Minami (Namba)

Southern downtown of Osaka

Highly Recommended

3.9 (1,819)

#2 of 25 most visited in Osaka

Located around Namba Station, Minami (ミナミ, "South") is one of Osaka's two major city centers. It is the city's most famous entertainment district and offers abundant dining and shopping choices. The district is easily accessible as it is served by three train companies as well as three subway lines and a highway bus terminal. The other major city center is Kita (キタ, "North") which is located around Osaka and Umeda stations.

Shopping and nightlife

Dotonbori

Best seen at night, Dotonbori never truly closes with some restaurants open 24 hours.

One of Osaka's most popular tourist destinations, this street runs parallel to the Dotonbori canal. It is a popular shopping and entertainment district and also known as a food destination. At night it is lit by hundreds of neon lights and mechanized signs, including the famous Glico Running Man and Kani Doraku crab.

Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade

Hours vary by store; typically from around 10:00-11:00 to around 20:00-22:00.

Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade and the surrounding Shinsaibashi area is Osaka's premiere shopping center. Approximately 600 m long, this area is unique as it combines chain retail stores and trendy boutiques with expensive department stores and top designer fashion labels.

Amerikamura

Hours vary by store.

Locally known as "Amemura," this shopping district is considered Osaka's counterpart to Harajuku and is a good place to see the cutting edge of teenage fashion and culture in Japan. It is a lively atmosphere that is populated with cafes, clothing stores, and thrift shops with a younger feel than the nearby Shinsaibashi.

Den Den Town

Hours vary by store; typically from around 10:00-11:00 to around 19:00-20:00.

Located in the Nipponbashi area, Den Den Town is an electronics district comparable to Tokyo's Akihabara, and you may be able to bargain to a better deal. Like Akihabara, Den Den Town is also known as an otaku paradise with numerous manga and anime retailers as well as maid and cosplay cafes located there.

Kuromon Market

Hours vary by store, typically 8:00 to 18:00

Kuromon Market is a several hundred meter long, covered shopping arcade filled with shops and restaurants selling fresh seafood, meat, vegetables and fruits. It is known as "Osaka's Kitchen".

Namba Parks

Shops: 11:00-21:00. Restaurants vary but most are open 11:00-23:00.

Built to resemble a natural canyon, Namba Parks is designed to be a break of nature amidst the sprawling urban landscape. It features a 120 tenant shopping mall including a cinema, amphitheater, and a rooftop garden. The 6th floor is made up of numerous restaurants including some Korean, Italian, and Vietnamese places.

Culture and history

National Bunraku Theater

Bunraku performances are usually held in three week runs in January, April, June, July/August and November. Ticket prices vary by performance but typically range from 2000 to 6000 yen.

Bunraku is similar to kabuki but performed using meter tall puppets. The National Bunraku Theater is considered the nation's most prestigious, and in addition to shows offers free seminars throughout the year. English earphones are available.

Shochikuza Theater

Kabuki performances are usually held in five runs per year, each lasting between three to four weeks. Ticket prices vary by performance but typically range from 4000 to 15000 yen.

The Shochikuza Theater is the prime location to see kabuki performances in Osaka. It is a Western style theater that opened in 1923 and has a seating capacity of just over 1000. English headsets are unavailable at Shochizuka Theater, but English program books can be purchased at the information counter.

Hozenji Yokocho

Admission to the temple is free. Restaurant hours vary.

Hozenji Yokocho is a small district near Dotonbori, consisting of two 80 meter long, atmospheric alleys. The narrow alleys are lined by traditional restaurants and izakaya and retain an old-time atmosphere reminiscent of Kyoto's Pontocho. Be sure to visit Hozenji Temple where local merchants and visitors alike pour water over the temple's moss-covered statues for good luck.

Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum

Hours: 11:00 to 18:00 (entry until 17:30)
Closed: Mondays (or following day if Monday is a national holiday)
Admission: 500 yen

Kamigata is an old name for the Kansai Region around Osaka, and Kamigata Ukiyoe refer to woodblock prints from the region around Osaka and Kyoto. Many of the prints feature portraits of kabuki actors.

The Minami area is centered around Namba Station and the Osaka City Air Terminal (OCAT) and is served by multiple train and subway lines as well as buses.

Namba Station is not a single station, but rather a collection of multiple station buildings and platforms, including Nankai Namba Station, JR Namba Station and Kintetsu's Osaka-Namba Station. Furthermore, the Midosuji, Yotsubashi and Sennichimae subway lines stop at their respective Namba stations.

Most airport and highway buses serve the Osaka City Air Terminal (OCAT), which is located in the same building as JR Namba Station.

From Shin-Osaka and Osaka stations

The Midosuji Subway line connects Shin-Osaka and Osaka/Umeda stations directly to Namba Station. It takes approximately 8 minutes and 230 yen from Osaka/Umeda Station and 15 minutes and 280 yen from Shin-Osaka Station.

From Kansai Airport

By train

Nankai Railway operates direct trains between Kansai Airport and Namba Station. Express trains take around 45 minutes and cost 930 yen (non-reserved seats only), while limited express trains ("Rap:t") take around 35 minutes and cost 1450 yen (reserved seats only).

It is also possible to travel by JR, but it requires a transfer at Tennoji Station along the way. The whole trip takes approximately one hour and costs 1080 yen, using the JR Airport Rapid.

By bus

Buses run from Kansai Airport to the Osaka City Air Terminal (OCAT) approximately every 30 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at the airport limousine bus counter and cost 1100 yen. Travel time is about 50 minutes.

How to get to and around Osaka

Questions? Ask in our forum.

- 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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Budget:

- Citadines Namba Osaka
  Luxury
  
  Citadines Namba Osaka has a fitness centre, shared lounge, a restaurant and bar in Osaka. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a shared kitchen and a 24-hour front desk. The property is 700 metres from the city centre and 300 metres from Nipponbashi Catholic Church. All rooms at the hotel come with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Each room is fitted with a kettle, while some rooms are fitted with a kitchen with a stovetop. At Citadines Namba Osaka the rooms include bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Popular points of interest near Citadines Namba Osaka include Nipponbashi Park, Komyo-ji Temple and Shinko-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 22 km from the hotel.
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- Hiyori Hotel Osaka Namba Station
  Luxury
  
  Ideally located in the Shinsaibashi, Namba, Yotsubashi district of Osaka, Hiyori Hotel Osaka Namba Station is set 200 metres from Nankai Namba Station, 850 metres from Glico Man Sign, 1.6 km from Tsutenkaku and 1.6 km from Shinsekai. Located around 3.1 km from Shitenno-ji Temple, the hotel is also 3.7 km away from Abeno Harukas. The property is non-smoking and is situated 8 km from Universal Studios Japan. At the hotel, rooms have a desk and a flat-screen TV. With a private bathroom fitted with a shower and a hair dryer, rooms at Hiyori Hotel Osaka Namba Station also feature free WiFi. All units will provide guests with a wardrobe and a kettle. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. There is an in-house restaurant, which serves European cuisine. Speaking both English and Korean, staff at the reception can help you plan your stay. Kuromon Market is 800 metres away, while Osaka Castle is 4.9 km from Hiyori Hotel Osaka Namba Station. Itami Airport is 18 km from the property.
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- Hotel Royal Classic Osaka
  Luxury
  
  Ideally located in Osaka, Hotel Royal Classic Osaka offers 4-star accommodation close to Motomachinaka Park and Orange Street. Each accommodation at the 4-star hotel has city views, and guests can enjoy access to a restaurant and to a bar. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel Royal Classic Osaka the rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. A buffet, American or Asian breakfast is available every morning at the property. Speaking English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese at the reception, staff are always on hand to help. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Glico Man Sign, Naniwa Park and Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 21 km from Hotel Royal Classic Osaka.
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- Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka
  Luxury
  
  Just a 3-minute walk from Namba Subway Station, Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka offers studios and apartments with free Wi-Fi. The Residence features a fitness centre and a sauna. Spacious rooms at Fraser Nankai come with an LCD TV with satellite channels, a DVD player and an iPod docking station. They have a well-equipped kitchenette. Guests at Osaka Fraser can unwind with a massage treatment, or visit the hotel’s library. The Residence offers a business centre with meeting facilities, a concierge and ticketing services. Guests can enjoy a daily continental breakfast, hot beverages and light meals at Fraser Residence’s caf?. Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka is a 15-minute subway ride from Shin-Osaka Shinkansen Station. Kansai International Airport is a 40-minute train ride from the hotel.
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- Kamon Hotel Namba
  Budget-friendly
  
  Located just a minute's walk from Nippombashi Station, Kamon Hotel Namba offers free WiFi throughout the property and free luggage storage service. All rooms features air-conditioning with a desk and TV. Private bathrooms include slippers, towels and a hairdryer. There is a variety of restaurants for guests to enjoy within a 5-minute walk from this hotel. Namba Station is a 7-minute walk from Kamon Hotel Namba. Namba CITY is an 8-minute walk away, while Glico Man Sign is an 8-minute walk from this hotel. Osaka Itami Airport is 35 minutes via limousine bus from Kamon Hotel Namba.
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- Hotel S-Presso Central
  Luxury
  
  Located within 500 metres of Kamomecho Park and 600 metres of Namba Station in the centre of Osaka, Hotel S-Presso Central provides accommodation with free WiFi and seating area. 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. An Asian breakfast is available daily at the aparthotel. Popular points of interest near Hotel S-Presso Central include Naniwa Park, Motomachinaka Park and Shiokusa Park. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 22 km from the accommodation.
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- Hotel S-Presso West
  Mid-range
  
  Hotel S-Presso West has air-conditioned guest accommodation in the centre of Osaka, 200 metres from Kamomecho Park, 600 metres from Shiokusa Park and 1.1 km from Naniwa Park. Free WiFi is provided. The aparthotel provides guests with a balcony, city views, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a fridge and a microwave, and a private bathroom with bidet and free toiletries. A stovetop and kettle are also available. Popular points of interest near Hotel S-Presso West include Motomachinaka Park, Namba Station and Nipponbashi Park. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 22 km from the accommodation.
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- WELLSTAY Namba
  Mid-range
  
  Featuring 3-star accommodation, WELLSTAY Namba is located in Osaka, 800 metres from Naniwa Park and 500 metres from Motomachinaka Park. With a shared lounge, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is 300 metres from Kamomecho Park, and within 500 metres of the city centre. All units are equipped with a fridge, microwave, a kettle, a bidet, a hairdryer and a desk. Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, and certain units at the hotel have a city view. At WELLSTAY Namba every room is fitted with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Shiokusa Park, Namba Station and Orange Street. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 22 km from WELLSTAY Namba.
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- MIMARU Osaka Namba Station
  Luxury
  
  MIMARU Osaka Namba Station is conveniently situated in the centre of Osaka, and provides a shared lounge and free WiFi. This 4-star hotel offers luggage storage space. The property is non-smoking and is located 200 metres from Nipponbashi Catholic Church. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At MIMARU Osaka Namba Station each room is equipped with a seating area. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Nipponbashi Park, Komyo-ji Temple and Shinko-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 22 km from MIMARU Osaka Namba Station.
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- GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OSAKA NAMBA
  Luxury
  
  Featuring 4-star accommodation, GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OSAKA NAMBA is set in Osaka, 400 metres from Namba Station and 1.1 km from Naniwa Park. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a shared lounge and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The property is 300 metres from Motomachinaka Park, and within 100 metres of the city centre. 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. GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OSAKA NAMBA offers a buffet or continental breakfast. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Orange Street, Glico Man Sign and Kamomecho Park. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 21 km from GRIDS PREMIUM HOTEL OSAKA NAMBA.
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