So I will be staying in Osaka for 3 nights and 4 days and going to Kobe one one of those days.
Which of the two areas do you think would be better for me? I’m not looking for a hotel that is too expensive but I will obviously be doing some touristy things (Osaka castle) and want to eat good food too!
Not too interested in shopping so won’t be doing too much of it.
Thanks!!
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Namba. It feels more like Osaka. Umeda is kind of like a bootleg Tokyo.
Umeda. You gotta go to Umeda anyway if you want to go to Kobe. Namba would be more centrally located when it comes to the typical touristy stuff though.
Namba feels much more relaxed and like Osaka, I’d suggest shinsaibashi area as well. Umedas a lot more uptight in my opinion, the people and atmosphere.
I’d prefer Nanba if staying put in Osaka for its better wandering around options nearby, but choose Umeda if venturing further out since it’s closer for major railway options. But they’re both fine and quite close to each other via subway. If Kobe is just a day trip I’d probably stick with Nanba but either are great.
Dormy Inn every time. They have several in different parts of Osaka. Free Yakult and coffee in the morning, free ice cream, drink and Ramen in the afternoon and evening. Free washing machine and hot spring usually with a sauna as well
https://www.hotespa.net/dormyinn/english/list/osaka.html
Naaaaaamba! There really isn’t a whole lot to do wivin walking distance in Umeda. Also Namba is just all around super cool.
[ed.’s note for bias: When risuko was living in Osaka, she worked in Umeda, which sucked, and lived (walkably close-ish) in Namba]
Staying in Osaka that long is the real issue. There is nothing there. Just stay in kyoto and make Osaka a day trip for the castle. There’s also nothing in Kobe.
i think Namba has more to do.. and its close to other busy areas..
There’s a lot of cheap hotels at shin imamiya (one station from namba). It’s also in the loop line so you can easily go to anywhere.
Osaka is much more convenient for traveling to Kobe or Kyoto, etc.
Mixed bag.
If you like late nights and bar scene then I would say Namba/Shinsaibashi.
Umeda/Osaka positives: slightly closer to Kobe by 10-15min, close to tenma which is good for food.
NAmba/shinsaibashi: more lively night scene for sure, perhaps more tourist friendly depending on location, cheaper hotels generally speaking.
You aren’t talking a big distance between the two, about 1200 yen in a taxi or 3-4 stops on the midousuji line.