Nagoya - 10 Shops to Visit in the Osu Shopping District

Osu Shopping District is one of the most vibrant area in Nagoya. It is the best area to experience local culture, especially if you're a budget traveler!

Out of the 1200 shops and restaurants, I have outlined 10 places that are worth visiting in the Osu Shopping District.

1. Osu Kannon Temple (大須観音)

Osu Kannon was built in the Gifu Prefecture during the Kamakura Period. It was later moved to the current site in 1612.

On our day of visit, many came to pray to Kannon, which is the Goddess of mercy and compassion.



Access: Exit 2, Osu Kannon Station. Walk for 1 minute. ▶ (google map)
Hours: 9:00 - 17:00
Website (In Japanese)

2. Flea Market (18th & 28th)

A flea market is held on the 18th and 28th every month. We visited the Osu Shopping District on the 28th. There were many stalls selling second hand goods. There were plenty of elders purchasing clothes and unusual items. Maybe this is a good place for treasure hunting?

3. Lucky Beckoning Cat

This lucky beckoning cat is the icon of Osu Shopping District. See the words "cafe & dining bar" in the photo? That is where the maid cafe is located.

Osu Shopping District is often compared to the Akihabara district in Tokyo. But I don't see the resemblance...We were unable to see young people in this district!

4. Local Produce Stalls & Supermarket

However, we were able to experience what it is like living in Nagoya. There are plenty of vegetable and fruit stalls in Osu Shopping District. We saw plenty of locals purchasing fish and seasonal produce. The melon is just 480 yen. Blueberries are only 198 yen. Such a bargain!



The supermarket is also filled with snacks and frozen meat in a discounted price. Ready to eat sushi is also available. No wonder the supermarket is crowded with locals...



生鮮食品館サノヤ万松寺店 ▶ (google map)
Hours: 9:30 am - 10 pm

5. Komehyo (コメ兵)

Komehyo is a second hand store consisting of 7 floors. Here you can sell your clothes, purchase second hand watches and handbags. On the top floor, there is a bargain area where you can purchase clothes based on their weight. The cheapest rate is only 4 yen per gram.



Address: 愛知県名古屋市中区大須3-38-5 ▶ (google map)
Hours: 10:30-7:30 pm (7 pm on Fridays)


"Liquor Off" is a second hand alcohol shop. Here you can sell wine, or purchase wine at a lower price. Shops like this have become increasingly popular in Japan.

6. Alice on Wednesday (水曜日のアリス)

There are quite a number of 100 yen stores in Osu Shopping District, including Coucou and Seria. This shop is eye catching. It turned out that this is one of the hottest stores in Japan that sells accessories. If you're a fan of "Alice in Wonderland", this shop is for you!

Necklaces are only around 1000 yen. We saw plenty of visitors taking photos outside the shop.



Address: 名古屋市中区大須2丁目20-25 ▶ (google map)
Tel: 052 – 684 – 6064
Hours: 10:00 - 20:00
Access: Exit 2,  "Osu Kannon" Station (「大須観音」駅 ). Walk for 5 minutes.
Website

7. 鯛福茶庵 八代目澤屋

Time to move onto some snacks. According to the locals, this shop is an old shop that sells Taiyaki.

Taiyaki is a fish-shaped cake with sweet filling. We ordered a custard flavored one and it tasted really sweet. I wouldn't recommend it (except you've never tried Taiyaki before).




Address: 名古屋市中区大須２丁目２０−３１▶ (google map)
Hours: 10 am - 7 pm
Access: Exit 2, Osu Kannon Station

8. 大潮屋 （オオシオヤ）

I would recommend "Nagoya-style Okonomiyaki" instead, which is located close to the Osu Kannon Temple.

There were a bunch of people eating on the bench in front of this shop. We were quite skeptical at first, but considering it's only 280 yen, we've decided to give it a try.



We were given a green packet. Inside is a foil wrapped Nagoya-style Okonomiyaki. It was piping hot when we received it. Nagoya-style Okonomiyama is similar to the one in Osaka. It is scattered with bits of pork, sauce and lettuce. It is quite delicious!



Address: 名古屋市中区大須2-18-4 ▶ (google map)
Tel: 052-203-0439
Hours: 10:00-18:30. Closed on Mondays.
Access: Exit 2, Osu Kannon Station

9. Niisuzume (新雀本店)

This shop is also worth visiting. The shop was founded in 1966 by an old lady. Now her son is responsible for making mitarashi dango (みたらし団子). Every day, he would slowly grill the dango to char and apply sweet soy sauce on it.

Mitarashi dango is a traditional Japanese snack. Essentially, it is rice flour balls skewered onto a stick and covered with sweet soy sauce. Each skewer consist of 5 dango and is 90 yen each. It is slightly chewy with a hint of grilled fragrance.





Address: 名古屋市中区大須2-30-12 ▶ (google map)
Tel: 052-221-7010
Hours: 14:00 to 19:30. Closed on Wednesdays.
Access: Exit 2, Osu Kannon Station

10. Meshiya (ザめしや)

We stumbled across this local restaurant after visiting the Osu Kannon Temple.

When you go inside the shop, take a tray and chose from a variety of food available on the shelves. For hot dishes such as grilled fish and miso soup, order at the counter. This shop is great for budget travelers who want to eat like a local.

By the way, pork miso soup is only 260 yen. It tasted so good!




Address: 愛知県名古屋市中区上前津2-9-4 ▶ (google map)
Hours: 11:00 - 2:00
Access: Exit 4, Kamimaezu Station (上前津駅)
Website


In the afternoon, we went back to Osu Shopping District for a live drum performance. The ceremony was warmly welcomed by the locals.





Osu Shopping District is a great place to experience Nagoya culture. Be sure to spend half a day here to immerse yourself in the local atmosphere.




Address: Osu Naka-ku, Nagoya 460-0011, Aichi Prefecture
Access: Osu Kannon Station. Walk for 1 minute
Website