Namba Walk, an underground shopping street in Osaka's Minami district, will host an experiential Valentine's Day event titled "Namba Wan and Happy Valentine" from February 1 (Sun) to 14 (Sat), 2026, delivering surprise and excitement through chocolate.
During the event period, the program includes live painting by chocolate artist norico—who has gained attention on social media—chocolate art exhibitions featuring Namba Walk's official character "Namba Wan," face-in-hole panels where visitors can become Valentine's chocolate boxes for commemorative photos, and an interactive installation where guests can place heart stickers to show who they'd like to give chocolate to.
At the live event beginning at 2:00 PM on February 1 (Sun), chocolate artist norico will paint a Valentine-themed chocolate art piece on a white plate as a canvas, creating the work using only shades of chocolate. The completed piece will be displayed at Kujira Park during the event period.
Visitors can enjoy norico's exceptional technique that creates texture and depth through chocolate artistry.
"Namba Wan and Happy Valentine" Event Overview
Event Period: February 1 (Sun) to 14 (Sat), 2026, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Venue: Kujira Park inside Namba Walk (Sennichimae 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Osaka City)
Admission: Free
Special Website: https://namba-times.jp/#chocolate_event
Chocolate Art Live Painting & Exhibition Featuring Renowned Social Media Artist norico
CHOCOLATE ART LIVE PAINTING
Chocolate artist norico, who depicts people, flowers, and stories using only shades of chocolate, will create a live painting with a Valentine motif. Watch in real-time as the artist creates texture and depth in chocolate through temperature control and hand movements. The completed work will be displayed at Kujira Park during the event period.
Date & Time: February 1 (Sun), 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Chocolate Art Exhibition
Chocolate art pieces featuring Namba Walk's official character "Namba Wan" and Valentine motifs created by norico will be on display throughout the event period.
norico Profile
Chocolate artist.
She has established a unique technique of depicting people, flowers, and stories using only shades of chocolate, while in some works repurposing surplus chocolate and trial materials created during the production process. She performs live painting at events both domestically and internationally, with her delicate brushwork and three-dimensional expressions receiving high acclaim.
Her activities range widely from bridal performances to corporate events and art production, continuing to express art themed "transforming fleeting moments into memories." (New chocolate is used for edible works.)
Comment: "I'm very pleased to share the 'time of conveying feelings' with everyone through chocolate art at this Valentine's event. Chocolate is a special material where temperature and hand movements directly take form, and one expression is created through the overlap of chance and necessity. I hope that those who view the works and live painting will remember someone important to them, or experience a moment of warmth in their daily lives.
I hope you'll enjoy the world of chocolate spreading throughout Namba Walk during the event period."
Face-in-Hole Panels to Become Chocolate Together
A face-in-hole panel styled like an assorted chocolate box—a Valentine's gift staple—makes its appearance. Visitors can become chocolate together with family, friends, or loved ones for commemorative photos.
Heart Sticker Voting: "Who Do You Want to Give Valentine's Chocolate To?"
A voting panel titled "Who Do You Want to Give Valentine's Chocolate To?" allows guests to place heart stickers to choose from "Someone You Like," "Family," "Your Favorite Celebrity," "Yourself," or "Friends."
Product Showcase: "A Little Something Nice" Items from Namba Walk
Panels introduce Namba Walk's recommendations across four themes: "Takeout Sweets," "Cafes/Gourmet," "Gifts," and "Treats for Yourself." Visitors will surely find "a little something nice" for others and themselves.
*Featured content is subject to change or cancellation.
About Namba Walk
Extending 715 meters east-west with Osaka Metro Midosuji Line's Namba Station at its center, Namba Walk is a shopping street connecting from Sakaisuji Line's Nipponbashi Station at the east end to Yotsubashi Line's Namba Station in the west. The street is composed of two passageways—the North Corridor and South Corridor—divided into three main zones. Plazas including "Kujira Park" and "Forest Park" serve as "gathering spaces" with symbolic monuments where seasonal events take place. The "Art Park" in Area 1 features the Chicago Gallery displaying replica ceramic panel paintings of works from the Art Institute of Chicago collection, entertaining passersby.
Operator: Osaka Chikagai Co., Ltd.
Number of Stores: Approximately 200
Business Hours: Retail stores 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Restaurants 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Estimated Daily Visitors: 160,000
Access:
Directly connected to Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, Yotsubashi Line, and Sennichimae Line Namba Station
Directly connected to Osaka Metro Sennichimae Line and Sakaisuji Line Nipponbashi Station
Directly connected to Kintetsu Osaka Line/Hanshin Namba Line Osaka-Namba Station and Nipponbashi Station
Size: Total length approximately 715m, total area 37,881㎡, sales floor area 15,447㎡
Website: https://walk.osaka-chikagai.jp/
