japan in the early Showa period where people could enjoy coffee. The antique interiors decorating the shop create an atmosphere that feels like you've time-traveled to an old era in Japan. You can also experience Japan's unique cafe culture here.
The menu is extensive, with popular items including healthy Japanese-style set meals, sweet puddings, and homemade scones. If you want to fully experience a traditional Japanese cafe, this is definitely a place you should visit.
<Store Information>
Address: 2-3-12 Nakazaki, Kita-ku, Osaka
Opening Hours: Morning 9:00-11:00, Lunch 11:00-15:00
Closed: New Year's holidays
Phone: 06-6374-3630
Official Website: https://taiyounotou.com/cafe/honten/
PLUG
Source: Tabelog
PLUG, known as a diner located about a 5-minute walk from Nakazakicho Station on the Osaka Metro, is a restaurant with a comfortable interior inspired by New York diners. PLUG can be used not only for meals but also as a cafe or bar, with a simple and stylish atmosphere. The open feeling makes it comfortable to enjoy your meal.
The recommended dish is the rich rice carbonara, which is a dish of turmeric rice topped with a rich carbonara sauce and egg yolk. The spiciness of the coarsely ground black pepper blends in, making it addictive after just one bite.
The relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere will surely make you want to linger.
<Store Information>
Address: suehirogari bldg.1F, 1-8-3 Nakazaki Nishi, Kita-ku, Osaka
Opening Hours: 11:30-22:00
Closed: Mondays (If Monday is a holiday, then the following day)
Phone: 06-6225-8498
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plug_shokudou/
Rojiura Shokudo Machunaga
Source: Google Maps
For those looking for a hidden gem restaurant in Nakazakicho, we recommend the Italian restaurant Rojiura Shokudo Machunaga.
True to its name, this backstreet restaurant is housed in a renovated old traditional house with a great atmosphere. The menu is extensive and portions are generous, making it perfect for those who want to indulge in a hearty meal.
The recommended dish is the pasta lunch, which comes with a salad, bread, and soup for less than 1,000 yen, allowing you to enjoy a fulfilling lunch.
Other menu items include taco rice and roast beef tongue rice bowl, offering a wide variety of hearty dishes.
Note that as the owner runs the shop alone, it may take some time for the food to be served. When visiting, make sure you have plenty of time.
<Store Information>
Address: 1-9-22 Nakazaki Nishi, Kita-ku, Osaka
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30-15:00, Dinner 18:00-22:00
Closed: Mondays
Phone: 050-1556-4663
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/machu_0128/
Souvenir Shops in a Retro Town! 2 Stores Where You Can Purchase Stylish Retro Goods
Guignol
Source: Official Facebook
Guignol is a shop housed in a renovated old house that sells accessories themed around celestial bodies and dolls, all created by artists.
The second floor of the shop is a gallery where solo exhibitions and group exhibitions of artists' works are regularly held. The gallery events are free, so they're easy to enjoy and highly recommended.
Near Guignol, there's a sister shop called JAMPOT, which also regularly hosts handmade artists' events and exhibitions. Both shops are full of artistic accessories, making them great places to purchase souvenirs.
<Store Information>
Address: 2-3-28 Nakazaki, Kita-ku, Osaka
Opening Hours: 12:00-19:00
Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays
Official Website: https://guignol.jp/
ONLY PLANET
Source: Tripadvisor
ONLY PLANET, located in Nakazakicho, is a specialty shop selling animal-themed accessories. It's filled with cute animal-themed accessories, perfect for those seeking a touch of comfort in their daily lives.
The accessories range from earrings and piercings to necklaces and keychains, with great variety. There are even dinosaur-themed goods. The shop is so packed with these animal accessories that even I, an animal lover, found myself absorbed in browsing and lost track of time.
The shop is filled with accessories of excellent taste, and it's also recommended just for the healing experience. There are also reasonably priced accessories, so why not pick some up as souvenirs?
<Store Information>
Address: Elveil Quatre 1F, 3-1-6 Nakazaki, Kita-ku, Osaka
Opening Hours: 11:00-18:00
Closed: Irregular
Phone: 06-6359-5584
Official Website: https://onlyplanet.web.fc2.com/shopinfo.html
Access
Nakazakicho, where you can enjoy a retro atmosphere with its rows of old traditional houses, is located 800m from Umeda.