2025 is an exciting year for the Kansai area, with plenty of hot news! Major commercial facilities are opening one after another, including "Grand Green Osaka South Wing," located north of JR Osaka Station, and "Umekita Green Place" in the western Osaka Station area. With stores making their Kansai or Japan debut, these places are already generating buzz. Plus, attractions like Japan's longest suspension bridge and the highest-level activity parks are also catching attention!
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【Opening in March 2025】Grand Green Osaka South Wing
A large-scale redevelopment project is underway near JR Osaka Station, set for completion by 2027.
As part of this project, the "Grand Green Osaka South Wing" will open on Friday, March 21, 2025, in the southern district near JR Osaka Station. This major commercial facility will feature offices, a hotel, conference halls, a spa facility, and various shops.
The first floor of the South Wing will house "GRAND CHEFS' VALLEY," with seven hidden gem restaurants centered around counter seating. On the third floor, "UMEKITA GRAND TABLES" will feature six restaurants, including the high-end Western-style steakhouse "RUTH'S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE" and the eel specialty restaurant "Unafuji." Meanwhile, the basement level will be home to the large-scale food market "Time Out Market," making its first appearance in Asia.
Notable eateries include the authentic bakery café from New York, "TOM CAT BAKERY" (second store in Japan and first in Kansai, located on B1), the new concept café by the patisserie "Gokan," "GOKAN PARLOIR" (new brand, located on the second floor), and the luxury steakhouse "RUTH'S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE," making its Kansai debut (third floor).
Beyond dining: Spa facilities and Japan's first luxury hotel
The appeal of this facility extends beyond its dining options. On the 3rd and 4th floors, "Umekita Onsen REN Wellbeing Park" will open, offering a wide range of features, including large baths with natural hot springs and high-concentration carbonated water, a cutting-edge fitness gym, an outdoor infinity pool with views of Umekita Park, rock sauna rooms, and relaxation salons.
Additionally, the South Wing (South Tower) will host the "Hotel Hankyu Grand Respire Osaka" on floors 5 through 27. The South Wing (Park Tower) will also welcome the "Waldorf Astoria Osaka," the first Japanese location for this top-tier luxury brand, occupying floors 2 and 28 through 38.
Address: Grand Green Osaka, 6-38 Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
- Access: Just a short walk from JR Osaka Station
- Official Website: https://umekita.com/
【Opening in March 2025】Umekita Green Place
In the western area of Osaka Station, new urban development is underway. Following the openings of "JP Tower Osaka" in November 2023 and "Inogate Osaka" in July 2024, the large commercial facility "Umekita Green Place," directly connected to the station, will open in March 2025.
The ground level of the Umekita area around Osaka Station will see the development of a convenient "station plaza" that enhances terminal functions. This plaza will feature taxi stands, general vehicle drop-off and pick-up zones, and a large bus parking area.
Featuring Kansai and Japan-first stores!
The first floor of Umekita Green Place will be home to accessible shops, such as the long-established local confectionery store "LE PINEAU" and the crepe shop "YORKYS Creperie / PIECE OF BAKE."
On the second floor, alongside an urban-style food court with options like Yoshinoya and Mos Burger, visitors can enjoy a unique dining experience while overlooking "Umekita Park," one of the largest station-adjacent parks in the world. This level will also feature notable stores making their first appearances in Western Japan, such as "Maruya Honten," an eel restaurant known for its long lines at Nagoya Station (first appearance in Kansai), and "R Baker," a bakery with the concept "Enriching Japan with Bread."
The third floor offers direct outdoor access, making the most of the lush and open environment of Umekita Park. This level will include exciting new establishments such as "oyster & Italian Skai" (first store nationwide), the authentic French bistro "Sacré Fleur" (first appearance in Western Japan), and the high-quality yakiniku restaurant "Yakiniku Ushigoro," which only uses A5-grade meat (first appearance in Western Japan).
- Access: Directly connected to JR Osaka Station
【Opening Spring 2025】GRAVITATE OSAKA（GODA BRIDGE）
Located in Ibaraki City, northern Osaka Prefecture, midway between Osaka and Kyoto, a record-breaking suspension bridge and a top-tier activity park will open in spring 2025 as part of the development around the Ai River Dam.
The suspension bridge, spanning 420 meters, will surpass the "Mishima Skywalk" in Shizuoka Prefecture to become the longest in Japan and rank among the top 10 pedestrian suspension bridges in the world. The left bank will feature an observation deck where visitors can admire the dynamic understructure of the bridge and the rock-fill dam, constructed by piling up rocks and sediment. From the center of the bridge, visitors will enjoy views of Osaka's cityscape.
The activity park will offer three thrilling attractions: the "Air Walk" (tentative name), a first-in-Japan experience where participants climb the suspension bridge's wire cables and walk atop the main tower; the "Dam Bungee" (tentative name), a bungee jump from the bridge; and the "Dam Swing" (tentative name), a giant swing dropping from a 40-meter rope. Visitors can enjoy adrenaline-pumping activities surrounded by spectacular natural scenery.
- Address: Fukui, Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture
- Access: TBD
- Official Website: TBD
【Opening Summer 2025】Yodoyabashi Station One
Yodoyabashi, located at the gateway to Midosuji, is a major business district in Osaka, home to the headquarters and branches of many large corporations. Overlooking the Tosabori River, it offers a picturesque view unique to a city of waterways. Across the river, landmarks such as the Bank of Japan and Osaka City Central Public Hall showcase the charming streetscape of Nakanoshima.
The "Nichido Yodoyabashi Building" and "Keihan Midosuji Building" in Yodoyabashi are being redeveloped into "Yodoyabashi Station One," set to open in the summer of 2025. The approximately 150-meter-tall building will be the tallest landmark along Midosuji, between Yodoyabashi and Honmachi.
Simultaneously, the underground passageways of Yodoyabashi Station will be renovated for improved access between Yodoyabashi Station One, the station concourse, and surrounding areas. The updates will harmonize with Yodoyabashi's mix of advanced offices and retro architecture, as well as nearby buildings. Renovations include ceiling, pillar, and floor upgrades, and the lighting will be converted to LED.
The 30th floor, the top of the building, will feature a public observation terrace with stunning views of the Nakanoshima area, alongside a luxury restaurant aiming for Michelin star recognition and an all-day dining establishment. Lower floors will include dining options and a tourist station, creating a vibrant yet sophisticated atmosphere befitting Yodoyabashi’s gateway to Midosuji.
Address: 3-1-1 Kitahama, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Access: Directly connected to Yodoyabashi Station (Keihan Main Line and Osaka Metro Midosuji Line)
- Official Website: https://yodoyabashi-east-project.jp/
【Spring 2025】Renewal of the Dotonbori "Kuidaore Building"
The "Kuidaore Building" in Dotonbori, Osaka, is undergoing a complete renovation, set for completion in spring 2025. The exterior will feature a three-dimensional signboard of "Kuidaore Taro," standing approximately 6 meters tall, as well as neon-style lighting to emphasize the world of this iconic Dotonbori character. Enhanced LED displays will add energy and vibrancy to the landmark.
Inside, floors 1 to 3 will each have unique concept designs, offering visitors engaging content beyond individual stores to create a memorable experience. Restrooms on the 1st and 3rd floors will also be upgraded for added comfort, and elevator and escalator areas will receive new designs to improve visibility and navigation.
Newly opened stores will include a diverse selection such as "Ogawa Shoten" (hormone barbecue), "TARO's PARLOR" (fruit candy), "Torikizoku" (yakitori), "Kyoto Katsugyu" (beef cutlet), "Monja Sakaba Dashi-ya" (monja izakaya), and "Kobe Akafuji" (hamburg steaks and beef tongue).
For more details, see the article below.
Let’s Look Back at Facilities Opened in 2024!
In 2024, Osaka welcomed numerous new commercial facilities, especially ones featuring an impressive array of restaurants. Here’s a recap of some of the highlights from the year!
【Grand Opening: July 31, 2024】KITTE Osaka
"KITTE Osaka," a hub of attractions from all over Japan, officially opened its doors on July 31, 2024. This facility boasts 40 establishments, including ramen shops, sushi bars, Italian restaurants, and izakaya, offering a diverse dining experience.
Specializing in tsukemen and primarily based in the Kanto region, "Sha-rin" has opened its first location in Osaka. Joining it is "Warayaki Katsuo Tataki Myojinmaru," a restaurant representing the culinary culture of Kochi Prefecture, making its Kansai debut at the famous Hirome Market. Additionally, Singaporean Chinese restaurant "Don Bao" has made its first appearance in Japan, among many other "firsts."
For more details, see the article below.
🌸【KITTE Osaka】Full List of 40 "Restaurants & Izakayas". Recommended Menu Items?
【July 2024】 Inogate Osaka Barchica03
In July 2024, "Balchika 03" opened at JR Osaka Station's west exit inside LUCUA Osaka, spanning from the 2nd to the 5th floors. The complex targets male office workers in Umeda, with a total of 50 new stores. The 2nd floor features take-out options, while the 3rd floor offers all-day dining, casual French, and Spanish restaurants that are easy to invite women to. The 4th floor caters to budget-friendly, hearty lunches, ideal for group dining in the evening. The 5th floor focuses on standing bars, perfect for early morning drinking.
For more details, see the article below.
🌸【Osaka Station】List of All 50 Restaurants in "Barchica03". What Are the Opening Hours?
［kkday]👉Osaka's Recommended Leisure Activities, Experiences, and Sightseeing Spots
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