Where to stay in Osaka?

To stay in Namba near Dōtonbori, the dynamic heart of Osaka

South of the city center, Namba, considered one of Osaka's most famous and liveliest districts, is the dynamic heart of Osaka. Also known as Minami, this area is home to major tourist streets such as Dōtonbori, Osaka's Time Square.

Namba is also home to a number of major landmarks, such as the Kuromon market, ideal for discovering local produce and tasting takoyaki, the city's culinary specialty. The area is also home to the Hozen-ji Buddhist temple and the Yasaka Jinja, a Shinto shrine known for its huge lion's head. For shoppers, there's the Crysta Nagahori underground shopping arcade and the high-tech stores of Den-den town.

With its lively nightlife, if you choose to stay overnight, you'll find plenty of shops, bars and restaurants: the perfect area for party-goers. Giant signs and huge animated billboards also attract many visitors. On Dōtonbori, the illuminated Glico Man sign has become an emblem of Namba.

While this area is one of the busiest, the Namba Park hanging gardens near the station, with their artificial waterfalls and more than 400 plant species, offer visitors a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle for a while and enjoy a moment of relaxation.

As far as accommodation is concerned, Namba offers a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets. Last but not least, Namba is well served by public transport. If you choose to stay here, you'll have easy access to the city and its surroundings.

Staying in Shinsaibashi, Osaka's biggest shopping area

Located to the north of Osaka, Shinsaibashi is the megalopolis' largest commercial thoroughfare. A central district, it is home to the city's largest concentration of stores, open 24 hours a day. It is centered around the Shinsaibashi-suji gallery, one of the city's liveliest shopping streets, which is 600 meters long and completely covered.

In addition to its many tourist boutiques and well-known names such as Apple, H&M and Dior, it's an ideal place to stay and enjoy a lively nightlife, with a wide variety of bars and restaurants offering a variety of typical Japanese dishes. But that's not all: you can also enjoy a wide range of entertainment venues, from karaoke to cinema.

To the east of Shinsaibashi, you can take the opportunity to visit Amerikamura, Osaka's American village with ayounger, trendier feel. By staying nearby, you can discover its offbeat atmosphere and enjoy its various bars and restaurants in the evening.

In terms of accommodation, Shinsaibashi offers a wide range of choices, accessible to both small and large budgets. Finally, as well as being well served by the metro and easily accessible by train, its ideal location also means that the Namba district and Dotombori street are just a 10-minute walk away. So, if you choose to stay here, you'll be able to explore Osaka with ease.

To stay in Umeda and discover Kansai

A financial and commercial district to the north of central Osaka, Umeda, also known as Kita, represents one of the most modern parts of the megalopolis. It is home to the city's largest station, but above all one of the busiest in the country: Osaka Station. As such, it's one of the best places to stay for travellers wishing to easily explore the entire Kansai region.

If Umeda is particularly well known for its station, it's also a place where you'll find plenty to do. For example, there's the Umeda Sky Building, a 173m-high skyscraper with an observation platform offering a 360° panoramic view of the surrounding area. With its footbridge and floating gardens, it ranks among the world's top 20 buildings. You can also enjoy theatrical performances at Chayamachi or visit Ghatsu Tenjin, the love shrine with a tragic history.

One of the city's liveliest areas, it is home to 4 of Osaka's largest shopping malls. The HEP Five, a multi-storey shopping mall that sometimes resembles an amusement park. In addition to a variety of stores and restaurants, it features entertainment areas and, above all, a Giant Ferris Wheel, the main attraction offering magnificent views of Osaka.

Served by 3 subway stations and numerous hotel complexes, Umeda is an ideal place to stay during your stay in Osaka. But be warned, it's mainly large hotels, so prices can be higher than in other parts of the city. As you can see, for those on a tight budget, it may be preferable to stay elsewhere.

Tennōji, the more traditional district

To the south, in contrast to the rest of Osaka, Tennōji is a popular district with a more traditional atmosphere. Not very touristy, this residential area is one of the city's quietest spots and represents the best place to stay for travelers in search of tranquility.

While this district is home to many small temples, it is also the site of one of the city's major attractions, shitenno-ji, one of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples. There's also a 28-hectare park, offering beautiful views over the city and home to Keitaku-en, a 19th-century Japanese garden with ponds, century-old cherry trees and a lake.

As you stroll through the streets, you'll discover the Abeno Harukas, Japan's tallest skyscraper, which you can climb to enjoy the view, as well as a number of lesser-known, unusual sites, such as the entrance to Isshin-ji, marked by statues made from human ashes.

As you can see, staying in this authentic place is the ideal way to immerse yourself in the local culture. If you choose to stay in this area, you'll find mainly reasonably-priced accommodation. What's more, you can easily reach the other areas by train on JR Line or by taking the Midosuji subway line.

Lodging in Osaka Bay, on the seaside

To the west, Osaka Bay, overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, is the only port district in the city. Made up of several small artificial islands, it is home to Japan's largest port. While its seaside location allows travelers to enjoy pleasant strolls in pleasant surroundings, it's not the only thing to see in this area.

One of the area's major attractions is Universal Studio Japan, the first Universal theme park to be built outside the USA. This 50-hectare amusement park features a wide range of themed rides and roller coasters. Since 2021, it has also been home to Super Nintendo World , the world's first Mario park. Lodging here is therefore the best option for travellers visiting the city primarily for this park.

The Kaiyukan aquarium, one of the largest and most impressive in the world, is also located on the bay. Finally, for shopping enthusiasts, you can stroll along the Tempozan Promenade and discover its various restaurants, where you can sample a variety of specialties.

Accessible by public transport from Osaka and Umeda stations, if you want to stay on the bay, you can quickly reach the other districts of Osaka. Finally, as far as accommodation is concerned, you'll find mainly small guesthouses in quiet residential streets, as well as recent hotel complexes with affordable rates.

To stay in other areas: Shinsekai, Honmachi and Osaka Castle

The above-mentioned districts are not the only ones in which you can stay in Osaka, so you can also choose to stay in other areas. Although they are less interesting from a tourist point of view, they generally represent a good alternative for smaller budgets. Examples include Shinsekai and Honmachi.

South of Osaka, Shinsekai, literally meaning “new world”, is the city's retro district, inspired by 2 of the world's greatest megacities: Paris and New York. Known for its emblematic Tsutentaku Tower, it is also a popular gastronomic mecca. With good public transport links, staying at Shinsekai means you can easily explore the megalopolis and enjoy its nightlife, all at very reasonable prices.

With its central location and wide range of public transport services, Honmachi is close to most tourist attractions. With a wide range of accommodation on offer, staying in Honmachi allows you to take advantage of more typical hotels or guesthouses at low rates.

Finally, if you're just passing through to visit the famous Osaka Castle, you can stay in a number of nearby hotels. Although connected to the center by public transport, it's rather quiet at the end of the day and out of the way of the various tourist sites. So it's best to avoid staying there if you want to discover the city and enjoy the more festive atmosphere in the evenings.