Every nation has an anti-city. In England, Manchester stands opposed to London; in Scotland, Glasgow is everything that Edinburgh is not; in Sicily, Catania is the antithesis of Palermo. Osaka is no exception. Compared to glitzy and expensive Tokyo, Osaka is gritty, vibrant, entrepreneurial and fun-loving. The best place in the country for a bar crawl, it is the economic heart of the Kansai region and its second-largest metropolitan area, brimming with bars, restaurants, shops and a famously friendly population. Ranging from simple ryokans to ultra-luxury hotels, the best places to stay in Osaka reflect the city’s buzz and its welcoming spirit, perfect for a fantastic city break.

For a sense of Osaka’s past, take a guided tour of imposing Osaka Castle or the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, both of which are iconic heritage landmarks. The Osaka Museum of History is fascinating, as are the National Museum of Art, the Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum and the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living. Families should look to Universal Studios Japan, the Osaka Science Museum and the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. The Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street and Kuromon Market are also excellent.

A hub for Japanese tech start-ups and the AI industry, Osaka has a bright, youthful feel. You’ll get a real sense of this creative spirit in the downtown districts of Minami, Dotonbori and Kita, which boast brilliant bars, upmarket restaurants, chic cafes and cool shopping areas. Get chatting to welcoming locals in thriving eateries, and dance the night away at some of the city’s top bars and clubs before returning to one of the best places to stay in Osaka.

The Best Places to Stay in Osaka

For a Traditional Ryokan

• Kaneyoshi Ryokan has 15 rooms, each with tatami flooring and futon bedding. Unwind in a traditional Japanese onsen after days of exploring, and enjoy classic cuisine. Simple, friendly and affordable for couples, friends and families.
• Yamatoya Honten offers 39 rooms in downtown Osaka, with traditional interiors, relaxing public baths and delicious kaiseki dishes at dinner. Guests can choose either Western of Japanese breakfasts. A budget ryokan stay.

For Contemporary Cool

• Zentis Osaka offers chic, contemporary rooms and suites with a white-on-white colour palette and modern artwork. Spaces are compact and include a gym wtih CrossFit machines and a vibrant top-floor restaurant. Adjoining rooms are ideal for families. Well-priced and swish.
• Cross Hotel Osaka is a modern hotel in an appealingly central location. Pick this spot for the ease with which you can explore downtown Osaka's Dotonbori district on foot. Expect reasonable prices and monochromatic interiors with pops of red.
• Hotel New Otani has over 500 modern rooms and suites, many of which are decorated in soothing white and cream tones. Highlights include the hotel's scenic riverside setting, its vast array of restaurants, and its large swimming pool. Osaka Castle is moments away: great for guided tours.

For Romance

• Mitsui Garden Hotel Osaka Premier has a pared-back, elegant feel. Rooms are clad in soft, darker tones, there's a restful garden spa with a large onsen for unwinding, and the restaurant serves gourmet kyushu cuisine. A swish and sophisticated couples' escape.
• Hotel Hankyu International is perfect for a romantic weekend break, with glamorous interiors modelled on classic European residences. Pick this place for a glitzy couples' trip, or a special holiday with friends.

For Business Travellers

• Hotel Agora Regency Sakai is a smart hotel in Sakai, south of Osaka's city centre. Great for business travellers, it's just 25 minutes from the airport by train and boasts a range of meeting spaces and conference rooms. Interiors are stylish and many rooms have ocean views. A well-priced choice.
• Swissotel Nankai Osaka sits above Namba Station, close to the city's commercial hub. Lavish interiors and a plethora of conference spaces — seating between 10 to 1400 people — make this the ideal choice for a large conference or events. Very luxurious.

For Longer Stays

• Fraser Residence Nankai has a collection of studios and multi-bedroom apartments, all with superb city views. Pick this place for the self-catering facilities, the family and group options, and the chance to feel more independent during longer stays. Swish minimalism, with a gym and restaurant-bar.

For Luxury

• St. Regis Osaka sits in the heart of Midosuji — the city's Champs-Elysées equivalent. Expect five-star luxury, with your own private butler, sumptuous suites inspired by floral motifs, a rooftop garden terrace and several exceptional restaurants. Superb.
• Imperial Hotel Osaka sits alongside the Okawa River and boasts a swimming pool, elegant accommodation and multiple dining options. Enjoy Chinese, French or Japanese cuisine, and some of the best views of the cherry blossom in the city.
• The Ritz Carlton, Osaka boasts lavish Georgian interiors, with splendid city views, a fun kids club, a superb spa and various eateries — including Michelin-starred La Baie. Splendid.
• Rihga Royal Hotel Osaka is an oasis of urban luxury in the heart of the city, complete with an impressive 20 restaurants, an extensive spa and elegant rooms and suites. For business travellers, couples and families.
• Conrad Osaka brings sophisticated minimalist design to the top floors of the Nakanoshima Festival West Tower. Spacious guestrooms and suites offer floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the city's skyline, and there's a chic spa and indoor pool. Dining options include delectable KURA. One for well-heeled design lovers.

FOR AN APARTMENT

• If you'd prefer a self-catering option, we suggest that you visit our online partner Booking.com.

Travel information

• Fly to Kansai International Airport, and take the fast train into central Osaka from there. Depending on your destination, the journey should take less than an hour. Invest in a rechargeable ICOCA Smart Card for public transport discounts during your trip.
• Osaka is best navigated by public transport, but you may want to drive if you're exploring beyond the city itself. Contact our online partner Rentalcars if you would like to hire a car.
• Travel during the spring — famed for thousands of pink-blossomed cherry trees — or early autumn, when temperatures range between 15 and 25°C degrees. Winters can be very cold.

STILL NOT SURE?

• Explore our list of all the best places to stay in Kyoto.
• Alternatively, expand your search to see our pick of the best places to stay in Japan.
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Osaka