Osaka is one of the most vibrant cities in Japan, where contemporary towers and old Busddhist temples stand tall. In the bustling metropolis, tourists can view different historical sites such as Osaka Castle, explore the buzzy region of Namba, and eat delicious street food in Dotonburi. As reported by Road Genius, over 15.6 million international tourists visited Osaka in 2023.
Although Osaka is the third largest city in Japan, it’s not as expensive as Tokyo, Kyoto, or Yokohama. Due to its scenic beauty and historical significance, visiting this city is on the bucket list of most students.
As a student, this article will help you find a budget-friendly hotel in Osaka with a touch of luxury.
Let’s dive deeper into the details.
Which Part of Osaka Is the Best to Stay In?
Osaka is so wide and large in area. You should stay somewhere which is convenient for you. Access to transport is vital, and there should be plenty of restaurants and shops nearby. According to Inside Osaka, the best places to stay in Osaka, Japan, in order of preference are the following:
- Kita
- Minami
- Honmachi
- Shin-Osaka Region
For travelling students, it is recommended that they stay near different sightseeing attractions. This will reduce their spending on visiting tourist attractions. Lastly, you should ensure that you choose a neighbourhood that is interesting, safe, and pleasant.
Top 8 Best Hotels in Osaka That Are Ideal for Students on a Budget
Osaka has a youthful feel and is considered a hub for the AI industry and tech startups in Japan. When staying in a hotel, you can feel the creative spirit of its people in the form of artwork in the hotel lobbies. Students come here in vast numbers every year to experience its magical thrill while staying in the affordable hotels of this city. As a student, you can get discounts on multiple sightseeing places, art shows and restaurants.
While you are away visiting the bustling city of Osaka and making memories, try to keep your mind at bay from all the academic stress. Feel free to hand over your papers to the experts of a first-class dissertation writing service who can manage the academic workload on your behalf. When on vacation, say no to stress and pursue all your passions!
Want to learn more? Here are our top picks for affordable accommodation in Osaka for travelling students on a budget.
Note: All the pricing information for these hotels has been taken from Booking.com.
1. Imperial Hotel Osaka, Tenmabashi
Location
- 1-8-50 Temmabashi, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, 530-0042
- Along the Okawa River, 5 minutes’ walk from the Sakuranomiya JR station
Price
Starting from £177 per night
Pros
- Breakfast is economical and affordable
- There are 7 restaurants in total
- Wi-Fi is free
- The customer service is available 24/7
- There are tea or coffee makers in all the rooms
- You can have access to a bar
- There are numerous facilities for disabled guests
Cons
- It may be a bit too luxurious for students on a budget
- Some services may be inflexible and inconsistent
- The entrance fee may be expensive at the busy times of the year
Things to Know
If you want to see the Cherry Blossom observation known as Hanami in Japan, visit the Imperial Hotel Osaka. Located along the Okawa River, it is considered a classy hotel with top-notch eating facilities, great views, and spacious rooms. First opened on March 15, 1996, Imperial Hotel Osaka has hosted countless guests from overseas and Japan.
You will feel at home when you arrive at this hotel, with its ever-welcoming staff. According to Forbes Travel Guide, there are many high-end boutiques and hotel speciality shops there. The hotel has 381 rooms, so students won’t have trouble finding accommodation. All kinds of accommodations provide high-end comfort with a classic feel.
2. Dormy Inn Premium Namba, Namba
Location
- Osaka, Chuo-ku, Shimanouchi 2-14-23
- 1km away from the Namba station
Price
Starting from £89 per night
Pros
- Free ramen and ice cream between 9-11 pm
- It’s just 5 minutes’ walk away from Dontonburi
- Has natural Onsen and hot spring
- Rooms are spacious and clean
- Paid private parking is available nearby
- There is a business centre with internet access
- You can avail of the spa and sauna services
Cons
- Some rooms are quite small
- The rates may be high during holidays reason
- Pictures on reservation websites are taken with wide angles
Things to Know
Namba is the heart of the entertainment district of Osaka and it is full of lovely shopping arcades and numerous restaurants. The international students love the culture and energy of this city when they visit it for the first time. If it’s your first time in Osaka, Namba is the place to be.
The Dormy Inn Premium Namba has 839 fully air-conditioned rooms, some of which have noise-proof windows. Universal Studios Japan is just 6.8km away. The hotel’s interior is quite comfortable, and it also has a large à la carte restaurant and free Wi-Fi available to all guests.
3. Hotel New Otani Osaka, Shiromi
Location
- 1 Chome-4-1 Shiromi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-8578, Japan
- Located next to Osaka Castle
Price
Starting at £347 per night
Pros
- The staff of the hotel is very helpful
- The location is good
- Rooms are kept spotlessly clean and are big in size
- A rooftop with a view terrace
- Breakfast has wide choices
- The Wi-Fi connection is good
- The transportation is easily accessible
Cons
- Some bathrooms have old faucets
- Toilets may not work properly at times
- The Garden Tower has started to show signs of its age now
Things to Know
The main reason students choose to stay at the Hotel New Otani Osaka is the Osaka Castle. Built in the 16th century, it has historical importance. It has seen various lightning strikes, sieges, and fires in different eras.
The present layout of the hotel was finished in 1997. Students who have to write different research papers on the history of this castle find it intriguing to explore this place. It is considered a luxury hotel with more than 500 rooms for guests coming from all economic backgrounds.
Several aerobic machines are available for guests to use. Overall, it is quite a tranquil and quiet hotel in the heart of the city. Students can also visit Osaka Castle Park to enjoy the landscaped gardens.
4. The Ritz-Carlton, Umeda
Location
- 2 Chome-5-25 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0001, Japan
- 7 minutes of walk away from the JR Osaka station
Price
Starting from £434 per night
Pros
- The room service provides a chic dinner experience
- The location is central
- Heated pools are available
- The traveller students can check the cross-city schedules
- The ambience of the hotel is refined
- The staff of Ritz Carlton is very accommodating
- The rooms are well-appointed
Cons
- It is too close to the Staples Centre, which makes it even more crowded.
- The bathrooms are surrounded by frosted glass.
- There is so much rush on the streets whenever there is an event in the city.
Things to Know
Looking for a bit of luxury? Umeda is where you will find the high-end boutiques, Michelin-starred hotels and world-famous skyscrapers. If students want to explore the versatility and accessibility during their stay at a hotel in Umeda, they should pick the Ritz Carlton.
This hotel offers guests 24-hour in-room dining. According to The Ultimate Travel Company, it has 291 spacious rooms, each of which is decorated artistically. Once you visit this hotel, you can be sure that this elegant hotel puts you at the heart of all action.
5. Hilton Osaka, Umeda
Location
- 1-chōme-8-8 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0001, Japan
- Two minutes of walk away from the JR Osaka station
Price
Starting from £195 per night
Pros
- The views you can get of the city and river are amazing
- Comfortable and spacious rooms
- Executive lounges are available
- You can avail of room service at any time
- There is a fitness centre in the hotel
- Students can get access to indoor pools
- The digital keys are present
Cons
- The reception is quite old
- The public area designs of some rooms are outdated
- Wooden panels at the windows do not achieve a 100% blackout
Things to Know
The Hilton Osaka is a short walk from Umeda and Osaka stations and has access to some of the best transport links in the city. Some of the best tech shops are nearby. It is also a 12-minute walk from the Osaka Castle.
Students travelling on a budget can see the array of exceptional amenities this hotel has to offer. Students usually pick this hotel for their stay because it is closely linked to Osaka Station, which makes it convenient for them to explore the city. As per Hilton, there are 562 well-maintained rooms and suites available here.
6. St Regis Osaka, Honmachi
Location
- 3-chōme-6-12 Honmachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 541-0053, Japan
- Almost directly connected to the Honmachi station
Price
Starting from £371 per night
Pros
- Rooms are spacious and clean
- The atmosphere of this place is so lovely
- Free and high-speed internet is available to the visitors
- The conference facilities are also available
- Students can access a patio and workout rooms
- Taxi services are easy to get nearby
- Non-smoking rooms and suites are available
Cons
- Some facilities in the hotel are not modern as it opened in 2010
- Some rooms show signs of wear and tear
- It may be quite noisy at times
Things to Know
Compared to other cities, the rush to build luxury hotels in Osaka has come fairly late. A top-class international brand, St Regis, first opened in Osaka in 2010. Today, it is considered one of the most high-end hotels in the city, established in a good neighbourhood.
Students can find their stay at this hotel very relaxing because it has modern remote-controlled curtains, and all rooms have walk-in wardrobes. The rooms have been decorated with different kinds of artefacts, giving the hotel a very posh look. If you are into Italian-style breakfast, you should pick this hotel for your stay in Osaka.
7. Conrad Osaka, Nakanoshima
Location
- 3-2-4 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, 530-0005
- A 10-minute ride by train from Umeda, located at Nakanoshima
Price
Starting from £424 per night
Pros
- Executive, Premium or twin rooms
- Spa, gym and pool facilities are available
- Students can have a budget-friendly breakfast here
- The in-house bars and restaurants are available
- Electric kettle and coffee machines are available
- Two barrier-free rooms at this hotel
- Children up to the age of 11 can stay with their parents for free
Cons
- Some rooms are not ready to be stayed in
- Some of the chairs and tables may seem stained and dirty
- Check-ins are chaotic sometimes
Things to Know
Conrad Osaka is one of the most prestigious places for students who are travelling in the form of groups to stay in Osaka. It’s considered at the top of the luxury hotel food chain and the best place to stay with a group of your fellows.
According to Inside Osaka, there are 380+ artworks displayed throughout the hotel. When you enter the hotel, it feels more like an entrance to a well-maintained art gallery. According to Hilton, there are 164 rooms and suites which invite students to relax with striking interior design and brilliant cityscape. Umeda is within walking distance of this hotel.
8. Hotel The Flag, Shinsaibashi
Location
- Central Osaka, 700 meters away from Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel
- 600 meters from the Dotonbori River
Price
£124 per night
Pros
- Fusion-style western breakfast
- Students can access world-class libraries
- Vibrant nightlife
- Excellent public transport connections
- Stylish coin laundry rooms are available
- The atmosphere is so lovely
- Students can enjoy food from late-night eateries
Cons
- Can be crowded and noisy
- The 600-meter-long covered shopping street may be too full of shoppers
- Some students can find the rooms too small
Things to Know
Outside the Kaneyoshi Ryokan, the street food is exceptional, and the party never stops in the bars. Shinsaibashi is the best for students travelling and offers excellent dining options, major shopping streets, and a lively atmosphere. If students want to be close to Dotonbori without staying in the heart of madness, they should look forward to staying in Hotel The Flag in Shinsaibashi.
The hotel offers a variety of rooms, from standard doubles to deluxe twins, to ensure a cosy stay for families, solo travellers, and groups of students. According to Agoda.com, this hotel has a total of 162 rooms. It is the perfect location to enjoy shopping and sightseeing in different places in Osaka.
Is Osaka Good for International Students?
Osaka is considered a good place for international students. Due to its high education standards, excellent career opportunities, and high quality of life, Osaka consistently ranks among the best destinations for international students.
According to Key Stone Master Studies, the international students prefer to study in Osaka for the following reasons:
- The friendly and welcoming attitude of Japanese people towards international students
- The central location of the city, which is near the Kansai region
- The food here is palatable as Osaka is known as the ‘Kitchen of Japan’
- Office of Support by Osaka’s University prepares students to live in Japan
- There are a lot of job opportunities in this city
- Students can stay with the local host families in Osaka, Japan
Is Osaka Cheaper Than Kyoto?
Both cities, Osaka and Kyoto, are adorable, but they are very different from each other. As reported by The Navigatio, Osaka is a lot cheaper than Kyoto in many aspects; however, there is not much to do in the city. Kyoto is a lot more traditional and atmospheric. The city quiets down at night, but all the conventional vibe of the city comes with a price tag.
Here is a brief comparison of both cities when viewed from different perspectives:
| Osaka | Kyoto | |
| Overall Vibe | Friendly and modern | Touristy but traditional |
| Best Dishes | Best known for its street food | Regular Japanese dishes |
| Pricing | Relatively cheaper | More expensive |
| Tourist Attractions | Less as compared to Kyoto | A lot of places to explore here |
| Night Life | Vibrant nightlife, with street food stalls and many bars | Doesn’t exist |
Conclusion
Now we are done exploring the 08 best hotels in Osaka that students travelling on a budget can stay in. Choosing the best area to stay can be a bit tricky. Before you visit the city, make sure to do all the planning and budgeting beforehand so that you don’t have to get uncomfortable later on.
Pack enough clothes for the vacation, and leave all the academic stress back home. If you are in a crunch time for dissertation submission but still don’t want to miss the holiday season, get help from professional dissertation writing companies to complete your papers on time.
Lastly, prior research about all-inclusive hotels in Osaka for students will save you a lot of trouble later on. We really hope that this guide about the best places to stay in Osaka will be of great help and service to students.
