The Kita (キタ, "North") district, also known as Umeda (梅田), 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 (ミナミ, "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: 2000 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 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 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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    • 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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    • Hotel Hankyu International
      Luxury
      Situated in Osaka and with Catholic Osaka Umeda Church reachable within 400 metres, Hotel Hankyu International features concierge services, non-smoking rooms, a restaurant, free WiFi throughout the property and a bar. This 5-star hotel offers an ATM and luggage storage space. The accommodation offers room service, a 24-hour front desk and currency exchange for guests. 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 Hankyu International rooms come with bed linen and towels. American and Asian breakfast options are available each morning at the accommodation. Popular points of interest near Hotel Hankyu International include Tsunashikiten Shrine Otabisha, Tomishima Shrine and Umeda Station. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 19 km from the hotel.
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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. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the hotel. Popular points of interest near Hotel Intergate Osaka Umeda include Herbis Plaza ENT, Herbis Plaza and Kitanosaurus. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 18 km from the accommodation.
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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 offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The property is 1.1 km from the city centre and 300 metres from Hankyu Men's Osaka. All units in the hotel are fitted with a kettle. The rooms will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. Popular points of interest near Villa Fontaine Grand Osaka Umeda include Umeda Station, Hosei-ji Temple and E-ma. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 18 km from the accommodation.
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    • Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
      Luxury
      Conveniently located in Osaka, Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA offers air-conditioned rooms, a fitness centre, free WiFi and a garden. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. Guests can enjoy Italian and Asian dishes at the restaurant or have a cocktail at the bar. At the hotel, all rooms have a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels. The rooms are fitted with a safety deposit box and selected rooms also offer city views. All guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Guests at Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA can enjoy a buffet breakfast. The accommodation offers a sun terrace. Popular points of interest near Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA include Grand Front Osaka, Knowledge Capital and Lucua Osaka. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 19 km from the hotel.
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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 400 metres from Grand Front 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 Lucua Osaka, Knowledge Capital and Umeda Station. 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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    • Rakuten STAY Osaka Station North Standard Fourth
      Mid-range
      Situated right in the centre of Osaka, 300 metres from Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum, Rakuten STAY Osaka Station North Standard Fourth features air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi and a TV. It is set 300 metres from Umeda Sky Building and provides a lift. The property is non-smoking and is located 400 metres from Kuchu Teien Observatory. Popular points of interest near the guest house include Namban Culture Center, Eisho-ji Temple and Uraeyasaka Shrine. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 18 km from Rakuten STAY Osaka Station North Standard Fourth.
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Experiences around Osaka

Top rated in Osaka