Grand Green Osaka

The Grand Green Osaka project is nearing its completion and the outlines of this new leisure area in Umeda district, in the north of Osaka city-center, are starting to emerge. This large urban complex of contemporary architecture, is characterized by a green space named Umekita Koen in Japanese (Umekita Park) at its center, surrounded by tall glass towers. The area is connected to Umeda Station’s trains 🚅 and metros thanks to underground passageways.

This elegant oasis is part of a large scale redevelopment project of Umeda district, more precisely of the Umekita area located in the north-west of the JR station, and whose name is a shortening of "Umeda Kita" or in other words "Umeda North". Built above a former JR rail freight station, Grand Green Osaka is the second leg of the area’s embellishment project that started more than 10 years ago, with among other feats:

• The overhaul of the JR station and the inauguration of the Osaka Station City complex in 2011;
• The opening of the Grand Front Osaka shopping mall in 2013.

Several buildings of Grand Green Osaka opened in 2024 and 2025, but the overall completion of the complex is awaited by 2027. Grand Green Osaka is like a city within the city and designed to cater to all needs and provide entertainment for all ages, in an environment suitable for hanging around. It is all part of a strategy to make Umeda more attractive, as while it is a business district and an important transport hub it also had a reputation of a dull and unwelcoming area.

Umekita Park, a 45,000 sqm green island

Umekita is the first green space of Umeda district of such a large superficies. Locals enjoy it for a break in their busy daily life and tourists for a green stroll between the buildings and a new way to explore the modern side of Osaka before diving in the festive and popular Namba, in the south of the city-center.

The park is arranged in a 45.000 m² circle and includes:

• A large lawn where people can sit to admire the view on the buildings;
• A water mirror with water sprays to cool off and for children to play with;
• Spaces embellished by seasonal blooming, and tree plantations for future sakura 🌸, koyo 🍁 and ginkgo viewing spots in Osaka;
• A coffee shop with a terrace providing a take away service; and,
• A 120 meters-long canopy designed by architectural firm SANAA.

The original white structure gives the place its identity. At sunset, the sun rays reflect on the surrounding glassed buildings, such as the tower of the Canopy by Hilton hotel 🏨. Modern artworks are also interspersed along the walkways.

Note that Umekita, as well as the Grand Green Osaka project, is divided into 2 areas separated by a large road: the southern area was completed in early 2025, and the northern area is still under construction. An elevated pedestrian way will soon connect the 2 areas.

Attractive entertainment and accommodation in the north of Osaka

Grand Green Osaka is moreover home to a large number of facilities: coffee shops, restaurants, shops, art galleries as well as several luxury hotels and a wellness center, most of them occupying high-rise buildings. We recommend a few places in the following non-exhaustive list:

• LOHE Coffee, internationally known for its quality, the brand has a special coffee made of Panama Finca Deborah Elipse whose beans are used for entering international contests.
• Cafe & Onigiri 🍙 boobooboo is a small restaurant specializing in onigiri rice balls, also located in the northern part of the complex that is still under construction.
• Near Umekita Park in the southern part, Time Out Market is the 1rst food court of the chain in Asia and extends on 3,000 m². Opened in March 2025, the concept offers the tasting of 17 different cuisines of the world, but also staple dishes of the Kansai area.
• Hankyu Gran Respire Osaka is a hotel that stands out from its competitors by focusing on wellness. The upscale complex also includes the Umekita Onsen Ren facility.
• Umekita Onsen ♨️ Ren is the largest urban spa of the Kansai area, with several gyms, massage and meditation parlors as well as various pools including thermal hot spring waters and an outdoor infinity pool with a view on the green Umekita Park.

Grand Green Osaka is very easy to access from the big stations of Osaka-Umeda and stand out as the ideal new place for a relaxing time between two visits in the area. The range of luxury hotels makes its northern side increasingly more attractive to foreign tourists. The peaceful park and the varied gastronomy available are a perfect blend for a lunch break, and the large spa comes as a relaxing bubble after a busy day.

When walking towards the north of Osaka, you’ll find an elevated view from the iconic Umeda Sky Building’s observatory that opened in 1993. Nearby, Nakanoshima Island is home to several museums, including a Museum of Oriental Ceramics, as well as Nakazakicho, a neighborhood with a retro atmosphere, lined with independent stores and coffee shops.