Osaka, Japan has lots of excellent hotels to suit any travel budget. You can stay in affordable boutique hotels, traditional Japanese onsen ryokans or 5 star hotels from major brands like InterContinental and Conrad. But for us, the best part is that hotels in Osaka offer much better value when compared to the likes of Tokyo or Hakone.
In this guide we show you the best hotels in Osaka Japan for all budgets, based on our experiences.
Our Experience In Osaka
We’ve visited Osaka on two separate trips to Japan, first in the fall of 2018 and again for the cherry blossom season in April 2023. And after exploring much of the country, we can confidently say that Osaka is one of our favorite places in Japan.
In 2018 we stayed in a cheap pod style hotel because we were traveling Asia for 3 months on a shoestring budget. But in 2023 we had a much healthier travel budget, so we stayed in a fantastic mid-range budget hotel called Citadines Namba, which you’ll find featured later in the guide.
Osaka is a wonderful city overflowing with fun things to do and amazing places to eat. Their hole in the wall style ramen places are incredible! Osaka is a completely different experience to Tokyo or Kyoto, and we think it should be included on every first time Japan itinerary. Read more about us.
Where To Stay In Osaka
From experience, we’d say that Umeda and Namba are the two main places you should consider booking a hotel in Osaka. But we could also make a case for any of Hommachi, Kitahama, Osaka Castle, Shinsaibashi or Tennoji. So, there’s plenty of great options available for your trip.
With that said, we recommend narrowing down to Shinsaibashi and Namba if you want to be in the touristy Dotonbori neighborhood with its countless restaurants. On the other hand, we recommend staying in Umeda if you want to be closer to more of Osaka’s top attractions.
Here’s a closer look at the two areas:
1. Umeda
Umeda is located to the north of Osaka and it’s known as Kita (which means north in Japanese). It’s the commercial, shopping and skyscraper heavy district of Osaka.
We enjoyed walking around the modern and upscale Umeda neighborhood because there’s endless underground shopping malls and eateries connected by metro stations and tunnels.
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’s a part of Minami (which means south in Japanese). It’s the most touristy area of Osaka, so you’ll find endless restaurants, shops, entertainment and neon lights.
We stayed in Namba and loved the lively atmosphere, ramen spots, markets, covered shopping streets and flashing lights at night.
Attractions in Namba:
- Dotonbori District
- Hozenji Temple
- Kuromon Ichiba Market
- Namba Yasaka Jinja
- Nipponbashi Denden Town
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’ll 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 a map of the metro to see which areas would be easy to access from Shin-Osaka JR Station. Finally, we wanted to be in a lively area with more food options than we could shake a stick at. So we opted for Citadines Namba which has a central location, easy access to Shin-Osaka and hundreds of eateries.
Osaka Hotels Map
Click or touch the map below to activate. Zoom in and out, move around the area to see exactly where each hotel is located.
Map key:
- Green stars – Low budget
- Red stars – Mid range budget
- Blue stars – High budget
Note: We’ve included area outlines to show you Umeda, Nakanoshima, Kitahama, Osaka Castle, Hommachi, Namba and Tennoji.
How We Order Hotels
We’ve hand picked 12 Osaka hotels for you to consider booking by taking into account previous guest ratings, location, value for money and our own experiences in the area. Read more about our editorial process.
Hotels in this guide are listed in order of average nightly cost. We analyzed nightly prices on three future dates in different seasons so we could order with a degree of accuracy.
You’ll find 4 x cheap hotels, 4 x mid range budget hotels and 4 x luxury hotels. We periodically update our guides to ensure the previous guest ratings from Booking and Google reviews are accurate.
1. Hotel Cordia Osaka Hommachi
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.1 / 10
- Google – 4.4 / 5
- 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. It’s affordable, highly rated and just steps from Hommachi metro station, which provides easy access to all areas of the city and its 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 hotel is a great starting point.
BOOK: Hotel Cordia Osaka Hommachi
2. Hotel The Flag
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.2 / 10
- Google – 4.7 / 5
- 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’s a 2 night minimum stay but it’s an extremely well regarded hotel in northern Namba near Shinsaibashi metro station. It’s almost always fully booked, 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, so at these prices we think it’s got to be one of your top picks for a budget hotel.
BOOK: Hotel The Flag Shinsaibashi Osaka
3. Onyado Nono Osaka Yodoyabashi
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.1 / 10
- Google – 4.5 / 5
- 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 the perfect 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 during 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 we had a truly fantastic experience. This is where you should stay if you want a traditional Japanese experience.
BOOK: Onyado Nono Osaka Yodoyabashi
4. Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.9 / 10
- Google – 4.5 / 5
- 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 Osaka hotel located next to Hommachi metro station. It’s clean and modern, it has excellent ratings and it’s affordable. This is a great option 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, both of which could be high on your priority list. We think it’s definitely one to consider on the upper end of low budget.
BOOK: Osaka Excel Hotel Tokyu
5. Hotel Forza Osaka Namba
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.9 / 10
- Google – 4.5 / 5
- Price: Mid Range $$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, breakfast available, on site restaurant
- Location: Namba
- Metro: Namba Station
Hotel Forza is a hugely popular Osaka hotel with a prime location in the heart of Dotonbori, which is the liveliest area of Namba. If you want to stay in the busiest district for dining, shopping, theater and nightlife, this affordable hotel could be perfect for you.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities, value for money and location the highest at Hotel Forza. It takes a clean sweep, has excellent ratings and it’s right in the action with hundreds of places to eat in the immediate area.
BOOK: Hotel Forza Osaka Namba
6. Citadines Namba
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.2 / 10
- Google – 4.6 / 5
- Price: Mid Range $$
- 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 and our stay was genuinely outstanding. The beds were like sleeping on clouds!
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities, value for money and location the highest at Citadines Namba. It’s a bit of a walk from Namba metro station and the breakfast could be better, but all things considered we’d say it’s one of the best hotels we’ve stayed in during two long trips to Japan.
BOOK: Citadines Namba Osaka
7. Hotel The Leben
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.3 / 10
- Google – 4.8 / 5
- Price: Mid Range $$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, breakfast included, laundry
- Location: Namba
- Metro: Nagahoribashi Station
Hotel The Leben is one of the top rated hotels in Osaka. It has exceptional guest reviews and comments, a great central location not far from the action and it’s a newer hotel with modern furnishings. If you want a mid-range hotel that’s held in high regard, look no further than the Leben.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities, value for money and location the highest at Hotel The Leben. It has one of the highest cleanliness scores we’ve seen in Osaka, so you’re in safe hands here if you’re someone who prioritizes a clean place to stay like Kristen does!
BOOK: Hotel The Leben Osaka
8. Imperial Hotel
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.0 / 10
- Google – 4.4 / 5
- Price: Mid Range $$
- 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 taking photos of cherry blossoms.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness and facilities the highest at Imperial Hotel. The location is a little isolated and it’s 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 prices in a quieter area.
BOOK: Imperial Hotel Osaka
9. Hotel Royal Classic
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.1 / 10
- Google – 4.4 / 5
- Price: Luxury $$$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, on site restaurant and bar, breakfast available, laundry
- Location: Namba
- Metro: Namba Station
Hotel Royal Classic is a classy 4 star hotel in Osaka with an outstanding location above Namba metro station. The hotel has a direct entrance to Namba which connects you with Shin-Osaka JR and all other areas of the city. Dotonbori and the covered shopping streets are all just a stones throw away.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities and location the highest at Hotel Royal Classic. It isn’t just about the prime location here, guest comments are also very positive about modern, clean and comfortable rooms. We think it works well if you only have one or two nights in the city.
BOOK: Hotel Royal Classic Osaka
10. Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.0 / 10
- Google – 4.5 / 5
- Price: Luxury $$$
- 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’s a wonderful viewpoint.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities and location the highest at Osaka Marriott. It’s certainly more expensive but it’s all about the far reaching skyline views that makes this such a great place to stay, especially if you enjoy urban cityscapes.
BOOK: Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel
11. InterContinental Hotel
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.1 / 10
- Google – 4.4 / 5
- Price: Luxury $$$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, breakfast available, on site restaurant and bar, indoor swimming pool, fitness center, spa
- Location: Umeda
- Metro: Umeda Station
InterContinental is a 5 star hotel in Osaka with a superb Umeda location near the popular Umeda Sky Building observatory. It has excellent transport links and upscale facilities, as well as apartment-style rooms which are perfect for families who want multiple rooms connected.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities and location the highest at InterContinental. Prices are of course higher here but you’re getting a lot for your money with a top location and quality amenities. Apartments are equipped with kitchens and washing machines, which is great for long stays.
BOOK: InterContinental Hotel Osaka
12. Conrad
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.1 / 10
- Google – 4.5 / 5
- Price: Luxury $$$
- 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 offering top class service and facilities. It’s 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 of course comes with a price tag to match. It’s where you should stay if you’re splurging or honeymooning, so you can enjoy the outstanding amenities!
BOOK: Conrad Osaka
Osaka Bay Hotels
Are you planning a family trip to Osaka so you can visit Universal Studios? You might want to consider 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 By Reviews
We always look at guest reviews when booking our hotels in new travel destinations. Previous guest reviews are a fantastic resource to use because you can see genuine unbiased pros and cons from a wide range of real people.
But it’s important to use reviews as a guide only because you might not necessarily agree with others. Let’s take a look at the best hotels in Osaka as per genuine user generated reviews from popular online resources.
1. Booking.com
According to previous guest reviews on Booking.com, your top three hotel options are:
2. Hotels.com
According to previous guest reviews on Hotels.com, your top three hotel options are:
3. Google
According to previous guest reviews on Google, your top three hotel options are:
4. Tripadvisor
According to previous guest reviews on Tripadvisor, your top three hotel options are:
Affordability
Osaka’s hotels are similarly priced to other Japanese cities like Kyoto and Hiroshima with very reasonable nightly rates. You’ll find hotels are more expensive in the likes of Tokyo and Hakone when compared to Osaka.
One thing to strongly consider is seasonality in Japan. Hotel prices in Osaka are the highest during cherry blossom season and again during the fall foliage season when the leaves change.
You can expect to pay around $100 USD per night at high quality cheap hotels in Kyoto on weekdays, outside of cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons. But on the other end of the spectrum, you can quite easily spend $500 USD per night at a luxury hotel.
Added Tax
Bear in mind when booking your hotel that you’ll 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 $2 USD per person, per night).
So, let’s say the basic nightly room cost at a cheap hotel is $100.00 USD 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’ll pay the hotel room cost + the additional 10% tax.
Certain 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.
Our Verdict
There are dozens of excellent hotels available for your visit to Osaka, and we’re sure you’d be happy staying at any of the featured hotels in this guide. Our top recommendations are Hotel The Flag, Onyado Nono, Citadines Namba, Hotel The Leben and Conrad. They’re the hotels we’ll consider on our next visit to Osaka.
If you have 3 or 4 full days in Osaka and you enjoy lively neighborhoods, we recommend staying close to Namba because the areas around Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi are buzzing with people by day and night. Lastly, the Osaka metro system is extensive and reliable, so it’s easy to reach the outlying attractions like Osaka Castle, Shitteno-ji and even Nara no matter where you stay in town.
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We hope this guide to the best hotels in Osaka helps with planning your visit to Japan!
Please let us know if you have any questions by commenting below.
Happy Booking,
Mark and Kristen
Best Hotels Anywhere
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Mark and Kristen Morgan are experts at finding and booking hotels. They’ve been traveling the world for over 6 years, staying at more than 500 hotels across 4 continents.
They only write about places they have personally visited themselves, which means every article you read on Best Hotels Anywhere is created directly from first hand experience. Read more about us.