Best Hotels in Osaka

Osaka is located in the Kansai region of Japan and the starting point for most travel routes in the area. As one of the main cities in Japan, Osaka is close to the ancient capital Kyoto as well as the city of Nara. While Osaka is often underestimated by tourists and is often simply considered a place for transit and shopping, it has much more to offer tourists.

As a travel destination, Osaka has a lot of highlights: shopping, food, family travel, cityscapes, classical architecture, and so on. Osaka is home to many high-rise buildings and uniquely designed neighborhoods, as well as highly-developed commerce and fascinating night scenery. These elements, combined with the traditional Japanese style that Osaka still maintains, have created a unique modern Japanese city.

Osaka is well known for offering a variety of unique foods. From Dōtonbori Food Street, which includes gourmet restaurants and snack bars, to the Kuromon Ichiba, diners can always find something great to eat. As an international city, Osaka is also one of the best destinations to find different styles of cuisine. Osaka has various shopping districts filled with shopping malls and blocks. Some of the most popular places for tourists are around Osaka Station and the Umeda area, and the Shinsaibashisuji Shopping Street which includes the area around Namba.

The shopping districts are also close to the popular area for hotels in Osaka. Universal Studios Japan is an important tourist attraction in Osaka and many tourists come for the sole reason of visiting it. The only Harry Potter theme park in Asia is here and it attracts millions of Harry Potter fans each year. During Halloween, Christmas, and New Year's Eve, a lot of themed activities are held as well. Universal Studios also has a dedicated area for younger children, while the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan and the Legoland are ideal for family trips.

Osaka is located in the north temperate zone. It has a subtropical oceanic monsoon climate and is warm all year round, making it great for sightseeing. The best time to visit is spring and autumn when the weather is mild, though flight prices are known to increase in the spring. Cherry blossoms can be found in parks and on both sides of the river during the spring in Osaka. Osaka's most famous cherry blossom spot, Japan Mint, is worth checking out during this time as well. Summer is the liveliest time in Osaka. Flowers in the Expo Commemoration Park and the Osaka Maishima Lily Garden are in full bloom, and in July and August, the Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks Festival and Tenjin Matsuri Fireworks Festival are held, which attract many local people and visitors. Autumn is also a good time to travel to Osaka. The ginkgo leaves on both sides of the street turn yellow and float in the wind throughout the entire city. If you walk around buildings such as the Osaka City Central Public Hall, Osaka City Hall, and the Nakanoshima Library during this period, you will surely enjoy different scenery as the past. The red leaves in the countryside are also not to be missed. Winter temperatures are not very low in Osaka and it rarely snows. At the end of the year, major shopping malls carry out various discount and promotion activities, making it the best time for shopping. The city’s streets and squares are adorned with a variety of fascinating lights. Various Christmas and New Year events are held at attractions such as the Osaka Port, the Sky Building, and Universal Studios. No matter what time you visit, it’s easy to find ideal hotels in Osaka.