Walk until your legs give out—Kansai’s largest comprehensive shopping paradise—Expocity

For some reason, I’ve always had a strong fondness for Expo Commemoration Park in Suita, Osaka. It can be described as an idyllic, breathtakingly beautiful utopia within the modern metropolis of Osaka. The historically rich and mysterious Sun Tower stands proudly here, where you can immerse yourself completely in nature. But what truly touches my heart is that beyond the natural beauty, this place also offers convenience and fun.

Speaking of fun, one must mention the giant Ferris wheel—Redhorse OSAKA WHEEL—that could almost be considered the symbol of this place. As soon as you exit the monorail station, you’ll see this massive Ferris wheel. After checking the homepage, I learned that it stands at a height of 123 meters, making it undoubtedly the largest Ferris wheel in Japan. For someone like me who loves stunning views and dreamy Ferris wheels, there was no hesitation—I had to take a ride for the ultimate sky experience.

No matter where you take a photo from, it’s guaranteed to be a scenic shot. Passing through the underpass beneath the Ferris wheel, you’ll see large signs on the walls. After buying a ticket, my friend and I couldn’t wait to dash into the cabin and enjoy the view. The Ferris wheel cabins include illustrated guides to the sights you’ll see during the ride, which is incredibly thoughtful. The entire ride takes 18 minutes, allowing you to slowly take in the changing and breathtaking scenery.Now, let’s enjoy the view from high above—here comes the highlight.

Watching the Sun Tower gradually shrink and the distant scenery become clearer, as someone riding such a Ferris wheel for the first time, I couldn’t help but gasp in awe. Not only the Sun Tower, but the views in every direction were endlessly beautiful. The entire Expocity was also fully visible. From the Ferris wheel, you can even watch the monorail trains passing by.

Looking out from the cabin, aside from the distant scenery, the Ferris wheel itself is also stunning. I’ve decided that after exploring all of Expocity, I must come back again at night to see the illuminated view.

After the Ferris wheel, head over to the adjacent Lalaport mall for more shopping.

I started my visit from the annex. As soon as I entered, I spotted a shop that had an incredibly comprehensive selection of sports goods. The whole store had a cool vibe. The annex has an overall style that’s quite edgy, with a Western-cool aesthetic.

Then I went to the main building, ready to shop till I dropped. The scale of Lalaport mall is truly enormous. I practically ran myself ragged from morning till night, yet still didn’t manage to visit all the stores. Whatever you want to buy, if you can think of it, it’s here. Every few steps, you’ll find a Champion store. For those who used to search for counters in various malls, this flagship store has so many styles it’ll make you cry with joy. JINS eyewear, beloved by so many, doesn’t require fighting with crowds of daigou shoppers like in Shinsaibashi—you can take your time and definitely find your favorite styles. And I must spill the tea: the staff here are super super nice.

This clothing brand closely follows Japanese youth fashion trends, blending French elegance with Japanese minimalism. Once I stepped inside, I couldn’t leave. Friends who love the combination of luxury and fashion definitely shouldn’t miss this spot. Beyond clothes, accessories are also worth checking out.

Of course, it’s not just for women—the men’s section here is also extensive, and most items even come with coordinated outfit suggestions. It’s a lifesaver for boyfriends who struggle with fashion choices. They even have shoes, which is genuinely touching.

There’s also an adorable lingerie brand that girls must visit. Japanese lingerie, regardless of cup size, is all super cute. Busty girls no longer have to settle for uninspired designs. They also have various scented candles. Perfect for all the lovely ladies. Aside from lingerie, there are also super cute bikinis. The entire store is just wonderful.

In addition, this is also a great place for families with kids, as there’s an entire floor dedicated to children’s brands. I picked a gift for my friend’s baby from this store called Hysteric Mini. Your trendy little one is ready to embrace this colorful and fashionable world. There’s nothing un-cute here.

Next up is food. KITANO ACE ONE is absolutely a paradise for those who love handmade meals and snack hunting—the selection of ingredients is endless. Piles and piles of food mountains—if you love treasure-hunting at wholesale markets, don’t you want to go wild here too?

After snacks, let’s talk about kitchenware. Whether you like cooking or not, stylish kitchen tools are essential. The variety goes without saying, and the aesthetics are off the charts, with quality you can trust. If you can bring them back, I’d recommend all you lovely folks to buy plenty to take home.

Now, this next place is impressive—none other than the famous Calbee, where potato chips are a favorite among snack lovers. Here, you can find various chip flavors, and even freshly fried Calbee fries. The store lights are even shaped like potato chips. The freshly fried fries are insanely delicious—the exterior is super crispy, while the inside is incredibly soft and fluffy, with the aroma of potatoes instantly filling the air. If I weren’t about to eat a meal soon, I could easily finish four or five more boxes. There are also limited-edition flavors like grilled crab, honey sweet potato, and the Osaka-exclusive no.1 best-selling soy sauce flavor.

After walking around, head to the second-floor food court for a feast. My first pick was this yakiniku place called Heijouen. No need for introductions—let’s start with some yakiniku. The photo shows a portion for two. I also got some seafood and even some wagyu sushi. Watching the butter melt into the scallop shells was pure bliss.

In the afternoon, I visited the very famous Flor, which blew my mind and opened up a whole new world of ice cream for me. Aside from ice cream, they also serve various desserts, coffee, and more. The decor has a retro vibe. The wooden tables and details exude a sense of luxury. I started with a small pizza and pasta—the utensils are tiny, perfect for girls with smaller appetites. Then I tried a beer recommended by the staff and waited for my ice cream.

And then came the main event—the ice cream. We ordered Oreo, mango, strawberry, almond, pistachio, and yogurt flavors. Flor’s ice cream has an incredibly smooth and creamy texture. Each flavor maximizes the taste of its ingredients, and none of the flavors overpower each other—they blend together perfectly. This ice cream is an absolute must-try. Plus, it’s super convenient here—you can even pay with Alipay. What are you waiting for? Go try it now.

Finally, another must-visit spot is this international buffet-style restaurant called Expo Cafeteria. Many of the dishes here are created based on the characteristics of different countries. I didn’t hesitate to go for the Expo set meal—it was so big I couldn’t finish it all. The ham was super tender, the beef incredibly flavorful. It was basically a luxurious fast food meal.

Aside from the places mentioned above, there’s also Nifrel, known as a “living museum,” which is also a must-visit. Nifrel is divided into eight unique themed zones, such as color and technique. Each one is breathtaking. Time seems to stand still here, allowing you to relax and experience the most beautiful side of nature.

Finally, I came back to check out the Ferris wheel at night.

At night, the entire Ferris wheel area has a completely different atmosphere from the daytime—it’s romantic in every inch. Let’s enjoy the night view of the Ferris wheel together. The night scenery from 123 meters high will move anyone. The bright lights of Osaka look like a brilliant galaxy. Seeing such beauty, I was momentarily speechless, only wishing time would slow down, just a little more, so I could soak in this incredible view for just a few more seconds.

Moreover, Redhorse OSAKA WHEEL is about to launch a new projection introduction experience inside the Ferris wheel. (For specific opening times, please refer to the official homepage.) It allows for a more intuitive and detailed understanding of the Ferris wheel.Come and have a little preview.

For more details and delightful experiences, you’ll just have to come and see them for yourself.

Expocity is truly a massive comprehensive entertainment paradise where you can find anything you’re looking for. I recommend setting aside a full day to ride Japan’s number one Ferris wheel for romance, shop till you drop in the malls, and you definitely won’t regret it. Highly recommended. (All product prices mentioned are from the time of shooting and may be subject to change.))