Osaka Station (‘åã‰w, Ōsaka-eki) is a major railway station in Osaka's Umeda district (also known as Kita) that is served by a large number of local and interregional trains, but not the shinkansen which stop at Shin-Osaka Station. The formerly dark and cramped station underwent extensive renovation works and was reborn in 2011 as Osaka Station City, one of Japan's most attractive railway stations.
Osaka Station City's landmark is a large glass roof that spans over the railway tracks and gives the station a lot of new open space. Newly constructed and renovated buildings on the north and south sides of the station provide travelers with a wide array of shopping, dining, entertainment and recreation opportunities, and are connected with each other by a wide bridge over the railway tracks.
The bridge that connects the north and south buildings is called Toki no Hiroba (Time and Space Plaza) and provides a pleasant open space above the railway tracks for travelers to move from one side of the station to the other, take a rest or observe trains. From the level just below the plaza, travelers can access the railway tracks.
North Gate Building
Opened in 2011, the North Gate Building contains a shopping center, multi-screen cinema complex, sports club and multiple attractive green spaces:
Lucua
Shopping: 10:30 to 20:30 Restaurants: 11:00 to 23:00
The Lucua shopping complex occupies the bulk of the North Gate Building, featuring hundreds of specialty shops for the fashion and trend conscious on a dozen floors. The complex also offers a wide variety of restaurants on the top floor and in the basement.
Yawaragi no Niwa and Kaze no Hiroba
The Yawaragi no Niwa (Healing Garden) and Kaze no Hiroba (Wind Plaza) are two terraces on the 10th and 11th floor of the North Gate Building that offer small green spaces, views over northern Osaka and a few benches for taking a break.
Tenku no Noen
Tenku no Noen (Sky Farm) is a unique green space on the roof of the North Gate Building where various vegetables and fruits are grown. The rooftop is reached via multiple stairs from the 11th floor (no elevator or escalator is available), where benches and tables are provided for taking a break.
South Gate Building
Partly new, partly renovated, the South Gate Building contains a department store, the Hotel Granvia Osaka, a clinic and a little bit of recreational space.
Daimaru Department Store
Shopping: 10:00 to 20:00 Restaurants: 11:00 to 23:00
The floor space of the Daimaru department store was greatly increased with the renovation and enlargement of the South Gate Building and now occupies 17 floors that offer a wide variety of goods and services, including a Pokemon Center, Uniqlo and Tokyu Hands branches and a restaurant floor.
Taiyo no Hiroba
Located on three terraces on the 15th, 16th and 17th floors on the south side of the South Gate Building, the Taiyo no Hiroba (Sun Plaza) receives sun during most of the day. It offers a few benches, a patio restaurant and views onto the surrounding high rise buildings.
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 Railways; includes some underground tracks)
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 Line.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 with 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.
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.
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.
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.