7 Best Areas to Stay in Osaka During Your Next Visit

There are a million reasons why Japan is on the bucket list of any world-traveler: the food is top-notch, the views are divine, and the culture is one of a kind. Whether you end up in the North or find yourself down South, there are so many cities to visit in this beautiful country.

To start your trip, you can fly out to one of the favorites in Japan, Kyoto. Being the country's former capital, Kyoto is like a time machine where you can see the best traditional Japanese culture. If you're looking for a trip to the rural side, Kyoto is for you.

But if you're looking for something more fast-paced, another popular tourist destination is Osaka. It's dubbed the street food capital of Japan and is known for its laid-back vibes and gnarly nightlife that you won't help but veg out to. To make the most of your time in the city, here’s a list of the seven best areas to stay in Osaka!

Starting your journey and looking for where to stay in Osaka? Dotonbori is defo the perfect jump-off point for you. You can take a pick at the many hotels in the area, like the quirky Dotonbori Hotel or the zen Konjaku-So Dotonbori Garden SPA Stay. The FL Hotel Dotonbori is perfect for those looking for a posh vibe, and if you're not traveling with the kids, then we reckon you'll enjoy Hotel Fine Aroma Dotonbori.

While it's nice to walk around during the day, the night is when Dotonbori truly comes alive. To enjoy the stunner views, you can start by hopping on a cruise of the Dotonbori River. Like a true-blue tourist, don't forget to stop by and strike a pose with the Glico Man, a runner in a victory pose that serves as the unofficial face of the city.

And while you're at Dotonbori, don't forget to get the best of its grub hubs! Head on to the narrow, stone-paved alleyways of Hozenji-Yokocho—where various traditional food stalls, cafes, and taverns await. If you're up for some seafood, sate your cravings for scrumptious tucker with shellfish at the famous Kani Douraku.

Suppose you're looking to stuff your belly with some more grub, head down to southern Osaka to the retro area of Shinsekai. If you wanna be within reach of Shinsekai's best spots, we suggest checking in to the Joytel Hotel Shinsekai Sakaisujidori.

Quite literally dubbed as the "street food capital of Japan," Shinsekai is the best area to stay in Osaka when it comes to tucker. There are endless choices in the area, and you're sure to have a smashing time whether you take a food tour during the day or go on a food crawl at night.

If you're in search of retro vibes, visit Jan Jan Yokocho. It is a bonzer shopping alley that showcases a blend of Osaka's past and present. For some good luck, spin the roulette at the Shinsekai Inari Shrine. And finally, if you want to see Osaka in its full glory, head on to the Tsutentaku Tower and enjoy a bird's-eye view of the city.

For the shopaholics looking to spend some bucks, Shinsaibashi, the city's main shopping area, is one of the best areas to stay in Osaka. Before you shop till you drop, set down your bags at a hotel. Wanna be comfortable and still have enough to spend in the mall? Check out Hotel Hillarys Shinsaibashi or the Hearton Hotel Shinsaibashi.

But if you want to go all out and spend some cash, we suggest checking in to Hotel Code Shinsaibashi, or the JR WEST GROUP VIA INN SHINSAIBASHI.

To start your spree, hop on to Shinsaibashisuji Shopping Street, which offers a variety of high-end (and tax-free!) shops. If you're looking for the hippest fashion, head to America Mura (which translates to American Village) and get inspiration from the Japanese youth hanging in the area.

If you happen to visit Shinsaibashi around November to December, you're in for a treat! Visit the seasonal Osaki Hinari Renaissance illuminations, where you'll feel like you're being transported into a magical city as you witness the streets lined with trees decorated with mesmerizing lights.

Still have some dough to spend? Head to Umeda, Japan's largest commercial district—a short distance from the Shin-Osaka Station, where the famous bullet trains (or Shinkansen) intercept.

Check out and check in to the many hotel choices in the area. APA Hotel Osaka Umeda is a bonzer for a buck if you're on a tight budget. The Ibis Osaka Umeda, has good prices and is accessible to the hippest places. And if you're feeling fancy, live in luxury at the Bon Condominium Umeda.

Wondering where to stay in Osaka while staying fancy? The Grand Front Mall is the place to be if you want to wine, dine, and shop at high-end boutiques and upscale restaurants. If your wallet's tight, you can visit Hankyu Higashi Dori Shopping Street, a colorful local shopping district with great bargain deals.

Just a short walk from Hankyu Higashi is the HEP FIVE, which boasts over 170 shops. Once you're done shopping, you can enjoy a stunning city view atop the HEP 5 Ferris Wheel. If you don't like rides but still want a stunner of a city view, you can pay a visit to the Umeda Sky Building and witness the city in 360 degrees.

If you have your beau with you, drop by the Tsuyu no Tenjin Shrine and write prayers for love in special wooden plaques called ema.

If you like to see nature and architecture combined into one space, Tennoji is surely the place you should hang out at. This area combines tall skyscrapers and family-friendly green spaces and perfectly fits the bill of what an "urban jungle" would look like.

If you want the modern feel of Tennoji, have a fair go at the RTI Tennoji, or the Architekton -the villa Tennoji. Veg out in the natural side of the district by checking in at the HOTEL 3o'clock TENNOJI or the Bali Tower Hotel Tennoji.

At the centre of the Tennoji district is the Shitennoji Temple, one of Japan's oldest temples. There's also Tennoji Park, which offers various relaxing spaces where visitors can have a picnic on its well-maintained lawns, visit its landscape garden, and even meet friendly animals at the zoo. Tennoji is also home to Abeno Q's Mall, the largest mall in Osaka City. It has 240 shops with various offerings like clothing shops, outdoor retail, and a food court.

One of the most famous landmarks in Japan is the Osaka Castle. It is truly a marvelous sight—a five-story castle filled to the brim with history and displays that showcase the beauty of traditional Japanese architecture.

If you want easy access to the beauty of Osaka Castle, check in at the Hotel Osaka Castle nearby.

Klook Tip: Osaka Castle tends to be absolutely chocker, so it may be hard to walk around the area. You can get a private charter to make your trip to Osaka Castle and its surrounding areas hassle-free.

Just across the castle is the Osaka Museum of History, where you can learn more about Osaka and its rich past. The museum tells the story of the city's life, from its beginnings as the first capital city of Japan to its present with the wondrous city nightlife and shopping culture.

One of the best areas to stay in Osaka is Namba, the city's downtown area filled with neon lights and flashing billboards.

If you wanna be smack-dab in the city's heart, you can check in at the Rozy Hotel Namba or the Vessel Inn Namba, where you'll see the iconic Namba sights by your window. For travelers with a tight budget, you can still enjoy the district staying at the Sarasa Hotel Namba and the WellStay Namba 9F. Spend a night at the Landmark Namba J for a more posh time.

For a traditional shopping experience, stroll down to Kuromon Market for fresh produce, scrumptious seafood, and grub-to-go like sushi, eel, oysters, and the crowd-favorite takoyaki. If you want a more modern shopping experience, go to Namba Parks. This massive shopping complex showcases unique architecture, made of a series of terraces that house a rooftop garden at each level. If you really want to soak up the culture, head down to the National Bunraku Theatre and watch a show of the traditional Japanese puppet theatre of Bunraku.

Stop by the Namba Yasaka Shrine and snap a picture with the giant lion's head to end your trip to Osaka. Legend says that the huge mouth of the lion will devour the evil spirits that follow you and will only leave you with good luck for the future.