Hotels Overview

Osaka is known more as a business than as a tourist destination. But the city has modern accommodations for almost every taste, from first-class hotels to more modest business hotels, which are rarely distinctive. Guest quarters have become increasingly stylish at the top-end hotels, though Japanese designers of mid-range lodgings are more concerned with efficiency than elegance. You'll often encounter individual attention from a solicitous staff no matter where you stay.

A hotel room in Osaka costs less than one of comparable size in Tokyo. And Osaka has more hotels to choose from than nearby Kyoto, which is important to keep in mind during peak tourist seasons. There's currently a glut of rooms at the top end of the market, which means you can find discounts if you book online at hotel Web sites. Because Osaka hotels offer much the same in room size and facilities within a given price range, it's wise to choose accommodations based on location rather than amenities.