Try out 10 beauty products for free at Kintetsu Department Store’s “Pressure-Free Makeup Trial Zone” in Osaka!

Reported and photographed by reporter Tsai Wen-jun / Japan

Do you want to try popular beauty products at department store counters but prefer not to have a sales assistant hovering nearby? Kintetsu Department Store inside Osaka Abeno Harukas has set up a dedicated trial area that gathers all the top skincare and makeup items from the store’s various counters, allowing shoppers to try them to their heart's content.

▲ Kintetsu Department Store has gathered all the popular beauty and skincare products from its counters into a dedicated trial zone where customers can freely try them out.

▲%Here, you can try out your favorite products without any pressure.%

With the depreciation of the Japanese yen, many female travelers visiting Japan make it a point to explore department stores in search of desired items, taking advantage of the favorable exchange rate to purchase them at lower prices. To allow female customers to relax and try out popular items from various counters without feeling disturbed, Kintetsu Department Store has set up a large trial zone called “Beauty Oasis” on the 2nd floor of the Tower Building (タワー0階), featuring everything from skincare to cosmetics, and even makeup brushes for testing. The area also thoughtfully provides items like cotton pads and eyeshadow applicators, so customers can pick their favorites here before making their purchases at the counters.

“Beauty Oasis” also has attendants available to offer brief introductions and assistance when needed. Kintetsu Department Store also provides Chinese-speaking translators, and if language barriers arise, they can help with communication. Some counters also have dedicated Chinese translators to ensure a smoother shopping experience.

▲ Among only three locations in all of Japan where the SK-II MYV Essence series is sold, Kintetsu Department Store is one of them.

▲ An International VIP Lounge that offers tax refund services.

Kintetsu Department Store also provides tax refund services, with the refund counter located on the 3.5th floor at the International VIP Lounge. Foreign visitors who spend over 5,000 yen across various brand stores within the department store are eligible for tax exemption (some stores are excluded; please refer to Kintetsu’s regulations).

▲%You can try it out just once to see how you like it.%

Additionally, when getting a tax refund here, you’ll receive a complimentary drink card and discount voucher. Customers can use the drink card to get a free beverage at the lounge, which now also sells common transportation tickets such as the Osaka Amazing Pass (1-day and 2-day tickets), Kansai 2-Day and 3-Day Passes, Universal Studios Japan tickets, and more, making it more convenient to explore the Kansai region.

▲ This location also sells Universal Studios Japan tickets and various transportation passes frequently used by travelers.

▲ Exterior view of the Abeno Harukas building.

Kintetsu Department Store Main Store, Osaka
Address: 1-1-43 Abenosuji, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan
Access: Direct access from Tennoji Subway Station