Kobe is a top destination for shopping due to the several large malls around the city. Although the best-known is Kobe Harborland umie, one of the biggest is AEON MALL Kobe Kita. Located in the north part of the city, it spans 60,000 square meters and features enough parking for 4,000 vehicles. Since the mall opened in November 2006, it has been a popular choice for affordable products ranging from food, liquor, and snacks to cosmetics, clothing, and accessories.
The mall is named for the AEON supermarket, where customers can find a vast array of everyday goods like food, cleaning products, personal care items, and souvenirs.
The supermarket’s own brand is called TOPVALU. It sells numerous high-quality but cost-effective products, including candies, cosmetics, and beverages like sake and shochu. The brand recently began selling draft beer — which quickly became a bestseller. Made from European hops, it has a delicious flavor but is available for a low price.
Many Kobe residents make the trip up to AEON MALL Kobe Kita to buy supplies in bulk. DAISO 100 Yen Store is ideal for bulk purchases, particularly stationery, confectionary, and household supplies. However, the biggest draw of this store is its cosmetic counter — especially for the gel nails, which come in around 40 colors.
It’s worth exploring the mall to search for unique stores that appeal to your interests. For instance, there are upscale bakeries, lifestyle stores, and places selling electronics, consumer goods, and miscellaneous items. As well as simply walking around, you can use the digital display to search for information — available in English, Japanese, and other languages.
Connected to the mall by a pedestrian bridge is Kobe Sanda Premium Outlets. This second building opened just under a year after AEON MALL Kobe Kita. It is the largest outlet mall in Kansai, selling many products from luxury brands at reduced prices. The best time to visit is when a sale is on, which happens every few months.
If you’re taking advantage of a visit to AEON MALL Kobe Kita for serious shopping, you may need a break at some point — especially if you’re visiting with kids. There are comfortable couches all around the mall as well as a baby room you can use if you have an infant you need to change or feed.
For a longer break, head to one of the restaurants. There are dining zones on the first and second floors and a primary food court on the third floor. The inspiration for all the restaurant areas comes from Ogo-cho town in the countryside of Kobe.
If you are exploring the northern part of Kobe, definitely visit AEON MALL Kobe Kita. You could, for instance, combine your visit with a trip to Arima-Onsen, one of the area’s top tourist attractions and less than 20 minutes away by car.
Mti, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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