In Osaka’s vibrant America-mura, a plethora of unique shops awaits exploration. Among them, the store known as “Big Step” stands out as a hub for distinctive offerings.
“The Shopping Haven of America-mura, Big Step”
Big Step is a shopping mall nestled in Osaka’s America-mura. What sets it apart from conventional malls is its curation of unique stores exclusive to America-mura.
“An Assortment of Eclectic Stores at the Mall”
While Big Step houses some ordinary concept stores, it predominantly features stores with manic concepts. The store “King Kong” caught my attention, showcasing a collection of vintage records, CDs, and music-centric products. At “Bambam Fame Monster Osaka,” one could encounter products featuring characters from the now nostalgic “King of Fighters” video game series. This store, relatively new and not easily found on Google Maps, was a delightful discovery, allowing me to reconnect with characters from the past.
The store “Silver Ball Planet” was an arcade dedicated solely to pinball games, offering a diverse range of themed pinball experiences. “Kemari87” specialized exclusively in soccer-related products, from soccer uniforms to shoes, creating an impressive soccer-centric shopping experience.
The mall’s distinctive concept stores, each specializing in a unique category, left a lasting impression. Finding such specialized stores is a rarity in South Korea, making exploring them in Japan an especially enjoyable aspect of travel.
“Adorned with a Halloween Theme”
During my visit from September 21 to 27, Halloween was fast approaching. True to the festive spirit, Big Step was adorned with Halloween-themed decorations. Even the elevator interiors were transformed, adding a touch of awkwardness to the experience.
While I didn’t make any special purchases, the joy of simply exploring stores decked out in manic concepts, a rarity compared to South Korea, made the shopping experience at Big Step memorable.
“Big Step in Osaka’s America-mura”
- Address: 1 Chome-6-14 Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0086, Japan
- Phone: +81-6-6258-5000
- Website: big-step.co.jp
- Operating Hours: 11:00 – 23:00