Osaka 2026: Shinsaibashi's Anime Fun & Grand Rocher Michelin Lunch

Hello everyone! It's Yappi! 😊

Following up from last time, I'm back today with the

11th installment of our May Osaka trip with my husband!

Can you believe it's already the 11th part? Time flies, doesn't it?

Today, I'll be sharing everything from shopping at Daimaru Department Store

to a Michelin-starred French course in Osaka, so get ready for an exciting read! 💕

1. Osaka Pokémon Center DX & Kirby Cafe

✅Daimaru Shinsaibashi 9F

✅Hours: Daily 10:00~20:00 (Kirby Cafe until 19:00)

It's no secret that Pokémon card popularity is absolutely huge these days,

spanning both East and West!

As soon as we arrived in Osaka,

my husband Yappu exclaimed, "We absolutely HAVE to go to the Pokémon Center!"

While there's also one in Umeda, we headed straight to the

'Pokémon Center Osaka DX' branch, located in Daimaru Department Store Shinsaibashi!

When we went up, it was absolutely packed... 😱

The most striking thing was the incredibly long line for checkout!

Honestly, I never had much interest in Pokémon,

but as soon as I saw the real-life Pikachus and all the merchandise,

I couldn't help but think, "Oh my gosh, I HAVE to buy this..." ㅠㅠ They're just too cute!

I've been really enjoying Pocopia on Nintendo lately,

and if I had been playing Pocopia back then,

I probably would have bought at least one Ditto plushie, no questions asked, haha! 💜

By the way, for those whose main goal is to get Pokémon card packs

like Yappu, a word of caution!

This DX branch primarily sells merchandise rather than card packs.

If you're looking for card packs,

I recommend visiting a specialized Pokémon card store

in Dotonbori or Namba! 👍

And right on the same floor, we also found

'Kirby Cafe Osaka'!

While browsing through Pokémon,

you'll naturally see it connected, and honestly,

the visuals are so incredibly cute, my heart just fluttered... 🌸

While we couldn't go inside the cafe,

I spent quite a while just looking at the menu.

The Kirby omurice I'd seen on YouTube and

those incredibly detailed cakes... 🥹

They were almost too cute to eat!

The Pokémon Cafe always has an insane wait,

but the Kirby Cafe seemed relatively

easy to get into right away,

so I definitely want to try it next time!

2. Michelin French Cuisine

Grand Rocher

✅Lunch 12-2 PM, Dinner 6-8 PM (Closed Wednesdays)

✅Menu: Lunch Premier Course (~$67 per person)

✅Reservations: Advance booking required ⭕

Every time my husband and I travel to Japan,

we always make sure to seek out

French or Italian restaurants!

Did you know you can enjoy high-quality cuisine

at much more reasonable prices than in Korea? 🍷

Japan historically adopted Western culture early on,

leading to highly developed French cuisine!

With fierce competition, quality has gone up

while prices have come down, so there are

truly many Michelin-starred gems to discover.

​

On my last trip to Sapporo,

I had such a satisfying experience at 'Le Gentilhomme,'

so for this Osaka trip,

I made sure to book and visit 'Grand Rocher,'

which was selected for the 2024 and 2025 Michelin Guides!

Stepping into the luxurious space adorned with natural marble,

the city noise completely faded away,

and it was pure bliss!

The tableware, from luxury brands like Hermès and Christofle,

made it feel like all my senses were truly indulging,

both visually and gastronomically!

My husband thoughtfully booked us seats right in front of the open kitchen,

allowing us to watch the chefs work their magic firsthand!

🍷Lunch Premier Course Lineup

​

1) Amuse-bouche

Beet Gazpacho & Straw-Smoked Bonito

2) Appetizer

Sardine Stuffed with Eggplant and Tomato

& Edamame Hummus

3) Middle Course

Fried Kinmedai (Splendid Alfonsino) with Cheese Espuma, Ashitaba Genovese

4) Main Course

Yamaguchi Prefecture A5 Wagyu Tenderloin Steak

5) Dessert

Kiwi Matcha French Rice Pudding

6) Mignardises

Coffee/Tea & Canelés, Financiers

We kicked off the course with a refreshing ginger ale and red wine🥂

The first dish, a charming mini hot dog,

brought a smile to my face with its adorable plating,

making me feel like I was on a camping trip!

Next up was the sweet and sour beet gazpacho,

a delightful mix of seasonal vegetables, fruits, and jelly that truly awakened my palate,

and the accompanying bread, perfectly crispy outside and soft inside,

with its rich butter flavor, was pure artistry!

The sardines, filled with eggplant and tomato in a hummus-style sauce made from mashed edamame,

were incredibly light, savory, and utterly delightful – truly a continuous string of delights!

The fried Kinmedai snapper and cheese espuma, made with a red snapper popular in Japan,

had an incredibly tender flesh that was absolutely exquisite.

And now for the highlight:

the A5 grade Wagyu beef tenderloin from Yamaguchi Prefecture! 🥩

I was so glad we opted for the Premier Course instead of the Standard one;

the doneness was absolutely perfect, and it just melted away in my mouth...

The accompanying pumpkin and bell peppers beautifully

cut through any richness, making it perfect right to the very last bite.

For our grand finale, the dessert:

a kiwi matcha French rice pudding that felt just like savoring gelato.

A refreshing kiwi dessert that perfectly cleansed the palate after such a rich meal.🩷

And to top it all off, financiers and canelés that were the ultimate champions of crispy-outside-soft-inside!

If you're visiting Osaka for an anniversary or a special date,

absolutely seek out a Michelin French restaurant!

You'll find many more fantastic places than you expect,

adding another layer of joy to your trip.

Grand Rocher Tabelog Reservation Link

↓↓↓

Grand rocher - Higobashi/French/Reservations Available | Tabelogtabelog.com

3. Simple Joys of

Osaka Streets & Shopping

After a wonderfully satisfying lunch,

we wandered aimlessly through the charming alleys of Osaka,

letting our feet lead the way!

When we eventually felt tired from all the walking,

we re-energized with a refreshing melon soda and an iced coffee.

And don't forget to refuel with something sweet!

Passing by, we were drawn in by a delicious, savory scent,

and ended up savoring some Okonomiyaki and grilled oysters!

And of course, a trip to Japan isn't complete without

a stop at Don Quijote, where we filled our baskets to the brim

after some intense shopping!

Sadly, it's no longer there, but

the Chrome Hearts store in Osaka that I visited back then

had such a beautiful, tranquil, and antique atmosphere.

It was truly lovely, but I heard they recently

closed down operations 🥹

Osaka truly is a city with endless delicious food

and countless sights to explore.

I hope today's post offered a little help for your

Osaka travel plans,

and I'll be back with Part 12 next time! 👋

May Osaka Trip #9 | Osaka Budget-Friendly Accommodation Recommendation! Wellina Hotel Premier Nakanoshima West, Standard Twin Room, Public Bath, 3 Nights (My Own Review)blog.naver.com