The best areas to stay in Osaka for first-time visitors are Kita-Ku, Minami, Honmachi, Shin-Osaka, Tennoji, and Osaka Castle.
Kita and Minami are especially among the best areas for first-time visitors, while areas like Osaka Castle are away from the crowds and are perfect for families.
This might be an overwhelming and confusing answer to your question about where to stay in Osaka first time.
But don’t worry, because, in this article, we cover what we believe are the best areas to stay in Osaka first time, regarding the type of traveller you are.
If you want to go straight to the recommendations, tap on the following button.
Or simply continue reading if you want to know just a bit more about Osaka.
Like several other Japanese cities, Osaka is a huge city and it can be a bit challenging to pick the right area to stay at.
As a rule of thumb, staying somewhere central near public transport is your best bet, but this is a somewhat general rule. In Osaka, this rule is more valuable than in other cities.
If you’re looking for more authentic areas, budget-friendly areas, or parts of the city that are excellent for families, there are quite some options, just know that the central parts are more convenient.
Osaka is a modern city and is often referred to as the exact opposite of Kyoto.
The metropolis is bustling with an abundance of nightlife, street food, and fun activities.
Dubbed the Japanese street food city of the country, foodies can eat their hearts out.
But the modern city also offers historical and cultural highlights, such as the Osaka Castle, Sumiyoshi-Taisha Shrine, the Tenjin Festival, Cherry Blossom Viewings, Dotonbori, and Shitennoiji.
When you combine all of this, you have the excellent ingredients for a few days exploring one of Japanese most vibrant cities!
In this article, we cover what we believe are the best areas to stay in Osaka for first-time visitors.
Each recommended area comes with its advantages and disadvantages and is suitable for certain types of travelers.
After each paragraph, we sum up the pros and cons and which type of traveller the area is best for.
At the bottom of this article, you’ll find a map with all the recommended areas along with the city highlights.
But first, let’s answer the question about where to stay in Osaka for first-time visitors, quickly.
Where to stay in Osaka first time? Keep reading!
Overview of best areas to stay in Osaka for the first time
Below, you find a table with an overview of all the recommended areas along with a short explanation of what makes that area so special.
You can tap on one of the green links to go immediately to that recommended area, or just continue reading the article.
| Best areas to stay in Osaka first time | What’s so special about the area? |
|---|---|
| 1. Kita-Ku | Tourist epicenter with many attractions and landmarks nearby, although it’s pricy and crowded. |
| 2. Minami | The heart of Osaka with a great food scene and many shopping facilities, but it’s among the busiest parts of the city. |
| 3. Honmachi |
Quiet area with great access to parks while remaining located centrally, ideal for families. |
| 4. Shin-Osaka | Budget-friendly area with great access to bullet trains and other forms of transport to easily move around. |
| 5. Tennoji | Great food scene, local nightlife scene, panoramic views, although not the most beautiful part of the city. |
| Area with direct access to Osaka’s top attractions, access to parks, but the area is not as vibrant as the other ones. |
How to move around in Osaka?
As a tourist, your best option is to take advantage of Osaka’s metro system.
In fact, there is a metro line that takes you to all the city highlights.
This so-called Midosuji-line is your best friend during your stay and you need to make sure that you pick a hotel that is located near one of its stations to move around and explore the city without much hassle.
But even if you’re not located on that specific metro line, do know that you’re in a Japanese city, which means that there are several other metro lines running through the city that take you from one corner of the city to the other.
Yes, there are other common forms of transport, but we highly recommend using the metro most of the time.
If you want to visit Kyoto, there is a direct train connection between the cities.
What is the best time of the year to visit Osaka for the first time?
The best time to visit Osaka, like many other places, depends on your preferences and what you want to experience.
However, generally speaking, the spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are considered the best seasons to visit Osaka.
Spring (March to May)
Spring is particularly popular because of the cherry blossom season, usually occurring in late March to early April.
Osaka’s parks and gardens, such as Osaka Castle Park and Kema Sakuranomiya Park, are adorned with beautiful cherry blossoms during this time.
Fall (September to November)
The fall season offers mild temperatures, making it comfortable for outdoor activities.
The humidity decreases, and the autumn foliage, especially in places like Minoo Park, adds to the scenic beauty.
Avoiding Peak Summer (June to August)
While summer can be enjoyable, it tends to be hot and humid, with temperatures often reaching uncomfortable levels.
If you don’t mind the heat, you can still enjoy the vibrant summer festivals.
Winter (December to February)
Winters in Osaka are relatively mild, with cool temperatures.
While it doesn’t experience extreme cold, you might want to bring warm clothing.
Winter illuminations in places like Osaka Castle Park and Umeda Sky Building can add a festive atmosphere.
Note: Keep in mind that the specific dates for cherry blossoms and autumn foliage can vary each year based on weather conditions, so it’s a good idea to check forecasts closer to your planned visit.
The best areas to stay in Osaka for first-time visitors are:
1. Kita-Ku
Arguably the best area to stay in Osaka for first-time visitors is Kita (or Kita-Ku).
As you’re staying near the JR Osaka Train Station as well as several city highlights such as the Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, Kuchu Teien Observatory, and Nakanoshima Museum of Art, there is no location more central than Kita.
You have direct access to the Midosuji Line as well as several other metro lines.
But aside as it’s a popular area in the city for tourists, it’s also a business district of the city.
Because this area has such a wide variety of visitors, you can have all sorts of facilities within reach, ranging from proper dining restaurants to local eateries and a wide variety of nightlife options.
The skyscrapers nearby often offer bars with spectacular views of the city.
So, is there anything not to like about Kita?
Well, first of all, it’s extremely busy. You either hate or love this, but keep in mind that most parts of the city are like that.
But Kita is by far the most touristy area of the city.
Secondly, expect to pay the premium price for these luxury and mid-range hotels.
If you’re on a stricter budget, you have to look for other areas to stay in.
But if you choose to stay here, in return, you stay in the most convenient part of the city that’s ideal for sightseeing all because of the perfect access to public transport.
For who: Sightseeing tourists with a larger budget.
Advantages: Located centrally, perfect access to several metro lines and access to JR Osaka Train Station, several highlights nearby, and exciting nightlife.
Disadvantages: Crowded, touristy, pricy.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Osaka for first-time visitors in this particular area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
2. Minami
Minami, also known as Namba, is a popular area to stay in Osaka for first-time visitors for several reasons.
First of all, Manimi is located in the heart of Osaka and is easily accessible from both Kansai International Airport and Osaka Itami Airport.
It is also a hub for train and subway lines, making it easy to get around the city and visit nearby attractions.
Secondly, Minami is famously known for its shopping and entertainment districts, which include Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi. These areas are completely lit up by neon-lights and is a must-visit in general no matter where you stay in Osaka.
These areas are home to a wide range of shops, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues, making it an ideal place for tourists to explore and experience the local culture.
As you might have heard, Osaka is known as the “Kitchen of Japan,” and Minami is no exception.
It is home to some of the best food in the city, including local specialties such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu.
Foodies should most definitely stay around Minami.
Those who want to explore Osaka’s nightlife should also consider staying around Manimi as the nightlife scene is vibrant ranging from bars and clubs to karaoke and traditional Japanese izakaya bars.
Compared with the previously recommended area, Minami is perfect for shopping, food, and nightlife, while the previous area is better for sightseeing.
But both are excellent options.
For who: shopaholics, foodies.
Advantages: great access to public transport, foodie’s paradise, shopping districts Dotonbori and Shisaibashi are located here.
Disadvantages: extremely busy.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Osaka for first-time visitors in this particular area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
3. Honmachi
While the previous two areas are considered extremely busy, Honmachi is a quiet area that is still located centrally.
The area is known for being a business and commercial area with many office buildings, restaurants, and shops.
Honmachi is also home to several cultural and historical landmarks, including the Osaka Science Museum, the Osaka Museum of History, and the Nakanoshima Park.
The area is well-connected by public transportation, making it easy for tourists to access other parts of Osaka and nearby cities like Kyoto and Nara.
But there is a catch.
During the evening, this area becomes quiet and for exploring the city during the night, you have to travel to one of the other areas, preferably Minami.
As you might expect from a quiet area, and with great access to parks, Honmachi is a perfect area for families.
For who: families.
Advantages: good access to parks, public transport and several historical and cultural landmarks.
Disadvantage: in the evening, the area is simply dull.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Osaka for first-time visitors in this particular area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
4. Shin-Osaka
Shin-Osaka is an area located in the northern part of Osaka City, Japan.
It is primarily known for its transportation hub, Shin-Osaka Station, which serves as a major transfer point for Shinkansen bullet trains, as well as other train lines and buses.
It’s also the area where you can find several universities and research institutions, making it a hub for academic and scientific research in the region.
Many students live nearby the university and this creates a unique atmosphere, especially when traveling on a budget.
But most tourists often overlook this area, simply because there are no major attractions nearby.
However, you can find a good variety of affordable hotels here and with great access to public transport, you can travel incredibly conveniently to other cities as well as to the city center, which is only a ten-minute ride.
Overall, the combination of budget-friendly hotels and restaurants and the access to the bullet trains makes Shin-Osaka a unique area that’s definitely worth considering staying at.
For who: budget-minded traveller, those who will use the bullet train often to other cities.
Advantages: affordable hotels and restaurants, direct access to the bullet train, unique and authentic atmosphere.
Disadvantages: no city highlights nearby, you have to travel just a bit to reach the center.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Osaka for first-time visitors in this particular area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
5. Tennoji
Tennoji is an area which is located in the southern parts of Osaka.
It’s known for its many cultural and historical attractions, as well as its shopping and entertainment options.
The most iconic landmark is the Tsutenkaku Tower, which was originally built in 1912 and is a symbol of the district.
Visitors can climb to the top of the tower for a panoramic view of the city.
Another popular attraction in Tennoji is the Shitenno-ji Temple, which is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan, dating back to 593 AD.
The temple complex includes several buildings and gardens and is a popular spot for visitors to learn about Buddhism and Japanese history.
Aside from these cultural highlights, you can find several shopping areas in Tennoji, including the Abeno Harukas department store, which is the tallest building in Japan and has an observation deck on the top floor.
Tennoji is known for its food culture, with many restaurants and street food vendors offering traditional Osaka dishes such as takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes), and kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers).
In the past, Tennoji was a bit sketchy, but the area has partly been revitalized.
It’s definitely not the most beautiful area in Osaka, but with its wide range of affordable accommodations, a great option for those on a stricter budget while still remaining located centrally.
Those who want to explore the local nightlife scene should definitely check out Tennoji.
For who: budget-minded traveller, those who are looking for an authentic vibe.
Advantages: access to Tsutenkaku Tower and Abeno Hurakas department store with excellent panoramic views over the city, local nightlife scene, affordable accommodations.
Disadvantages: not the most beautiful part of Osaka, loud in the evening.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Osaka for first-time visitors in this particular area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
6. Osaka Castle
Although there aren’t that many hotels in this particular area available, it’s well worth mentioning that you have the option to have accommodation near Osaka’s largest attraction: Osaka Castle.
This eight stories tall historical building was originally built in 1583 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of Japan’s greatest warlords.
The castle was destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries, but the current version was reconstructed in the 1930s and is now a major landmark in Osaka City.
Nowadays, it attracts more than 2.5 million visitors each year.
The Osaka Castle area is also home to several parks and gardens, such as the Nishinomaru Garden and the Osaka Castle Park, which offer picturesque views of the castle and the surrounding cityscape.
These parks are popular spots for picnics, cherry blossom viewing, and other outdoor activities.
You can also find several museums that tell you more about Osaka’s history.
The downside is that the area is not as vibrant as other areas.
But for spectacular views (the Castle is beautifully lit during the evening) and access to nearby parks, it’s worth the consideration.
We believe that families will appreciate this area the most.
For who: families.
Advantages: perfect access to Osaka’s most important attraction, access to parks, beautiful views.
Disadvantages: not that vibrant, other areas offer more comfort.
Some of the best hotels to stay in Osaka for first-time visitors in this particular area are visually listed below:
Agoda is part of Booking.com, and often offers significantly cheaper options compared to its competitors. You’ll get the same service that you are used to at Booking.com, but you simply pay less.
Map of the best areas to stay in Osaka for first-time visitors
The next image is a map of the best area to stay in Osaka for first-time visitors including its highlights. The image is in high resolution so you can easily zoom in to see all the details.
A map will follow soon.
There you have it, our recommendations for where to stay in Osaka for first-time visitors.
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