Why Osu for Pokemon Cards?
Osu (大須) is Nagoya's most exciting shopping district and the heart of the city's card collecting scene. The covered Osu Shopping Street (大須商店街) stretches across multiple blocks near Osu Kannon Temple, mixing traditional shops with modern card stores, electronics retailers, and quirky boutiques.
While smaller than Akihabara or Den Den Town, Osu offers a unique charm with its temple district atmosphere and tightly packed shopping arcades. Card shops here often carry inventory that has already sold out in Tokyo and Osaka, making it a worthwhile stop for serious collectors. Nagoya's central location between Tokyo and Osaka also makes it an easy day trip on the Shinkansen.
Getting to Osu
- Nagoya Subway Tsurumai Line - Kamimaezu Station (Exit 9). Closest station to Osu Shopping Street. 1 minute walk.
- Nagoya Subway Meijo Line - Kamimaezu Station. Transfer point from Sakae area.
- Nagoya Subway Tsurumai Line - Osu Kannon Station (Exit 2). Alternative station, near Osu Kannon Temple. 3 minute walk to shops.
- From Nagoya Station - Take the Higashiyama Line to Sakae, transfer to Meijo Line to Kamimaezu. About 15 minutes total.
- From Chubu Centrair Airport - Take Meitetsu Limited Express to Nagoya Station (30 min), then subway as above. About 50 minutes total.
Tips for Foreign Visitors
- Tax-free shopping - Larger chain stores offer tax-free. Smaller independent shops may not, so ask before purchasing.
- Payment - Cash preferred at smaller shops. Larger stores accept credit cards and IC cards (manaca/Suica).
- Best time to visit - Weekday mornings are quietest. The shopping street gets lively on weekends with street performers and food stalls.
- Covered arcades - Most of Osu Shopping Street is covered, making it a great rainy-day activity. Card shops are clustered in the eastern section.
- Osu Kannon Temple - Start your visit at Osu Kannon Temple, then walk through the shopping arcade. Monthly flea markets (18th and 28th) sometimes have vintage card sellers.
- Day trip friendly - Nagoya is 1h40m from Tokyo and 50min from Osaka by Shinkansen. Osu is easily doable as a day trip.
What You Can Find
15
Booster Boxes
15
Singles
3
PSA Graded
8
Vintage
5
English Cards
4
Oripa