Christmas is approaching real soon, and you're probably looking for some ways to get into the festive mood this year. Luckily, it seems like Osaka Station (or Umeda Station, depending on what station you're at) is in a rather extra special Christmas-y mood this year, as the decorations are quite unique!
1) Ultimate Princess Celebration
If you're coming out of JR Osaka Station, head over to Osaka Grand Front first! The North Building always has a special tree up that is creatively theme.
This year, they have the Ultimate Princess Celebration featuring Disney Princesses.
Check out the website link above to see other Photo Spots if you or your child are really into princesses. Scattered around the North, South and even the stairs out to the pond area are individual features of each princess that might be worth checking out!
2. Herbis Plaza - Herbis Christmas
Head South and you'll find yourself around Nishi-Umeda and the Four Seasons Theatre.
I don't usually go in here as the vibe is almost too elegant and upscale. And sort of like you have no reason to be here unless you were filthy rich or going to watch a Musical/Broadway. But they also have a few artistic displays here - more catered to the older & artsy crowd, I think.
BUT... if you're around at night time, they do have a chain a Christmas lights spanning a couple of hotels that line the corridor outside there. Might make for a more romantic walk with your date! Definitely worth checking out.
3. Diamor Osaka - Holy Fantasy
Let's go back underground and hit eastward. There's a underground shopping strip just between the south of JR Osaka and the Dai 1 - Dai 4 Building called Diamor. There's a couple of traditional decorations with wreaths, trees, etc here that are pretty nice for the 'gram!
This year their theme is Holy Fantasy (whatever that means):
If you're hungry, I always recommend finding some cheap eats in the Dai 1, Dai 2, Dai 3 and Dai 4 buildings. Lots of great options, often pretty cheap & hearty too.
4. Whity Sylvanian Families Christmas
In the same vein, let's head northeast a bit over to Whity Shopping Area!
Just like during Halloween, Whity has Christmas displays up in the same areas as before (out of the Hankyu Department Store and outside of HEP5). They call it the Forest Flower Christmas, so if you're in the area and your kids like cute animals - Sylvanian Families might be their jam!
(just make sure they don't get too obsessed though because their collectable toys are expensive)
5. Hankyu Department Store Displays
This is one of my absolute favourites any time of the year.
If you head to the first floor of the Hankyu Department Store (main entrance), there's about 5 or 6 huge window displays that depict a story, a theme or something along the lines of that. You can check out their website for the Wonderful Holiday Story (this year's theme) for more details.
As you can see, the reflective glass doesn't always make for great phone photos, but I always find little kids really enjoying these displays as they almost always involve some type of animatronics to it.
These displays also change quite often so if you're around during the year and you enjoy these kinds of things, I highly recommend coming back to check on what they have in store.
...Other Night Time Displays
There are plenty of other displays littered around Umeda beyond this. For example, outside the main entrance of HEP5 there's also a display, which is really pretty at night when it's lit up.
Going further north past Chayamachi, there are often some displays by the Umeda Arts Theatre Drama City. The whole area around Chayamachi is quite moody as well, and I'm sure tons of young couples like to hang out there (Christmas or no).
And of course, the Midosuji Illuminations is always up and running. Walk down to Nakanoshima and you're find yourselves more illuminations down there!