If you’re looking for places to stay for families in Osaka…
*Just as an additional piece of info for those on whirlwind holidays around Japan – did you know that you can also visit Osaka as a day trip from Kyoto? It’s only 15 mins on a bullet train (although Shin-Osaka – the bullet train station in Osaka isn’t exactly in the centre of town…) OR you can take a local train to the middle of Osaka from Kyoto and it will only take 30 minutes – less than that if you take a special rapid train.
I just wanted to share this info incase you have found some amazing accommodation in Kyoto and don’t want to have to pack up and relocate more than you really have to.
PLEASE NOTE THAT MOST HOTELS ONLY OPEN UP THEIR BOOKING SYSTEMS 6 MONTHS AHEAD OF TIME.
If you look earlier than 6 months it may look like a hotel is completely booked – but it is because they haven’t yet opened these dates.
If you are able to find rooms earlier than 6 months in time they can often be more expensive as the sites are assuming they will be able to get the rooms once the dates are officially open (so compare current and future prices to be sure.)
I’ve included some Osaka options in my Hotels for Famililes of 5 or more article AND in my Hotels in Japan with multiple rooms (for parents who want to stay awake longer than their kids) post.
BEFORE WE START: If you’re coming from Tokyo you will be surprised that central Osaka is a lot more gritty than Tokyo. Streets feel dirtier and more lively. They are not dangerous. But it is one of the reasons I do prefer to stay in Kyoto with my kids and day trip to Osaka instead (we just take a normal express train and it takes 30-40 mins. It’s 15 mins between the cities on a bullet train but it’s more expensive and Shin-Osaka, Osaka’s bullet train station is in an awkward spot so it takes the same amount of time anyway.)
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
MY FAVOURITE AREAS TO STAY IN OSAKA WITH KIDS
-The Umeda/ Chayamachi Area
-The Honmachi Area
-The Namba Area.
-The Shinsaibashi Area
-The Yodoyabashi Area
Hotels for Families in Osaka
Mimaru Apartment Hotels-But if you’re looking at Mimaru apartments in Osaka with two rooms, check out Mimaru Osaka Shinsaibashi West, Mimaru Osaka Namba Station and Osaka Shinsaibashi North (here is my write up on what to expect when staying at a beautiful Mimaru apartment in Japan.)
Did you know that Mimaru Osaka Namba Station is know as the board game hotel? It has more than 130 games and puzzles for families to rent. It’s such a nice touch.Mimaru Namba Station not only has those board games for guests to use, but they also offer free coffee between 7am-11am and free coffee and soft drinks from 3pm -9pm.)
Where to stay in Osaka with kids: Honmachi
Androoms in Honmachi (really only useful for 1 or 2 small children or if you are comfy getting multiple rooms. But it’s so nice and modern here and I really like their communal space/breakfast area. It’s a really well designed hotel.
Where to stay in Osaka with kids: Umeda
Hankyu Respire Hotel Osaka is located in Umeda. This is such a good area for lots of shopping and dining – it’s also modern and clean. This hotel isn’t super fancy or anything but has lots of different room types and even offers connecting rooms for up to 5 people – even more if you have children who are small enough to bedshare. This hotel has it’s own restaurant for breakfast and also serves italian and mediterranean dishes for lunch and dinner. You can see the full Hankyu Respire Hotel Osaka restaurant’s menus here. The hotel offers baby toys rental and can also organise for baby related items such as baby blankets, baby baths, diapers and baby cutlery. You can also rent strollers for children under 15kgs and scooters (if you are a staying guest.) There is also an in-house coin laundry and gym.
*A little note on coin laundries in hotels in Japan. The detergent is almost always built into the machine. If someone in your family has allergies to certain washing powders it is probably best to email in advance to find out what they use and what your options are. Oh.. and another note.. if the washer and dryer is built into one machine – the dryer setting really only works well for 1-2 items (big items like a pair of jeans and a long sleeved top, I mean) so don’t do what I do and just put in heaps of things to dry for longer – hoping that they will dry. It doesn’t work like that. Best to do little tiny drying sessions for the best drying results. It a lesson in patience but it will save you lots of coins in the long run
Level 5 of the hotel also has a small children’s playground and game arcade.
Nest Hotel Umeda This is the perfect hotel. Rooms are small, clean and modern. The lobby area is done up beautifully and is set up like a lovely communal lounge room so this hotel would be great for families who plan on getting many separate rooms or a few families who are travelling together. It’s really affordable and you can all catch up in the lobby at the start and end of the day for a chat or for making plans. Room types are double, twin and triple. Some rooms have sofa beds and can sleep up to 5 people (if some of those 5 people are small children.)
The Westin Osaka Hotel offers baby beds for children younger than 24 months and has some suite rooms that sleep up to 5 people. This hotel has 3 restaurants and a lobby lounge. This is also a popular hotel for weddings. There is also a hotel bar. The indoor swimming pool is only for adults 18 years and older (and adults must pay 2,200 yen each to use the pool.) *Japan has some pretty wild and frustrating rules when it comes to hotel swimming pools. I explain more about it here*. This hotel is 9 mins walk from Umeda Station and 7 mins walk from JR Osaka Station.
Where to stay in Osaka with kids: Namba
Randor Suites Namba Osaka Suites – large rooms. Family Room with a double bed and queen bed in the one room.
Ibis Styles Osaka Namba – rooms are simple but very very clean. It is right next to Dotonbori with views of the river. They have a 4 hour happy hour in the lounge every night with bottomless beer and soft drinks and light snacks. They have Superior Rooms with 4 single beds, Deluxe Rooms with 4 single beds, a Japanese tatami room that sleeps 5 on futons.
Swissotel Nankai Osaka – This hotel has interconnecting rooms – fabulous for families. This hotel also has triple rooms. This hotel has cots/cribs available on request (limited number so email to reserve asap).
Children 12 and under can eat breakfast for free here. This hotel also has a gym, jacuzzi, sauna and swimming pool (Please note that children 6 and younger are not allowed to use the pool and those between 7-16 years of age can only use the pool between 9am-6pm. Cost to use the pool, even for guests, is 2000 yen per person per day.) Swissotel Nankai Osaka also has several restaurants, including Teppanyaki, Chinese and Japanese restaurant options.
Karaksa Hotel Osaka Namba is a great, affordable option for families. 10 mins walk from Namba Station- and 10 mins is quite a walk for Japan so consider if this will impact your holiday before you book. They can also organise for connecting rooms so a family of 6 can all stay together (this is also a fab options for parents who like to stay up after their kids go to bed.). This hotel also has a buffet breakfast in the morning and the same restaurant is used at a lounge for guests in the afternoons and evenings where guests can help themselves to complimentary soft drinks. This is also one of the few hotels that lets guests check in earlier than check-in time at 3pm (if the room is ready, of course) for an additional 1000 yen an hour. Karaksa Hotel Osaka Namba also have an in-house coin laundry.
*A little note on coin laundries in hotels in Japan. The detergent is almost always built into the machine. If someone in your family has allergies to certain washing powders it is probably best to email in advance to find out what they use and what your options are. Oh.. and another note.. if the washer and dryer is built into one machine – the dryer setting really only works well for 1-2 items (big items like a pair of jeans and a long sleeved top, I mean) so don’t do what I do and just put in heaps of things to dry for longer – hoping that they will dry. It doesn’t work like that. Best to do little tiny drying sessions for the best drying results. It a lesson in patience but it will save you lots of coins in the long run
Mercure Tokyu Stay Osaka Namba‘s Family Room accommodates up to 4 people in a room (queen bed + 2 singles) and a washing machine in the room.
Ostay Vermilliion Namba has family rooms that accommodates up to 6 people. There is also an in-room washing machine and a small kitchenette in the room. Please note that although this hotel advertises themselves as Namba – they are actually quite a hike /taxi or train ride from Namba Station.
Dotonbori Hotel is a very very very simple business hotel who welcomes families. It really is a no frills option but they do have some nice perks like tea and coffee (from a vending machine) for guests in the lobby as well as unlimited ice-creams, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks for guests between 3pm-9pm. This hotel is 3 mins walk from Namba Station. Their biggest room is a triple room with three large single beds (the rooms are very small.) This hotel also rents out adult bikes and strollers for free to all staying guests. This hotel is listed as a Halal friendly hotel on the Halal Japan website.
Centara Grand Hotel Osaka is a higher end of hotel (and a price tag to match) but it is beautiful and the hotel is connected to the Namba Parks shopping complex. The family rooms here have a king bed and a set of bunk beds – so it is great for a family of four who really like to stay in 5 star hotels. This hotel also can organise for connecting rooms for larger families. This hotel has a spa for beauty and massage treatments – there is also a rooftop fine dining restaurant.
Holiday Inn Osaka Namba is a very simple, stock-standard hotel (the rooms are a bit old now) but the location is amazing. 1 min walk from Dotonbori! Rooms sleep 2-4 people. There is a small, simple breakfast area. 2 min walk to Don Quijote.
Where to stay in Osaka with kids: Shinsaibashi
W Osaka – This place won’t be in everyone’s budget but they do have rooms that accommodate up to 4 people plus they can include a crib / cot. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool (but the pool is only for 16 years+). This hotel is 2 mins walk from Namba Shrine. This hotel also has an incredible buffet breakfast (two full rooms of buffet options) and the allergens are clearly marked and the chef’s are extremely obliging.
Book and Bed Capsule Hotel, Shinsaibashi – Capsule meets Library Hotel – one of the few capsule hotels that allows children. Every family member gets their own pod to sleep in. A great way to experience this style of accommodation for a night or two (wouldn’t do much longer though.) It’s very affordable to stay here.
Nest Hotel Shinsaibashi This is a very simple but modern hotel. Rooms are small and clean. Very affordable.
Cross Hotel Osaka This hotel sleeps 2-3 people per room. There is a breakfast restaurant within the hotel (they even serve ice-cream at the breakfast buffet!.) Cross Hotel Osaka is less than 5 mins walk from Shinsaibashi and Namba Stations. Some of the rooms here have a view over Dotombori and you can even see the famous Glico man. The rooms here are more spacious than many other hotels in big cities in Japan. This hotel can also help you forward your luggage.
Hotel the Flag Shinsaibashi is clean and just 3 mins walk from Exit 6 of Shinsaibashi Station. The hotel is simple and basic but is a great option if you are just trying to find the most affordable option for your family. Some rooms can accommodate up to 4 adults. Breakfast here is a simple buffet style (mostly western) breakfast – kids 6 and under eat for free. The hotel also provides free coffee machine coffee and there is an in-house coin laundry. As I mention in my bed sharing article, if you are all wanting separate beds here, reserve a room for 4 adults not adults and kids (unless you are happy to bed-share, of course.)
Where to stay in Osaka with kids: Yodoyabashi
Hotel Resol Trinity Osaka is a lovely new modern hotel with an amazing hotel breakfast (lots of fresh veggies and salads) and an in-house onsen. This is also one of the more budget friendly options for families of 3 (or with kids small enough to bedshare.) This hotel also rents out cots for babies (additional charge.)
It is 4 mins walk from Yodoyabashi Station exits 8 and 11.
ANA Crowne Plaza Osaka can accommodate up to 4 people. It is 7 mins walk from Yodoyabashi Station. These guys have a really good buffet breakfast. This hotel has an indoor pool – however, children must be 3 or over to use the pool and the pool is to be used for no more than one hour at a time. All pool users must wear rented swim caps when using the pool and strictly no tattoos allowed.
Candeo Osaka The Tower
I love this brand. The rooms are lovely and clean and the staff at reception are so helpful. There is also a rooftop (enclosed) public onsen style pool, seperated by genders, of course (Please note that you can not wear swimsuits here. This is an authentic Japanese public bath – for hotel guests only.) Each guest room also has a small ensuite (some rooms also have a bath.) Candeo Osaka The Tower is 6 mins walk from Yodoyabashi Station. There is a breakfast restaurant here and, at lunch and dinner time, this restaurant becomes an Italian buffet restaurant with a view. Some of the suite rooms here can accommodate as many as 6 adults. This hotel can arrange connecting rooms for larger families.
HOTELS IN OSAKA NEAR UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
(These hotels have the biggest rooms as they are outside of the city (a bit) and they are used to accommodating larger groups / families.)
We recently stayed at Universal Port Vita – Minion Themed (minion sprinkled more than themed). Some rooms have views of Universal Studios and our room had 4 quite large single beds.
I have written in detail here about all of the official Universal Studios Japan hotels – and I’ve included all of the room types and how many people they can cater for.
See here for my Osaka with kids tips.
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
