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The Best Food Souvenirs from Osaka: 11 Items Selected by Locals in 2024
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Osaka, famous for local cuisines such as takoyaki, is equally known for its unique souvenirs. This article, written with the help of MATCHA staff residing in Osaka, introduces 11 Osaka souvenir items, ranging from humorous types to long-established gifts, along with newcomers.
Written by
Mitoyo, Kagawa, Japan
I worked in a PR agency for corporate IR/CSR and a publisher which publishes a magazine focused on international cooperation before joining MATCHA in October 2017.
In April 2019, I moved to Mitoyo City in Kagawa Prefecture. I write articles for tourists visiting Japan, and also contribute to regional revitalization.
My main focus is on writing about internet services, rental cars, hotels, and tourist attractions in western Japan.
The Perfect Food Souvenirs from Osaka
A souvenir shop at Osaka Station
Osaka is known as a city for foodies. It is famous for local cuisines such as okonomiyaki, made from cabbage, various ingredients, and flour, alongside takoyaki, which can be eaten while walking. There's also kushiage, deep-fried skewers that pair well with a drink.
The city also offers a wide variety of souvenirs. This article features popular Osaka souvenir items selected by a MATCHA staff member who also works as a tour guide in Osaka.
The products listed below can be purchased at souvenir shops in stations and airports. Some of them are even available on websites such as Amazon.com.
Top 11 Osaka Souvenirs
Osaka-Style Souvenirs
1. Osaka no Koibito Cookies
2. Takoyaki-Inspired Confections
3. Okonomiyaki-Inspired Confections
Special Items Adored by the Local Residents
4. Chidoriya Souke (Sweet Dumplings)
5. 551 Horai Buta-man
6. Rikuro's Cheesecake
7. Amidaike Daikoku Sweets
Popular Western-Style Confections
8. Umeda Cheese Lab
9. Osaka Hana Langue
10. Baton d'or
11. Minion in Kansai
Read also
Osaka-Style Souvenirs
The following items are amusing Osaka souvenirs that will make you giggle and were inspired by local cuisines.
1. Osaka no Koibito Cookies
Picture courtesy of Amazon
Osaka no Koibito (Japanese) is a spoof of Shiroi Koibito, a famous Hokkaido product. Many people will take a second look at the product, with the words "I really like it" written in an Osaka dialect on the package.
The white chocolate sandwiched between crisp cookies has a taste loved by everyone. It is smaller than Shiroi Koibito and easy to eat.
This famous item can be purchased at kiosks in Osaka and Shin-Osaka stations, souvenir shops in station buildings, department stores, and airports.
2. Takoyaki-Inspired Confections
In Osaka, there are various souvenirs and snacks inspired by takoyaki. There will be no mistaking where the items came from.
While there are takoyaki-shaped cookies and chocolates, those looking for an authentic flavor should try the snack types.
Takoyaki Koro Koro (Japanese) is a spicy product with a crispy texture. It's smaller than the real thing but looks identical to the savory ball-shaped cakes. They come with an illustration of takoyaki on the wrapping paper.
Jagariko (Japanese) is a popular Japanese potato snack, and its takoyaki flavor can only be purchased in the Kansai Region.
While these products can be purchased at souvenir shops, Jagariko is available at some convenience stores. Do give it a try!
3. Okonomiyaki-Inspired Confections
Picture courtesy of Amazon
There are also souvenirs inspired by okonomiyaki, ranging from sweet to salty. The popular product is Okonomiyaki Senbei.
There are two flavors, mayonaise-yaki and kyabetsu (cabbage)-yaki, included. They look like a small okonomiyaki, even tasting like the real thing.
Some people received it as a gift and got hooked. This product is sold at souvenir shops near Shin-Osaka and Osaka stations.
Special Items Adored by the Locals
Osaka has a long history as a city of commerce, so visitors should take a look at traditional Japanese confections and products that have been adored by locals for decades.
4. Chidoriya Souke Omanju Sweet Buns
Chidoriya Souke (Japanese) is a Japanese confection maker established in 1630, with several shops in Osaka.
Those who wish to purchase a can't-miss souvenir should check out their products, such as manju (sweet bun), castella (sponge cake), and shortbread cookies.
Hon-chidori Manju (Japanese) comes with a smooth white bean paste in a soft, kneaded dough. It is their flagship product, using the same process since the confectionery was founded.
Mitarashi Komochi (Japanese) is a mochi (rice cake) made with high-quality rice. It is filled with mitarashi sauce (sweet soy sauce glaze), which has a Kansai-style sweet and salty flavor. This product is made with the least amount of additives.
Mitarashi Komochi can be purchased at their roadside shops and various department stores in the Kansai Region. It is also sold at the Gift Kiosk in Shin-Osaka Station, other station buildings, and airports.
5. 551 Horai Buta-man Dumplings
551 Horai is a company that manufactures chuka manju (Chinese steamed bun) and Chinese food. Customers frequently line up at their stores.
The most popular product is the buta-man (pork bun). The filling uses a secret recipe made with Kagoshima pork and sweet domestic onions wrapped in soft dough.
It is sold at Osaka department stores and kiosks in various stations, such as the Central Gate Store at JR Osaka Station.
6. Rikuro's Cheesecake
Picture courtesy of PR Times
Rikuro's Cheesecake (Japanese) is one of the confections that are famous in Osaka. Made with carefully selected ingredients, such as cream cheese imported directly from Denmark, the cake hasn't changed since its inception. Additionally, the cheesecake has been adored by locals for over 30 years.
The cakes are in mint condition, as they are prepared in the kitchen of each store.
Their stores are conveniently located in Namba, near the central gate and inside the Shinkansen ticket gates of JR Shin-Osaka Station, and Itami Airport.
7. Amidaike Daikoku Okoshi Sweets
Picture courtesy of PR Times
Amidaike Daikoku (Japanese) is a confectionery with over 200 years of history.
This crispy confection made from rice/millet hardened with sugar/starch syrup employs a recipe handed down from the founder. The ingredients, such as domestic rice and black soybeans, are also carefully selected.
Along with the firm texture, Iwa-okoshi is flavored with ginger and brown sugar while Kuri-okoshi with sesame. The cute Japanese-style package adds another appeal.
In addition to the directly managed shops, their products are sold at department stores, Osaka and Shin-Osaka stations, and Itami and Kansai airports.
Popular Western-Style Confections
Osaka is a dynamic city, with new souvenirs appearing steadily, and Western-style sweets are becoming the latest trend.
8. Umeda Cheese Lab
Pictute courtesy of PR Times
Umeda Cheese Lab (Japanese) specializes in confections made with diverse types of cheese.
The spoon-sized cheesecakes come in six variations: camembert, gorgonzola, parmesan, gouda, mascarpone, and cheddar. Everyone will want to try them all.
Their cookies, with white chocolate sandwiched between biscuits and cheese cream, are another popular product. Umeda Cheese Lab also makes cheese-flavored macaron, tiramisu, and baumkuchen.
There are three stores in Osaka: Daimaru Umeda Store, Namba Walk Store, and Factory & Cafe, located near Osaka Metro Nakatsu Station. They also have a store in Jiyugaoka in Tokyo.
9. Osaka Hana Langue
Picture courtesy of PR Times
Osaka Hana Langue (Japanese) is a cute, flower-shaped cookie. The confection was recently released by Amidaike Daikoku, a long-established confectionery mentioned above, so its quality is guaranteed.
The buttery flavor, fluffy cream, and the fragrance of honey produced in the hills of Osaka combine to create a great product.
Hana Langue is sold at Amidaike Daikoku stores, Gift Kiosk, and Grand Kiosk inside the ticket gates of Shin-Osaka Station, and at Osaka Station.
10. Baton d'or
Baton d'or is a high-end version of Pocky made by Glico. While it's only sold in the Kansai region, those who love the rich flavor buy them as gifts.
The popular flavors are fragrant Sugar Butter, Chocolat, a mix of cacao and butter, and White Strawberry, which has a sweet and tangy taste.
There are also time-limited flavors. In the winter of 2023, Uji Matcha Marukyu Koyamaen, Pistachio & Almond, and V.S.O.P., which comes with a brandy fragrance, was released.
Some products are coated with nuts or dry fruits.
Baton d'or is sold at Hankyu Umeda Store, located near Osaka Station. It is also available at the Takashimaya Osaka Store in Namba and Itami Airport.
11. Minion in Kansai
Picture courtesy of PR Times
This is a confection inspired by the Minions, characters in a popular movie. The spongy dough is filled with banana (the Minion's favorite food)-flavor custard cream and chocolate banana cream.
With its visually pleasing appearance, this product should be appealing to children.
It can be purchased inside the Shinkansen ticket gates at Shin-Osaka Station, along with Itami and Kansai airports.
Souvenir Shopping in Osaka
Osaka, a town for foodies, also offers a wide variety of souvenirs, so it's the perfect place to look for something to remember the trip. Look for your favorite confections or snacks and give them a try!
Written with Haruhi Miyahara and Mami Wakamatsu.
Main image courtesy of PR Times
I worked in a PR agency for corporate IR/CSR and a publisher which publishes a magazine focused on international cooperation before joining MATCHA in October 2017.
In April 2019, I moved to Mitoyo City in Kagawa Prefecture. I write articles for tourists visiting Japan, and also contribute to regional revitalization.
My main focus is on writing about internet services, rental cars, hotels, and tourist attractions in western Japan.
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