Osaka: HEP FIVE

Hello! I’m A. I am currently on exchange in Osaka, Japan. I wanted to write about my experiences here as an exchange student from Canada. I am on a full exchange at Kansai Gaidai University. I will be living in Osaka for five months, studying Japanese!

While my main focus is on school, I also want to spend time exploring Osaka, a city that has so much to offer. One of the places I recently visited and highly recommend is HEP FIVE, a shopping mall right outside of Umeda Station.

But wait, HEP FIVE is more than just a shopping mall! It’s a cultural and entertainment hub where young people, especially students, hang out and shop. What makes HEP FIVE stand out isn’t just its size but its distinctive bright red Ferris wheel that sits on the roof of the building. It’s hard to miss this landmark when walking around the Umeda area. The mall itself has nine stories, filled with a wide variety of stores, restaurants, and entertainment options.

Since I’m a student myself, I was happy to find that many of the stores here cater specifically to young adults and students, which means many stores offer prices that are generally affordable. Popular stores such as WEGO and Spinns offer a unique blend of streetwear and trendy outfits that are popular among Japanese youth. You’ll find the latest Japanese fashion trends and even some cute accessories that you won’t be able to find in Canada.

Of course, shopping isn’t the only thing you can do at HEP FIVE. The mall has a great variety of entertainment options. On one of the top floors, you’ll find Purikura booths, which are those famous Japanese photo booths where you can take cute, heavily edited photos with your friends. It’s something you should definitely try, especially if you want a fun, unique souvenir from your trip to Osaka. My friends and I had a lot of fun decorating our pictures.

But the highlight of HEP FIVE’s entertainment is definitely the Ferris wheel. This iconic red Ferris wheel isn’t just for decoration—it’s a fully functioning ride that offers some of the best views of Osaka. For about 500 yen, you can take a 15-minute ride and get a bird’s eye view of the city. Whether you go during the day to see the sprawling cityscape or at night when Osaka’s lights twinkle below, it’s a magical experience.

Additionally, the location itself is perfect if you want to explore more of Osaka after your trip to the mall. Umeda is one of the city’s major commercial and entertainment districts, so you can easily head to nearby spots like Umeda Sky Building or take a walk through the bustling streets of Dotonbori.

As someone on exchange in Osaka, it’s been a great spot to not only shop but also immerse myself in the vibrant, fast-paced life of the city.

If you’re ever in Osaka, make sure to visit HEP FIVE—you won’t regret it!

Until next time, またね!