Where to Stay in Osaka on Your First Trip

Osaka is a big city with many hotels to choose from, but there are a few clear winners when it comes to the best places to stay in town for tourists. Check out our guide on where to stay in Osaka on your first trip to help you decide which is best for you.

The contenders are Namba, Shinsaibashi and Umeda. Now read on to find out why I think these are the best options for first-time travelers and pick the area that might suit you best.

Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.

1. Namba

Namba is located south of Dotonbori, the road of fabulous lights on every Osaka visitor’s ‘must-see’ list. Its southerly location means that Namba is also a little bit closer to some of Osaka’s other main sightseeing areas than the other locations on this list.

Namba is a great place to stay if you’re mostly basing yourself in Osaka during your stay. If you’re here to enjoy Osaka’s bar, restaurant, and nightlife scene you’ll be spoilt for choice. In fact, it can almost be too hard to decide where to go as eating and drinking places are everywhere.

But I also think it’s a good choice for families, as it’s slightly outside the main party zone.

I usually stay at Namba when I’m in Osaka with Mr Japlanease. I really like the buzzy feel of the place.

What’s In Walking Distance

Namba is on the doorstep of Den Den town, Osaka’s mini version of Akihabara. It’s also close to Kuromon Market, one of the city’s must-see sights. You can walk to the amazing Namba Shrine with its giant lion’s head and down to Shinsekai, the retro area of Osaka. And, of course, it’s close to Dotonbori. The famous view of the lights is just a 10-minute walk away. It really is at the centre of everything.

Visiting Other Sights

Namba is great for transport links. There are three train metro lines at Namba station, and stations for the Sakaisuji Line are also nearby, and this combination will take you to many of Osaka’s main sights. Universal Studios Japan, for example, is about a 26-minute journey (with one change) from Osaka-Namba Station.

If you’re going further afield, there is easy access to Nara from Namba, but you’ll need to change a couple of times to reach Kyoto – if you’re planning on basing yourself in Osaka and going back and forth to Kyoto. It might not be the best choice – Umeda is.

Namba can also be less convenient if you want to catch the bullet train frequently on your trip, as you can only do this from Shin Osaka station. It’s an easy 20-minute ride away, but doing that twice a day gets wearing (I know; I did it on my first trip). If you’re using Namba as a base to travel for longer day trips most days of your visit, you might want to stay closer to the bullet train.

Eating and Drinking Nearby

Throw a stick, and you’ll hit somewhere serving food and drink around here. You’ll find everything from easy dining chains like Kura sushi to tiny izakaya. Osaka’s most atmospheric dining road, Hozenji Yokocho, is just a short walk away. Also, don’t miss visiting Superjap, a fun standing bar close to Kuromon Market.

Getting Here

From Shin Osaka station: It’s super easy. It’s just an easy 20-minute journey on the Midsouji Line to Namba station. Just make sure you note exactly what exit your hotel is closest to, as Namba station is huge.

From Kansai International Airport: Two different train lines, the Nankai Kuko Line or the Nankai-Limited Express, will take you from KIX to Namba Station. The journey is about 45 minutes.

From Itami Airport: Very easy as there is a limousine bus service which takes about 40 minutes.

Recommended Hotels in Namba

Fraser Residence Nankai

This was the first hotel I stayed in in Osaka, and if I’m traveling with Mr. Japlanease, it’s the hotel I look at first. The rooms are a great size, and it’s in a great location by the station and surrounded by small bars and restaurants.

It’s often a little bit over my budget these days, but you can snap up some great deals if you book early. Don’t delay if you see a good deal; they go fast.

Citadines Namba

This is where we stayed on our last trip. It’s a short walk from Namba Station but still in a great location. I could walk pretty much everywhere I needed to go from here.

Again, the rooms are large and have connecting rooms if you’re a family looking for a little more space but with some extra privacy. They also have a great communal kitchen area if you want to prepare some of your meals during your stay.

Swissotel Nankai Osaka

Located directly above Namba Station, this 5-star Hotel is perfect for transport. It’s attached to the Namba City shopping mall, so there are heaps of shops and cheap eats on your doorstep.

It’s incredibly well equipped with an indoor pool and spa – if you need some relaxation time after all the Osaka fun! Both the rooms and the beds are large, which isn’t always the case in Japan.

Shinsaibashi

This is located on the other side of the river from Namba and Dotonbori and is a fantastic, buzzing area to stay. I’m staying here on my next trip because it’s just a short walk from Kama Sutra, my favorite karaoke bar in the world. Last time, the walk back to my hotel in Namba at 4 a.m. was just a little long!

This is where to stay if you really want to be in the thick of Osaka’s fun evening scene. The area is full of tiny bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. It feels a little more of a party zone than Namba.

It’s also little bit further north than Namba, which means it’s going to take a little longer to walk to areas like Shinsekai, Den-Den town, or Kuramon Market, but you are closer to the shopping and street fashion of Amerika-mura.

What’s in Walking Distance?

The famous sights of Dotonbori are on your doorstep. The Osaka branch of the Pokemon cafe is here, as is the famous Ghibli shop that lets you pose with No-Face. You’re also right next to the shops and street fashion of Amerika-mura.

Visiting Other Sights

Three Metro stations flank Shinsaibashi, giving you access to four different metro lines, which makes getting around the city fairly easy. If you’re going to Universal Studios, you can travel on the Kintetsu Line from either Osaka Namba Station or Kintetsu Nipponbashi.

Like Namba, it’s also a short train ride from Shinsaibashi to Shin Osaka.

Eating and Drinking Nearby

If you’re in Osaka to have some fun, you’ll love staying around here. Not only are there bars and restaurants on your doorstep, but you’re also just a short walk to the winding lanes around Hozenji temple. You could stay here two years and not tick off everywhere, so if you’re just staying 2-3 nights – make a list!

Getting Here

From Shin Osaka Station: A simple 13-minute journey on the Midsouji Line will bring you to Shinsaibashi Station

From Kansai International Airport: Nankai Kuko Line or the Nankai-Limited Express, will take you from KIX to Namba Station in about 45 minutes. You can then change to the nearest metro line to your hotel.

From Itami Airport: A little harder than the other locations on this list. You either catch the airport monorail and then change to a metro line nearest to your hotel, or the Airport Limousine Bus can take you to either Namba Station, from which you can walk or catch the metro, or Umeda Station, from which you can catch the Metro.

Recommended Hotels in Shinsaibashi

Hotel The Flag Shinsaibashi

This hotel gets rave reviews for its stylish modern rooms. Double rooms start at 19 square metres.

The windows open a little to let in fresh air, which is a bonus I know many people look for in a room. It’s also a non-smoking hotel – with a complimentary coffee machine! What more do you need?

Hen na Hotel Shinsaibashi

These quirky robot hotels always make for a memorable stop on your Japan holiday. While the rooms are basic, I’ve never been disappointed with my stay. While the one in Namba is a good stop, this one has a bit more stylish decor and more robots!

They’re a great, more budget option with a difference and it’s my choice in Osaka if I stay solo. If you’re keen, you can read more about my experiences staying in robot hotels once you’ve finished this.

Cross Hotel Osaka

Located on the west side of Dotonbori, this has easy access to Namba Station, giving you the best of both worlds – a Shinsaibashi location with Namba transport links. People love the modern design of the rooms and it’s a totally smoke-free property.

Some of the rooms even directly overlook Osaka’s most famous site, the Glico Running Man billboard – you can sightsee from bed! I’m now coveting that view!

Umeda

I hadn’t explored this area much until my last trip to Osaka, but now I really like it. I could definitely see myself staying here if I were using Osaka as a transport hub, particularly if I were going back and forth to Kyoto. It’s also the area on this list with the easiest access from the airport and bullet train. And the simplest journey to Universal Studios.

There are a few sights around Umeda, and the behemoth, the Osaka and Umeda Stations complex, will easily transport you to the others. There are also many dining and drinking choices around here, and because it’s a busy local area, you’ll easily find yourself immersed in day-to-day Osaka culture.

Umeda is home to many of Osaka’s swankiest hotels – and most of the international chains you might recognise. If you want to stay in Osaka on points, consider Umeda.

What’s In Walking Distance

The whole of the third day of our three-day Osaka itinerary is concentrated in and around the Umeda area, particularly some of the interesting shrines around here. You also have the Umeda Sky Building on your doorstep.

Visiting Other Sites

The Umeda area has four major stations, which makes it excellent for getting around Osaka and further afield. Kyoto is a one-train journey on the Hankyu Line (and you can even catch the pretty Kyo Train Garaku if you’re traveling at the weekend).

The Midsouji line also connects to Umeda Station. This runs in a virtually straight line from north to south in Osaka and will take you within walking distance of almost all the major sites. You can also use the Osaka Loop Line at Osaka station to get to Universal Studios with one simple change.

Eating and Drinking Around Here

After my day of sightseeing in Umeda, I told Mr Japlanease we had to come up here for an evening as there were so many bars and restaurants – and the prices up here seemed slightly lower than the more touristy areas. There’s a lot to discover here.

Getting Here

From Shin Osaka Station: It’s just three stops on the Midsouji line to Umeda Station from Shin-Osaka. This is a great place to stay if you’re planning to day trip using the bullet train during your trip.

From Kansai International Airport: It’s super easy—the Haruka Line will bring you straight to Osaka Station. And as a nice little bonus, it’s Hello Kitty-themed! The Airport Limousine Bus also runs to several hotels in Umeda from Kansai Airport.

From Itami: This is also incredibly easy—the Limousine Bus makes four stops in the Umeda Area.

Recommended Hotels in Umeda

As I said, you’ll find all the brands you recognise here – you might want to check out the Hilton Osaka, go super upscale at the Ritz Carlton Osaka. But there are also some more local options to consider.

Hotel Hankyu Respire Osaka

If I were staying in Umeda, this would be my first choice. The location is fantastic—it’s surrounded by stations! I love the clean look of the rooms.

The bathroom is interesting for Japan. Most of the mid-price hotels I stay in in Japan see you having to step into the bath to use the shower, but this actually has a washing area with an overhead shower next to the bath.

Hotel Hankyu International

Hankyu is a Japanese rail company that owns several hotels around the station area. This is their most upscale. This 5-star hotel has huge rooms—the Superior Twin is a whopping 40 square metres, and even the more basic rooms are 27 metres square.

The higher-floor rooms have fantastic views over Osaka – including from the bath it seems! It’s also a completely non-smoking hotel.

Del Style Osaka Shin Umeda

If you’re not traveling on a five-star budget (no, me neither), check out this new brand from the Daiwa Roynet chain. They say they pride themselves on smiles, and, reading the branding, it looks like they are aiming at a slightly younger market, and also at tourists as well as local business travelers.

The rooms aren’t huge, but the hotel is clean, and people say the staff are very friendly. It’s also totally non-smoking, which is a bonus for a business hotel in such a local area.

So, that’s my guide to the three main areas I think are best for first-time tourists to stay in Osaka. But before I sign off, I just need to mention two more areas you might consider…

There are a number of hotels around Universal Studios Japan and you might be wondering whether it’s a better idea to stay there if you’re visiting the park and we have a whole post on whether you should stay at USJ to help you decide.

Another area that you might consider is the area around Shinsekai and Donbutsu Mae Station. New hotels, including the incredibly well-rated OMO 7, are moving into this area and it’s also home to some very cheap hotels that budget travelers might be looking at.

So, why isn’t it in the list above? While it’s becoming more gentrified, and I can see a time when I do add it, right now, this area is still a little bit more run-down than the rest of Osaka. The area south of Donbutsu Mae station particularly has a large homeless population. It’s not dangerous by Western standards, but it might also not be what you expect of Japan.

So, if you’re looking around this area, personally, I’d be okay staying on the north side of Donbutsu Mae station in something like the OMO 7, but be cautious of the south, especially in budget hotels or if you’re a female travelling solo. Read the hotel reviews carefully before making your decision.

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