Wondering where to stay in Osaka? This vibrant Japanese city has so many lively neighbourhoods and cool attractions that it can feel dizzying trying to figure out the best areas to stay in Osaka.
This guide will walk you through each of the best areas to stay in Osaka, outlining their vibe and who they’re best suited for, with a budget, midrange, and luxury accommodation option for each.
Whether you’re wondering the best places to stay in Osaka with family, or looking for the most budget-friendly hotel in the city – I’ve got you covered!
Exploring Osaka castle in Japan
Best Places To Stay In Osaka At A Glance
Before we dive right into my top Osaka hotel suggestions and detailed neighbourhood guides, I wanted to give you a quick rundown of the type of traveller that each area is best suited for.
Namba: If it’s your first time in Osaka, this is the best area to stay in Osaka for First Timers, and for those who are only spending one day in Osaka.
Here you’ll find all those stereotypically “Osaka” sights, with the neon signs and street food of Dotonbori, plus it’s well connected and easy to travel around.
Shinsekai: This is the best area to stay in Osaka for budget travellers. We stayed here and found very accommodation to be very affordable, especially compared to other areas of Osaka.
It’s also easy to travel around the city and has lots of cool spots itself.
The distinctive pagoda of Shittenoji Temple in Osaka, Japan
Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Osaka Japan lit up at night.
Osaka Castle: The areas surrounding Osaka Castle are the best places to stay in Osaka for culture.
They’re much quieter and laid back compared to the first two neighbourhoods I listed, and right by Osaka’s main historical attraction.
Kita: If you’re planning on using Osaka as a base for day trips, then Kita is the best location for you to stay in, as it’s super close to Osaka train station. It’s also more local and less touristy than other spots in Osaka.
Osaka Bay: This is where you’ll find Universal Studios Japan, so needless to say, this is the perfect area to stay in Osaka for families.
Colorful lantern display with samurai and octopus at Dotonbori Osaka Japan.
Colorful storefronts and Tsutenkaku Tower at Shinsekai district Osaka Japan.
Best Areas To Stay In Osaka
Shinsekai – Best Area To Stay In Osaka For Budget Travellers
This vibrant market district was where we decided to stay on our trip to Osaka.
It’s quieter than other neighbourhoods like Dotonbori, but it still has loads of restaurants and it’s quick and easy to travel to the city’s other districts from here.
The neighbourhood didn’t make it onto the map of notable districts until the 1903 National Industrial Exposition. Sadly, soon after Shinsekai’s streets were pretty much entirely destroyed during WWII, but it was rebuilt in 1956.
Shinsekai is most recognizable thanks to the Tsutenkaku Tower, a Japanese take on the Eiffel Tower. There’s a cool observation deck at the top of the 103-metre tall tower.
Curiously, the southern part of the district is styled with a Coney Island New York twist, whilst the northern area (where the tower is) was inspired by the streets of Paris.
It’s definitely the best place to stay in Osaka if you’re on a budget.
Backpackers tend to flock to Shinsekai, and I know I saved a fair bit on my accommodation costs by staying here instead of in some of Osaka’s more up-market districts.
Shinsekai, Osaka, Japan – A lively district filled with neon lights, street food, and the famous Tsutenkaku Tower.
Shinsekai, Osaka, Japan – A nostalgic district known for its vibrant signs, local eateries, and retro charm.
Money aside, it’s a super interesting neighbourhood with loads to do. Here are some of the best places to stay in Shinsekai for every budget.
Budget: a popular branch hotel, the Hotel Wing International Premium Osaka-Shinsekai has classical hotel rooms at really affordable prices.
It’s well located in the heart of the neighbourhood, very close to the Tsutenkaku Tower. Their rooms are great value for money, and for a little extra you can add on a buffet breakfast too!
Click here to book your stay at the Hotel Wing International Premium Osaka Shinsekai!
Midrange: If you’re travelling as a group of friends or a family then the cute and simple hotel apartments at Apartment Hotel 11 Namba are perfect for you!
You’ll have your own little kitchen and a little dining area where you can all wind down at the end of a long day over a beer. Prices vary depending on your group size.
Click here to see prices & availability at the Apartment Hotel 11 Namba!
Luxury: for a luxurious holiday in true Japanese fashion, book this traditional house stay. It has three bedrooms, a living room with a projector for movies, and an outdoor sauna! Perfect for bigger groups and families.
Click here to book your stay in this traditional Japanese house with a private outdoor sauna!
Shinsekai, Osaka, Japan – A retro district known for its vibrant streets, local eateries, and the iconic Tsutenkaku Tower.
Osaka Castle – Best Place To Stay In Osaka For Culture
Osaka Castle itself is the main tourist attraction in the city.
Its construction began in 1583 on the former site of the Ishiyama Honganji Temple. Beautifully designed in a traditional Japanese style, it resembles a lot of the country’s temples.
You can learn more about the castle’s history and Japan’s Edo period at the Museum of History opposite. Within the park, you’ll also find the Hokoku Shrine!
The surrounding grounds, the Nishinomaru Garden, are also nice to wander around. In spring around 600 cherry trees come into bloom, which really brings the park to life.
The beautiful Osaka Castle and red autumn colours
Inside of Osaka Castle in Japan
This guided walking tour is a great day tour if you want to find out about the history of the castle and discover the city’s other major sights and neighbourhoods.
Surrounding the castle are a lot of Osaka’s business districts. I quite liked the contrast of the serene, historical park with the towering skyscrapers.
If you’re here for the culture, book a stay near Osaka’s famous castle.
A big river runs through the neighbourhood and lots of the nicest hotels are positioned on the waterfront, offering views of the castle and river.
It’s a quiet area with fewer crowds than in the city center, so you’re sure to get a good night’s sleep!
Click here to book your guided walking tour of Osaka!
Enjoying the scenic view of Osaka Castle in Osaka, Japan
Here are some great places to stay around Osaka Castle for every budget.
Budget: Hotel Monterey La Soeur Osaka is where I stayed on my first trip to Osaka. It has comfy and adorable rooms in the Osaka Business Park, just a 15-minute walk away from Osaka Castle Park and a few minutes walk away from a subway station.
Their art-deco rooms are great value for money, and there’s even a public bath in the hotel! You’ll struggle to find something more budget-friendly in the area.
Click here to book your stay at the Hotel Monterey Lasoeur Osaka!
Midrange: The rooms at Hotel New Otani have breathtaking views of Osaka Castle and the river.
A short walk away from the castle grounds and metro line, it’s super conveniently located. If you pay a little extra you can relax in their spa area too. It’s a fantastic midrange option.
Check out prices and availability at the Hotel New Otani in Osaka here!
Luxury: Known internationally for its elegant hotels, DoubleTree Hilton is a go-to for luxury. As well as exquisite rooms, there’s a swimming pool, fitness center, and room service! There’s a sleek bar and restaurant too.
Click here to book your stay at the DoubleTree Hilton!
Majestic Osaka Castle in Japan
View from the top of Osaka Castle in Japan
Namba – Best Area to Stay in Osaka for First Timers
One of the best areas to stay in Osaka for tourists visiting the city for the first time. Namba, also known as Minami, is the area surrounding the Namba Station. It’s one of the two major city centers in Osaka.
Wondering where to stay in Osaka for nightlife? This is it. The area is known for its vibrant bars, and alleys riddled with street food stalls and noisy restaurants.
Keep a lookout for neon Glico billboards as you wander around. Book onto this Namba pub crawl with a local to make sure you don’t miss any of the coolest drinking spots!
Namba is also right by Dotonbori, an area that embodies a neon and futuristic version of Japan everyone has to experience.
Click here to book your Namba pub crawl with a local in Osaka!
Dotonbori neighbourhood in Osaka
It started out as a humble entertainment area in the 1600s that had a few puppet theaters, and today it’s the city’s main entertainment hub.
From Namba, it’s easy to travel to Osaka Castle and other districts as there are loads of metro, subway, and train lines.
The hotels are pretty affordable in Namba and there’s lots of competition as it’s one of the busiest areas in the city.
If you’re not a fan of loud streets and you think you’ll find the flashing neon billboards and crowds overwhelming I’d recommend booking in Osaka Bay instead, even if it’s your first trip to Osaka.
Dotonbori, Osaka, Japan – A bustling nightlife district famous for its neon lights, street food, and lively atmosphere.
Here are some great places to stay in Namba for every budget.
Budget: the APA Hotel & Resort is a tower-style hotel that has a swimming pool and even a spa center. Honestly, it’s amazing that this three-star hotel offers very affordable rooms suitable for smaller budgets. It’s right by the JR Namba Station too.
Click here to book your stay at the APA Hotel & Resort in Namba!
Midrange: the cute and quirky rooms at Hotel Monterey Grasmere are styled in a European chateau style.
It’s directly connected to the JR Namba Station so it couldn’t be better located, as well as being just 10 minutes walk away from Dotonbori’s shopping area. The restaurant and bar area at the top has panoramic views of Osaka.
Click here to see prices & availability at the Hotel Monterey Grasmere in Osaka!
Luxury: for couples on a romantic escapade, a stay at the elegant Candeo Hotel is perfect. There’s a sauna you can wind down in, as well as a series of pools you can cool off in.
It’s situated right by Dotonbori, so you can step outside and straight into the best shopping area.
Click here to book your stay at the Candeo Hotel!
Exploring the street food in the Dotonbori neighbourhood of Osaka
Kita – Best Location To Stay In Osaka For Day Trips
Kita is the city’s northern city center. Also known as Umeda, it surrounds the Osaka Station so it’s the best area to stay in Osaka if you’re planning on going on lots of day trips from Osaka.
Nearby destinations include Nara where you can feed bowing deer, Kyoto which is riddled with food markets and culture, the elaborate Mount Koyasan temple village, and the iconic Himeji Castle.
If you are going to take the trains out of the city a lot, read about my experience using the Japan Rail Pass.
Overall it really depends on how many day trips you’re planning on going on, and to which places, as the discounts don’t apply on every train route. But it can be a really great way to save some money!
Kita itself is pretty glamorous and feels a lot like a business district in any modern city. There are lots of shopping malls, and tall glass-planned skyscrapers line the neighborhood’s wide avenues.
I wouldn’t stay here unless you’re planning lots of day trips as it’s not a particularly interesting neighbourhood from a cultural point of view.
Also, there are better areas to stay in Osaka for things like food and nightlife.
Takoyaki in Dotonbori Japan
If you do decide to stay in Kita, here are some great options for every budget.
Budget: Kita is a pretty expensive neighbourhood, so the basic but functional rooms at Hotel Landmark are an absolute steal. The best thing is you’ll get to stay round the corner from Osaka Station without breaking the bank.
Click here to book your stay at the Hotel Landmark!
Midrange: Hotel Hankyu Respire is exactly what comes to mind when you picture a modern, midrange hotel.
The rooms are spacious and clean, and there’s a fitness center and parking in the hotel. It’s right by the Osaka Station, so it’s conveniently located near loads of transport routes.
Check out prices & availability at the Hotel Hankyu Respire here!
Luxury: The glamorous Osaka Station Hotel by Autograph Collection has pristine rooms with panoramic cityscape views. Some of the rooms even have bubble baths! Their luxury rooms come at a cost, but they’re worth every penny.
Click here to book your stay at the Osaka Station Hotel!
The outside of Himeji Castle
The outside of Todaiji temple in Nara, Japan
Osaka Bay – Where To Stay In Osaka With Family
The Osaka Bay area is made up of a collection of little districts built on man-made islands. As the city grew, this was one of the innovative ways that the government kept up with the increasing population.
Wondering where to stay in Osaka with family? Osaka Bay is the top pick for you.
The area has lots of theme parks and museums in it, and it’s near Universal Studios so if you’re planning on taking the kids there, it’s perfect!
One of the most popular areas of Osaka Bay is the Tempozan Harbor Village which is home to the Osaka Aquarium, the Tempozan Marketplace, and a Ferris wheel!
Another reason Osaka Bay is great for families is because it’s a relatively quiet neighborhood that has less of the wild nightlife of other areas.
Super Nintendo World, Osaka, Japan – A colorful and immersive theme park bringing the world of Mario to life.
Here are some great places to stay in Osaka for every budget.
Budget: this cute, Japanese three-bedroom Universal Bay Condominium apartment is by the Osaka Aquarium and near a metro station.
It is spacious and bright and has a little kitchen area where you can make snacks and quick meals for the kids. Considering you get the whole place, it’s super affordable.
Click here to book your stay at the Universal Bay Condominium!
Midrange: for a unique family holiday book to stay at The Day Osaka. Surrounded by a green park with a little lake, the hotel feels miles away from the city even though it’s just four kilometres away from Universal Studios.
There’s a public bath, and the kids can even roast marshmallows over the fire!
Don’t miss out, click here to book your stay at The Day Osaka!
Luxury: if you’re splashing out for a special family occasion, book a family room at the four-star Hotel Sails. Their elegant rooms are detailed and spacious.
The hotel is just 6 kilometers away from Universal Studios and it’s around the corner from the Tempozan Ferris Wheel!
Check out prices & availability for your stay at the Hotel Sails in Osaka here!
Visiting Hogwarts Castle at Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, Japan
Final Thoughts On Where To Stay In Osaka
From the amazing hotels in the city’s best nightlife neighbourhood Namba to the family-friendly lodges in Osaka Bay, this guide has an option for every kind of traveller and a range of budgets.
I hope this helped you figure out where to stay in Osaka and give you an idea of the best areas of the city. I love Osaka’s blend of futuristic and historical areas, and thought it was a great city to go on day trips from.
While Tokyo will always have a special place in my heart, I actually preferred Osaka as a base to explore from, as it’s just closer to more interesting places.
Being right in the middle of the classic Japan Golden Route itinerary, it’s very likely that you’ll stop in Osaka at some point, either before visiting Kyoto or after, or maybe as you travel on to the Nakasendo Highway, to Mount Fuji or other destinations on your Japan bucket list.
Have you been to Osaka before? Are you planning to go? Let me know in the comments below.
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