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 Families 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.
JUST A REMINDER: IN JAPAN YOU MUST DISCLOSE HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE STAYING IN THE HOTEL ROOM. SMALL CHILDREN INCLUDED. I’ve seen hotel guests asked to leave or asked to pay for an additional room in Japan for not doing this. Also, Japan is a country with earthquakes. This means that staff need to know exactly how many people are staying in a hotel room in the case of evacuation. All heads must be accounted for.
MY FAVOURITE AREAS TO STAY IN OSAKA WITH KIDS
(these are in order of my favourite areas to stay with my kids – lower in the list doesn’t mean I don’t like it – if I didn’t, I wouldn’t include it at all)
–The Umeda/ Chayamachi Area
–The Namba Area.
-The Honmachi Area
-The Yodoyabashi Area
-The Shinsaibashi Area
Read here if you are looking for day trip options from Osaka.
MY RECOMMENDED HOTELS FOR FAMILIES IN OSAKA
Apartment hotel MIMARU-But if you’re looking at MIMARU apartments in Osaka with two rooms, check out MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi West, MIMARU Osaka Namba Station, MIMARU Osaka Namba North and MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi North* (here is my write up on what to expect when staying at a beautiful MIMARU apartment in Japan.)
*Just 7 mins walk from MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi North is also Melbourne Coffee & Craft (for those craving Aussie grade coffee in Osaka with avocado on toast)
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.). See here for so many nearby restaurants and shopping suggestions (and arcades etc) that we love in this immediate area too.
MIMARU Osaka Namba North is 7 mins walk from Namba Station but it is also night next to America-mura, Yotsubashi and Nishi Shinsaibashi (West Shinsaibashi.).
I have written in detail about our stay at MIMARU Osaka Namba North in one of the new Pokémon themed rooms. It was so cute!
There is a drugstore that sells baby food and diapers just 2 mins walk from here. Details in my blog post on this hotel.
©Pokémon. ©Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.
The lobby is set up so beautifully for families.
Like all MIMARU rooms, all cutlery and crockery is provided and kids love the bunk beds. The coin laundry is on the ground floor.
There is a Family Mart and a Lawson convenience store less than 1 minute walk away. There is a 100 yen Lawson 3 mins walk away too. Read here for my full write up on our stay here including restaurants and parks etc nearby.
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.
Hotel Androoms Honmachi have also just added Family Rooms to their room types ! These rooms sleep up to 4 adults (more people if kids are small enough to bed share.) For guests they can provide diaper trash cans, toilet seats for kids, a baby bath and baby soap, a bottle sterilization box, waterproof sheets as well as a high chair and plastic plates etc. Click here to see even more pictures of my stay at Androoms in Honmachi.
Just 7 mins walk from this hotel is a large supermarket called Fresco – they have quite a few gluten free items for sale here. It is open from 7:30am-9:45pm.
and … 4 mins in a cab or 15 mins on foot from Hotel Androoms Honmachi
Osaka Engine is a lovely family friendly option (opened after Kyoto Engine had wonderful reception!) Osaka Engine has gluten free AND vegan options. It is 3 mins walk from Sakaisuji Honmachi Station. I recommend ordering the gluten free and vegan gyoza dumplies and the vegan ice-cream. Make a reservation online here. They accept most major credit cards. 8 mins walk from Honmachi Station.
OSAKA ENGINE
大阪市中央区安土町2-2-15
2-2-15 AZUCHI-MACHI, OSAKA-SHI, CHUO-KU, OSAKA
OPEN 1PM-10PM
Another hotel in the Honmachi area for families…
The Lively Hotel Osaka Honmachi
This very reasonably priced hotel has a Superior Twin and Bunk room sleeps 4. Please note that the breakfast isn’t a buffet – it is 6 meal items to choose from (which may not suit every child’s needs.) This hotel also has a lunch and dinner restaurant as well as room service. See The Lively Hotel Osaka Honmachi room service menu here. This hotel is 5 mins in a cab from Dotombori. It is just 1 min walk from Sakaisuji Honmachi Station or 10-mins walk from Honmachi Station.
This hotel provides pyjamas for guests. This hotel does not have a coin laundry on-site.
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 if you are on a tight budget. 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.) They have an in-house coin laundry.
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.
If you are looking at a higher end hotel (or wanted to use Hilton points) the Waldorf Astoria Osaka is an option. The King Premier Room, the King Corner Suite and the Astoria Penthouse, the Waldorf Penthouse and the Presidential Penthouse rooms sleep 3. The bedroom corner suite sleeps 6. This hotel is 10 mins walk from Umeda Station and Jr Osaka Station. They have cots for smaller children. Kids can also use the pool when accompanied by an adult. The Peacock Alley cafe and the French restaurant within the hotel both welcome kids, has space for strollers and also have kids menus.
Where to stay in Osaka with kids: Namba
&Here Osaka Namba
This brand new hotel is one of the most gorgeous and spacious options for families. Rooms cater to 2 people, 4 people or 6 people. The rooms for more than 4 also have a kitchenette and guests are able to borrow complimentary items such as toaster ovens, rice cookers, blu-ray players etc. They are just 3 mins walk from Namba Station. This hotel provides cute little amenity kids for kids . This hotel is happy to assist with receiving and sending forwarded luggage from all corners of Japan. There is a communal rooftop which works as a beautiful extra space for kids to have a wriggle and for everyone to take in the views of Osaka. There is an onsite coin laundry here. I have written in detail about &Here Namba Osaka here – it’s incredible for families and the location is excellent for food, shopping and public transport. The suites also have space for families of 6 and also have washing machines in the rooms. Here I have written about our favourite restaurants, drugstores, playgrounds and sightseeing spots nearby.
Randor Suites Namba Osaka Suites – large rooms. Family Room with a double bed and queen bed in the one room.
Centara Life Namba Osaka – this used to be The Rise Namba and it’s been completely re-done. Much more affordable for families than some other Osaka options. Rooms are small but nice and clean. Rooms are for 2, 3 or 4 people. There is a breakfast restaurant. I recommend this hotel for families on a tight budget and those with a baby in a carrier or kids 8 years + (just because it requires a short train change to get to most sightseeing spots and that’s hard with small kids for every single trip.) There is a convenience store literally across the road. Namba Station is 14 mins walk away and only 7 mins walk to Namba Parks Shopping Mall.
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.) Japan has lots of strange rules around hotel pools. I explain here.
Swissotel Nankai Osaka also has several restaurants, including Teppanyaki, Chinese and Japanese restaurant options.
There is a Cocoichibanya across the road and a Burger King within the same building. See here for other restaurants who welcome children in this area.
The in-house teppanyaki restaurant at the Swissotel Nankai Namba welcomes children. It is called teppanyaki restaurant Minami in Osaka welcomes children. This is high end dining so I’d be sure to save it for a special occasion. Please note that lunch is literally half the price of dinner here. Also please read my post here on how teppanyaki in Japan is a bit different to how you may be used to it in your home country. This restaurant is on the 10th floor. Minami accepts most major credit cards.
This restaurant won「The 2023 World Luxury Restaurant Awards for “Best Luxury Farm to Table Restaurant – Global Winner”, “Best Locally Sourced Produce Menu in Asia” and “Best Teappanyaki-style Cuisine in Asia.”
Minami is entirely non-smoking. For lunch here, I would budget 7000-8000 yen per person and more than 14,000 yen at dinnertime.
See here for the kids menu at Minami, Teppanyaki restaurant.
See here for the vegetarian menu.
This is one of the hotels listed in my Where to eat in Osaka with kids article.
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. The buffet breakfast on the ground floor has gluten free bread as an option. There is also a hotel microwave that guests can use at any time of the day. This hotel is happy to help you forward luggage (and receive luggage too.) Room types are double, twin or triple (and connecting rooms are also an option.)
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
There is a drugstore called Matsumoto Kiyoshi that sells baby food and nappies/diapers just 6 mins walk from here. See my Namba with kids blog post for details and other suggestions in the immediate area.
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.
There is a drugstore called Matsumoto Kiyoshi that sells baby food and nappies/diapers just 7 mins walk from here. See my Namba with kids blog post for details and other suggestions in the immediate area.
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.
There is a drugstore called Matsumoto Kiyoshi that sells baby food and nappies/diapers just 9 mins walk from here. See my Namba with kids blog post for details and other suggestions in the immediate area.
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. See here for a long long list of kid-friendly restaurants in this immediate area.
Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba is 1 min walk from exit 24 of Namba Station. The family rooms can sleep 4 people (more people if kids are small enough to bed share.) The room also has dividers that can be pulled down from the ceiling to separate the room and has two bathrooms.
The televisions are set up for Netflix. There is an in-house coin laundry. This hotel can assist with you forwarding and receiving your luggage. The hotel is simple but clean and more affordable than some other family options where everyone can sleep in the one room.
There is a drugstore called Matsumoto Kiyoshi that sells baby food and nappies/diapers just 10 mins walk from here. See my Namba with kids blog post for details and other suggestions in the immediate area.
Namba Oriental Hotel have residential style apartment suites. While this may not be in everyone’s travel budget, the rooms are like little mini apartments with a kitchenette, dining table and bunk beds which means the rooms accommodate as many as 6 people. This hotel has a complimentary laundry lounge for guests (coin laundry lounge that doesn’t require any coins) and they will even notify you once your laundry is ready. This hotel also has a breakfast buffet in the morning. This hotel provides cots for babies younger than 1 and bed rails for older children free of charge. Guests can all use the hotels complimentary pyjamas during their stay. Namba Oriental Hotel will also assist with sending and receiving forwarded luggage.
Also -if you choose an apartment style hotel with a kitchenette and a manned front desk – did you know that can have different types of milk and gluten free and vegan options delivered anywhere in Japan via the National Azabu website? This international supermarket is located in Hiroo, Tokyo (you can also, of course, visit in person). You can also order online and have them deliver groceries to you if you are staying in Minato-ku, Tokyo (aka the Minato ward, Tokyo) OR you can have these items delivered anywhere in Japan using the Yamato delivery service (price is from 1200 yen per box of food delivered.) This is one of many reasons to stay at a hotel and not an airbnb in Japan – so that a hotel can accept parcels on your behalf -if you’re super clever, you can order ahead and have a box of low-allergen foods for you arrive the day you check in to your hotel (if you email the hotel ahead – they will put cold items in the fridge for you.) National Azabu in Tokyo stocks almond milk, oat milk, walnut milk, soy milk as well as pistachio milk. Here is my general advice on buying different types of milk in Japan.
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.
Just 4 mins walk from W Osaka is also Melbourne Coffee & Craft (for those craving Aussie grade coffee in Osaka with avocado on toast)
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.
See here for lots of kid-friendly restaurants in this immediate area around this hotel.
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.)
Henn Na Hotel Shinsaibashi is a brand I recommend in my lower priced hotels for families in Japan.
The rooms are small but clean – and there are some connecting room options. By small rooms I do mean small- you will have to put your suitcase on the bed to open it and definitely no room for a cot. They offer a simple breakfast. They also offer an all-you-can-drink bar time in the evenings. The front desk is also manned by dinosaurs – that’s a bit random and cool, right? All rooms accommodate 2 people (one room can accommodate 3 people.) This hotel provides pyjamas for in-room use.
I have pictures and budget options as well as opening hours for the restaurants and spots listed below etc here (my Where to eat in Osaka with kids article) but just so you know what is nearby:
3 mins walk from Syabu-yo Shinsaibashi (Sukiyaki & Shabu Shabu)
4 mins walk from Melbourne Coffee & Craft
7 mins walk from New Sushi Center
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.
I have written an article for those who don’t feel naked being in an onsen here.
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 bath, 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.
For large families I highly highly recommend a beautiful Japanese house calledTokujiro no Yado. I have written in detail about it here. Up to 10 people can sleep here!! It is not in the centre of town but is a great way to sleep more people and save a LOT on accommodation costs.
