Japanese anime and manga are extremely popular worldwide, so it's no wonder that many people of all ages come to seek out items related to their favorite characters when they visit Japan.

Umeda, Osaka, almost a mecca for anime fans, is home to many specialty stores and cafes based on specific anime concepts. From classic Japanese anime works to Disney and Marvel, you can find all your favorites here.

We've selected 6 popular cafés and shops for anime merch. Use this as your guide to getting the most out of the special anime culture you'll find here!

All the fluffy characters! Rilakkuma & Sumikko Gurashi Specialty Store: Rilakkuma Store

San-X's iconic characters, Rilakkuma and Sumikko Gurashi, have warmed the hearts of many over the years with their cuteness, and the message that everyone, flaws and all, deserves love.

If you want to enjoy that happy feeling you'll find around Sumikko Gurashi characters and Rilakkuma, you don't want to miss the specialty store in the HANKYU SANBAN GAI shopping mall! From plush toys, stationery, capsule toys, and even clothes, purses, and daily necessities, there are items for adults and children alike, and you may just find yourself buying up a bunch.

There are more than 3,000 items available in-store, and the Rilakkuma and Sumiko Gurashi plush toys are some of the most popular. Many also love the adorable daifuku (a traditional Japanese sweet)-shaped cushions and plushies sized to fit in the palm of your hand. The Rilakkuma Store Manager phone strap, available only at the Osaka Umeda store, is a super cute item you won't be able to find anywhere else. The store introduces new themed products every month, and the in-shop decorations change accordingly. Seasonal items are introduced frequently, too, so there is something new to discover here each time you visit.

Once you visit you won't be able to leave! The Crayon Shin-chan Official Shop: Osaka Action Department Store

Start out a day of fun together with Crayon Shin-chan! This Crayon Shin-chan-themed shop on the 4th floor of the HEP FIVE shopping mall is design to evoke the "action department store" visited by the Nohara family in the anime. You'll be greated by a large figure of Shin-chan at the entrance, plus illustrations of the kindergarten principal, Shiro, Buriburizaemon, and more. The shop has a wide variety of merch related to other iterations of the story, like the manga and theater version, making this a must-see spot for Japanese and international fans alike.

It's a treasure trove you can't leave empty-handed! Inside, the store is full of Shin-chan products. You'll find socks, stationery, handkerchiefs, clocks, pajamas, pet supplies, and much more lining the walls. The shop's cute-yet-practical stickers, notebooks, and acrylic key holders are all popular souvenirs. You can also find handy tote bags with bright designs from the beloved Shin-chan Fruit series, and you won't want to miss some of the popular items you can use as a makeup or travel pouch.

New products are released here about every three months, and the store also stocks a highly-rated HEP FIVE-themed piece you can only find at the Action Department Store's Osaka location: a cute image of Shin-chan astride the mall's iconic red whale. This is the best place to find limited edition Shin-chan-and-friends items!

You won't be able to budge until you get the item you want: #C-pla Capsule Toy Specialty Shop

What will you get this time? Whether it's just the thing you wanted, or something totally unexpected, you'll find it all here. That's the fun of capsule toys!

Capsule toys, which originated in the US and took off like wildfire in Japan, are a huge part of Japanese entertainment culture. You'll see capsule toy dispensers not only throughout Japan's cities or at the airport, but even in capsule toy specialty shops. #C-pla is just such a store with many locations across Japan. It's the perfect place to enjoy capsule toys to the max.

Located in HANKYU SANBAN GAI, #C-pla is equipped with approximately 360 capsule toy machines, and the store comes out with a new theme each month. Themes range from popular anime and other characters, foods, household goods, corporate products, various miniature models, and more. Don't miss out on the limited edition products here. You can look forward to finding the new anime and other character items that come out regularly from Crayon Shinchan, Ojamajo Doremi, NARUTO, Hamtaro, mofusand, Minions, Pokemon, Blue Rock, Kirby, Fate/Grand Order, and ONE PIECE!

There is also a mini-photography studio in-store called “Omosha," where visitors can put together their capsule toys in a mini photoshoot: you can enjoy both poking around the store and playing cameraman!

*Items in stock may vary by store.
*Please understand that some items may be out of stock.

Bringing happiness and wonder to adults and kids alike: the Disney store

If you want to experience the magic of Disney, the Disney store at HEP FIVE is a must-see. The store interior is luxe and elegant-looking, and just a step inside will fill you with excitement, where some 2,000 kinds of Disney and Pixar products, like stuffed animals, stuffed animal keychains, eco-bags with character designs, stationery, and snacks will whet your shopping appetite.

One of the most popular is the “Urupo-chan” series of plush toys original to Disney stores in Japan. You can also find characters like Mickey and Minnie, Winnie the Pooh, Chip and Dale, and more, in palm-sized plush toys. The toys feature round bodies and large, shiny eyes, and you'll love how soft and fluffy they are. So cute, in fact, it's fun just to look at them!

The Winnie the Pooh items that hit shelves here every year on August 3rd—""Honey Day""— are always a big hit. This year, the store is offering not only plush toys, but also tote bags, picnic mats, and other items that are perfect for going out. One of the most popular items is a cute plush toy with flower suspenders.

*Please note that some products may be out of stock.
*Product design, price, retail stores, and specifications are subject to change.
*Some stores may not carry particular products.

Where you'll find the Marvel heroes: MARVEL STORE by SMALL PLANET

You'll know the MARVEL STORE by its a sleek white exterior, life-size models of Spider-Man and other characters at the entrance, and all the latest merch released regularly each season. Come find some for your favorite superhero!

This specialty store stocks over 5,000 different Marvel movie-related items, including clothing, toys, a variety of household items, and more. The designs are elaborate, and t-shirts, stickers, and models featuring Marvel superheroes like the Mighty Thor, Captain America, and Venom are some of the most popular here. They're perfect either for a gift, or for yourself! Collectors also won't want to miss the Royal Selangor pewter figures.

In the MARVEL STORE, you'll find not only Japan-only Marvel products, but limited edition items that can only be found here in the HEP FIVE store: for example, check out the cool black-and-white poster of the Infinity Gauntlet, or the white t-shirt with this Spider-man illustration pictured above!

Another fun thing to do here is participate in the Happy Raffle (Happy Kuji)! There are loads of fun and interesting prizes, so be sure to check it out. Maybe you'll even win the jackpot!

Enjoy a moment with some popular anime: BOX cafe&space

Food from your anime!
A drink from a popular idol!
Whether it's a hit anime like Detective Conan or Jujutsu Kaisen, or a famous idol group, this is the place to step into the world of anime, video games, and music in real life. That's what makes BOX cafe&space unique!

On average, BOX cafe&space changes its theme every month or two, bringing the world of anime to life with an elaborate design of the space, unique food and drinks, and awesome products. This café is like a mini theme park, that you can enjoy with friends or on your own! Come and connect with the world of your favorite works and immerse yourself in endless fun and surprises!

BOX cafe&space also accepts online reservations. Just reserve a seat in advance on the café's official website, check-in 10 minutes prior to entry, and keep in mind that there's an 80-minute time limit for use. For details and precautions, please visit the café website (Japanese only).

If you want to know more about anime specialty shops in the Umeda, Osaka area, be sure to look at Get cute cartoon character goods in Osaka, Umeda! Find lots of manga items and character themed-cafés, too.

For more details on how to get to Umeda, see here.

For more information on Umeda, check out some of our Trip Ideas.

*Information in this article is accurate as of the date of posting. There is a possibility that details regarding these products and services have changed, or that some shops have since closed.