What is Yodobashi Camera?
Its a camera store of course! Oh, but its so much more. Yodobashi does cover the gamut when it comes to cameras, but they also throw the gauntlet down when it comes to having the largest selection I’ve ever seen in TV’s, computers, watches, film, photo albums, cell phones, and more.
This is a definite place for any gaijin (foreigner) to check out while in Osaka, Japan. This is probably the best electronics store in the world. Yes thats an opinion, but this place is simply crazy and once you see it you will believe it.
Want a cellphone? How about several thousand choices. Sprint in the US has about 20 in their stores.
Cameras? Laptops? Picture frames? Watches? Vintage film? Luggage? Dishwashers? They have it all and I mean all. Yodobashi probably has over 100 different rice cookers.
Even though Yodobashi has everything you could want from an electronics store, typically prices are better in the United States for major electronics. I was able to find some unique items at Yodobashi to take home such as their
bottle top camera tripod.
How to get to Yodobashi Camera?
Yodobashi is right behind the train station as you can see on the map. In this example, I’ll assume you are at the front entrance of the Umeda train station. You can either walk underground to get to Yodobashi or walk topside across the overhead crosswalk that connects Hanshin Department Store, Hankyu Department Store, and Umeda Station. If you are new in town, take the topside skywalk. Its easier to navigate up top. You can get lost in the Osaka subway for quite a while if you are bad at navigating.
Once you are on the skywalk, its easy to spot Yodobashi Camera because it has cartoon eyes on the building. It also says Yodobashi Camera on the building as well. Even though you can see Yodobashi Camera from the skywalk, getting there from this point is still a hair confusing.
If you are facing Yodobashi Camera at the spot of the skywalk where it forks then you want to go right. If you go left it takes you back to the train station through a different entrance. So go right towards Hankyu department store, down the stairs and take the walkway that runs parallel to the street. Its covered overhead and you may see people sleeping on the street here (don’t worry its perfectly safe–its different in Japan). When you hit day light you cross 2 little drive way streets in front of you and then you can cross the main street on your left at the big (lines on the ground). If you think this sounds like some back street route, its not. Its always busy with plenty of people. This is the least busy route though.
Videos of Yodabashi Camera
Videos from other people
It is also shown on the map if you click the link at the top left of this page. A Tokyu Hands store is also right here on the opposite side of the street.
The castle is a museum as well as an observation deck at the top floor. Prepare to climb tight staircases.
