The 2026 Hawaii Fair transforms Hankyu Umeda Main Store into a concentrated presentation of contemporary Hawaiian culture, operating under the theme “Nā Lei Aloha (The Aloha Spirit Connected by Lei).” This iteration distinguishes itself from previous editions through unprecedented expansion: approximately 110 vendors—the largest participation in the event’s history—will occupy not only the ninth-floor event space and Celebration Square but also multiple additional floors throughout the department store.
The culinary programming focuses specifically on current Hawaiian food trends, featuring burgers and sweets from vendors making their Japanese debut alongside established favorites. Complementing these edible imports, the fair offers fashion items and lifestyle goods rooted in traditions passed down within Hawaii. What separates this market from standard import exhibitions is the direct presence of staff members and artists traveling from Hawaii; these individuals will reside at the venue for the full two-week duration, facilitating authentic cultural exchange rather than mediated retail transactions.
Educational programming runs parallel to commercial activities. Visitors can attend live performances by ukulele and guitar musicians or participate in hands-on lei-making workshops designed to teach traditional craftsmanship techniques. These sessions provide structured opportunities to engage with Hawaiian cultural practices beyond the retail environment, offering context for the goods on display.
Event Details
Period: July 1 (Wednesday) – July 13 (Monday), 2026
The event operates in two distinct phases: the first half runs from July 1 through July 6, while the second half begins July 8 and concludes July 13. The venue closes entirely on Tuesday, July 7.
Hours: 10:00 – 20:00 daily
Exceptions: The ninth-floor event space closes at 17:00 on July 6 and on the final day (July 13).
Location: Hankyu Umeda Main Store, 9th-floor event space, Celebration Square, and various additional floors
Address: 8-7 Kakuda-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka City
Important scheduling notes: While the ninth-floor event space operates only during July 1–13 (closed July 7), floors other than the ninth remain open from July 1 through July 14. Certain areas within these various floors are excluded from the event. On July 6 and July 13, the ninth floor closes early at 17:00.
Admission: Free
Contact: 06-6361-1381 (Main)
Website: https://website.hankyu-dept.co.jp/honten/h/hawaii/index.html
What is Hankyu Umeda Main Store?
The Hankyu Umeda Main Store is the flagship location of the Hankyu Department Store chain, situated directly above Hankyu Umeda Station in Osaka. The building spans thirteen floors, including two underground levels. The basement depachika stocks ingredients and prepared food from across Japan, while the lower floors focus on cosmetics, luxury accessories, and women’s fashion. Upper floors house men’s clothing, household goods, and restaurants. A rooftop garden occupies the top level, offering open space above the dense Umeda district.
Opened in 1929 and rebuilt several times since, the store functions primarily as a traditional department store, but the upper floors regularly transform into exhibition halls. Throughout the year, these spaces host temporary fairs that bring together vendors, tourism boards, and craftspeople from specific regions. The Hawaii Fair, held annually in various forms, utilizes these floors to display Hawaiian goods, offer regional cuisine, and stage performances, allowing visitors to handle products and speak directly with exhibitors rather than simply observing displays.
The store connects directly to Hankyu rail lines and sits adjacent to one of Osaka’s largest transit hubs. Underground walkways link it to JR Osaka Station, the Midosuji subway line, and the Hanshin railway. This placement makes it a practical stop for commuters and a central meeting point. Visitors often combine attendance at the store’s events with routine errands: purchasing food from the depachika, meeting contacts at the station gates, or accessing the broader Umeda shopping district without surfacing to street level.
