Shinsekai and Shin-Imamiya

OMO7 Osaka by Hoshino Resorts

★★★★★

OMO7 Osaka opened in April 2022 as the flagship of OMO, the city-hotel brand of Hoshino Resorts, Japan's most admired hotel group, and it was designed to do something unusual: to make the hotel a gateway to its neighborhood. It stands beside JR and Nankai Shin-Imamiya Station on the southern edge of Shinsekai, with the Tsutenkaku tower in view, and between the hotel and the station lies Miya Green, a wide lawn and garden where guests and locals relax, picnic and join seasonal events. The building is large and the rooms are designed with groups and families in mind. Twin rooms are generously sized by Osaka standards; DANDAN rooms have a raised, stepped seating area by the window that doubles as a sofa and a place to lounge with a view; IDOBATA Suites are built around a big communal table for groups; and OMO House units have two bedrooms and a kitchen, ideal for longer stays or multigenerational families. The OMO Cafe and Bar serves meals and drinks from lunch through the evening, with an Osaka-flavored menu, and Yuya, the hotel's bathhouse, draws on Osaka's tradition of neighborhood sento, a big communal bath to soak in at the end of a day on your feet. What sets OMO apart is the OMO Rangers, staff who lead free and paid tours of the area, such as a guided walk through Shinsekai and a kushikatsu tour that teaches you how to order, dip and eat like a local, and who map out the best local restaurants and bars.

The location in Shinsekai is a bold choice and a good one. You are in the middle of retro Osaka, with kushikatsu counters, Janjan Yokocho and the Tsutenkaku tower a few minutes' walk away, Tennoji Park, the zoo and Abeno Harukas just beyond, and Spa World across the street. Transport is excellent: the Nankai line from Shin-Imamiya reaches Kansai International Airport in about forty minutes, the JR Loop Line circles the city to Osaka Station and the Yamatoji line runs to Nara, and the subway at Dobutsuen-mae puts you on the Midosuji Line for Namba and Umeda in minutes. For travelers who want to experience a less polished, more local Osaka, and who like the idea of a hotel that actively introduces them to it, it is ideal.

It helps to know what you are signing up for. Shinsekai and the streets to the south and west of the station are working-class neighborhoods, and parts of them are rough around the edges, especially after dark; they are generally safe, but this is not a glossy district, and some travelers find it confronting. The hotel is big and can feel busy at peak check-in times, and the playful design is not for those seeking classic luxury. On the other hand, the rooms are spacious, comfortable and very good value for their size, the bath is a delight, and the Rangers' tours are among the best introductions to the city.

OMO7 Osaka is an especially good choice for families and groups, who will appreciate the large rooms, suites and OMO House units, and for food-focused travelers who want kushikatsu on their doorstep. Couples looking for a romantic, quiet stay might prefer Nakanoshima, but those who enjoy the energy of a neighborhood hotel will love it. Book the DANDAN rooms for a view of Tsutenkaku.