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12 Best Hotels In Osaka Japan: Where To Stay In 2023

12 Best Hotels In Osaka Japan: Where To Stay In 2023

Are you looking for the best hotels in Osaka Japan? Perfect! We are going to show you the 12 top rated cheap, mid range and luxury hotel options available in the most popular Osaka neighborhoods.

Instead of trawling through randomly listed hotel search engine results, use our research and data driven guide to find the best hotels in Osaka based on location, value, previous guest ratings and our own personal experiences in the city.

Here’s how we will break down the best hotels in Osaka Japan to help you find the perfect place to stay:

  • Our experience in Osaka
  • Best areas to stay in Osaka
  • Osaka hotels map
  • 12 best Osaka hotels

Let’s find you the perfect Osaka hotel for your trip to Japan!

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Our Experience In Osaka

We have visited Osaka on two separate trips to Japan. The first was in the fall of 2018 and the second was for the cherry blossom season in 2023.

After exploring much of Japan across a total of 4 weeks in the country, we can confidently say that Osaka is one of our favorite places to visit.

In 2018 we stayed in a cheap pod style hotel in Osaka because we were traveling Asia for 3 months on a shoestring budget.

However, in 2023 we had a much healthier travel budget and we stayed in a fantastic mid range hotel called Citadines Namba, which you will find featured later in the guide.

Osaka is a wonderful city overflowing with fun things to do and hundreds of amazing places to eat. It is a completely different experience to Tokyo or Kyoto, and we think Osaka should be included on every first time Japan itinerary.

couple standing together for a photo inside a heart shaped metal frame in late afternoon with tall glass windows behind overlooking Osaka
Mark and Kristen at the top of Abeno Harukas in Osaka Japan

What Are The Best Places To Stay In Osaka?

Umeda and Namba are the best places for first time visitors to stay in Osaka, Japan. However, we also recommend Hommachi, Kitahama, Osaka Castle, Shinsaibashi or Tennoji as alternative options.

We would suggest narrowing down to Shinsaibashi and Namba if you want to be in the touristy areas like Dotonbori with countless eateries. Conversely, we would recommend staying in Umeda if you want to be closer to more of Osaka’s top attractions.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

  • Do you want to be close to attractions?
  • Or would you prefer to be closer to the major foodie areas?
  • Are you visiting Osaka’s theme parks in the bay area with your family?
  • How many days do you have in Osaka?

If you have 3 or 4 full days in Osaka, we would recommend staying in Namba because it has more going on around Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi.

Remember, the Osaka metro system is extensive which makes it easy to reach the outlying attractions like Osaka Castle, Shitteno-ji and even Nara.

Osaka Castle framed with trees and vegetation on a cloudy day in Japan
Osaka Castle on a cloudy day

Best Osaka Neighborhoods

Here is a quick summary about the two most popular Osaka neighborhoods to help you get a better for where to stay.

1. Umeda

Umeda is located to the north of Osaka and it is also known as Kita (which means north in Japanese). This is the commercial, shopping and skyscraper heavy district of Osaka.

We really enjoyed walking around the modern and upscale Umeda neighborhood. You will find endless underground shopping malls and eateries connected by metro stations and tunnels.

Top Attractions In Umeda:

  • Umeda Sky Building Observation Deck
  • Osaka Tenmangu Shrine
  • Japan Mint Museum
  • Nakanoshima Museum of Art
  • Osaka Science Museum

2. Namba

Namba is located to the south of Osaka and it is also a part of Minami (which means south in Japanese). This is the busiest tourist of Osaka overflowing with eateries, shops, entertainment and neon lights.

We stayed in Namba and loved the lively atmosphere. There are so many cool hole-in-the-wall ramen spots, markets, covered shopping streets and flashing lights at night.

Top Attractions In Umeda:

  • Dotonbori District
  • Hozenji Temple
  • Kuromon Ichiba Market
  • Namba Yasaka Jinja
  • Nipponbashi Denden Town
Sunset into night overlooking Osaka from Umeda Sky Building through the phone of a silhouetted tourist
Kristen taking a photo from Umeda Sky Building after sunset

How Did We Choose Where To Stay?

Before we visit any new city we always pin attractions and restaurants onto our personal Google Maps app so we can see where we will spend the most time.

Our attraction pins were scattered across Osaka from Umeda in the north to Tennoji in the south, which made somewhere central seem like the best fit.

Next, we looked at transport to make sure it was going to be easy to get to the hotel.

Most visitors (including us) will arrive into Osaka at the Shin-Osaka JR Station. We wanted to stay in a hotel with a nearby metro station that had direct links to Shin-Osaka to make life easier.

Finally, we wanted to be in a lively area with more food options than we could shake a stick at.

In the end we opted for Citadines Namba which has a central location, easy access to Shin-Osaka and hundreds of eateries.

Tall and narrow 5 tiered pagoda Shittenoji Temple in Osaka on a cloudy day
Mark waited a long time to get this photo of Shitteno-ji Temple without the crowds

What Are The Best Hotels In Osaka?

The term best can be interpreted in several ways and it has a different meaning for everyone.

Does best simply mean the highest rated? The highest quality? What about price and location?

In this guide we strive for inclusivity when we show you our version of the best hotels. Our list is based on the highest guest ratings and our own experiences but crucially we include every budget category so that every type of traveler can find the best hotel available.

Are you curious about the best hotels in Osaka based purely on ratings?

Here are the top 3 hotels in Osaka according to thousands of reviews from several popular online sources (with at least 100 authentic guest reviews – correct as of August 2023 but subject to frequent changes):

Booking

Hotels (Expedia)

Google

Tripadvisor

Ratings are good to use as a guide but they are subjective and will fluctuate over time. Look for hotels with high scores and a high number of ratings. That is the sign of a quality hotel.

One thing to note is that hotels with the best ratings often translate to hotels with the highest nightly cost. And that is why we do not simply list hotels with the highest ratings in our guides.

Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka with crowds of shoppers lining the streets below
Crowded shopping and dining streets around Tsutenkaku Tower

Are Hotels In Osaka Expensive?

No, hotels in Osaka are not expensive when compared to other popular tourist spots in Japan like Tokyo or Hakone.

We have been pleasantly surprised by prices at hotels in Osaka both times we visited. Hiroshima has comparably low nightly rates.

You can expect to pay around US $100 per night at high quality cheap hotels in Osaka on weekdays, which is really great value for such a big city.

On the other side of the spectrum, you will find luxury Osaka hotels cost around US $500 per night on a weekday.

We have to say that Osaka has one of the highest numbers of top rated hotels we have seen, so you won’t have any issues getting into a really great hotel in any budget category.

Hotel Tax In Osaka, Japan

Bear in mind when booking your hotel in Osaka that you will pay 10% hotel tax on top of your base rate.

In addition, you may be required to pay a city tax in Osaka Prefecture, but the amount is very low (no more than US $2 per person, per night).

So let’s say the basic nightly room cost at a cheap Osaka hotel is US $100.00 for one night, your actual total cost is going to be around $114.00.

  • When booking your hotel using Booking.com look under the price for includes taxes and fees. This means the price you see is final and will not be subject to further add ons.
  • Conversely, if you see text reading something like +$30 for taxes and fees, that means you will pay the hotel room cost + the additional 10% tax.

Certain Osaka hotels may also add on a property service tax which will also show in the included taxes section.

These are just things to be aware of so you avoid any nasty surprises when you come to pay.

Osaka Hotels Map

Let’s take a quick look at an interactive Google Map showing the locations of our 12 best Osaka hotels featured in this guide.

Map key:

  • Green stars – Cheap hotels in Osaka
  • Red stars – Mid range budget hotels in Osaka
  • Blue stars – Luxury hotels in Osaka

Click or touch the map to activate.

Zoom in and out, move around the Osaka area to see exactly where each lodging option is located.

Look for the area outlines showing the Umeda, Nakanoshima, Kitahama, Osaka Castle, Hommachi, Namba and Tennoji neighborhoods.

Tourist at the top of Osaka Castle looking out at the view
Kristen enjoying the views from the top of Osaka Castle

12 Best Hotels In Osaka

OK, let’s take a look at each of the best Osaka hotels.

We could have easily made this a guide to the 30 best hotels in Osaka but instead we will feature 12 hotels, then list the highest rated alternative options at the end.

We have hand picked the top 12 Osaka hotels by compiling and comparing previous guest ratings, location, value for money and our own experiences in the area.

Featured hotels are listed in order of average nightly cost within three price range categories; cheap, mid range and luxury.

We selected three future dates in different seasons and collated prices in order to list with a degree of accuracy.

You will find 4 x cheap hotels, 4 x mid range hotels and 4 x luxury hotels. Each represents a top rated hotel within its price category.

Let’s kick things off with the best cheap hotels in Osaka Japan!

1. Hotel Cordia Osaka Hommachi

Guest ratings:

  • Booking.com – 9.1 / 10
  • Google – 4.4 / 5
Inside a guest bedroom with two beds and tv
Photo courtesy of Hotel Cordia
  • Price: Cheap $
  • Amenities: Free WiFi, breakfast available, on site restaurant, laundry
  • Location: Hommachi
  • Metro: Hommachi Station

Hotel Cordia Hommachi is one of the best centrally located cheap hotels in Osaka. This affordable and highly rated hotel is located just steps from Hommachi metro station which provides easy access to all areas of the city and top attractions.

Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities and value for money the highest at Hotel Cordia Hommachi. If you want a cheap but quality place to stay in a central location with direct links to Shin-Osaka station, this is a great hotel to start looking at prices.

>> Book Hotel: Hotel Cordia Osaka Hommachi

2. Hotel The Flag Osaka

Guest ratings:

  • Booking.com – 9.2 / 10
  • Google – 4.7 / 5
Inside a guest bedroom with neat bed, small desk area and large window
Photo courtesy of Hotel The Flag
  • Price: Cheap $
  • Amenities: Free WiFi, breakfast included, on site restaurant, laundry
  • Location: Namba
  • Metro: Shinsaibashi Station

Hotel The Flag is the top rated cheap hotel in Osaka, Japan. There is a 2 night minimum stay but this extremely well regarded hotel in northern Namba near Shinsaibashi metro station is always full so get in quickly once you know your dates.

Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities, value for money and location the highest at Hotel The Flag. It takes a clean sweep with sky high ratings across the board, which makes this one of our highest cheap Osaka hotel picks.

>> Book Hotel: Hotel The Flag Shinsaibashi Osaka

3. Onyado Nono Osaka Yodoyabashi

Guest ratings:

  • Booking.com – 9.1 / 10
  • Google – 4.5 / 5
Exterior photo of the entrance to an onsen hotel in Osaka at night with lights
Photo courtesy of Onyado Nono Yodoyabashi
  • Price: Cheap $
  • Amenities: Free WiFi, breakfast available, laundry, sauna, public hot spring onsen
  • Location: Kitahama
  • Metro: Kitahama Station

Onyado Nono is a unique hotel in Osaka offering a nice blend between traditional Japanese and western style accommodations. You can wear yukata as you walk on the tatami floors, use the gender separated onsen, eat at breakfast and for complementary nightly ramen.

Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities, value for money and location the highest at Onyado Nono. We stayed at this same exact hotel but in nearby Nara and had a fantastic experience. It is located on the Tosahori River near Umeda and several metro stops.

>> Book Hotel: Onyado Nono Osaka Yodoyabashi

4. Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu

Guest ratings:

  • Booking.com – 8.9 / 10
  • Google – 4.5 / 5
Inside a guest bedroom with large bed on blue rug leading to window
Photo courtesy of Tokyu Hotels
  • Price: Cheap $
  • Amenities: Free WiFi, breakfast available, on site restaurant and bar, laundry, fitness center
  • Location: Namba
  • Metro: Namba Station

Excel Hotel Tokyu is a popular central Osaka hotel located next to Hommachi metro station. It is clean and modern, it has excellent ratings and it is affordable. This is a great place for business travel, families or couples who want to be centrally located within Osaka.

Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities, value for money and location the highest at Excel Hotel Tokyu. It has especially high ratings for comfort and cleanliness, which will suit many visitors. Definitely one to consider on the upper end of low budget.

>> Book Hotel: Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu

5. Hotel Forza Osaka Namba

Guest ratings:

  • Booking.com – 8.9 / 10
  • Google – 4.5 / 5
Entrance to Hotel Forza in Dotonbori Namba Osaka narrow grey building with orange letters
Entrance to Hotel Forza in Namba
  • Price: Mid Range $$
  • Amenities: Free WiFi, breakfast available, on site restaurant
  • Location: Namba
  • Metro: Namba Station

Hotel Forza is a hugely popular hotel in Osaka with a prime time location in the heart of Dotonbori, which is the liveliest area of Namba. If you want to stay in the busiest district for dining, shopping, theater and nightlife, this affordable Osaka hotel is perfect for you.

Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities, value for money and location the highest at Hotel Forza. It takes a clean sweep and has excellent ratings. This hotel is right in the action with hundreds of places to eat immediately out of the entrance.

>> Book Hotel: Hotel Forza Osaka Namba

6. Citadines Namba Osaka

Guest ratings:

  • Booking.com – 9.2 / 10
  • Google – 4.6 / 5
Two beds in a smart hotel room in Osaka Japan
Our room with cloud-like beds at Citadines Namba Osaka
  • Price: Mid Range $$
  • Amenities: Free WiFi, breakfast available, pet friendly, laundry, fitness center, on site restaurant and bar, shared lounges, shared kitchen
  • Location: Namba
  • Metro: Namba Station

Citadines Namba is one of the overall best hotels in Osaka. It has thousands of exceptional ratings, incredibly comfortable rooms and a good location in Namba. We stayed at this Citadines hotel in Osaka and our stay was fantastic. The beds were like sleeping on clouds!

Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities, value for money and location the highest at Citadines Namba. It is a bit of a walk from Namba metro station and the breakfast could be better, but all things considered this is one of the best hotels we have stayed in during two visits to Japan.

>> Book Hotel: Citadines Namba Osaka

7. Hotel The Leben Osaka

Guest ratings:

  • Booking.com – 9.3 / 10
  • Google – 4.8 / 5
Inside a guest bedroom with two beds and a sofa lit up by natural light
Photo courtesy of Hotel The Leben
  • Price: Mid Range $$
  • Amenities: Free WiFi, breakfast included, laundry
  • Location: Namba
  • Metro: Nagahoribashi Station

Hotel The Leben is one of the top rated hotels in Osaka. It has exceptional guest reviews and comments, a solid central location not far from the action and it is a newer hotel with modern furnishings. If you want a mid-range Osaka hotel held in high regard, look no further than the Leben.

Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities, value for money and location the highest at Hotel The Leben. It has one of the highest cleanliness scores we have seen in Osaka, so you are in safe hands here if you are someone who prioritizes a clean place to stay.

>> Book Hotel: Hotel The Leben Osaka

8. Imperial Hotel Osaka

Guest ratings:

  • Booking.com – 9.0 / 10
  • Google – 4.4 / 5
Exterior photo of Imperial Hotel Osaka along the riverbank with cherry blossom trees
Photo courtesy of Imperial Hotel Osaka
  • Price: Mid Range $$
  • Amenities: Free WiFi, fitness center and indoor swimming pool (both extra), fine dining, spa, bar, breakfast available
  • Location: Umeda
  • Metro: Ogimachi Station

Imperial is a glamorous 5 star Osaka hotel with affordable luxury prices. It has a unique location on the banks of the tree lined Okawa River between the lively Umeda area and Osaka Castle. In spring this area is packed full of tourists (like us!) taking photos of cherry blossoms.

Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness and facilities the highest at Imperial Hotel. The location is isolated and a bit of a walk from the nearest metro, but this is a great place to stay if you want old world luxury at affordable price points in a quieter Osaka location.

>> Book Hotel: Imperial Hotel Osaka

9. Hotel Royal Classic Osaka

Guest ratings:

  • Booking.com – 9.1 / 10
  • Google – 4.4 / 5
Exterior photo of a hotel in Osaka with a unique facade
Photo courtesy of Hotel Royal Classic Osaka
  • Price: Luxury $$$
  • Amenities: Free WiFi, on site restaurant and bar, breakfast available, laundry
  • Location: Namba
  • Metro: Namba Station

Hotel Royal Classic is a classy 4 star hotel in Osaka with an outstanding location above Namba metro station. The hotel has a direct entrance to Namba which connects you with Shin-Osaka JR and all other areas of the city. Dotonbori and the covered shopping streets are all just a stones throw away.

Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities and location the highest at Hotel Royal Classic. It isn’t just about the prime time location here, guest comments are also very positive about modern, clean and comfortable rooms.

>> Book Hotel: Hotel Royal Classic Osaka

10. Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel

Guest ratings:

  • Booking.com – 9.0 / 10
  • Google – 4.5 / 5
Inside a guest bedroom with two beds and a desk leading to huge floor to ceiling windows
Photo courtesy of Marriott
  • Price: Luxury $$$
  • Amenities: Free WiFi, on site restaurant and bar, fitness center, outdoor terrace, rooms with views
  • Location: Tennoji
  • Metro: Tennoji Station

Osaka Marriott is a unique luxury hotel in Osaka because it occupies high floors inside the Abeno Harukas building, which is the tallest building in Japan. Every room has a city view and we can tell you after going to the Harukas 300 observation deck ourselves that it is a wonderful viewpoint.

Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities and location the highest at Osaka Marriott. It is more expensive but it is all about the far reaching skyline views which makes this a great place to stay if you like urban cityscapes.

>> Book Hotel: Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel

11. InterContinental Hotel Osaka

Guest ratings:

  • Booking.com – 9.1 / 10
  • Google – 4.4 / 5
Exterior photo of the entrance to InterContinental Osaka looking up at the building
Photo courtesy of IHG
  • Price: Luxury $$$
  • Amenities: Free WiFi, breakfast available, on site restaurant and bar, indoor swimming pool, fitness center, spa
  • Location: Umeda
  • Metro: Umeda Station

InterContinental is a 5 star hotel in Osaka with a superb Umeda location near the popular Umeda Sky Building observatory. It has excellent transport links and upscale facilities, as well as apartment-style rooms which are perfect for families who want multiple rooms connected.

Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities and location the highest at InterContinental. Prices are of course higher here but you are getting a lot for your money with a top location and quality facilities. Apartments are equipped with kitchen and washing machines.

>> Book Hotel: InterContinental Hotel Osaka

12. Conrad Osaka

Guest ratings:

  • Booking.com – 9.1 / 10
  • Google – 4.5 / 5
Long and narrow indoor swimming pool lit up at night with loungers to the side at Conrad Osaka
Photo courtesy of Hilton
  • Price: Luxury $$$
  • Amenities: Free WiFi, on site restaurant and bar, indoor swimming pool, fitness center, spa, breakfast available
  • Location: Nakanoshima
  • Metro: Watanabebashi Station

Conrad is a 5 star luxury hotel in Osaka with top class service and facilities. It is located in Nakanoshima between Umeda and Kitahama, close to museums and the convention center. The hotel has exceptional ratings and positive comments from families, couples and solo travelers alike.

Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities and location the highest at Conrad. This is one of the best luxury hotels in Osaka and that comes with a price tag to match. Stay here for a splurge and enjoy the upscale amenities.

>> Book Hotel: Conrad Osaka

Silhouetted tourist looking out of a large window over a city
Kristen looking out at Osaka from Harukas 300

Alternative Hotels In Downtown Osaka

Osaka has some of the highest rated hotels we have seen and as a result there are several excellent alternative options in case none of our featured hotels above work for you.

In summary, here are the best of the rest:

Cheap

Mid Range

Luxury

Best Hotels In Osaka Bay

Are you heading to Osaka to visit Universal Studios?

You might want to think about staying at a hotel in Osaka Bay rather than in town to cut down on travel time.

Here are the top rated Osaka Bay hotels:

Best Hotels In Osaka FAQ’s

Let’s take a quick look at some of the most frequently asked questions about where to stay in Osaka Japan.

What is the best cheap hotel in Osaka?

Hotel The Flag has the highest guest ratings of any cheap hotel in Osaka. It has a superb location, great transport links, exceptional reviews and affordable prices.

What is the best luxury hotel in Osaka?

Conrad is the best luxury hotel in Osaka. The upscale 5 star hotel has a fantastic location, excellent reviews and luxurious facilities including indoor swimming pool.

Hotels Near Osaka
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We hope this guide to the best hotels in Osaka helps you book the perfect hotel for your visit to Japan!

Please let us know if you have any questions about any of the hotels in our list of best places to stay in Osaka by commenting below.

Happy Booking,

Mark and Kristen
Best Hotels Anywhere

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