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.
Shops: typically 10:00 to 20:00 Restaurants: typically 11:00 to 23:00
Opened in 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.
Shops: typically 11:00 to 21:00 Restaurants: typically 11:00 to 23:00
Opened in 2013 in a redeveloped district north of Osaka Station, Grand Front Osaka consists of multiple, connected high rise buildings and offers a wide variety of shops and restaurants, as well as offices, residential space, small parks and the Intercontinental Hotel Osaka. It is the first part of the Umekita redevelopment plan that will eventually see the entire former rail yard north of Osaka Station change into a modern city district.
Links Umeda
Hours: typically 10:00 to 21:00 Yodobashi: 9:30 to 22:00
Links Umeda is yet another shopping complex adjacent to Osaka Station, featuring fashion and lifestyle shops. Half of the complex is made up of Yodobashi Camera Umeda, a huge electronics store.
Observatory Hours: daily 9:30 to 22:30 Observatory Admission: 1500 yen
Northwest of Osaka Station is Shin Umeda City, a building complex centering around the Umeda Sky Building, a spectacular 173 meter tall skyscraper opened in 1993 with an open-air observation deck on its roof. The skyscraper next to the Umeda Sky Building houses the Westin Osaka hotel.
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)
Hours: 11:00 to 21:00 (Ferris wheel and restaurants until 23:00)
HEP is a large shopping and entertainment complex east of the Hankyu department store. A Ferris wheel emerges from the roof of the complex, which houses over 300 shops and restaurants.
Underground shopping
Hours: typically 10:00 to 22:00
Below the streets of Umeda and between the various stations and department stores sprawls an extensive network of interconnected shopping malls housing literally hundreds of shops and restaurants of all kinds. There is a mix of famous fashion brands and cheaper shops, as well as eateries selling various types of food.
Shopping arcades
Bars and restaurants typically open from 17:00 until after midnight
To the east of Osaka Station lies a network of covered shopping arcades that stretch in different directions. Besides shops, the arcades feature a lot of izakaya, bars and restaurants offering Japanese and international cuisines. Whilst many establishments are open during the day, the area really comes to life in the evenings.
Kitashinchi District
Kitashinchi comes to life after 18:00
For those who find the newly developed dining areas of Osaka Station City and Grand Front Osaka a little too modern and sterile, the Kitashinchi entertainment district, located south of and within walking distance of Osaka Station, provides a good alternative with its hundreds of restaurants, bars and night clubs.
Nakazakicho District
Cafes and shops are open all day, typically from around 11:00
This quaint neighborhood to the east of Osaka Station is a warren of narrow streets and alleys lined with cool cafes, craft shops and used clothes stores. Popular with the hipster crowd, the neighborhood is great for relaxing exploration and a cup of coffee after visiting the more bustling commercial area to the west.
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.
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.
Boasting a fitness centre and a restaurant, Hotel Intergate Osaka Umeda is ideally set in the centre of Osaka, 200 metres from Herbis Plaza ENT. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The property is close to popular attractions like Jizoji Temple, Octopus Pine and Dojima Yakushido. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel Intergate Osaka Umeda the rooms come with bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Popular points of interest near Hotel Intergate Osaka Umeda include Herbis Plaza, Kitanosaurus and Osaka Station City. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 18 km from the hotel.
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.
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA has a fitness centre, garden, a restaurant and bar in Osaka. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. 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. Breakfast is available every morning, and includes buffet, continental and Asian options. The accommodation offers a sun terrace. Popular points of interest near Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA include Lucua Osaka, Umeda Station and Osaka Station. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 19 km from the hotel.
At the heart of the lively Umeda area, Hotel Hankyu International features spacious rooms with free WiFi and wired internet, panoramic views and free video-on-demand movies. It offers 9 restaurants, a business centre and concierge service. The elegant rooms are all located on the 26th floor or higher, providing beautiful city view of Osaka. Each is furnished with an LCD TV with satellite channels and a minibar. An air humidifier/purifier is available, while a computer can be rented. Video-on-demand service is offered for free. Bath amenities, hairdryers and toothbrushes are provided. Hotel Hankyu International is a 3-minute walk from Umeda Station. It is a 30-minute train ride from Osaka Castle and Universal Studios Japan. Four department stores (Hankyu, Hanshin, Daimaru and Mitsukoshi-Isetan) and the famous Yodobashi electronic shop are within a 10-minute walk. Nakatsu Subway Station on the Midosuji Line is a 3-minute stroll, while JR Osaka Station is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Kyoto is a 40-minute train ride away. Guests can unwind in the sauna or enjoy a book in the library. A massage service is also on offer, and a fitness centre can be accessed for an extra fee. Alternatively, guests can visit Arima Hot Springs located an hour's bus ride away. The bus for Arima Hot Springs stops near the hotel entrance. The property offers a Japanese culture workshop. Hotel Hankyu International has French, Chinese and Japanese restaurants. Bar Ceres boasts 6 metre-high ceilings with chandeliers.
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.
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. The daily breakfast offers buffet, ? la carte or continental options. 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.
Featuring 4-star accommodation, Villa Fontaine Grand Osaka Umeda is situated in Osaka, 400 metres from Honden-ji Temple and 500 metres from Taiy?-ji Temple. This 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom. The property is 300 metres from Hokai-ji Temple, and within 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. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. The reception at Villa Fontaine Grand Osaka Umeda can provide tips on the area. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Hosei-ji Temple, Hankyu Men's Osaka and Tsuyu no Tenjinja Shrine. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 19 km from Villa Fontaine Grand Osaka Umeda.
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.
Situated in Osaka centre, 300 metres from Seibi Park and 600 metres from Hankyu Men's Osaka, BON Condominium Umeda features accommodation with free WiFi and a balcony. Accommodation is fitted with air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen with a dining area, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with bidet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. A fridge, a microwave and stovetop are also offered, as well as a kettle. A bicycle rental service is available at the aparthotel. Popular points of interest near BON Condominium Umeda include Tsunashikiten Shrine Otabisha, Catholic Osaka Umeda Church and Taiy?-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 19 km from the accommodation.
