Where to Stay in Osaka: 5 Best Areas to Stay
- Osaka Localized
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
With a long history as the mercantile heart of Japan and its major port city, Osaka is like a friend smiling at you whenever you two meet: dense and delightful in front of you.
If there are only three words to describe Osaka, those would be vibrant, warm, and food-centric. Plus, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Japan calls this home. No trip to Osaka will be memorable without knowing the best areas to stay. Here they are.
1. Namba
No doubt, it’s got to be Namba. This is the lively entertainment and shopping hub of Japan’s kitchen, bursting with neon lights, bustling alleys, and endless food trips, from takoyaki stalls to hidden izakayas.
If your itinerary in Osaka includes the Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, and Nippombashi areas, then it’s strategic and a good decision to stay in the Namba area. Also, your best bet is when you’re planning to visit Nara and Kyoto.
Furthermore, if you want to do lots of food trips, shopping, and nightlife, the Namba is also the place to be. Take note of the following amazing hotels in Namba:
Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka
Swissotel Nankai Osaka
Hotel Ichiei
ALSO READ: WHERE AND WHAT TO EAT IN NAMBA
2. Umeda
Umeda then comes in the number two spot. It is the main business district in Osaka with towering skyscrapers and a good dose of department stores, too. Since you’re in Japan’s kitchen, this area won’t run out of food choices as well.
Though several tourists would say that Umeda lacks the usual local Osakan Japanese vibe that Namba offers, it is touted more practical to stay at than at Namba. For one, it offers better, easier, and more direct intercity travel within the Kansai region. There are two major stations nearby, the Umeda Station and the Osaka Station.
Thus, if you fancy modern cityscape and your itinerary has lots of various cities in Kansai, then Umeda is the place to be. The best hotels here are:
Intercontinental Hotel Osaka
Hotel Hankyu International
Hilton Osaka
ALSO READ: MUST-VISIT MARKETS IN OSAKA
3. Tennoji
Third on the list is Osaka’s old town, the Tennoji area. This old part of the city lies just south of Namba and Minami. If you’ve got destinations on your itinerary in Namba, it’s still well to stay in Tennoji as they are just walking distances apart.
Once, Tennoji had a reputation as a slightly seedy area, but it has bounced back since being revived recently, especially that the second-tallest building in Japan completed construction in 2014, which is found here.
This area is very photogenic, with several travelers saying this is Japan’s answer to the Eiffel Tower, in the persona of the Tsutenkaku Tower.
Here, find cheap food, a relaxed atmosphere, and lots of budget-friendly accommodations. If you’re looking for the best hotels, they would be:
Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel
Hotel Trusty Osaka Abeno
Khaosan World Tennoji
ALSO READ: NIPPONBASHI DEN DEN TOWN GUIDE
4. Osaka Bay Area
No, it’s not the San Francisco Bay Area, but the Osaka Bay Area. Ideal for families, this area is home to Universal Studios Japan and Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. If you’re visiting Universal Studios and don’t want to spend so much at a partner hotel with the theme park, then this is a good place.
It may be far from the city center, but worth considering since it is near what families want to visit when in Osaka. As for the nearby train stations, it’s centered around Shin-Osaka Station, the city's Shinkansen or bullet train hub. It’s perfect for business travelers or those planning day trips to cities like Kyoto and Hiroshima. The best hotels here are:
Hotel Nikko Osaka
Swissôtel Nankai Osaka
Holiday Inn Express Osaka City Centre - Midosuji by IHG
ALSO READ: BEST THINGS TO DO IN OSAKA IN SUMMER
5. Hommachi
Meanwhile, Hommachi is Osaka’s quiet residential area. If you’d visit the city without tantruming over experiencing the nightlife, then this place is your best option.
Hommachi is part of Osaka’s downtown, the others being Kita in the north and Minami in the south.
Remember, staying here means you want to have peace of mind above all. There are not so many sights to see nearby here, except for Utsubo Park. However, the hotels here are beautiful. Plus, this area also has its own subway station on the Midosuji Line. The best hotels here are:
The St. Regis Osaka
The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Osaka Midosuji
Hotel Resol Trinity Osaka
Osaka is authentically Japanese and beyond. The futuristic pulse of this third-largest city in the country has given it a luxurious edge, home to plenty of opulent properties. Ask a child occasionally using social networking sites where they want to go when in Japan, and they’d also now answer Osaka, and not just Tokyo Disneyland, since Universal Studios is here.
Aside from hospitality’s most luxurious names, star chefs from Japan are also shaking up the dining and gastronomic scenes here. Delicious casual eats from street stalls and food seemingly cooked by your name are Osaka’s calling card.
Osaka: unpretentious, energetic, and ready to give you a good time.
Want to discover more of Osaka with a local? Join our Osaka Free Walking Tour and experience Osaka’s rich food, culture, and history.
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