Housing over 150 specialty stores and restaurants, HEP Five shopping centre is regarded as one of Osaka’s top shopping and entertainment complexes. It’s a popular destination for fashion lovers, especially among teens and people in their twenties.
More than 17 million people visit the HEP Five complex each year, the majority of them young women looking for the latest fashion finds. HEP stands for Hankyu Entertainment Park and is owned by the major Hankyu Railway Company, which also owns several other premier properties across Osaka.
The centre’s most iconic feature is its enormous red Ferris wheel, located above the 9th floor. The wheel has 52 four-person luxury gondolas and reaches a height of 106 metres from street level. It’s not only a romantic spot to share a quiet moment but also offers sweeping views over the sprawling cityscape of Osaka. A full ride takes around 15 minutes.
HEP Five opened in November 1998 and boasts over 45,000 square metres of floor space. Stores in the centre include Tommy, Pinky Girls, Mayson Grey, Misch Masch, GAP, and Fluffy. The complex also houses a Sega Joypolis arcade and a cinema.
A striking feature of the massive central atrium is a 20-metre-long red whale and her baby suspended from the ceiling—an impressive sight when viewed from the escalators. The upper floors offer a wide range of dining options, from themed restaurants to more traditional Japanese cuisine. Given the abundance of excellent food options in Osaka, most cafés and restaurants at HEP Five are reasonably priced and provide quick, friendly service.
HEP Five also connects directly to the vast underground shopping maze, which stretches for miles with even more specialty shops, cafés, bars, and entrances to Osaka Station, Yodobashi Camera, and the Ekimae Buildings. This underground network was originally built to link the various subway lines in the area with Osaka Station and nearby complexes.
Access: HEP Five is located near JR Osaka Station and Umeda Station on the Midosuji subway line. From the south exit of JR Osaka Station, head east—HEP Five is located just behind the Hankyu Umeda Main Store.
Official Website:
http://www.hepfive.jp
