Where To Stay In Osaka: Best Areas And Hotels
Staying in Osaka for at least a couple of nights is recommended to get to know the city well.
Japan’s third largest city has a wide variety of accommodation for all budgets.
In this post we tell you about the best areas and hotels to stay in Osaka, one of the most attractive cities in Japan.
We also leave you 30 things to do in Osaka so you can enjoy it to the fullest.
During our visit to Osaka we stayed at the central WBF Yodoyabashi Minami Hotel. The rooms are very well used and the hotel is very comfortable. Without a doubt, we would repeat for location and comfort.
On the following map you will find the best areas and hotels to stay in Osaka marked so that you can better locate yourself.
1. Namba and Shinsaibashi, the best areas to stay in Osaka
These two neighborhoods have the largest hotel offer in the city. If you stay in one of them, that will mean that you are as central as possible. Namba is the commercial and entertainment heart of the city.
Most of Osaka’s tourist attractions are concentrated in its surroundings, which will give you a plus of comfort. There you will find a multitude of bars and restaurants, theaters and above all, neon lights!
Of course, all this has a price: most hotels are expensive, usually they are above €100 per night. If you can afford it, choosing a hotel near Dotonbori is the best option.
However, you also have the alternative of many interesting capsule hotels for around €40 per night. Without a doubt, it is one of the best areas to stay in Osaka.
The best hotels in Namba and Shinsaibashi:
2. Kita District and Umeda Neighborhood, smart areas to stay in Osaka
If you are looking for something cheaper without giving up a good location, you can stay in the Kita district, located north of Osaka.
In addition to being the city’s busiest transportation hub (with Osaka and Umeda stations) and a bustling business district, Kita also offers a wealth of shopping, dining, and entertainment. In its streets you can enjoy department stores and an extensive network of underground shopping centers.
Regarding hotels, most are medium and high range. As you can imagine, the value for money is much better than if you decide to sleep in Namba. In theory you shouldn’t have a problem finding a good hotel for around €80.
Also, being close to the station will bring you more convenience if you plan to visit cities like Kyoto or Nara, quite frequent excursions from Osaka. For us, it is the smartest option where to stay in Osaka.
Good accommodations in Umeda and Kita:
3. Near the Castle and to the East of the Cty, a good alternative
Osaka Castle is the main attraction of the city. However, considering the two previous options, we advise you not to fall into the mistake of sleeping near the castle.
It would be an unintelligent option, since there is not much in its surroundings. Also, at night it’s a pretty dead zone. To this we must add that most hotels charge that “plus” to be near the monument.
So in most cases, forget about cheap hotels. Still, there’s plenty on offer, so if you fall in love with a hotel, the metro will take you everywhere!
Some hotels near Osaka castle:
4. Tennoji, one of the cheapest and most interesting options to stay in Osaka
Without a doubt, the Tennoji neighborhood is one of the cheapest areas to stay in Osaka.
Apart from being a fairly touristy area for housing the Tennoji and Shinsekai park, it is very well connected by the important station in the neighborhood. In the area there are many well-priced hostels.
It is also where there is a greater concentration of Love Hotels, which are a great option to save.
The neighborhood is also home to the tallest skyscraper in Japan, the Abeno Harukas, which has a great viewpoint.
Regarding the price, Tennoji has hotels of all kinds : from the most luxurious to comfortable hostels for smaller budgets.
To give you an idea, you can find good hotels for around €80 a night and simpler rooms from €40.
Good hotels in Tennoji:
5. Staying in Osaka Bay, far but interesting if you want to go to Universal Studios
Osaka Bay is another world. Due to its recent development, it has become one of the most interesting areas of the city. There you can enjoy the Tempozan Ferris wheel, one of the highest on the planet! Overall it looks like a theme park itself.
In addition, it is a good option to stay in Osaka if you plan to go to Universal Studios to have a good time. This theme park, the company’s first outside the United States, is located in this dynamic area.
There you will find cheaper hotels than in the center and many hostels for €50 per night rooms with shared bathroom.
Regarding the distance to the center of Osaka and the Namba area, it will only take you 20 minutes by public transport. The cities of Japan are very large and are extremely well connected, so distances are always relative.
The best hotels in Osaka Bay:
Tips:
The Ferris wheel has colored lights that provide a weather forecast for the next day. The orange lights indicate that it will be a sunny day, the green ones a cloudy day and the blue ones predict rain.
