Pokemon Centre, Daimaru Umeda Building, Osaka

As a Pokemon fan since the game was release donkey years ago, I had always wanted to visit the real deal in Japan. As soon as I found out there's actually Pokemon Centre which sells all the Pokemon merchandises in Osaka I immediately set as a must visit place despite my cramped schedule.

DSC07983 by zstan, on Flickr

From Umeda Sky Building we then walked back to the train station area and headed for Daimaru Umeda Store. The Pokemon Centre is located on the 13th floor with Uniqlo as one of it neighbours as well. There is already a huge crowd in the shop, probably due to the fact that it's on a weekend, with kids being the majority in numbers here (obviously).

DSC07997 by zstan, on Flickr

It was really exciting to see all the merchandises and stuff which can never be seen back in Malaysia. They even opened up a booth in the store for the kids to try out the new Pokemon X and Y, and boy was the queue to play the game for about 10 minutes crazily long.

DSC07984 by zstan, on Flickr
Initially I thought I could get some toys back as souvenirs but one look at the price tag changed my mind immediately. The merchandises are here are actually quite expensive, especially after factoring in the conversion rate. It is simply not worth it for a general fan like me. Probably hard core Pokemon fanatics would probably buy one or two home. Having said that I must say the quality of each product is exceptional and worthy if you have the extra cash to spend.
DSC07990 by zstan, on Flickr

DSC07991 by zstan, on Flickr

All in all although I didn't buy anything it's quite a good experience to actually see a Pokemon centre and all the lovely Pokemon figurines. Only regret was not trying out the Pokemon X & Y on display. Childhood dream fulfilled!

no no aint going to tokyo...nagoya kyoto osaka only
ok this is at osaka? good....in my list now  

Can consider Kansai area pass ,study the route before purchase,
For me, a  Icoca card for train and subway is a must, it save the hassle to go to find and walking to main station to buy the bus pass.
Or buy daily bus pass
Or daily subway pass.

From Nagoya to Osaka. Taking normal Train....No way you can reach Osaka. It was very complicated plus you dunno Japanese.  You need do alot interchange. 

Bus is only choice.  Take Willy Express night Bus.  Save Hotel money also.

hi all..

im having a trip to Japan for 10 days this month end, arriving in Osaka for the first 5 days and will be at tokyo the last week.

I have to travel from osaka to tokyo via SHINKANSEN but its a bit pricey and im confused about the 7 days JR pass

buying JR pass 7 days - for 2 ppl is around 58k yen (unlimited travel for 7 days in Osaka n Tokyo?)

if travel via SHINKANSEN one way from osaka to tokyo - for 2 ppl is around 27k yen

if travel via peach air one way from osaka to tokyo - for 2 ppl is around 14k yen

can any sifus care to elaborate?

most likely i will get subway pass when i am in kyoto and osaka
i plan to take bus from nagoya (landing here and stay 1 night) then move to kyoto by bus (probably 2 nights)

then from kyoto to osaka will taken shinkansen (cost 1420 yen = RM50 only).... good idea?

well at least i try the bullet train with minimal cost

Then only 10 minute ride then reach station

Yes i am prepare for it...Winter was hoping for snow....

now i need to arrange where should i go since i will arrive at nagoya31jan and depart from osaka 6th feb

my airticket only rm300....JR pass rm900   i can use the rm900 go korea liao

my planning is nagoya -> kyoto -> osaka

dun think i need JR pass for the shinkansen...i will skip that..I will take the bus or normal train

yalor what to do....rm900 per ticket for 2 is totally out of budget.
still thinking want to apply for optiontown upgrade or not..cause last minute inform very painful

Guys, wanna confirm with you guys. Some blog do tell me, when we exchange the jr pass, we need to specify the seat in advance? If not, we might possible not allow to take the train?

But some also do highlight it is just no guarantee of seat if we do not choose in advance.... anyone can confirm this?

Guys, wanna confirm with you guys. Some blog do tell me, when we exchange the jr pass, we need to specify the seat in advance? If not, we might possible not allow to take the train?

But some also do highlight it is just no guarantee of seat if we do not choose in advance.... anyone can confirm this?

hey bro lets meet. i will be in osaka from 1st until 8th feb lol 

i am buying 14 days one... 3k for two person

you actually can count the cost by yourself whether or not to use jr pass or normal ticket. calculate the cost the route you going to use and compare. last year i bought 7 days jr pass and it was fully utilised from tokyo>hakone>kyoto>osaka>hiroshima>miyajima>osaka>tokyo

it was fun and save a lot of time. and i still can use it for normal jr train in tokyo when it was still valid

Guys, wanna confirm with you guys. Some blog do tell me, when we exchange the jr pass, we need to specify the seat in advance? If not, we might possible not allow to take the train?

But some also do highlight it is just no guarantee of seat if we do not choose in advance.... anyone can confirm this?

sure no problem.... when are u going?
1.5k for each...damn....can fly korea + taiwan liao
dun think i can afford to go so many places in 1 day

Do you have tips on where to have nice, fresh, cheap sashimi? In places like Kyoto, Kobe and Osaka. Also Kobe beef, where nice and affordable?