Japan Honeymoon: Day 8 (Rinku Town & Dotonbori Shopping)

Some days, you just have to go all in on shopping and spontaneity, and that’s exactly what we did. We spent an entire day hunting for great deals for ourselves and finding the perfect souvenirs and gifts for our friends and family. Even though it was a rainy day, our shopping trips to Rinku Town and Dotonbori were totally worth it. We were completely tired by the end of it all, but it was a great day.

Here’s the day’s itinerary:

10:00 AM: Kicked off the day with some serious retail therapy at Rinku Premium Outlets.
4:00 PM: Headed home for a quick and much-needed afternoon break.
6:00 PM: Braved the rain for a lively evening of shopping and delicious seafood in vibrant Dotonbori!

Our First Stop: Finding Deals and Souvenirs at Rinku Town

Our first stop was Rinku Town, a place friends recommended for its great outlet deals. We arrived at 11 in the morning and immediately started exploring the many different shops. The town offers a wide variety of stores, from major brands like Adidas and Nike to charming specialty shops like Sanrio, where I found some cute goodies. We spent a long time at the sportswear stores, buying most of our gifts for our family. In addition to the stores, the area also has many restaurants, so visitors can easily take a break and grab a bite to eat.

Because Rinku Town is conveniently located right next to the train station, it is very accessible. This is why many visitors come here first after arriving at KIX airport to buy new clothes, or they stop by for a quick shopping spree while waiting for a flight. Rinku Town’s stores are typically open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., so you have plenty of time to shop and enjoy a meal.

Access:

From Glico Man to a Hidden Izakaya: A Night in Dotonbori

Shopping and Sightseeing in Dotonbori

Afterwards, we headed to Dotonbori to experience the famous nightlife. We planned to take a boat ride on the canal, but we were too late. So, we decided to walk around instead and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. The streets were incredibly busy, even at night, with people enjoying the sights and sounds. We stopped at an Onitsuka store, which was very crowded with shoppers looking for good deals.

Our walk eventually led us to the famous Ebisubashi Bridge, a popular spot for photos. From the bridge, we got a perfect view of the iconic Glico Running Man sign and took some pictures. The night ended with more shopping at drugstores and a cosmetics store – Cosme. I found some highly-rated makeup, and we also bought more souvenirs for our families back home.

The Search for Dinner

The search for dinner became a challenge as it was a rainy night and the area was packed. Every shop and floor seemed to have a restaurant or snack stall, which made it feel overwhelming. The restaurants had long queues, and we couldn’t find an empty table anywhere. It was difficult to decide where to eat with all the crowds.

Just as we were about to give up, a Japanese lady came near us and offered her menu. She promised us that we would get seats for sure. It felt a little like a scam at first, but we decided to follow her. It turned out to be a fantastic izakaya, and we ended up with some delicious food. The meal was a bit expensive, but the experience was a great way to end a fun-filled night.