Updated November 2026: Kansai now has six Costco warehouses. The newest, in Higashiomi (Shiga), opened in August 2024 and is now included in this guide.
Before we begin with Costco stores in Osaka and the Kansai area, let me explain shortly about shopping for groceries in Japan. As living in Japan is an adjustment for most expatriates, one of the hardest adjustments for me was learning how to grocery shop the Japanese way. With tiny living spaces and even tinier kitchens, it's no wonder that products at Japanese supermarkets seem, well... tiny.
Individually packaged chicken breasts sit in the refrigerated section. Eggs come in packs of tens, not dozens. Even the big party-size bags of cookies and snacks only have a few serving sizes held within. It doesn't take too long before you're all out and back in that supermarket buying a sad little two-pack of paper towel. It takes some getting used to, but eventually the ritual of grocery shopping and planning your meals for the next few days, rather than weeks, can become habit. One perk is that it tends to lead to less overall food waste, but still the ease and convenience of buying in bulk is hard to let go of. However, Costcos in Osaka and the Kansai Area can solve this problem.
Is There a Costco in Osaka?
Costco has warehouses in Izumi and Kadoma in Osaka Prefecture, as well as locations in Amagasaki, Kobe, Kyoto (Yawata) and Higashiomi (Shiga) in the wider Kansai area. The Amagasaki warehouse is near a bus stop served from JR Amagasaki and Hankyu Sonoda stations. For Kobe, the route from Gakuentoshi Station includes a bus to Kozukayama 6-chome and a walk. These warehouses carry bulk groceries, Japanese products and prepared foods. Choose a warehouse based on your departure point and preferred transport.
COSTCO LOCATIONS IN KANSAI ON THE MAP
Tap a warehouse to open it in Google Maps:
- Costco Amagasaki (Amagasaki, Hyogo)
- Costco Kobe (Tarumi Ward, Kobe, Hyogo)
- Costco Izumi (Izumi, Osaka)
- Costco Kyoto Yawata (Yawata, Kyoto)
- Costco Kadoma (Kadoma, Osaka)
- Costco Higashiomi (Higashiomi, Shiga)
WHY COSTCO?
Maybe that's a part of why Costco has become a godsend to most foreigners living in Japan. It's not just a wholesale warehouse store anymore. It's a treasure trove of tasty foreign foods that remind them of home. An oasis of bulk buying in a desert of single-serving supermarkets and convenience stores. With just one purchase from Costco, you eliminate the need for countless trips to the supermarket. Journeys to Costco have become social events for groups of friends looking to save and grab a bite at the food court. Great for those nostalgic food items you can't find anywhere else in Japan and stocking up on staples, Costco is a must for any foreigner living in Japan.
On the outside Costco warehouses in Japan appear the same as they do anywhere else. Inside, though, you'll find bulk Japanese groceries sitting right alongside the imported products, so a trip here feels a little different from a Costco back home.
COSTCO FOOD COURT
Photo: Matt Johnson, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized)
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If you've been to a Costco abroad, the food court will look familiar. Menu items and prices can change, so check the menu board when you arrive. For many shoppers, a stop at the food court is part of every Costco trip.
All for the low cost of 5,280 yen per year--a steal compared to the 65 dollar fee in the States--getting a Costco membership in Osaka and Kansai region of Japan seems almost too good to be true. Unfortunately, there is one major drawback to shopping at Costco for some folks in Japan: the locations. Due to their size Costco warehouses are often located far from any city center. Hitching a ride with friends is a great solution, and some people even shell out for the cost of a taxi. But not everyone can quickly make plans or afford to catch a cab every time they want to go to Costco. In fact, it's completely possible to make a Costco trip using public transport and your own two feet. This list of all six Costco warehouses open in Osaka and the wider Kansai area covers the details and directions to each one.
1. KANSAI AREA - COSTCOS: AMAGASAKI LOCATION
Photo: Kirakirameister, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized)
This Kansai Costco has all the bells and whistles of its standard American counterpart. Inside there's a pharmacy, hearing aids center, and optical department. For those with vehicles, there's also a tire center, a gas station (open 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM) and a multistory car park with 936 spaces and a 2.3-meter height limit.
HOW TO GET THERE:
The nearest station is Hankyu Sonoda, and Costco's website puts the walk at about 18 minutes. If you'd rather not walk, Hanshin Bus route 24 runs from both Hankyu Sonoda and JR Amagasaki stations to the Kozono bus stop, which is a 3-minute walk from the warehouse. The walking route isn't totally straightforward, so keep your smartphone handy if you plan to walk.
Amagasaki Costco: https://www.costco.co.jp/store-finder/Amagasaki
2. KANSAI AREA - COSTCOS: KOBE LOCATION
The Kobe Costco has less available parking than the Amagasaki location. But except for the gas station, it otherwise boasts the same features. It sits next to a golf and futsal facility.
HOW TO GET THERE:
This Costco, while technically located in Kobe city, is quite a ways from the city center. One way is to take the Kobe City Subway Seishin-Yamate line to Gakuentoshi Station, then a bus to the Kozukayama 6-chome stop. From there it's a 7-minute walk to the Costco.
Another way is to take the JR Sanyo Main Line to Maiko Station and catch a bus to the same stop, Kozukayama 6-chome. This way isn't as fast as taking the subway, but if you're coming from a different direction than downtown Kobe, it may be more convenient.
If you drive, Costco recommends leaving the Daini-Shinmei Road at Tarumi Junction or Takamaru Interchange, because the Gakuen-minami Interchange gets very crowded. On weekends and holidays, Costco asks shoppers to use public transport where possible.
Kobe Costco: https://www.costco.co.jp/store-finder/Kobe
3. OSAKA - COSTCO: IZUMI LOCATION
Photo: Merie, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized)
This Costco in Osaka opened in 2014. It's located south of Osaka city in Izumi. It happens to be next door to a Lalaport mall, and if you're in the mood for shopping this might make your trip a little bit more worth it. Like the Amagasaki location, there's a gas station at this Costco (open 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM).
HOW TO GET THERE:
The nearest station is Izumi-chuo on the Semboku Rapid Railway. Costco's website recommends a 10-minute taxi ride from there. If you'd prefer a bus, check a route planner for the latest options before you go.
Izumi Costco: https://www.costco.co.jp/store-finder/Izumi
4. KANSAI AREA - COSTCOS: KYOTO
The name of this location might imply proximity to Kyoto city. However, it's closer to the midway point between Kyoto and Osaka in Yawata city. Unlike the Kobe location, it has a gas station, which opened next to the warehouse in November 2021 and is open from 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM. All the other amenities, like the optical department and pharmacy, are present at this Costco as well.
HOW TO GET THERE:
The route Costco recommends starts at Matsuiyamate Station on the JR Gakkentoshi Line. From platform 3 outside the station, take a Keihan bus to the Minoyama Elementary School (Minoyama Shougakkou) stop. The warehouse is a 2-minute walk from there.
Kyoto Yawata Costco https://www.costco.co.jp/store-finder/Kyoto%20Yawata
5. KADOMA AREA - COSTCO: KADOMA
Photo: Mr.ちゅらさん, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized)
The Kadoma Costco is conveniently located for both public transport users and drivers, providing easy access for shoppers in the area. Unlike the Costco in Kyoto Yawata, which is positioned between Kyoto and Osaka, the Kadoma store serves residents closer to Osaka, offering the same wide range of products and services Costco is known for. It opened in August 2023 next to LaLaport Kadoma and Mitsui Outlet Park Osaka Kadoma, and it has its own gas station, open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
By Train and Bus:
- From Keihan Main Line or Osaka Monorail: A 10-minute walk from Kadomashi Station.
- From Osaka Metro: Take a bus from the Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line at Kadoma Minami Station's No. 2 exit. Get off at the bus stop for LaLaport KADOMA or Mitsui Outlet Park Osaka Kadoma.
By Car:
- From Neyagawa and Shijonawate: Follow Route 163 straight through the Yanagimachi intersection.
- From Settsu and Ibaraki: Use the Osaka Central Circular Line, pass through the Matsuocho intersection without descending the side road (over the overpass), and continue straight at the Kadoma Tax Office intersection.
- From Suita: Take Route 479, turn left at the intersection in front of Osaka International School, and continue straight at the Kadoma Tax Office intersection.
- From Higashi Osaka: Navigate the Osaka Central Circular Line, then turn right at the Kadoma Kita Exit West and East intersection.
- From Osaka City: Turn right at the Kikusuitori 2 intersection on Route 163 and proceed straight at the Kadoma Tax Office intersection.
Parking:
- The facility boasts 936 parking spaces with a height restriction of 2.4 meters in the multistory car park.
- Parking Fees: Basic parking fee is 200 yen for 30 minutes. Purchases over 5,000 yen entitle you to 2 hours of free parking, and purchases over 10,000 yen offer 3 hours of free parking. Note that prepaid card purchases and charges are excluded from this offer.
CUSTOMER SERVICE HOURS:
The store adjusts its operating hours during the New Year period, with specific hours listed for December 31st (7:00 AM - 6:00 PM), closure on January 1st, and resumed service from January 2nd (10:00 AM - 8:00 PM). Regular holiday hours are from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, subject to change based on crowd conditions. The same New Year and holiday hours are listed for every Kansai warehouse.
For more details, visit the Kadoma Costco at https://www.costco.co.jp/store-finder/Kadoma.
6. SHIGA - COSTCO: HIGASHIOMI
The Higashiomi warehouse opened on August 23, 2024, and is the first Costco in Shiga Prefecture. It's in Higashiomi city on the east side of Lake Biwa, so it's mainly useful if you live in Shiga or have a car. The warehouse has a food court, pharmacy, optical department, hearing aids center and tire center, plus a gas station (7:00 AM to 8:30 PM).
HOW TO GET THERE:
The nearest station is Yokaichi Station on the Ohmi Railway. Costco's website lists two bus options from there, the Chokotto Bus Ichihara Line and the Ohmi Railway Bus Misono Line, both serving the Nakakoji stop. Check Costco's page for the exact stop and walking time before you go.
If you're driving, head north from Yokaichi Interchange, go straight through the Yokaichi IC intersection, and the warehouse is about 500 meters ahead on your right. There's an open-air car park with 906 spaces.
Higashiomi Costco: https://www.costco.co.jp/store-finder/Higashiomi
IN CONCLUSION
Costco warehouses in Japan share much in common with those elsewhere. Outwardly, they're almost identical. Inside they share a lot of the same items as well as Costco's own beloved Kirkland Signature brand products. While some of Japanese Costcos' products differ from the products you find overseas, this is not the main difference between a Japanese Costco and a Western one. The real difference is obvious once you pull into the parking lot and walk through the front door. Japanese Costcos are crowded. Costco in Japan is not a store. It's a destination.
Japanese people also often visit the store in large groups, bringing along kids of all ages and a grandparent or two. Japan has just 37 Costco warehouses, and only six of them are in Kansai. It makes sense that a store so scarce would warrant a special trip, and also that the whole family would want to come along.
As with any fun family outing, no one at Japanese Costcos is in a hurry. Shoppers mosey down the aisles with their massive shopping carts, pointing out this or that to their friends and family. As soon as the Costco employees set up a stand for free sample, customers form lines to get a taste. Large groups line up for the food court and crowd the few available tables. For seasoned Costco veterans, who are used to running in, grabbing the few things they need, and running out again, this can be quite frustrating. Pathways and aisles are frequently blocked by carts and indecisive shoppers. The food court rarely has open tables, even well after mealtimes.
COSTCO INFORMATION
In order to avoid the crowds and if you don't have the time to adjust to slowly moving shopper traffic, plan to go on a weekday. While still crowded, it's much less so than on a weekend or holiday. All six Kansai warehouses are open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day. Costco used to offer special early hours for seniors and shoppers with disabilities, but those ended in May 2022.
Attempts to mitigate the crowds aside, your best bet is to just go with the flow. Enjoy the leisurely pace. Maybe even line up for a sample or two. Don't let the crowds distract you from the fun of finally being able to buy your favorite things in bulk!
IF YOU'RE PLANNING YOUR FIRST TRIP TO COSTCO, HERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER.
- Costco is members-only. Show your membership card (it must have your photo; copies aren't accepted) at the entrance and again at the checkout. Your card works at any Costco warehouse worldwide, so a membership from your home country is valid in Japan too. Each member can bring up to two adult guests (18 or over), plus any number of children under 18, but only members can buy.
- At Costco Japan you can pay with cash, a Costco Shop Card, the Costco Global Card, or any Mastercard-brand credit card. Visa, JCB and American Express aren't on that list. The Shop Card can't be used at the food court, so it's worth having some cash with you.
- If you live with someone, be sure to get a free family card along with your membership card. One person aged 18 or over who lives at the same address can get one at no cost, as long as they bring ID showing that address.
- If it's your first time in a Costco, the exclusive products and savings can be overwhelming. But just remember that you can always go back. Although the temptation is great, don't buy more than you can carry, especially if using public transportation.