Where should you stay in Osaka?
Pick the area first, then the hotel. Each area has a clear upside and a real downside.
Compare the five areas
Umeda / Osaka Station
Best for: All-round transport base
- Main advantage:
- Shin-Osaka (Shinkansen) is one JR stop away, about 4 minutes.
- Main drawback:
- Huge, confusing station
- Food
- Excellent
- Transport
- Excellent
- Nightlife
- Good
Namba / Shinsaibashi / Dotonbori
Best for: Food & nightlife
- Main advantage:
- Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi and Kuromon Market are within walking distance.
- Main drawback:
- Busy and noisy
- Food
- Excellent
- Transport
- Very good
- Nightlife
- Excellent
Shin-Osaka
Best for: Shinkansen
- Main advantage:
- The Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen leave from here.
- Main drawback:
- Few sights nearby
- Food
- Fair
- Transport
- Excellent for rail
- Nightlife
- Limited
Shin-Imamiya / Tennoji
Best for: Airport trains & Shinsekai
- Main advantage:
- Nankai’s Rapi:t stops at Shin-Imamiya, and JR’s Haruka stops at Tennoji.
- Main drawback:
- Less polished; mixed feel at night
- Food
- Good
- Transport
- Very good
- Nightlife
- Local
USJ / Osaka Bay
Best for: Universal Studios Japan
- Main advantage:
- Hotels are steps from Universal City Station and the park — one is directly connected to the station.
- Main drawback:
- Little beyond the park
- Food
- Fair
- Transport
- Good
- Nightlife
- Limited
Looking for an onsen stay instead? Arima Onsen is about an hour from Osaka. See Arima ryokan →