Namba
2.8 miles from city centre
Hit your funny bone at Namba Grand Kagetsu, where famous comedians take centre stage. Osaka’s show biz is the country’s largest and it tends toward the comedic. Subverting Japanese stereotypes, these locals are far from shy. Head to the red lantern-lined streets and eat your way through this district to find out why Osaka’s called “Japan’s stomach.”
Places to stay from £8 per night
Dotonbori
2.4 miles from city centre
Larger than life crustaceans and illuminated ads– sound appealing? Then you’ll love Osaka’s nightlife–surreal, chaotic and too trendy for its own good. Festive lights reflect in the Dotonbori-gawa canal to create a neon ambiance. Don’t leave without eating a hot octopus ball (takoyaki) from Kukuru Takoyaki, they’re kind of a big deal.
Places to stay from £12 per night
Shin Osaka
2 miles from city centre
Osaka’s gateway, Shin Osaka whisks travellers to Kyoto and beyond via the Shinkansen (bullet train). Entertainment and shopping options are sparse, but the sleepy town’s a favourite among locals seeking to be near the hubbub of Kita, but far enough for some privacy.
Places to stay from £13 per night
Umeda
0.2 miles from city centre
Trendsetters tip your hat to Umeda’s funky fashion. There’s enough in this urban maze to delight all stripes, no matter what colour your collar. Photograph your way through the Floating Garden Observatory or get even higher by tempting a turn on the HEP Five Ferris Wheel that’s perched atop a building. Hello, stunning Ikoma Mountain view.
Places to stay from £13 per night
Kita
In the city centre
Punch the clock alongside Osaka’s busiest. This transport hub buzzes with worker bees. But the 9-5ers know how to let loose after hours. Eat or imbibe at Dojima Center and satiate your retail cravings away from the sun in one of Kita’s underground malls. For luck in future travels, as well as love, head to Tsuyunoten Shrine.
Places to stay from £13 per night
Shinsaibashi
2.2 miles from city centre
Shinsaibashi is synonymous with shopping. High-fashion brands like Prada predominate on Midosuji Street, while Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Center has a peppering of boutiques between its box shops. Pinch a penny by purchasing a bento box in the basement of Daimaru Department Store and eat al fresco on the roof.
Places to stay from £9 per night
Minami
2.8 miles from city centre
Hang with the thespians. From kabuki (dance-drama) to bunraku (Japanese puppet theatre) to comedy plays, this area scratches the entertainment itch. Once better known for its seedy charm and colourful nature, cultural shifts show this as a new hipster hangout. Peruse Kuromon Ichiba market for some fresh sashimi and strawberry mochi.
Places to stay from £4 per night
A city celebrated for its lively nightlife, top restaurants and delicious street food, Osaka combines dynamic development and longstanding traditions.
When cherry blossom season starts in spring, the city blooms with vivid pink. Take a walk along the Okawa River or through the extensive grounds of Osaka Castle for the best views. This 16th-century citadel overlooks scenic surroundings, and features an ancient collection of art, armour and everyday objects inside. Its eighth-floor observation deck boasts wonderful 360-degree views.
For more sweeping vistas amid lush scenery, head to the top of the 173-metre-tall Umeda Sky Building, whose two towers are linked at their summits by a beautiful ‘floating garden’.
Filling, tasty and affordable – street food is another of Osaka’s biggest attractions. Try Okonomiyaki, a local favourite that’s like a cross between a pancake and a pizza, or Takoyaki – grilled balls of batter with octopus chunks inside.
Osaka and Umeda train stations are linked by underground shopping centres, while the edgier enterprises of Shinsaibashi’s America Village appeal to a younger crowd. Down by the river, Dotonbori’s neon lights promote more shops and eateries considered to be among the best in the city.
Those wanting to travel from Osaka to Tokyo can do so by taking the bullet train from Shin-Osaka station, which also has a direct line from Osaka to Kyoto. The city airport serves only as a domestic terminal, although international flights depart from the regional Kansai Airport.
Tonight
From £27 per night
This weekend
From £74 per night
Next weekend
From £117 per night
Most popular time to visit | October–December |
Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
Local currency | ¥1,000 = £5.21 |
Language | Japanese |
Average weekend price | £85 per night |
Average weekday price | £85 per night |
Typical stay | 1 night |
Kyocera Dome Osaka
2.6 miles from city centre
Osaka-jō Hall
2.4 miles from city centre
Tsutenkaku
3.6 miles from city centre
Osaka Castle
2.2 miles from city centre
Yanmar Stadium Nagai
6.4 miles from city centre
Shinsekai
3.7 miles from city centre
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
6.2 miles from city centre
Umeda Sky Building
0.2 miles from city centre
So easy to get around Osaka, everyone is so friendly &...
30 April 2024
So easy to get around Osaka, everyone is so friendly & helpful. No problems getting train/metro tickets at the stations as there is an English page on all the machines where you purchase your train/metro tickets & very easy to use. Favourite places that we visited: Kyoto, Osaka Castle, Shitenno-ji-Temple, Sumiyoshi, Dotonbori canal to name but a few
For a first time visitor to Japan, I am glad I chose Osaka,...
29 April 2024
For a first time visitor to Japan, I am glad I chose Osaka, rather than Tokyo. Whilst we did visit Tokyo, it was too large and very busy with an extremely complex underground/railway network. We stayed in two locations during our holiday. The first being appartments designed for short stay tourists. The second was a holiday home which worked out cheaper and was much more spacious. If you are travelling with a family I can highly recommend the second option. Whilst it was not centrally located, the area (Imaichi) was quiet and clearly was not used to tourists in that area (this was a good thing!) There was a more friendly atmosphere - and homely feel about the area. Central Osaka was easier to navigate than Tokyo with fewer underground lines. Wether you wanted to stay in a city envronment or visit more rural areas such as Nara or the northern beaches of Tottori (Higashihama - 100m from the station!) - It could all be done with a cheaper JR Area Pass (rather than the more expensive all Japan JR Rail Pass). Kyoto and Lake Biwa was stunning. With easy access westwards towards Himeji, Fukuyama and Hiroshima, Osaka is a much more all rounded experience of Japan. I would say self catering accommodation is the way to go. The food availalble from convenience stores and the local markets is freshly prepared, restaurant quality and ready to eat. I am amazed if the local population actually properly cook for themselves at all! I could not get over the size of the apples (huge)! Try the strawberry and cream sandwich - go on - do it!
Osaka has a lot to offer: short day trips to lovely cities...
23 April 2024
Osaka has a lot to offer: short day trips to lovely cities (Kyoto, Kobe, Nara), nice sightseeing in walkable distances, huge shopping areas and a lot of activities to book! The botanical garden has a Lightshow you don‘t wanna miss (but of course not always). Tip: go and slide down the tower of Tsutenkaku- I loved it!! (1000 Yen) The metro is easy to use and you could also book (electrical) bike vis Luup (app).
A perfect entry point towards the south of Japan and easily...
22 April 2024
A perfect entry point towards the south of Japan and easily accessible to all other destinations in Japan and the Osaka castle and proximity to Kyoto was the logical decision to make Osaka our base upon arrival and departure.
Osaka is a wonderful city, more navigable than Tokyo with a...
22 April 2024
Osaka is a wonderful city, more navigable than Tokyo with a more laid-back vibe. The amount of day trips that are possible could fill sever weeks - as well as Kyoto, NARA, Himeji and Hiroshima, give Kinosaki Onsen, Kurashiki or Mount Koya a try.
More compact than Tokyo, but still loads to do.
18 April 2024
More compact than Tokyo, but still loads to do. Food and drink the main draw.... USJ worth a day (get there 90mins before opening time - download the app and set up party before arriving). KIX airport is a WAY out (like NRT in Tokyo).
Osaka, Japan
From £117 per night
Osaka Station, Umeda, Yodoyabashi, Hommachi, Osaka
From £167 per night
Namba, Osaka
From £86 per night
Minami, Osaka
From £68 per night
Shinsaibashi, Osaka
From £113 per night
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