For character-merchandise shopping at Osaka Station, the original highlighted November and December 2026. At the commercial facility connected directly to JR Osaka Station, LUCUA SOUTH 32 shops were to open in phases, mainly on floors 10–13: 28 in November including Chiikawa, Sanrio, JUMP SHOP, and POP MART; four in December for JoJo, namco, Tamashii Nations, and Square Enix.
JAPAN NOW · OSAKA NEW OPEN
32 character shops above Osaka Station28 in November; four more in December
Of the 32, the source counted 20 permanent-store regional firsts: three Japan firsts, six western-Japan firsts, two Kansai firsts, and nine Osaka/Umeda firsts. Exact shop dates and opening events were for a late-September follow-up announcement.
The operator had announced opening months, with individual dates, entry methods, and limited goods to follow in late September. A desired shop might not be open in early November. If merchandise shopping is central, finalize routing after exact dates appear.
How the Osaka Station shopping map was to change
LUCUA SOUTH had opened first. This announcement concerned phase two, adding upper-floor character and dining areas.
The 32 shops were mainly in Characters World on floors 10–13, with one Gacha World tenant in the floor-15 dining area too.
An approximately 1,229-square-meter store, described as Osaka’s first, was planned on floor 11.
Further openings aimed at over 40 character tenants on floors 10–13 and over 35 dining tenants on floors 14–16.
November’s 28: shops to note
Described as a Japan-first permanent store. Sanrio Hello Stage, Nagano Market UMEDA, Evangelion Store, and STRICT-G were also on floor 11.
Described as a first permanent store in western Japan. Star Wars Store by Benelic, Harry Potter Mahoudokoro, JUMP SHOP, and Touken Ranbu Yorozuya were also placed on floor 12.
A destination for figures and art toys. Popular products could have numbered entry or purchase limits, so check a separate opening notice.
Announced as a limited pop-up, not a permanent shop. Check the later notice for operating dates matching the trip.
A first permanent western-Japan store in the source. Anpanman Kids Collection and POP MART were among tenants on the same floor.
JUMP SHOP, EVERYTHING MINECRAFT, LEGO Store, and Sylvanian Families on one floor could help plan a family/fan route.
December’s four: experience-led venues
An approximately 584-square-meter experiential facility and official shop was planned. Admission, booking, and content were not yet announced.
One of the largest amusement areas among these 32, with games and detailed hours to follow.
A roughly 236-square-meter directly operated flagship, described as Japan’s second after Tokyo.
The name was provisional and December opening planned. Specific products and exact dates were for later notices.
Location, hours, and overseas-visitor checks
The original described ordinary store visits without a separate restriction on South Korean travelers. However, tax-free participants, Korean staff service, overseas cards/digital payments, and numbered-ticket procedures were not uniformly established for all 32. Bring a passport if seeking tax-free shopping and confirm participation before payment at the actual counter or LUCUA information desk; no other staff language or payment is assumed.
Before-visit checks
- Check the late-September follow-up for exact dates and opening events.
- Separate November’s 28 from December’s JoJo, namco, Tamashii, and Square Enix additions.
- Check reservations, timed tickets, and limits for popular Chiikawa/POP MART shops.
- Check Detective Conan Plaza’s ending date as a limited pop-up.
- Confirm each store’s tax-free/cards/language conditions, with the original passport if needed.
- Include lockers and flight baggage allowances for bulky merchandise.
EDITOR'S NOTE · EVERYDAY TRIP
EVERYDAY TRIP Editorial Team’s advice
These are EVERYDAY TRIP Editorial Team’s itinerary judgments applying announced openings, separate from operator guarantees or firsthand experience.
For Chiikawa, Sanrio, JUMP SHOP, Harry Potter, or POP MART, November tenants were central. For JoJo, namco, or Tamashii, wait for December openings. Including Gundam Base too pointed toward February 2027 or later, subject to actual dates.
The station connection could fit airport, Kyoto, or Kobe travel. Rather than carry merchandise before check-in, leave bags at accommodation, enter before 6 p.m., and plan around the 8 p.m. retail finish.
Only months were established in the original. For one limited item or experience, preserve suitable flight/hotel cancellation flexibility and finalize after exact dates and ticket procedures appear.
Tax-free participation was not universal. Compare price, size, and checked-baggage extras rather than increasing purchases for a presumed discount, with alternate nearby shops if popular stock sells out.