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It’s been a long time coming but finally, after 7 years, the new building at JR Osaka Station in the Umeda district of the city, is open! InsideJapan HQ received the following hot of the press from our very own guide in Osaka, Ayako Kiyono. Many thanks to Kiyono-san for this up to the information.
After 7 years of long construction period, finally Japan’s second largest commercial facilities are opened up today.
http://www.osakastationcity.com/
North side of the station was developed into a big shopping mall. Mitsukoshi-Isetan department store and LUCUA(shopping center) came to the north side. South side, Daimaru department store expanded the floor and Pokemon Center (largest in Japan) is introduced – great news for anyone craving Pikachu ramen!
JR Osaka station and those south (Daimaru) and north buildings (Mitsukoshi-Isetan) are connected from today and it is way easier to get lost!! The accessway to Daimaru department store is from 3, 4 and 6th floor. To Mitsukoshi-Isetan dept is only from 3rd floor. The platform level is 2nd floor and going downstairs takes you to the normal exit (ground level), going upstairs takes you to the accessway.
They are expecting 910,000 people using the station everyday, which compared with JR Shinjuku station – 3.4million people everyday – is still a small number, but considering lots of people wandering the station, large crowds are expected. Today, the north side building was too busy and entrances were heavily controlled with many people waiting in line.
Thanks to Ayako for her up-to-the-minute info direct from the heart of Osaka. Arigatou!!
