KOHNAN Home Center Gardens Umekita
KOHNAN Home Center is a home improvement store chain operated by KOHNAN Corporation, a publicly listed company headquartered in Osaka. Centered around the Kansai region, the company operates stores throughout Japan, as well as overseas in countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia.
From building materials to household goods, gardening supplies, and stationery, KOHNAN Home Center offers a wide range of products, making it one of its key strengths that most everyday necessities can be purchased in one place.
Gardens Umekita is a new-concept store operated by KOHNAN Home Center, focusing on plants and aquariums. In addition to houseplants, tropical fish, aquatic plants, and terrariums, the store also hosts workshops and events, making it a place to relax and unwind in the heart of Umeda, one of Osaka’s busiest areas.
I originally discovered this place while searching for aquarium supplies, as I keep a tropical fish called a betta. With its spacious layout, diverse selection of plants, and beautifully maintained aquariums filled with colorful tropical fish, it has since become a place I occasionally stop by whenever I’m in Umeda.
Store Information
●Location
〒530-0011 大阪府大阪市北区大深町6-38 グラングリーン大阪ショップ＆レストラン 北館 1階
(1F, North Building, Grand Green Osaka Shops & Restaurants, 6-38 Ofukacho, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 530-0011)
About a 15-minute walk from Umeda Station (Midosuji Line, 御堂筋線 梅田駅)
●Phone
+81 6-6136-5737
●Business Hours
10:00–20:00
●Notes
The store is located on the ground floor outside the main building of Grand Green Osaka North Building.
Ornamental Fish
As you step into Gardens Umekita in the North Building of Grand Green Osaka in Umeda, the first thing that catches your eye is a series of beautifully arranged aquariums filled with ornamental fish. Each tank lining the entrance features its own distinct layout and atmosphere, naturally slowing your pace as you move through the space.
Watching the fish glide among driftwood and aquatic plants, you find your gaze lingering and your mind gradually calming, even if you only stopped by briefly. I find myself standing there for quite some time, quietly taking it all in, which naturally makes me wonder what else there might be further inside.
What impressed me the most was how each aquarium is beautifully designed to match the colors, sizes, and overall atmosphere of the ornamental fish.
In most home improvement stores, including KOHNAN Home Center, aquarium tanks are typically set up with sales in mind, often displaying only the fish themselves with little emphasis on layout.
In particular, the tanks thoughtfully arranged around aquatic plants feature layouts of such high quality that they naturally draw admiration.
It feels as if each aquarium were an entry in an international aquascaping competition, with every tank conveying a sense of beauty and a dreamlike atmosphere.
There is also a dedicated space for selling tropical fish such as bettas. Because bettas can breathe air and male bettas need to be kept separately, they are often sold in small containers, and as someone who keeps bettas myself, I honestly find it a little heartbreaking to see them this way.
At KOHNAN Home Center Gardens Umekita, a wide variety of living creatures are sold, including not only bettas and other ornamental fish, but also shrimp and small reptiles.
Aquatic Plants
The aquatic plants are also in excellent condition overall, giving the impression that they are well cared for. From beginner-friendly plants such as Anubias nana to plants already attached to driftwood, the selection is wide and varied.
When purchasing aquatic plants, you may occasionally be told that it is fine to place them in the aquarium as they are in their pots. However, I personally recommend removing the pot and the sponge inside. In particular, with Anubias nana, burying the rhizome can cause it to rot and lead to water quality issues, so extra care is needed when setting it up.
Terrariums
Terrariums are a hobby with a surprisingly devoted group of enthusiasts. From small to large glass containers, and from rounded shapes to clean, rectangular forms, each terrarium has its own sense of beauty and a distinct world, drawing you in almost without noticing.
I don’t often have the chance to take a close look at terrariums, but those featuring Studio Ghibli character figurines were especially memorable. Their charming arrangements made them feel less like simple decorations and more like scenes lifted directly from an animated film.
Houseplants
One thing you can’t miss at KOHNAN Home Center Gardens Umekita is its collection of houseplants. The spacious store is designed with a botanical garden–like atmosphere throughout, allowing visitors to browse and purchase a wide variety of plants.
It is a green, calming space where you can take a short break from the bustle of Umeda, right in the heart of Osaka.
Aquarium Supplies
One of the reasons I often stop by Gardens Umekita is to purchase aquarium supplies. From basic items such as heaters, beneficial bacteria, and water conditioners to aquariums of various sizes, most of what is needed for aquarium maintenance can be found in one place, making shopping convenient. In particular, the store also carries high-end products that are rarely seen in the aquarium sections of regular KOHNAN Home Centers, which adds to its sense of uniqueness.
From ornamental fish and aquatic plants to terrariums, houseplants, and aquarium supplies, KOHNAN Home Center Gardens Umekita offers more than just a place to shop. Its greatest appeal lies in being a space where you can enjoy browsing, discover new interests, and take a moment to relax.
■Gardens Umekita
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