Osaka Travel: Kita (Umeda)

Travel

Living

A-Z

Forum

Jobs

Friends

Shopping

Food

Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Kansai - Osaka

Kita (Umeda)

of 19 most visited
sights in Osaka

jump to: access - hotels - ratings - shops - tours - links

The Kita (–k, "North") district, also known as Umeda, is one of Osaka's two main city centers. It is located around the large station complex that comprises Osaka and Umeda Stations. Kita's counterpart is Minami (“ì, "South") around Namba Station.

Besides being Osaka's busiest transportation hub and a bustling business district, Kita also offers an abundance of shopping, dining, lodging and entertainment, including several department stores and a large underground shopping mall.

Most of the action in the Kita district is currently concentrated to the south of Osaka Station, while an expansive freight railyard used to occupy the northern side of the station. However, in a major redevelopment project, the railway yard will be transformed into new commercial and residential areas over the coming years.

Osaka Station City

Shops: typically 10:00 to 20:00
Restaurants: typically 11:00 to 23:00

Opened in spring 2011, Osaka Station City is the transportation, shopping, entertainment and business complex that surrounds and includes JR Osaka Station. The station's lavish new design is represented by a giant glass roof high above the train platforms.

Umeda Sky Building

Observatory Hours: daily 10:00 to 22:30
Observatory Admission: 700 yen

North of Osaka Station is Shin Umeda City, a building complex centering around the Umeda Sky Building, a spectacular 173 meter tall skyscraper with the Floating Garden Observatory on its roof. The skyscraper next to the Umeda Sky Building houses the Westin Osaka.

Department Stores

Hours: typically 10:00 to 20:00

There are a number of major department stores in the Kita area including Hankyu, Hanshin, Daimaru and Isetan Mitsukoshi. Some of the stores share their names with the local train companies as the trains and department stores belong to the same company groups.

HEP (Hankyu Entertainment Park)

Shops: Daily 11:00 to 21:00
Ferris wheel and restaurants: until 23:00

HEP is a large shopping and entertainment complex consisting of the HEP FIVE and HEP Navio buildings, east of the Hankyu department store. HEP FIVE features a red Ferris wheel emerging from its roof, while the entire complex houses over 300 shops and restaurants.

Yodobashi Camera Umeda

Hours: Daily 9:30 to 22:00

This gigantic branch of the Tokyo based electronics retailer stocks almost every current item by the major camera manufacturers. Besides cameras you can find almost anything electronic, while the top floor offers restaurants with nice views of the city.

Kitashinchi

Kitashinchi comes to life after 18:00

Kitashinchi is an entertainment district, located south of and within walking distance of Osaka Station. Here you will find hundreds of restaurants, bars and night clubs to suit almost any taste.

Any Questions? Ask them in our question forum.

How to get there

The Osaka/Umeda station complex is the busiest in western Japan, shared by four different railway companies. It consists of multiple separate stations:

Above ground:
- Osaka Station (Japan Railways)
- Hankyu Umeda Station (Hankyu Railways)
Underground:
- Hanshin Umeda Station (Hanshin Railways)
- Umeda Station (Midosuji Subway Line)
- Nishi-Umeda Station (Yotsubashi Subway Line)
- Higashi-Umeda Station (Tanimachi Subway Line)

From Shin-Osaka Station:
4 minutes, 160 yen by frequently departing JR trains. Alternatively, the Midosuji Subway Line takes 6 minutes and costs 230 yen.

From Namba Station:
8 minutes, 230 yen by Midosuji or Yotsubashi Subway Line.

How to get to and around Osaka

Google Map

Advertisement

Hotels and Ryokan

Osaka offers a wide range of accommodation for all budgets. The most convenient base for exploring the city and its surroundings is the Umeda district around JR Osaka Station. Also convenient is the Namba district, the city's prime nightlife area. The Shin-Osaka Station area does not offer much entertainment and dining options, but is most convenient for travelers using the shinkansen.

Search Hotels

Sponsor Hotels

	Japan Osaka Ryokan Association For business or pleasure, search by area for the perfect traditional Japanese ryokan to match your Osaka accommodation needs.
	Amami Onsen Ryokan Nanten-en A traditional Japanese ryokan. Experience traditional Japanese culture and natural beauty.
	Hotel Kinki A hotel close to JR Osaka Sta. & subway Umeda Sta. Free WiFi in rooms & PC in lobby. Laundry, non-smoking rooms. From 2900Yen.
	Hotel Kuramoto A clean ryokan with a history of nearly 60 years. From 4000yen. 2 min to Dotombori area. 5 min to 2 subway stations.
	Kaneyoshi Ryokan A modern Japanese inn in Dotombori. the center of Osaka. 2 subway stations nearby. Close to many shops and Osaka Castle.
	Hotel Ichiei A comfort modern Japanese hotel located in the center of Osaka. 3 train stations of Namba within a walking distance.
	Osaka Yamatoya Honten Japanese style budget ryokan. From 5,775yen. Right next to Dotonbori in Osaka.

Hilton Osaka Hotel
Very convenient high-class hotel just across JR Osaka Station.
Reserve through Agoda or Japanican

Hotel Granvia Osaka
Very conveniently located inside JR Osaka Station City.
Reserve through Agoda or Japanican

Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport
Directly connected to the terminal building, this is the most convenient hotel at Kansai Airport.
Reserve through Agoda or Japanican

The Ritz-Carlton Osaka Hotel
Often considered Osaka's leading luxury hotel, located a short walk from JR Osaka Station.
Reserve through Agoda or Japanican

Shop Directory

	WOmB deux west Umeda
More shops...

Tours and Packages

Osaka Tours
Various tours and travel packages for Osaka and surroundings.

User Ratings

Ratings for Kita (Umeda):

japan-guide.com Rating:		outstanding
User Rating (by 831 users):	77/100	recommended

Best rated sights nationwide (out of 725):

466. Kofukuji Temple (Nagasaki) 77/100

467. Toei Eigamura (Kyoto) 77/100

468. Katsuura (Kumano) 77/100

469. Shinsekai (Osaka) 77/100

470. Honganji Temples (Kyoto) 77/100

471. Kita (Umeda) (Osaka) 77/100

472. Atsuta Shrine (Nagoya) 77/100

473. Nakamura Residence (Okinawa Island) 77/100

474. Asahikawa Ramen (Asahikawa) 77/100

475. Okunoto Coast (Noto Peninsula) 77/100

Most visited sights nationwide (out of 836):

27. Imperial East Gardens (Tokyo) 1917

28. Minami (Namba) (Osaka) 1855

29. Great Buddha (Kamakura) 1850

30. Nihonbashi (Tokyo) 1756

31. Shinagawa (Tokyo) 1672

32. Kita (Umeda) (Osaka) 1622

33. Shinjuku Gyoen (Tokyo) 1613

34. Himeji Castle (Himeji) 1568

35. Tsukiji Fish Market (Tokyo) 1535

36. Marunouchi (Tokyo) 1454

User Feedback

English Links

Umeda Sky Building's Floating Garden
Official English website.

Hankyu Department Store
Official English website.

Hanshin Department Store
Official English website.

HEP
Official English website.

Japanese Links

Umeda Sky Building
Official website.

Hankyu Department Store
Official website.

Hanshin Department Store
Official website.

Daimaru Department Store
Official website.

HEP
Official website.

Yodobashi Camera Umeda
Official website.

Kitashinchi Information Center
Database of establishments in the district.

Related Pages

Travel
Sightseeing
Kansai Region
Osaka

Kita (Umeda)
Minami (Namba)
Osaka Bay Area
Shinsekai

Osaka Castle
National Bunraku Theater
Sumiyoshi Taisha
Shitennoji Temple
Tenmangu Shrine
Mino Park

Universal Studios Japan
Osaka Aquarium
Osaka Station City
Umeda Sky Building
Peace Osaka
History Museum
Science Museum
Museum of Art

Tenjin Festival

Osaka Food Guide
Osaka Shopping Guide
Osaka Museum Guide
Cherry Blossom Spots

Osaka: Access and Orientation

News and Reports

	April 2, 2013 Osaka Cherry Blossom Report by sean
	March 27, 2013 Osaka Cherry Blossom Report by sean
	April 14, 2012 Osaka Cherry Blossom Report by schauwecker
	April 7, 2012 Osaka Cherry Blossom Report by sean
	April 15, 2011 Osaka Cherry Blossom Report by francois
	April 10, 2011 Osaka Cherry Blossom Report by scott
	April 8, 2011 Osaka 26-30 March by winterjade
	Osaka Autumn Color Report November 26, 2010
More reports...

Related Questions

Sight-seeing in Osaka
3 reactions, last updated 3 hours ago
Osaka Kaiyukan Pass 2013
4 reactions, last updated 3 hours ago
Advice needed on 6 day Osaka area...
1 reaction, last updated 5 hours ago
How to get to Shinsekai
3 reactions, last updated 45 hours ago
Rest area northeast of Umeda
1 reaction, last updated 3 days ago
Buffet / All-You-Can-Eat at Osaka
3 reactions, last updated 5 days ago
Namba (Nankai) vs Namba (Subway)
1 reaction, last updated 6 days ago
How to reservation bus at OCAT?
2 reactions, last updated 8 days ago
Cheapest fare around Osaka for 4
2 reactions, last updated 10 days ago
Osaka Kansai Rapi:t
2 reactions, last updated 11 days ago
Travel around Osaka
3 reactions, last updated 17 days ago
Osaka Unlimited Pass
1 reaction, last updated 20 days ago
From Kansai airport to Shin Yokohama
5 reactions, last updated 21 days ago
Bus from Kansai to Universal Port Hotel
1 reaction, last updated 23 days ago
Shitennoji Temple Flea Market
1 reaction, last updated 24 days ago
Minoo park
1 reaction, last updated 26 days ago
Kansai to Kyoto - late arrival at airport...
1 reaction, last updated 33 days ago
Any more cherry blossoms at Osaka Mint?
0 reactions, last updated 33 days ago
Kansai Limousine Bus and Icoca card
2 reactions, last updated 35 days ago
Osaka strawberry picking
1 reaction, last updated 38 days ago

Travel		Living	Japan A-Z		Community
Sightseeing Accommodation Transportation Shopping	Essentials Regions Prefectures Cities	Working Studying Living Cost Apartments	Arts and Crafts Entertainment History Religion	Etiquette Food Language Tradition	Question Forum Classifieds Trip Reports Member Area

Sightseeing Guide
Hokkaido Sapporo Otaru Hakodate Noboribetsu Niseko Furano Daisetsuzan Shiretoko more...	Tohoku Sendai Matsushima Hiraizumi Hachimantai Hirosaki Lake Towada Dewa Sanzan Aizu more...	Kanto Tokyo Yokohama Kamakura Hakone Nikko Kawagoe Kusatsu Narita more...	Chubu Nagoya Mount Fuji Izu Peninsula Matsumoto Kiso Valley Takayama Shirakawa-go Kanazawa more...	Kansai Kyoto Osaka Nara Kobe Himeji Mount Koya Kumano Ise Shima more...	Chugoku Hiroshima Miyajima Okayama Kurashiki Tottori Matsue Iwakuni Hagi more...	Shikoku Takamatsu Kotohira Naoshima Matsuyama Kochi Tokushima Naruto Iya Valley more...	Kyushu Fukuoka Nagasaki Kumamoto Mount Aso Beppu Kagoshima Kirishima Yakushima more...	Okinawa Honto Kume Miyako Yaeyama