Osaka/Kita

By train

There are two main train stations in this area, namely Umeda Station, and Osaka Station. Both are very close.
Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen (新幹線 trains arrive at Shin-Osaka station, to the north of the city center. From Shin-Osaka, you can connect to Umeda Station by using the Midosuji subway line, or connect to the local JR network for other destinations.
The best trains between Kansai International Airport and Osaka station are "Kansai airport rapid service" which operates by JR-West. The journey takes approximately 65 minutes at a cost of ¥1160.
JR Limited express train "Haruka" stop at Tennoji Station and Shin-Osaka Station. But Haruka doesn't stop at Osaka Station. The train passes through Umeda Freight Line, which bypasses Osaka Station.
Umeda Station

Kobe Line - Offers services to the following cities: Nishinomiya and Sannomiya(Kobe).

Kyoto Line - Offers services to the following cities: Takatsuki, Settsu, Ibaraki, and Kyoto.

Takarazuka Line - Offers services to the following cities: Toyonaka, Ikeda and Takarazuka.

Main Line - Offers services to the following cities: Amagasaki, Nishinomiya and Sannomiya(Kobe).

Osaka Station

• JR-West

• Osaka Loop Line - Offers services to the following cities: Universal City, Tennoji, Kansai International Airport, Wakayama, and Nara.
• JR Kyoto Line - Offers services to the following cities: Shin-Osaka, Suita, Takatsuki, Settsu, Ibaraki, and Kyoto.
• JR Kobe Line - Offers services to the following cities: Amagasaki, Nishinomiya and Kobe.

By bus

There are several bus terminals around Osaka railway station. Airport Limousine bus runs from Kansai International Airport to Hotel New Hankyu bus station, ¥1500 one way.

• Hotel New Hankyu Bus Station (Next to Hankyu Umeda Station)

Kansai Airport Tansportation, Osaka Airport Transport, Hanshin Bus

• Hankyu Sanban-Gai Bus Terminal (Hankyu Umeda Station Terminal Building North 1st Floor)

Hankyu Bus(Japanese Website)

• Herbis Osaka Bus Terminal (5 minutes walk from JR Osaka station Central Gate, Herbis Plaza ent B1 Floor)'

Osaka Airport Tansport, Hanshin Bus

Hanshin Bus (Japanese website) -

• Osaka station - JR Express Bus Terminal (JR Osaka station North Gate Building 1st Floor)

West JR Bus(Japanese website) +81 (0)6-6371-0111 - 09:00-19:00

• Willer Bus Terminal Osaka-Umeda (12 minutes walk from JR Osaka station North Central Gate, Umeda Sky Building Tower East 1st Floor)

• Willer Bus +81 (0)50-5805-0383 - English/Korean M-F 10:00-14:00

• Osaka Science MuseumBig interactive activity center on several floors. Great for kids. Planetarium and cinema (with science films) downstairs.

• Osaka Museum of Housing and Living

  address: 6-4-20 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku
  Step back in time as you walk through this life-sized reproduction of an Osaka neighborhood from the 1830s. The street contains re-creations of a public bath (you can borrow a yukata, or cotton kimono, to wear as you stroll around), as well as various shops and merchants' living quarters. There's also a section displaying detailed dioramas of Osaka after the Meiji Period. English-language audio guides are available.

• Umeda Sky Building

  address: 1-1-20 Oyodonaka, Kita-ku
  Built in an attempt to upgrade Osaka's somewhat downbeat Kita district, the project wasn't quite the hoped-for commercial success but this bizarrely shaped 40-story, 173-m building is still a city landmark. Take the escalator through midair to the rooftop observatory for an open-air view of Osaka, which is particularly impressive on a clear night. There is a lover's seat, where if you hold your partner's hand, and each hold a metal button on the seat, the ground around you lights up into a heart. You can purchase an engraved heart lock (¥1000) and attached it to the padlock wall around the seat (padlocks only available after 19:00). Observatory admission ¥700, 10AM-10:30PM daily. The basement features a recreation of a Meiji-era street, with a few small restaurants and bars in appropriate style. There is also a small store downstairs where you can purchase quality mochi on the cheap.

• Japan Mint and Mint Museum

  address: 1-1-79 Temma Kita-ku
  It's not widely known even by people from elsewhere in the country that Japan Mint is headquartered in Osaka. For Osakans, Sakura-no-tōrinuke (桜の通り抜け, cherry blossom tunnel road) is a synonym for this facility, attracting a large number of visitors (close to 1 million in just 7 days) during a limited, planned week in mid-Apr. A must-see if you are fond of nature and happen to drop into Osaka in-season. The museum is open 09:00-16:45, is free, and has two floors of coin displays with explanations in Japanese.

• Osaka Siki Musical TheaterHome of the Shiki Theatre Company.

• Billbordlive Osaka

• The festival hall in Nakanoshima, near Umeda, and the symphony hall in Umeda host modern and classical recitals, while Umeda Koma in Umeda, and Shin-Kabukiza in Uehommachi host Enka performances. For more independent or underground music, try Banana Hall in Umeda or Big Cat in Amerika-mura.

• Daimaru UmedaOne of the largest department stores in Osaka.

• Hankyu San BangaiThe large shopping areas filled with a variety of shops from cages to brandname boutiques.

• Herbis Plaza ENTBoutiques of famous brands inside and outside Japan, gourmet restaurants.

• For Japanese and foreign books, try Kinokuniya in Hankyu Umeda Station, or Junkudo south of Osaka Station.
• The Official Hanshin Tigers (baseball team) Shop is on 8th floor of Hanshin Department Store at Umeda.
• Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street (天神橋筋商店街 Tenjinbashi-suji Shōtengai) is said to be the longest straight and covered shopping arcade in Japan at approx. 2.6 km length. The arcade runs north-south along Tenjinbashi-suji street, and is accessible from multiple subway and/or JR stations, eg. Tenma, Minami-Morimachi, Tenjinbashi-suji 6-chome, etc. Nothing meant for sightseeing, the arcade is a live exhibition of Osaka's daily life, open since Edo period.

Budget

• Snack Park

  address: Hanshin department store (Umeda), B2 Floor
  Offers okonomiyaki, takoyaki and a few surprises like doteyaki (どて焼き) — stewed beef sinew.

• Tsuruhashi Fūgetsu

  address: Hankyu Grand Building 29F
  Good okonomiyaki as well yakisoba, with extra toppings (egg, cheese, etc.). The restaurant overlooks Umeda. There's an English menu.

• HanadakoStanding or to-go takoyaki, very popular with the locals.

Mid-range

• En (Umeda)

  address: SWING umeda 2F 2-15-20 Sonezaki
  En is one of the most atmospheric and tastiest izakayas in Osaka, with branches in Umeda and Namba. The interior is beautiful and food is delicious and reasonably priced. En also has a large range of Japanese sake and has an English menu.

• TorikizokuTorikizoku is the most popular :WikiPedia:yakitori chain in Kansai, and can be found near most major stations in Osaka. The food is delicious, comes in generous serves and is very cheap. It's very popular with both locals and expats, and is always busy. Try to come before 7:30PM to secure seats.

• Endo Sushi

  phone: +81 6-6469-7108
  address: 1 Chome-1-86 Noda, Fukushima Ward
  Sushi place in Osaka's fish market.

Splurge

• Blarney Stone Umeda

  address: Kita-ku, Sonezaki 2-10-15, Sonezaki Center Bldg. 6F

• Common Style

  address: 1-2-2 Nakazaki-nishi, Kita-ku
  A cafe where foreigners can exchange information with Japanese about what interests them.

• Lupu

  address: 1F, Kansai-Chuo Bldg, 15-2 Doyama-cho
  A gay and lesbian bar owned by a lesbian couple.

• Physique Pride

  address: 8-23 Sanyo-Kaikan 1-F Doyama-cho
  One of Osaka's most popular gay and lesbian bars among foreigners.

Nightclubs

• Cafe de Jumpin' Jumpin'

  phone: +81 66-363-3367
  One of Osaka's gay and lesbian bars.

• ExplosionOsaka's most popular and largest (albeit still not very big) gay club. They hold special events on Fridays and Saturdays, some of which are men-only and occasionally women-only, so check their website to make sure that you will be able to enter on the day you plan to visit. Foreigners sometimes get discounts or extra free drink coupons, so bring identification (especially if you are of Asian descent).

• Jack in the Box

  address: 12-12 Doyama-cho
  A men-only gay nightclub.

• Sam and DavePopular international dance club with a meat-market vibe. Two locations in Osaka.

• Sam and Dave Umeda

  address: 4-15-19 1F Nishi-tenma, Kita-ku

Budget

• J-Hoppers Osaka Central

  address: Fukushima 7-4-22
  A lively backpackers hostel in the central Osaka. There are three kinds of private rooms (twin, double and triple room). All staff members speak English and can help guests making travel plans. There are also staff who speak French and German. Free WiFi with your laptop or ¥100 per 30 min. for hostel computers. Rental bikes (¥500 per day), with no curfew or lockout and held-luggage services.

Capsule hotels

• Capsule Inn Osaka

  address: 9-5 Doyamamachi, Kita-ku
  This is Japan's first capsule hotel, designed by noted architect Kisho Kurokawa and opened in 1979. Still open for business, happy to accommodate male foreigners with some semblance of a clue and a steal of a price. No women allowed.

• Daitoyo

  address: 2-1-9 Nakazaki-Nishi, Kita-ku
  Near Umeda, with branches at Namba and Juso. It has a hot spring spa, sauna, and a floor for women.

Budget apartments

• Sunplaza Rinkai

  address: 16-4-4 Toyosaki Kita-ku
  Website is in Japanese. The English site can be obtained through an online booking agent if you Google its full name and if vacancies are available an immediate confirmation will be given. Twins beds available. Each apartment has in-suite shower and toilet, A/C, TV, and a kitchenette complete with fridge, stove and cooking utensils.

Mid-range

Splurge

• Hilton Osaka

  phone: +81 6-6347-7111
  address: 1-8-8, Umeda, Kita-ku
  Across the street from JR Osaka station.

• Hotel Granvia Osaka

  phone: +81 6-6347-1235
  address: 3-1-1,Umeda Kita-ku Osaka
  Next to the JR Osaka Train Station.

• Imperial Hotel

  phone: +81 6-6881-1111
  address: 8-50, Temmabashi 1-chome, Kita-ku
  At riverside.

• Rihga Royal Hotel

  address: 5-3-68, Nakanoshima, Kita-ku
  Opened as the New Osaka Hotel in 1935, this landmark hotel proudly offers one of the best hotel services in town.

• Ritz-Carlton

  phone: +81 6-6343-7000
  address: 2-5-25 Umeda, Kita-ku
  Japan's first. This particular outlet was voted the best hotel in Japan several times, and has become known as one of the city's swankiest dining and meeting points. Rates start around ¥30,000 a night and rise skyward from there.

• The Westin Osaka

  phone: +81 6-6440-1111
  address: 1-1-20 Oyodo Naka, Kita-ku
  Next to the Umeda Sky Building.

• Osaka Visitors Information Center - Umeda

  address: 3F JR Osaka Sta.1F North Central Gate 3-1-1 Umeda Kita-ku
  Tourist information is offered in English and Japanese.