Where to Stay in Osaka Japan: My Top Areas & Hotels in 2026

I’ve mentioned this a few times already, but people keep asking me about Osaka, especially whether it’s worth staying longer or if one or two days (usually combined with Universal Studios) is enough. And honestly, if you can make it work, I really think Osaka deserves more time.

Osaka ended up being one of my favorite cities in Japan, mainly because of where it sits vibe-wise. It’s not all temples and shrines like Kyoto, but it’s also not full-on chaos and neon crossings like Tokyo. It feels like a middle ground between the two, and I really enjoyed that balance while I was there.

Since I genuinely think Osaka shouldn’t just be a quick stop on your Japan itinerary, I put together this guide on where to stay in Osaka Japan. I’ll share my own experience staying in Osaka as well as what I liked about it and what I’d do differently the next time.

I’ll go through a few other areas I explored and could easily see myself staying in as well, either because they were super convenient or just felt like good neighborhoods to base myself in.

If you’re trying to figure out where to stay in Osaka and what area actually makes sense for your trip, this should make planning a lot easier.

In a Rush? Here Are Our Favorite Hotels in Osaka Japan

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Namba Oriental Hotel – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️⭐️ Hotel The Leben Osaka – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️ Cinqs Hotel Osaka – Click here for rates & availability

Where to Stay in Osaka Japan: My Top Areas & Hotels in 2026

Where to Stay in Osaka – Where I Stayed in Osaka

I want to start this guide with my own experience rather than just throwing a list of hotels at you. Osaka was actually my very first stop in Japan, so everything felt new right from the start. I still remember landing at Osaka International Airport and feeling completely overwhelmed and even buying a train ticket into the city felt like a small adventure. I got there in the end, but it definitely wasn’t smooth.

I spent four nights in Osaka and split them between two different hotels. I do this quite often, partly because I like trying different places, but also because it gives me real first-hand experience to write about. And honestly, I also can’t (and don’t want to) splurge on luxury hotels for every single night. Splitting a stay usually lets me balance comfort and budget a bit better.

The first place I stayed at was Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka, and I genuinely loved it. It’s located in Namba, which is definitely my favorite area in Osaka. From the hotel, we could walk straight to Dotonbori, but at the same time, the immediate area around the hotel felt calmer and more relaxed.

From the moment we arrived, the staff were incredibly helpful. Everyone spoke good English, the check-in was smooth, and the whole place felt either newly built or very recently renovated. Everything was spotless, modern, and just really pleasant to be in.

Since I had some work to do on my laptop during this stay, we booked a one-bedroom apartment instead of a standard room. It was only slightly more expensive and absolutely worth it. We had a proper living room with a sofa, TV, desk, and even a small kitchen. I honestly could’ve stayed there for the entire trip without any complaints.

For the second half of my stay, we moved to the Swissôtel Nankai Osaka, which is basically next door. Looking back, I didn’t need to change hotels at all since I was more than happy at Fraser Residence, but I’ll admit, this was a noticeable upgrade.

The rooms were fantastic, the service was excellent, and the pool was easily my personal highlight. It felt much more upscale and luxurious overall. While I personally didn’t need that upgrade, I can totally see why some of you would enjoy a luxury hotel like this one.

If you’re someone who prefers a more elevated, hotel-style experience and doesn’t mind paying a bit more for it, then from my own stay, I can say the Swissotel is absolutely worth considering.

Best Areas to Stay in Osaka Japan

1. Namba: Honestly the Best Area to Stay in Osaka

If it’s your first time visiting Osaka, I’ll keep this simple: stay in Namba. I stayed there for my entire time in Osaka, and I wouldn’t change that decision.

Namba is hands down the most convenient area to stay in Osaka for tourists. It’s central, lively, and incredibly easy to get around. I loved that I could explore a lot of the city on foot, which is my favorite way of exploring a new place. I really don’t enjoy it when I have to get on the subway or in a taxi first thing in the morning!

From Namba however, I was able to walk straight to Dotonbori, Osaka’s famous riverfront area, and there are endless cafés, restaurants, and late-night food spots right outside your door. Namba Station is also a major transport hub, so getting to Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan, or even heading out on day trips was quick and painless.

For first-time visitors, Namba just makes life easier. That’s really the bottom line.

Best Hotels in Osaka Namba Area

Swissôtel Nankai Osaka

The Swissôtel Nankai Osaka was easily one of the nicest hotels I stayed at during my Japan trip. From the moment we arrived, everything felt just fantastic. The staff were excellent, the rooms were spacious by Japanese standards, and we were lucky enough to get an amazing view over the city.

We had drinks and dinner at the hotel one night and loved it, and the facilities were genuinely impressive. The gym was solid for a hotel gym, and the pool was a highlight for me, especially after long days of walking around Osaka.

If you’re looking for a more upscale, comfortable stay in Osaka then I can highly recommend the Swissotel.

Book Here: Swissotel Osaka

Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka

The other place I stayed in Osaka was Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka, and this is where I could’ve happily stayed for the entire trip.

I stayed in a one-bedroom apartment, which made a big difference. Japanese hotel rooms can be on the smaller side, so having extra space, a proper living area, and a desk was a huge plus, especially since I had some work on my laptop to do during my stay.

This is also a great option if you’re looking for one of the best places to stay in Osaka with kids. The apartments offer more space, a small kitchen, and an overall setup that’s just more practical when traveling as a family.

Location-wise, it’s right in Namba, close to everything, but still quiet enough to feel relaxed at the end of the day. Comfortable, modern, and very easy to recommend.

Book Here: Fraser Residence

2. Dotonbori

Dotonbori is second on this list simply because it’s one of the best areas in Osaka. Osaka was my very first stop in Japan, and walking into Dotonbori for the first time was a real wow, this is exactly how I pictured Japan moment. Neon signs everywhere, everything bright and loud, food smells coming from every direction, and a crazy amount of people on the street.

I personally stayed in Namba, so I’d just walk over to Dotonbori, which took me around 10-15 minutes and never felt like a big deal. That said, I can totally see why some of you would prefer staying right in the middle of the action in Dotonbori itself.

One of my personal highlights here, by the way, was ramen at Ichiran. It’s a super popular ramen chain in Japan, and honestly, I highly recommend going if you’re in the area.

The Best Osaka Hotels in the Dotonbori Area

Hotel Forza Osaka

Hotel Forza is, in my opinion, one of the best hotels right in Dotonbori. Some rooms have incredible views over the Dotonbori streets below. The rooms are a good size for Japan, the staff is great, and the location is about as central as it gets.

I actually considered staying here myself because I do enjoy being able to step outside and immediately be in the middle of things. In the end, I realized I didn’t need the crowds right outside my hotel door, but if that’s exactly what you’re looking for, this is easily one of the best hotels in Dotonbori.

Book Here: Hotel Forza Osaka

S-Dotonbori Hotel

I wanted to include this hotel because finding decent accommodation for families in Japanese cities can be surprisingly hard. I’ve stayed in quite a few apartments in Japan, and many of them are very tight. Sometimes I couldn’t even properly open my suitcase in the room and I’m not joking.

S-Dotonbori Hotel is a great option for families, though. They offer two-bedroom apartments with a living room, kitchen, and bathroom, and they’re still reasonably priced. If you’re traveling to Osaka with one or two kids and want to stay near Dotonbori without feeling cramped, this is a really solid budget-friendly option.

Book Here: S-Dotonbori Hotel

3. Nakazaki (Kita Ward)

Nakazaki is a small neighborhood in Osaka’s Kita Ward and one of those places I personally love, but I’m also very aware it’s not for everyone. This is a much more niche area to stay, and definitely not where I’d send first-time visitors by default.

I didn’t stay in Nakazaki myself, but I spent a large amount of time here while staying in Osaka. This part of Osaka has some of the best cafés and coffee shops in the city, and since I’m slightly obsessed with coffee, I ended up wandering through the narrow alleyways for hours, bouncing between cafés and bakeries.

That said, from a practical point of view, Nakazaki isn’t the most convenient base. You’re a little out of the way, and getting to places like Universal Studios takes more effort. Because of that, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend staying here on your first trip to Osaka.

However, for a second visit it might be perfect. Now that I’ve already done the main tourist highlights, I’d probably pick Kita Ward over Namba these days.

Best Places to Stay in the Nakazaki Area

Toyoko Inn Osaka

I didn’t stay at Toyoko Inn myself but I came across it while browsing Booking.com and I immediately noticed the price. Depending on the season, rooms can be around $45–50 USD per night, which is actually a really good deal for Japan.

The rooms look reasonably spacious, reviews are pretty solid, and overall this feels like a great basic option if you’re traveling on a budget but still want something clean, reliable, and well located in Kita Ward.

Book Here: Toyoko Inn Osaka

Hotel Hankyu International

Hotel Hankyu International is easily the most upscale option in this part of Osaka. It’s located closer to Umeda Station and the Umeda Sky Building, so while it’s not technically in Nakazaki itself, it’s still in Kita Ward and extremely well connected.

This is the kind of hotel I would happily book myself. It has a more upscale, high-end feel, excellent transport connections, and some super impressive views. Honestly, from some of the rooms, you might not even feel the need to go up to the Umeda Sky Building at all.

Book Here: Hotel Hankyu International

4. Osaka Bay Area (Only for Universal Studios)

I’ll be honest with you: I’m only including the Osaka Bay Area on this list because I keep getting asked where to stay for Universal Studios Japan and how to get there early in the morning. My usual answer is that I stayed in Namba and just took public transport which is easy enough if you don’t mind an early start.

That said, I know not everyone wants to deal with trains first thing in the morning, which is exactly why staying right next to Universal Studios is an option.

And honestly, the more I think about it, if Universal Studios Japan is high on your bucket list, this actually isn’t a bad choice at all. The hotels here are literally a five-minute walk from the park entrance, many of them are really nice, and public transport is excellent.

You can be back in central Osaka in about 15–20 minutes, so it’s really not as inconvenient as it might sound. I’d just only recommend this area if Universal Studios is the main reason you’re staying here.

Best Places to Stay for Universal Studios Japan (Osaka Bay Area)

Hotel Universal Port

Hotel Universal Port is probably one of the best hotels to stay at for Universal Studios Japan. It’s right next to the park entrance and some rooms even have views over Osaka Bay. The rooms are spacious, and from everything I’ve heard, the breakfast here is supposed to be very good.

I personally loved Universal Studios Japan so much that I’d actually be happy to stay here just to give the park another go without worrying about travel time in the morning.

Book Here: Hotel Universal Port

Hotel Keihan Universal

Hotel Keihan Universal is a very similar setup to most of the other Universal hotels. It’s right next to the entrance, surrounded by restaurants, and some rooms have great views over Universal Studios.

From what I can tell, this is probably where I’d stay if I were visiting with kids. They offer themed rooms, and overall it seems a bit more family-friendly than Hotel Universal Port.

Book Here: Hotel Keihan Universal

FAQs About Staying in Osaka Japan

What is the best hotel in Osaka?

I can only speak from my own experience here, of course, since I obviously haven’t stayed at every hotel in Osaka. That said, I had an amazing stay at Swissotel Nankai Osaka, and it’s easily one of the best luxury hotels in Osaka.

Where to stay in Osaka for the first time?

Honestly, I would just stay in Namba and not even consider anywhere else. It’s so centrally located that it just makes the most sense.

The only exception I’d make is Osaka Bay if your main priority is staying close to Universal Studios Japan. Otherwise, Namba wins every time for a first trip.

Where to stay in Osaka with kids?

With kids, I’d absolutely recommend staying either in Namba or in Osaka Bay. If Universal Studios is high on your list, staying near the park in a hotel like Hotel Universal Port makes things much easier. They also have kid-friendly rooms, which is a big plus.

Is Osaka worth visiting?

100%. I actually think Osaka is pretty underrated. I know a lot of people come just for Universal Studios, but there’s so much more to see and explore. For me, Osaka deserves a spot on pretty much every Japan itinerary.

What is the best place to stay in Osaka?

When it comes to location and value for money, my stay at Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka was pretty much perfect. I had a brand-new one-bedroom apartment in an excellent location, super friendly staff, and everything I needed, while still being reasonably priced.

Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Osaka, Japan

To wrap this up, I’ll keep it quick and to the point. From my own experience spending four days in Osaka, I really think Namba is where most of you should stay.

I spent all four days there and wouldn’t have changed a thing. I could walk to cafés, coffee shops, restaurants, and stores during the day, head to Dotonbori in the evening for drinks and dumplings, and still have Namba Station right there to get to places like Osaka Castle or Universal Studios.

I can see how, if Universal Studios is a big priority and you’re traveling with kids, staying in Osaka Bay right next to the park would make things a lot easier.

Either way, I hope this guide to my favorite areas and hotels in Osaka helps you make a decision and plan your trip.