Booking your accommodation before your trip to Osaka is one of the most difficult tasks, especially for first-time tourists. Which areas are the best to stay in? Should I stay in Kita or Minami? No need to worry, as in this article, I will help you find the most popular districts in Osaka for visitors to stay.
Osaka is one of the three biggest cities in Japan and is often called Japan’s kitchen. It is a popular destination to enjoy nightlife, food, and shopping. You can use Osaka as a base to explore Kyoto and western Japan.
Must-see attractions in Osaka include the Dotonbori nightlife district, Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade, Amerikamura, Osaka castle, Shinsekai and Kuromon Market. Other highlights are Umeda Sky Building, DenDen Town, Abeno Harukas, Tenjinbashi-suji shopping street, and Nakanoshima Park.
Where to stay in Osaka for first-time visitors
Kita and Minami are the most popular areas to stay in Osaka for tourists, especially for first-timers. These are Osaka’s transportation hubs and are convenient for making regional travel. They’re both great, both have a lot of things to do, and only a few minutes subway apart.
Personally, I prefer staying in the area around Namba Station and Dotonbori because these locations put me right in the heart of the nightlife and restaurant scene of Osaka.
During our trip to Osaka, we stayed at the Hotel Forza Osaka Namba. The hotel has quite a convenient position, right next to the busy Dotonbori with lots of restaurants and street food stalls. It was easy to walk to the canal area and many shopping arcades. It has all basic facilities for our comfortable stay.
Hotel Forza is also within walking distance from the Namba Station. We took shinkansen from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka Station then change to Midosuji Line to get to Namba Station and walked to the hotel. We also walked to Namba Station for Nankai airport line to get to Kansai International Airport.
Is it better to stay in Kita (Umeda) or Dotonbori (Namba)?
Kita/Umeda, in my opinion, is a little more convenient base for day trips to Kyoto and Kobe than Minami/Namba. I think Namba is a more convenient location if you want to stay in Osaka most of the time and visit Osaka-only destinations.
In terms of nightlife, I believe Namba is the winner. Namba is generally better for nightlife, food, and entertainment. This area is home to Dotonbori where you can find lots of street food and small bars.
In terms of shopping, both offer great experiences. Kita (Umeda) is known for its modern shopping malls, while Minami (Namba) is packed with shopping arcades.
In terms of public transportation, Umeda has easier access to JR trains and Shinkansen. It is well-served by Hankyu, JR, and Kosei lines for trains to Kobe and Kyoto and none of those go through Namba. Namba has better access to Kansai International Airport, Nara, Mie and Wakayama prefecture.
Many travelers think Umeda is on the more pricey side. Namba has more affordable accommodations. Staying in Kita or Minami (in other ways Umeda or Namba) is definitely based on what you want. As long as you find a nice hotel in your budget, you can easily get around with public transportation.
In addition to Umeda and Namba, Tennoji, Osaka Castle, and Osaka Bay are also great neighborhoods to stay in. They are less popular for first-time visitors but they have lots of good accommodations, easy access to public transportations.
Where to stay in Osaka for nightlife?
In my opinion, the best area to stay in Osaka for nightlife is Namba, particularly Dotonbori. If you stay here, you’ll step away from lots of restaurants, bars, whiskey pubs, and shops.
We stayed in Hotel Forza and I believed that it was right in the heart of the nightlife action. My room was very quiet even though it was in the middle of everything.
Where to stay in Osaka with family?
If you travel with kids, I recommend looking into the areas of Umeda, Dotonbori, and Osaka Bay. All of these areas offer plenty of family-friendly accommodations and easy access to public transportation.
If your family wants to stay in the tourist heart of Osaka, with lots of restaurants and traditional shopping arcades, you can choose to stay in Dotonbori. It also has direct access to the airport.
If your family wants to stay in the modern side of Osaka and take many day trips to other destinations in the Kansai region, I recommend staying in the Umeda area.
The best areas to stay in Osaka for tourists
1. Minami (Namba and Dotonbori)
Minami (Namba) is one of the most popular places to stay in Osaka for first-time tourists. It is home to a major transportation hub Namba Station and many interesting tourist areas like Dotonbori nightlife district, making it a great location for nightlife, shopping, sightseeing, and for food.
Staying Namba also offers easy access to Den Den Electric Town, Shinsaibashi luxury shopping district, Amerika-mura cool fashion area, and Shinsekai colorful retro area.
Dotonbori is the nightlife hub of Osaka, located around Dotonbori Street and Dotonbori Canal. It is packed with eye-catching signage and billboards like the Glico Running Man, Ebisubashi Bridge, as well as lots of restaurants, bars, and shops.
You can go shopping at the Kuromon Ichiba food market, Namba Parks shopping center, and Doguyasuji kitchenware street. For cultural attractions, take a look at Hozenji Temple, Hozenji Yokocho Alley, National Bunraku Theater, or visit the Osaka Shochikuza Theater for kabuki shows.
This southern part of Osaka is well-served by the JR Line, Nankai Line and Kintetsu Line. You can easily access from Kansai International Airport and take trips to Nara, Mie, and Wakayama. It is also on the Midosuji line, offering direct trains to Shin-Osaka Station for the Shinkansen (Bullet Train).
Here are my recommended hotels in Minami/Namba:
Swissotel Nankai Osaka, this is an amazing luxury 5-star hotel, conveniently located within walking distance from many of the tourist attractions and shopping areas. They have a nice buffet breakfast on the 36th floor with beautiful views of the city. It also has direct access to Kansai Airport as it is just above Nankai Railway’s Namba Station. Umeda is only a short train ride away.
Cross Hotel Osaka, Great 4-star hotel located in the heart of Dotonbori. 5 mins walk from Namba station, Shinsaibashi Subway Station, and America-mura Village. I think this is a great place for enjoying nightlife, shopping, sightseeing, and for food. It has comfortable rooms for couples and families.
Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka, lovely 4-star hotel that has an excellent location super close to Namba Station, only a min walk to Dotonbori, Kuromon Market, and Namba Walk. Universal Studio Japan is a 15 mins subway ride away. You can find a supermarket, Starbucks, and Mcdonalds right below the hotel. Easy access to metro Y line, M line or JR.
2. Kita (Umeda)
Kita is one of the most popular districts to stay in Osaka for tourists and first-timers. It is located in the northern part of the city and is very close to Shin-Osaka Station where Shinkansen/bullet trains stop.
Kita (Umeda) is the transport and business hub of Osaka, where you can find many train connections, shopping malls, and accommodations. This area is home to Osaka Station and Umeda Station, offering easy access to Shinkansen trains, and other popular cities like Kyoto and Kobe.
There are tons of things to do and see around Umeda. Plus, Namba is only a short train ride away on Midosuji or Yotsubashi subway lines.
You can head to the top of Umeda Sky Building to visit the floating garden, and enjoy sweeping views of the city. This area also has many modern shopping malls, department stores, and shopping arcades.
You can go shopping along Tenjinbashisuji Shotengai outdoor shopping street and Hep Five shopping & dining complex. Nakanoshima-koen Park is a lovely place nearby to take a leisure stroll and relax. If you are traveling with your children, you can take them to Kids Plaza Osaka.
There are cultural attractions like Osaka Museum of Housing & Living, Museum of Oriental Ceramics, National Museum of Art Osaka, and Osaka Tenmangu Shrine. Osaka Castle is only 10 mins away by train.
Here are some of the best hotels in Umeda/Kita:
InterContinental Hotel Osaka, an IHG Hotel, 5-star hotel, conveniently located in Grand Front Osaka in the Umeda area of Osaka, 5 mins walk from Umeda Station on the Midosuji Line and JR Osaka Train Station, which facilitates day trips out of Osaka. It has an indoor swimming pool, and comfortable family rooms. You can find great food selections nearby.
Hotel Hankyu Respire Osaka, a popular 4-star hotel located in the center of Umeda, close to Umeda/Osaka Station, and Lucua mall, making it convenient for shopping and dining. It has rooms for singles, couples, and families. The hotel also has a nice buffet breakfast and laundry services, which is essential for many travelers. Easy access to the airport limousine bus to Kansai airport.
APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Umeda-eki Tower, great 3-star hotel located in the central location of Osaka, 10 mins walk from Osaka Station. Plenty of food options nearby. I like that they have a nice public onsen where you can massage your feet, relaxing especially if you walk a lot. You can choose to stay on the top floors which have amazing views. There are also washing machines and dryers on the 4th floor.
3. Osaka Castle
The Osaka Castle area is a great location to stay if you are a scenic and quiet spot, and don’t mind taking public transportation to get to the central location. It is an especially beautiful place to stay during Spring cherry blossom seasons when the castle is surrounded by a sea of pink blooms.
This area is well-served by numerous train stations, so you can easily get around by public transport. It is located only a 10 mins train ride from Kita Ward.
Osaka Castle is a must-see attraction in Osaka. The ground of the castle is surrounded by impressive stone walls and Nishinomaru Garden. Inside the castle, you can visit museums to learn the history of Osaka and view artifacts like samurai armor, weaponry, and historical documents.
You can take a boat ride around the lake from Osaka Gozabune Pier as it is free with Osaka Amazing Pass. Local attractions in this area include Osaka Museum of History, Hokoku Shrine, and Mint Museum.
Here are some of the best places to stay near Osaka Castle:
Hotel New Otani Osaka, this is a 5-star hotel located right in front of Osaka Castle, 5 mins walk from Jo-Terrace Osaka shopping complex, 10 mins train ride to Osaka Station. Easy access to the water-cruise boats. You can have rooms with river views.
KKR Hotel Osaka, 4-star hotel conveniently located only a 20 mins walk from Osaka Castle and Osaka-jo Hall. There is a 24-hour front desk at the property. The hotel has wonderful views of Osaka Castle. There are also shuttle bus services to/from the local train station and shopping district.
APA Hotel Osaka Temmabashi-Ekimae, a great 3-star budget hotel located close to Osaka Castle and Temmabashi Station. You can find Family Mart and lots of restaurants nearby. Rooms are compact but cozy and clean.
4. Tennoji
Tennoji is a convenient and lively area to stay in Osaka. It is located right next to Namba, offering easy access to popular tourist areas like Dotonbori, and Shinsaibashi. This area has many budget restaurants, malls and supermarkets compared to Umeda and Namba.
This area is home to Tennoji Station, which is a major transport hub with many lines like JR, Kintetsu, and subways. You can get to many places by trains, like Nara, Kobe, Kyoto, KIX and Shin-Osaka.
Tennoji is a mix of old and new where you can find many hip shops, restaurants, and old-fashioned izakayas. Local attractions include the Tennoji Park, Tennoji Zoo, Shitennoji temple, Isshinji temple, Shinsekai, Tsutenkaku Tower, and Abeno Harukas.
Here are some of the best places to stay in Tennoji:
Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel, this is a luxury hotel occupying the highest floors of Abeno Harukas building, which is the tallest building in all of Japan. The hotel has direct access to Tennoji Station. You can enjoy sweeping views of the city from the viewpoint on the 58th floor in the early morning before the general public can get in. There is a Kintetsu Department Store, a museum in the same building.
Waqoo Shitaderamachi, a 4-star Buddhist hotel located in Tennoji, close to popular points of interest like Shitennoji, Tsutenkaku and Shinsekai. It has quite spacious Japanese style rooms with tatami floors.
Hotel Trusty Osaka Abeno, 4-star mid-range hotel located within only a few mins walk from Tennoji Ekimae Station and Tennoji Station. It has an on-site Japanese-style teppanyaki restaurant, free luggage storage and a 24-hour front desk.
5. Osaka Bay
Osaka Bay is a wonderful location for families with children who want to spend most of their time at the Universal Studios Japan, Tempozan Harbor Village with attractions like Aquarium Kaiyukan and Ferris Wheel. You can also take cruises on the bay and take public transportation to get to the tourist areas.
Here are recommended places to stay in Osaka Bay near Universal Studios Japan:
Hotel Universal Port, 4-star mid-range hotel, located only a 5 mins walk from Universal Studios Japan and JR station. It has clean and spacious family rooms. Cose to the CityWalk for many shops, restaurants. You can find the ferry to Kaiyukan and the Tempozan area is right behind the hotel.
The Singulari Hotel & Skyspa At Universal Studios Japan, 4-star family-friendly hotel, an official affiliate of USJ, situated right next to the JR Universal City Station, for access to the USJ and Downtown Osaka. There are several convenience stores and shops within 5 mins walking distance.
Liber Hotel At Universal Studios Japan, great 4-star children-friendly hotel located in the Osaka Bay district of Osaka, featuring family rooms that can accommodate up to 6 family members. It is directly across from the train station and is a stop from Universal City station.
In general, Kita (Umeda) and Minami (Namba) are the most popular neighborhoods in Osaka where first-time tourists choose to stay. Kita is a more modern area with lots of shopping malls and is more convenient for day trips to Kobe and Kyoto. Minami has a more nightlife scene, lots of food options, and a great base for those who want to spend most of their time in the city itself.
See more:
- 3 days in Osaka itinerary
- 3 Best areas to stay in Kyoto
- 5 Best areas to stay in Tokyo
- 3 Best areas to stay in Hiroshima
- 3 Best areas to stay in Fukuoka
I believe that you can’t really go wrong with where you stay in Osaka. The city has an outstanding transportation infrastructure, so you can easily get around no matter which district you are in. My advice is if you find a good value for money hotel, just go for it and have fun.
I hope you found helpful information from my article. Have you found any places to stay in Osaka yet? What is your favorite neighborhood? Feel free to comment down below. I love to hear your thoughts!