This is the second of a two-part mini-series about Pokémon Center in Daimaru Umeda, an obligatory place to stop by for Pokémon enthusiasts who visit Osaka, Japan. Aside from the stuffed toys and card game collectibles that were featured in the previous post, Pokémon Center Osaka offers a wide array of original merchandise that includes clothes, food, jewelry, and other things that boys and girls wish to have. They are attractive and colorful, with Pokémon characters promimently emblazoned on each item.
During our stay, I saw children, teenagers, adults, and parents both Japanese and foreigners who purchase Pokémon items. A man was video calling his family to show them one stuffed toy after another while the people on the other side of the line and maybe on the other side of the world ooohed and aaahed at how cute the items were. I could not blame them, the stuffed toys look cuddly.
On one hand, Virg, the girl who made sure we had Wi-Fi wherever we went in Japan so she could play Pokémon GO, ended up buying a few items for her collection. On the other hand, I brought home a big fat zero.
For a related entry, please read Pokémon Center Osaka (Osaka, Japan), Part I.
For more cuteness, please read Rilakkuma Store (Tokyo, Japan).
Here are photos taken at Pokémon Center in Daimaru Umeda:
Pokémon Center Osaka Operating Hours:
Monday to Sunday: 10am to 10pm
Pokémon Center Osaka Address:
Daimaru Umeda Shop, 13F, 3Chrome-1-1. Kita-ku, Umeda, Osaka
How to get to Pokémon Center Osaka:
1. It is around five minutes’ walk from the JR Osaka Station Central Checkpoint. Enter the Daimaru Umeda Shop and take the escalator to the 13th floor. Do not get distracted by the many many many enticing clothes on the way up to Pokémon Center. Also, do not go to Uniqlo, their coats are as cute as Pikachu.
2. It is about five minutes’ walk from the 1st underground floor of Western Checkpoint, Osaka-Umeda Station, Hanshin Line.
3. It is around ten minutes’ walk from the 2nd floor of Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station Central Checkpoint to JR Osaka Station.
4. It is around five minutes’ walk from Exit No. 1, West Umeda Station, Yotsubashi Line.
5. It is around five minutes’ walk from Exit No. 8, Umeda Station, Midosuji Line.
6. It is about ten minutes’ walk from Exit No. 3 East Umeda Station, Tanimachi Line.