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The Kita (ƒLƒ^, "North") district, also known as Umeda (”~“c), 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 (ƒ~ƒiƒ~, "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 an expansive network of underground shopping malls.

The Umeda district has been undergoing a major facelift over the past years, and more improvements are scheduled to happen. JR Osaka Station was transformed from one of Japan's darkest and most cramped into one of the country's most pleasant. Furthermore, the expansive freight rail yard north of the station is being redeveloped into a new, modern city district. A first part of the huge redevelopment project was completed with the opening of the Grand Front Osaka complex in 2013. The second part is scheduled to be completed by 2028.

Osaka Station City

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

Grand Front Osaka

Shops: typically 11:00 to 21:00
Restaurants: typically 11:00 to 23:00

Umeda Sky Building

Observatory Hours: daily 9:30 to 22:30
Observatory Admission: 1500 yen

Department stores

Hours: typically 10:00 to 20:00

HEP (Hankyu Entertainment Park)

Hours: 11:00 to 21:00 (Ferris wheel and restaurants until 23:00)

Underground shopping

Hours: typically 10:00 to 22:00

Shopping arcades

Bars and restaurants typically open from 17:00 until after midnight

Kitashinchi District

Kitashinchi comes to life after 18:00

Nakazakicho District

Cafes and shops are open all day, typically from around 11:00

Getting there and around

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 )
    • Osaka-Umeda Station (Hankyu Railway)
  • Underground:
    • Osaka-Umeda Station (Hanshin Railway)
    • Umeda Station (Midosuji Subway Line)
    • Nishi-Umeda Station (Yotsubashi Subway Line)
    • Higashi-Umeda Station (Tanimachi Subway Line)

From Shin-Osaka Station

4 minutes, 170 yen by frequently departing JR trains. Alternatively, the Midosuji Subway Line takes 6 minutes and costs 240 yen.

From Namba Station

8 minutes, 240 yen by Midosuji or Yotsubashi subway lines.

How to get to and around Osaka

Hotels around Osaka

    • Kaneyoshi Ryokan
      A modern Japanese inn in Dotombori. the center of Osaka. 2 subway stations nearby. Close to many shops and Osaka Castle.
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Top rated in Kita (Umeda)
Budget:
    • InterContinental Hotel Osaka, an IHG Hotel
      Luxury
      Only a 5-minute walk from JR Osaka Train Station, InterContinental Osaka is located at the newly developed Grand Front Osaka. This 5-star hotel boasts 5 dining options, a 24-hour fitness centre and an indoor swimming pool. Free WiFi is available at the entire property and guests can enjoy refreshing massages during their luxurious stay. Umeda Station on the Midosuji Line is a 7-minute stroll from the hotel. Offering views of Osaka city from the 20th floor, Pierre restaurant serves exquisite contemporary French dishes. All Day Dining serves a buffet with various international dishes, drinks are available at Adee Bar and Lounge. Osaka InterContinental Hotel is a 10-minute drive from Osaka Castle and a 20-minute drive from Universal Studios Japan. Shin Osaka Station and Namba Station are both a 15-minute train ride away. Kansai International Airport is a 60-minute express train ride from JR Osaka Station.
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    • Hotel Intergate Osaka Umeda
      Luxury
      Hotel Intergate Osaka Umeda is ideally set in Osaka, and has a fitness centre, free WiFi and a restaurant. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The property is close to popular attractions like Osaka Station City, Jizoji Temple and Octopus Pine. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Herbis Plaza ENT, Herbis Plaza and Kitanosaurus. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 18 km from Hotel Intergate Osaka Umeda.
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    • Harmonie Embrassee
      Mid-range
      Situated in Osaka, Harmonie Embrassee offers free WiFi access throughout the property. This 4-star accommodation is located just a 3-minute walk from Hankyu Umeda Station and a 10-minute walk from JR Osaka Station. Each spacious room have a modern decor with a wardrobe and flat-screen TV. Guests can find an electric kettle, refrigerator and coffee machine in all rooms. Each bathroom is equipped with a bath and shower. Guests will find bathrobes as well as a hairdryer and free toiletries. Luggage storage service is available for guest's convenience. Trouser press service is available for free. A Full English/Irish breakfast is served daily at the property. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant featuring French cuisine as well as an on-site cafe overlooking a garden terrace and city views. Namba Station is a 17-minute train ride away. Tsutenkaku is a 30-minute walk and train ride away. Shitennoji is 33 minutes away by walk and train from the hotel. Osaka Itami Airport is a 30-minute train ride, while Kansai International Airport is a 70-minute bus ride away from Harmonie Embrassee.
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    • The Ritz-Carlton Osaka
      Luxury
      Featuring a classic European-style decor, The Ritz-Carlton Osaka is conveniently located just a 7-minute walk from JR Osaka Station and a 5-minute walk from Nishi-Umeda Subway Station. This hotel boasts 5 dining options including a Michelin starred French restaurant, as well as a large meeting room. Elegantly decorated, spacious rooms are all located on the 24th floor and above. Rooms feature a stunning view of varying heights. Guests staying in the Club rooms have access to the exclusive Club Lounge. JR Shin Osaka Shinkansen (bullet train) Station is a 3-minute train ride from JR Osaka Station. Lively Namba and Dotonbori area can be reached within a 7-minute subway ride.
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    • Villa Fontaine Grand Osaka Umeda
      Luxury
      Attractively situated in the Osaka Station, Umeda, Yodoyabashi, Hommachi district of Osaka, Villa Fontaine Grand Osaka Umeda is situated 400 metres from Taiy?-ji Temple, 300 metres from Hokai-ji Temple and 300 metres from Honden-ji Temple. This 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom. The property is 300 metres from Hankyu Men's Osaka, and within 1.1 km of the city centre. All units in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. The rooms in Villa Fontaine Grand Osaka Umeda are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer. Staff at the accommodation are always available to provide advice at the reception. Popular points of interest near Villa Fontaine Grand Osaka Umeda include Tsuyu no Tenjinja Shrine, Umeda Station and Hosei-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 18 km from the hotel.
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    • Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
      Luxury
      Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA has a fitness centre, garden, a restaurant and bar in Osaka. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage space and free WiFi. The property is 1.3 km from the city centre and 200 metres from Knowledge Capital. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA all rooms have bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at the accommodation. Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA offers a sun terrace. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Lucua Osaka, Umeda Station and Osaka Station. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 19 km from Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA.
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    • Hotel Vischio Osaka-JR Hotel Group
      Luxury
      Ideally located in the centre of Osaka, Hotel Vischio Osaka-JR Hotel Group offers buffet breakfast and free WiFi throughout the property. Boasting a 24-hour front desk, this property also provides guests with a restaurant. The property is non-smoking and is set 2 km from Lucua Osaka. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel Vischio Osaka-JR Hotel Group the rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Knowledge Capital, Umeda Station and Tsunashikiten Shrine Otabisha. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 19 km from Hotel Vischio Osaka-JR Hotel Group.
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    • The Westin Osaka
      Luxury
      Featuring an acupuncture salon, 4 dining options and spacious rooms with city views, the Westin Osaka is just 5 minutes from Osaka Station on the free shuttle. Each softly lit, soundproofed room has a pleasant modern decor and features a satellite LCD TV and a minibar. Panoramic windows let in plenty of light and show off the skyline views of Osaka. The marble en suite bathroom has a separate bath and shower stall, and deluxe bath amenities. The Westin is right next to the Umeda Sky Building, with its Floating Garden Observatory. It is a 20-minute taxi ride to Osaka Castle and the Dotonbori shopping area. The on-site fitness centre can be accessed for a fee, and includes a sauna, hot tub, running track and fitness room in addition to the indoor pool. The concierge and 24-hour front desk stand ready to assist you. Decorated in Sukiya style, Japanese restaurant Hanano has individual corners for teppanyaki and tempura. Stunning Ming-style decor and authentic Cantonese specialties are on offer at Imperial Palace. Amadeus serves western cuisine. Blue Bar pours cool cocktails in the evenings.
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    • Hotel Monterey Le Frere Osaka
      Luxury
      Located in Osaka, 300 metres from Kitanosaurus, Hotel Monterey Le Frere Osaka provides accommodation with a restaurant and private parking. This 4-star hotel offers luggage storage space. The hotel features a sauna, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel Monterey Le Frere Osaka every room comes with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Sonezaki Ebisu Shrine, Hokai-ji Temple and Hosei-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 18 km from Hotel Monterey Le Frere Osaka.
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    • DEL style Osaka Shin Umeda by Daiwa Roynet Hotel
      Luxury
      DEL style Osaka Shin Umeda by Daiwa Roynet Hotel is conveniently located in the centre of Osaka, and offers a restaurant, free WiFi and a bar. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. Osaka Station is less than 1 km from the hotel and Kochiin Temple is a 8-minute walk away. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At DEL style Osaka Shin Umeda by Daiwa Roynet Hotel all rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum, Umeda Sky Building and Kuchu Teien Observatory. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 18 km from DEL style Osaka Shin Umeda by Daiwa Roynet Hotel.
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Experiences around Osaka

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