Osaka Spring Festival Travel Guide: Stroll the Hanshin Strawberry Valentine's Day, Enjoy Delicacies and Pick Souvenirs

The Spring Festival is a special time for family and friends to gather. Why not take this Spring Festival holiday to travel to Osaka and create some different, wonderful memories!

Every year at this time, the seasonal strawberry products at Hanshin Department Store's Umeda Main Store attract much attention. Japan has about 300 varieties of strawberries, and as regions continue to research and improve varieties, new distinctive types are constantly being introduced. Different varieties have different sweetness and acidity, which is the charm of Japanese strawberries. There are also various desserts made with sweet and juicy strawberries. During the Spring Festival, many merchants launch auspicious 'festive red' themed products. Come to Osaka this Spring Festival to explore new things and enjoy new fun!

From January 15 (Wednesday) to February 14 (Friday), Hanshin Department Store will hold its annual '2025 Hanshin Valentine's Day' event themed 'Strawberry Valentine's Day'. It will be held at the Gourmet Festival Terrace on the 1st floor, Japanese and Western confectionery counters on the basement 1st floor, event terraces on each floor, restaurants and cafes, etc. (※See below for details during the event period.)

At the Gourmet Festival Terrace on the 1st floor of Hanshin Department Store, limited-edition strawberry parfaits and cakes will be available during the event. The most notable is 'Lion CAFE''s Red Strawberry Pistachio Sundae. This dessert is carefully crafted by a couple of pastry chefs, decorated with flowers and chocolate on strawberries, full of romance and cuteness. The combination of rich homemade pistachio cream, cream mousse and strawberry jelly elevates the sweet and sour taste of strawberries to the extreme, creating a heartwarming delicious experience. Also, from 'KiiKa', there is the 'Marieji Strawberry Tasting Cake (2 pieces)', with super large strawberries on top that catch the eye. It uses Marieji strawberries from Wakayama Prefecture; the same variety but different flavors, allowing you to easily enjoy diverse tastes.

Next, at the counters on the 1st floor and basement 1st floor of Hanshin Department Store, there are various delicious strawberry desserts and many products ideal as souvenirs. For snacks, we recommend the 'Strawberry Baked Doughnuts' from 'Kashidokoro Aoyagi' in the OYATSU activity area on the 1st floor. They are soft and fluffy with a sweet strawberry flavor, also a good choice as a gift. Additionally, 'LUPICIA''s Flavored Tea 'Rosé Royal', which combines the aroma of sparkling wine and the sweetness of strawberries, is a luxurious yet refreshing black tea. It is recommended to enjoy it with snacks.

Moreover, restaurants and cafes on each floor of Hanshin Department Store are also going all out with strawberry-themed menus! At the cafe 'Kohoro' on the 7th floor, there is a Valentine's special mousse cake set (with drink). It combines the double strawberry flavor of sweet and sour strawberry mousse and strawberry jelly as the base, plus refreshing yogurt mousse. The three layers of rich texture and vivid colors offer a feast for both the eyes and taste buds. With so many limited-edition strawberry desserts during the Hanshin 'Strawberry Valentine's Day' event, won't you come and taste them?

Don't miss the fresh food market on the basement 1st floor of Hanshin Department Store! Over 20 varieties of strawberries are lined up, with a wide selection, all popular and rare varieties recommended by professional fruit buyers. Worth special attention is the 'Kyo no Shizuku' from 'Seisho Seika', a high-end brand strawberry carefully cultivated by 'Shibutani Farm' in Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture. Its biggest feature is that it is harvested before dawn when the fruit is at its best, then directly shipped to the factory. The skin is soft and the taste is sweet; one bite makes you feel its uniqueness.

The fresh food section on the basement 1st floor is definitely worth taking time to savor; every corner is full of tempting strawberry charm!

♡Event Period♡ ※The end time of the event and the final day varies by event

January 15 (Wed) – February 14 (Fri)

-B1F: Various Japanese and Western confectionery counters, various event areas

-1F: Gourmet Festival Terrace, Snack Terrace, Bread Terrace

-Restaurants and cafes

January 29 (Wed) – February 14 (Fri)

-Various floors of the store

Next, let me introduce some 'New Year・Spring' special themed 'auspicious red' series products with good meanings.

First, we recommend jewelry made from January's birthstone garnet from the 'Vendome Aoyama' brand on the 2nd floor of Hanshin Department Store. Garnet has the meaning of 'symbol of harvest', bringing good luck and strength, and is said to lead the results of hard work to success. Its deep red luster gives an impression of passionate burning. Inspired by the silhouette of street lamps illuminating Paris at night, combined with the deep tone unique to garnet and the elegant brown luster of diamonds, the whole accessory adds a romantic atmosphere. The same series offers necklaces, rings, and earrings that are also very attractive, making you want to match the whole set. Also, on the 3rd floor, 'Sirena Azzurro' offers rose-themed designed exquisite pendant necklaces and rings. The pendant has different rose designs on both sides, combining practicality and design.

Next, let me recommend some tableware and dining accessories that add to the dining pleasure. 'Gathering Table' on the 7th floor of Hanshin Department Store offers a series of red-themed masterpieces made in Japan. First, we recommend the 'Osaka Pewter' Mount Fuji sake cup, inspired by the fiery red Mount Fuji dyed in the morning sun. It is perfect as a New Year's gift. The pewter material is resistant to oxidation and does not easily discolor; with proper care, it can maintain its beautiful luster for a long time. Next is the beer glass from Edo Kiriko 'Saiho', with vertical stripes accented by the traditional pattern 'Hachikaku Kagome'. The kagome pattern has the auspicious meaning of warding off evil and ensuring safety. Third is the 'Wajima Kirimoto' cedar bowl (medium size), with a soft and rounded inside and a simple and clean curved outside, matching well on any table, Japanese or Western. Over time, the color changes slightly, allowing you to feel the sense of age in the bowl. Each product has the unique charm of 'Made in Japan'. How about it as a souvenir from a trip to Japan? ※Some products may be sold out; we appreciate your understanding.

The leisure section on the 7th floor of Hanshin Department Store offers many beneficial information and products to care for body and mind, helping you adjust according to your daily physical condition and mood. In this cold winter, hot water bottles are essential. Besides cute animal-themed hot water bottles, there are also silk & wool socks in moderate size and versatile design, and slippers with simple design, comfortable to wear, easy to walk in, and not easily deformed, all red-themed winter warming items that bring you warmth and comfort. ※Some products may be sold out; we appreciate your understanding.

When traveling to Osaka during the Spring Festival, be sure to visit Hanshin Umeda Main Store!

Needless to say, the convenience of shopping at Hanshin Department Store, which gathers foods from all over Japan, is obvious. During the 'Strawberry Valentine's Day' event, you can also taste various delicious desserts made with seasonal strawberries. The product range is abundant, very suitable for choosing souvenirs. Here, you can not only feel the vibrant and lively atmosphere unique to Osaka, but also satisfy your taste buds and soul! It is definitely worth adding to your Japan travel guide list!

Hanshin Department Store Umeda Main Store

Address: 1-13-13 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka City

Business hours: 10:00 – 20:00

※Some restaurants excluded

※Business hours are subject to change

※Business hours of some stores may vary slightly