When you visit Osaka in the winter, you can get the best the season has to offer, from shopping and dining, to beautiful illumination displays. But in these sometimes bitterly cold months, you'll need to be prepared for the chill! In this article, we'll take a look at Osaka's winter climate, the three key tips you'll need to know to stay warm in winter here, and some stylish and practical cold weather items and brands that'll help you enjoy all Osaka has to offer without succumbing to the cold!

Getting to know winter in Osaka: Plenty of clear skies and predictable weather

Winter in Osaka generally lasts from December to February, and it belongs to the warm climate of the Setouchi region. Blessed with a flat topography, it has milder temperatures that fluctuate between about 2°C and 12°C. Unlike the basin climates of Kyoto and Nara, there is little rain or snowfall, stable weather conditions, and many sunny days, making it ideal for travel and outdoor activities.

3 tips you'll need to beat the winter chill!

To spend winter in Osaka comfortably, you'll need to prepare properly for the weather. Getting some practical items to stay warm once you're there is a good strategy.

Dressing in layers

In Japan, the heating is often on indoors during the winter, so you'll want to dress in layers. Choose under layers made of warm materials for the clothes that will be in contact with your skin, middle layers that can be adjusted according to the temperature, and an outer layer that is windproof and warm, so you can easily adjust your outfit between indoors and outdoors.

Essential items for staying toasty warm

A defining feature of Japanese winter fashion is that it keeps its clean look even as it keeps you warm. Japanese people choose items that are protective against the cold, and pay particular attention to keeping the head, hands, and feet warm. Highly heat-generating innerwear, hats and scarves made from hollow fibers that trap heat, fleece-lined pants, thick socks, and gloves are all secret weapons for staying warm in the winter here.

Don't forget to keep your skin from getting dry

Winters in Japan are dry, and the addition of indoor heating can easily make your skin dry. Along with taking measures to protect yourself from the cold, you're going to want to moisturize your skin with proper skin care! Even if you forget to bring moisturizing products, you can easily find them at any Japanese drugstore or shopping mall.

Can't-miss cold weather items in Osaka

LAKOLE

Inspired by the Zen proverb "Every day is a good day" (Nichinichi kore konichi), the brand LAKOLE seeks to help customers find new beauty and fun in every day life. From accessories to beauty products and household goods, the brand offers items that combine design and practicality at reasonable prices.

LAKOLE also offers a lot of popular cold weather items. For example, it's practical wool blend Warm Socks (Atataka Socks) are breathable, warm, comfortable, and perfect for sleeping in. They'll keep your feet warm and toasty.

Their highly-rated One-Touch Portable Tumbler is light and easy to carry, with a lid that can be opened with a touch from just one hand. With this simple and unique design, you can enjoy a hot drink anywhere when you're out and about.

The popular Insulated Mug has a cute, stylish exterior, and is sized for easy use. It has a double-vacuum structure that works to keep liquids either hot or cold. The mug's lid is designed to be drunk from directly, so it's great item to use yourself or as a gift to conveniently keep your warm drinks from getting cold right away.

exclusive plus

Beloved by the cosmopolitan, exclusive plus is known for its sophisticated style and unique designs, incorporating works from small brands and emerging designers from Japan and abroad. From this winter's new items, here are three you definitely can't miss!

First is this beautifully-designed down jacket. Made with carefully selected quality down, it's resistant to the cold even at temperatures as low as -10°C. Constructed from strong and durable windproof and waterproof fabric, it's shaped like a trench coat, but with the charm of a down jacket, for a design that's elegant and timeless.

A beautiful shawl or poncho might just make you love winter. Made from 60% wool and 40% silk, manipuri shawls are a favorite among fashionistas. They are intricately printed by artisans in India and are warm and durable.

exclusive plus also stocks a wool fur poncho made of a famous fleece material created in Koyaguchi, Wakayama, which is woven with traditional Japanese techniques, and is incredibly light, warm, and stretchy. The poncho's button design makes it easy to adjust and wear in a variety of ways, and add a bit of flair to your overall look.

PLAZA

When you think of a colorful, practical, and fun lifestyle brand, you think of PLAZA. PLAZA sells a wide range of beautiful cosmetics, sweets, daily necessities, and fashion goods.

When you visit PLAZA in winter, you can't miss the popular Fuwari Slim Belly-Warmer Belt and Compression Socks from the "Almost Kotatsu" (Marude Kotatsu) series* (*A kotatsu is a kind of heated table covered with a thick blanket, often used in the winter in Japan). Belly warmers, or haramaki, are a kind of traditional Japanese undergarment, and exactly what they sound like: a piece of fabric around the midsection to keep you warm. This Belly-Warmer Belt is very stretchy, fits snugly without squeezing, and features an inner pocket for insterting a hand warmer or heating pad so you can keep your tummy nice and warm.

The longish Compression Socks, which are made not to feel too restrictive, will keep your feet warm even as they make your legs look lovely and shapely. It's the perfect combination to keep you warm from your tummy to your toes.

Another popular item are the "Almost-Kotatsu Socks" (Marude Kotatsu Socks), made with a special knitting method and material specially-developed to retain and generate heat, to warm up your feet as if they were under a heated kotatsu table.

Another popular item is the fashionable and versatile 2-way Reversible Scarf. With its clever open design, it can be worn in a variety of styles, such as wrapped around a necktie or tied in a bow, adding a playful touch to your outfit.

If you want to be able to comfortable keeping using your phone and still keep your arms warm, you'll want to try these Flared Arm Covers. This practical and stylish design lets you move your fingers freely while keeping cold air out of the cuffs.

KEYUCA

This spacious location is KEYUCA's largest flagship store in the Kansai region, filled with a huge variety of items, including furniture, everyday goods, clothing, socks, and more. The designs are all based around the concept of "simple and natural living," and combine utility with sophisticated textures. KEYUCA products perfectly suit a simple and stylish modern lifestyle, whether you're relaxing at home or heading out on the town.

With winter coming, KEYUCA is offering a new line of warm, cold weather clothing. You'll especially want to check out items that are made with THERMOLITE® EcoMade padding, which gives them incredible heat retention. Be sure to take a look at the Insulated Water Repellent Quilted Bucket Hat and Insulated Water Repellent Mini Pull-Through Scarf!

These products feature a three-layer design: a waterproof exterior, a soft velour interior, and a high performance THERMOLITE(R) EcoMade insulation that's warm and breathable. The designs are lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, comfortable, and durable. They're a great way to protect yourself from the cold winter weather.

Now you've read this far, are you looking forward to a trip to Osaka in the wintertime? Instead of traveling overseas with all your winter clothes, you can pick up some stylish and useful cold weather items here for a souvenir of your trip, and stay comfy and warm while you visit! We hope you'll enjoy a comfortable and fun winter trip to Osaka!

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.