Following the Osaka-Kansai Expo held in 2025, urban development has accelerated, and large-scale commercial facilities have been opening one after another throughout Osaka. These include the "Grand Green Osaka South Building" on the north side of JR Osaka Station and "Umekita Green Place" in the area west of Osaka Station. Entertainment facilities such as Japan’s longest suspension bridge and the country’s top-class activity parks are also gaining popularity.
New facilities are also scheduled to open in 2026. In this article, we introduce both the new spots opening in 2026 and the much-talked-about facilities that opened in 2025. We have compiled the latest information you’ll want to check out early for your next outing, date, or trip to Kansai.
*If you purchase or reserve products introduced in this article, a portion of the sales may be returned to FUN! JAPAN.
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[Opening April 2026] Osaka Station | LUCUA SOUTH
![[Opening April 2026] Osaka Station | LUCUA SOUTH](https://content.fun-japan.jp/renewal-prod/cms/articles/content/batchmainjpg_2025-11-05-12-05-22.jpg)
In April 2026, a new building called "LUCUA SOUTH" will open at LUCUA Osaka. With the large-scale renovation of the "South Gate Building," which is directly connected to JR Osaka Station, the upper floors of the South Gate Building will be extensively renewed as LUCUA SOUTH. LUCUA Osaka will evolve into a three-building complex: "LUCUA," "LUCUA 1100," and "LUCUA SOUTH."
The name "LUCUA SOUTH" reflects the desire for it to become the face and symbol of the south area of JR Osaka Station, and to be a bright, open place for everyone, like the sun rising and shining in the southern sky.
Floors 10–13: "LUCUA Characters World"
Floors 10 to 13 will be home to "LUCUA Characters World," one of the largest character zones in Japan. Popular and well-known content from both Japan and abroad will gather here, including "Pokémon Center Osaka," "Nintendo Osaka," and "ONE PIECE Mugiwara Store," making it one of the largest character zones in the country.
Floors 14–15: Restaurant Zone
Floors 14 and 15 will be a restaurant zone catering to a wide range of needs and occasions, from everyday dining to special celebrations. On the 14th floor, 11 popular restaurants from Daimaru Umeda will continue to operate, and several attractive new restaurants are also scheduled to open.
On the 15th floor, the current event space at Daimaru Umeda Store will be renovated into a dining area, with plans to open restaurants that are easily accessible to a wide range of customers, especially families.
The following restaurants currently operating at Daimaru Umeda Store are scheduled to continue their business at "LUCUA SOUTH," which is planned to open in early April 2026.
Some restaurants will open ahead of schedule in April 2026, with the full opening of LUCUA Characters World planned for around autumn 2026, and the complete opening of "LUCUA SOUTH DINING" scheduled for around autumn 2027.
*This information is current as of December 2025. Please check the official website for the latest business hours and details before your visit.
- Address: "LUCUA" and "LUCUA 1100" 3-1-3 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka City, Osaka
"LUCUA SOUTH" 3-1-1 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka City, Osaka - Access: Directly connected to Osaka Station, 1 minute on foot
- Website: https://www.lucua.jp/
[Scheduled to Open Summer 2026] Yodoyabashi Station | Yodoyabashi Gate Tower
The building name for the "Yodoyabashi Station West District Type 1 Urban Redevelopment Project," led by Daiwa House Industry, Sumitomo Corporation, and Kanden Realty & Development, has been decided as "Yodoyabashi Gate Tower." This large-scale complex with 29 floors above ground, featuring offices and commercial facilities, is scheduled to open in the summer of 2026.
The name "Yodoyabashi Gate Tower" reflects a strong desire for this office building, located at the gateway to Osaka’s main street, Midosuji, to become a "GATE" that drives the evolution and globalization of Osaka’s business scene. The solid structure of the building and the lattice window design of its exterior express the dignity of a "GATE," making it a new symbol of Yodoyabashi.
In addition, a rooftop garden (a new VIEW SPOT) that is open to the public will be developed on the podium facing Midosuji.
- Address: 4-1-1 Kitahama, Chuo Ward, Osaka City, Osaka
- Access: Directly connected to Yodoyabashi Station, 1 minute on foot
- Website: https://yodoyabashi-west-project.jp/
Shinsaibashi Station | (Tentative Name) Shinsaibashi Project
The "(Tentative Name) Shinsaibashi Project," led by Hulic Co.,Ltd. and other companies, is scheduled to open at the northeast corner of the Shinsaibashi intersection, where Osaka’s main street Midosuji and Nagahori Dori Street meet. The facility will be directly connected to Shinsaibashi Station, offering high convenience for station users and visitors, allowing comfortable use regardless of the season or weather. This complex will have two basement floors and 28 floors above ground, with a height of approximately 130 meters.
The commercial area will span from the second basement to the sixth floor above ground, with offices planned for the 8th to 14th floors. "THE GATE HOTEL Osaka by HULIC" is scheduled to open on the 16th to 28th floors in June 2026.
Accommodation Options Are Also Plentiful
“THE GATE HOTEL Osaka by HULIC," marking the brand’s first entry into Osaka, will open on the upper floors (16th to 28th) of the "(Tentative Name) Shinsaibashi Project."
The hotel features 223 guest rooms, the largest in the "THE GATE HOTEL" brand, creating a relaxing space in the heart of Osaka. On the top floor, approximately 120 meters above ground, there is a rooftop bar offering panoramic views of Osaka. In addition, the hotel is equipped with a restaurant, a lounge exclusively for guests, a fitness gym, and more.
- Address: 3-12-14 Minamisemba, Chuo Ward, Osaka City, Osaka
- Access: Directly connected to Shinsaibashi Station
Looking Back at Commercial Facilities Opening in 2025!
[Opening March 21, 2025] GRAND GREEN OSAKA South Building
The "GRAND GREEN OSAKA South Building" has opened in the southern district near JR Osaka Station. This commercial facility brings together 55 shops, including offices, hotels, conference halls, hot spring facilities, and retail stores. In the future, the Umekita Park rear construction area (part of North Park) is scheduled to open around spring 2027, with the full town development planned for fiscal year 2027.
Shops & Restaurants
The South Building’s shopping area is lively with trendy, must-visit restaurants.
On the first floor of the South Building, "GRAND CHEFS’ VALLEY" brings together seven hidden-gem restaurants mainly featuring counter seating. On the third floor, "UMEKITA GRAND TABLES" houses six restaurants, including the authentic Italian restaurant "BRIANZA OSAKA," which uses charcoal and spices, and the eel specialty restaurant "Unafuji." On the first basement floor, the large-scale food market from London, "Time Out Market," makes its first appearance in Asia, offering a place to experience both food and culture.
The second Japanese location of the authentic New York bakery cafe "TOM CAT BAKERY" (first in Kansai, South Building B1F), and "GOKAN PARLOIR," a new Western confectionery and cafe brand from the famous Osaka patisserie "Goka"' (new concept, South Building 2F), as well as the high-end steakhouse "RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE" (first store in Kansai, South Building 3F), are just some of the many talked-about restaurants filling every floor.
Not Just Restaurants! Hot Springs and Japan’s First Hotels Too
Another highlight is the variety of facilities beyond dining. On the 3rd and 4th floors, the hot spring complex "Umekita Onsen REN Wellbeing Park" features large public baths with natural hot springs and high-concentration carbonated baths, a modern fitness gym with the latest equipment, an outdoor infinity pool overlooking Umekita Park, as well as stone and lava baths and relaxation salons.
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Excellent Accommodation Options
From the 5th to the 27th floors of the South Building (South Tower), you’ll find "Hotel Hankyu Gran Respire Osaka." On the 2nd, and from the 28th to the 38th floors of the South Building (Park Tower), the Waldorf Astoria Osaka, a top-tier luxury brand hotel making its debut in Japan, is located. Both hotels offer stunning views of Osaka from their guest rooms and restaurants.
- Address: Grand Green Osaka 6-38 Ofukacho, Kita Ward, Osaka City, Osaka
- Access: Easily accessible from Osaka Station
- Website: https://umekita.com/
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[Opening March 21, 2025] Umekita Green Place
On the west side of Osaka Station, following "JP Tower Osaka" and "Inogate Osaka," the large-scale commercial facility "Umekita Green Place" has opened with direct access to the station. At the ground-level "Station Square"(駅前広場) in the Umekita area of Osaka Station, there are taxi and private car drop-off and pick-up zones as well as a large bus parking lot, making access to Osaka Station and nearby facilities extremely convenient.
Exciting Stores Opening for the First Time in Kansai or Japan!
Umekita Green Place features a lineup of trending tenants, including stores opening for the first time in Kansai and even some making their debut in Japan.
On the first floor, you’ll find a variety of casual shops such as the long-established local patisserie “LE PINEAU,” and the crepe shop “YORKYS Creperie / PIECE OF BAKE.”
The second floor offers an urban-style food court with popular chains like Yoshinoya and MOS BURGER. Taking advantage of its location overlooking “Umekita Park,” one of the world’s largest parks directly connected to a train station, you can enjoy a unique and extraordinary atmosphere. There are also renowned restaurants making their first appearance in western Japan, such as “Maruya Honten,” a famous eel restaurant known for its long lines at Nagoya Station (first Kansai location, 2nd floor), and “R Baker,” a bakery with the concept of “Enriching Japan with Bread” (2nd floor).
On the third floor, each restaurant is directly connected to an outdoor terrace with sweeping views of the adjacent Umekita Park. The open, green-filled space is one of the main attractions. You can enjoy meals at buzzworthy restaurants such as “oyster&italian skai” (first location in Japan, 3rd floor), the authentic French bistro “Sacrée Fleur” (first location in western Japan, 3rd floor), and “Yakiniku Ushigoro,” a specialty grilled meat restaurant using only A5-grade beef (first location in western Japan, 3rd floor).
- Address: 5-1 Ofukacho, Kita Ward, Osaka City, Osaka
- Access: Right next to Osaka Station
- Website: https://umekita-greenplace.com/
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[Opening March 17, 2025] GRAVITATE OSAKA (GODA BRIDGE)
The adventure leisure park "GRAVITATE OSAKA" has opened inside "Dam Park Ibakita" in Ibaraki City, Osaka. This multi-purpose leisure facility features the "GODA BRIDGE," the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Japan, which spans the Aigawa Dam Lake and serves as the park’s landmark.
Japan’s Longest Suspension Bridge "GODA BRIDGE"
This suspension bridge is 420 meters long, surpassing the current longest bridge in Japan, the "Mishima Skywalk" in Mishima City, Shizuoka, making it the longest in the country. It is also the third longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world. At the observation plaza, you can view the dynamic lower structure of the bridge and the side of the "rockfill dam," which is constructed by piling up rocks and earth, making it an excellent educational spot. Another highlight is the panoramic view of Osaka City from the center of the bridge.
Thrilling Activities
At the activity park, you can enjoy a variety of thrilling activities surrounded by magnificent nature.
There is the "Bridge Walk," where you walk across the entire 420-meter suspension bridge over the dam lake, and the "Bridge Bungee," where you jump from the center of the bridge toward the dam lake. This is the only facility in the Kansai region where you can experience these activities. In addition, there are four main attractions: the "Bridge Swing," a giant swing where you drop while hanging from a 40-meter rope, and the "Bridge Climb," the world’s first activity where you climb up and down the main tower on the right bank.
Restaurant & Cafe
If you get hungry after the activities, head to "420 CAFÉ," a restaurant and cafe that uses delicious local ingredients from Ibaraki and the Kansai area. You can enjoy your meal while admiring the dynamic structure of the "GODA BRIDGE."
Aigawa Dam Curry
- Address: 53-1 Oaza-Shobo, Ibaraki City, Osaka (inside Dam Park Ibakita)
- Hours: 9:00–18:00 (last activity entry at 17:30) *Hours may vary by season.
- Access: [Train] Paid shuttle bus available from Ibaraki Station (operates about once per hour every day; check the website for departure times) [Car] 50 minutes from Osaka, 40 minutes from Kyoto
- Website: https://gravitateosaka.jp/ja/
[Opening in 2025] Yodoyabashi Station One
Yodoyabashi is the gateway to Midosuji. This area has developed as the center of commercial Osaka and is one of the city’s leading business districts, home to the headquarters and branches of major companies. Facing the Tosabori River, it offers beautiful scenery unique to a city of water, and across the river, you can see the atmospheric streets of Nakanoshima, where buildings such as the Bank of Japan and Osaka City Central Public Hall stand. "Yodoyabashi Station One" is opening in this area. At approximately 150 meters tall, it will be the tallest landmark building along Midosuji from Yodoyabashi to Honmachi.
This urban facility is designed to seamlessly connect offices, restaurants, shops, and other functions for a comfortable experience. On the 30th and top floor, there is an observation terrace with panoramic views of Nakanoshima that is open to the public, as well as the luxury restaurant "SOA," supervised by a chef from a Michelin three-star restaurant. The lower floors feature cafes and shops.
- Address: 3-6-22 Kitahama, Chuo Ward, Osaka City, Osaka
- Access: Directly connected to Yodoyabashi Station
- Website: https://yodoyabashi-stationone.com/shop/
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[March 2025] Dotonbori "Nakaza Kuidaore Building" Grand Reopening
The entire "Nakaza Kuidaore Building" in Dotonbori, Osaka, has been fully renovated. The newly unveiled giant 6-meter-tall 3D signboard of "Kuidaore Taro" uses neon-style lighting and other effects to boldly express the world of "Kuidaore Taro," a true Dotonbori landmark.
This is a spot where you can fully experience the spirit of "kuidaore," Osaka’s famous culture of eating, sightseeing, playing, and laughing all in one place. Inside the complex, you’ll also find Yoshimoto Kogyo’s “Yoshimoto Dotonbori Theater” and the nightclub “GIRAFFE Japan.” In addition to dining, visitors can shop for souvenirs such as Kuidaore Taro merchandise and Osaka-exclusive sweets.
Many new restaurants have opened, offering a wide variety of dining options such as Ogawa Shoten (hormone grilled offal), TARO's PARLOR (candied fruit), Torikizoku (yakitori), Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu (beef cutlet specialty), Monja Sakaba Dashiya (monjayaki izakaya), and Kobe Akafuji (hamburg steak and beef tongue). This diverse lineup is one of the building's main attractions.
- Address: 1-7-21 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka City, Osaka
- Access: 5-minute walk from Namba Station
- Website: https://nakaza-cuidaore.com/
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🌸[KITTE Osaka] Complete List of 40 Restaurants and Izakaya. Great for Lunch Too!
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