Shin-Osaka Area

Shin-Osaka is the bullet train (shinkansen) stop where most travelers from other parts of Japan enter Osaka. It’s on the north side of the Yodo-gawa River, a few kilometers from the city center. There’s not much to do here, but there are plenty of restaurants and hotels.

The Shin-Osaka area is named for the train station at its heart (Shin-Osaka, so named for the shinkansen, or bullet train, that stops there). It’s really just a transport hub, where train travelers from other parts of Japan enter the city. The main hubs of Osaka are easily reached by the Midosuji subway line, which departs from under the station. Kita (Umeda) is 3 stops south and Minami is 6 or 7 stops south (ie, both are just minutes away).

There’s almost nothing to do in the Shin-Osaka area, but there are plenty of places to stay and eat. If you can get a good deal on a hotel here, it’s a decent place to stay, especially since it’s on the shinkansen line and only 11 minutes from Kyoto, making this a good area for those who want to explore both Kyoto and Osaka without moving hotels. This is a good option for Japan Rail Pass holders.

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Destination

Check-in date

Fri 13 Dec 2024

Check-out date

Sat 14 Dec 2024

Things to See and Do in Shin Osaka

Apart from exploring the train station, there’s really nothing to do here. For activities, take the Midosuji subway line south into the heart of the city.

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Places to Eat in Shin-Osaka

There are plenty of restaurants in the station building itself, ranging from the cheapest “stand-and-eat” places to proper sit-down restaurants. You’ll also find a huge variety of restaurants in the neighborhood surrounding the station. See also the following Shopping section for two good places to buy take-away food for the train.

• Kyochabana Shin-Osaka Eki (okonomiyaki; budget)
  For some great okonomiyaki while at Shin-Osaka Station, look no further than this great and welcoming restaurant on the 2nd floor of the Shin-Osaka Hankyu Building.
• Ramenuroko (ramen; budget)
  One stop south of Shin-Osaka Station, a short walk northeast of Nishinakajima-minamigata Station on the Midosuji subway line, this ramen specialist is a great place for lunch or dinner. The shio (salty soup) ramen here is fantastic! The blue noren curtain in the door has “Nuroko” written in small English letters.
• Ramen King (ramen; budget)
  One stop south of Shin-Osaka Station, a short walk east of Nishinakajima-minamigata Station on the Midosuji subway line, this is another great ramen specialist. They serve some really unusual and toothsome ramen here, including green curry ramen! Look for the word “King” written above the entrance.
• Yanaken Boo (contemporary Japanese; budget to moderate)
  If you’re looking for something nicer than fast food while in Shin-Osaka, try this approachable little contemporary restaurant. They serve a variety of meat and fish dishes, along with rice, vegetables and salad. There’s an English sign and menu. It’s on the 3rd floor of the Hankyu Building at Shin-Osaka.
• Unagiya (unagi/eel; moderate)
  It takes a bit of courage to enter this traditional unagi (eel) restaurant a few minutes’ walk southwest of Shin-Osaka Station, but it’s worth it – the unagi here is sublime. Expect to pay around Y3,500. Look for the blue noren curtain.
• Byakuan (udon; budget to moderate)
  A bit of a hike from Shin-Osaka Station, close to Kanzakigawa Station on the Hankyu Kobe Line, this sanuki udon specialist is worth the trip for serious udon fans. The name is written in English on the sign, so it should be no problem to find.
• Chirori (izakaya; moderate)
  One stop south of Shin-Osaka Station, a short walk west of Nishinakajima-minamigata Station on the Midosuji subway line, this izakaya has an incredible variety of sake, which they serve with great seafood and other izakaya dishes. It has a contemporary appearance – look for the sign, that looks something like an objet d’art with the name written in hiragana (ちろり).
• Sobayoshi (soba; moderate)
  One stop south of Shin-Osaka Station, a short walk northeast of Nishinakajima-minamigata Station on the Midosuji subway line, this soba specialist serves some mouth-watering soba sets. Look for the food models in the window and the blue noren curtain in the doorway.
• Shogin-an (izakaya; moderate)
  One stop north of Shin-Osaka Station, a short walk southeast of Higashimikuni Station on the Midosuji subway line, this rustic-style izakaya is a great place for a filling meal and some good sake when in the Shin-Osaka area. There’s a white noren curtain in the doorway with blue writing.
• Bar 19 (kaiseki/kappo; expensive)
  Love your cocktails with a side of sunset? Head up to the top floor of Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Osaka Hotel. It’s just a short walk from the station. The brightly-lit bar is a great place to watch the sun go down over the city while sipping on a drink.

Places to Stay in Shin-Osaka

Budget Hotels in Shin-Osaka

• Super Hotel JR Shin-Osaka Higashiguchi
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  With a public hot spring bath, massage services, and a location 5 minutes away from Shin-Osaka Station, Super Hotel JR Shin-Osaka Higashiguchi is a very attractive and inexpensive option for budget travellers.
• Toyoko Inn Shin-Osaka Chuo-guchi Honkan
  (View on Agoda.com)
  The Toyoko Inn Shin-Osaka Chuoguchi Honkan is a cheap, decent business hotel located a stone’s throw from Shin-Osaka Station. If you’re travelling to and from Shin-Osaka and need a base, this is perfect. Rooms are no-frills but they have everything you might need just to sleep here.

Mid-Range Hotels in Shin-Osaka

• Remm Shin-Osaka
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  Right at Shin-Osaka Station, this business hotel is definitely a step up from others in its class. It’s very comfortable, well-run and efficient. It’s the perfect choice if you need to stay near the bullet trains.

Family Hotels in Shin-Osaka

• Shin-Osaka Station Hotel Honkan
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  A step above most business hotels, Shin-Osaka Station Hotel has comfortable triple rooms, which are rare in Japan. This is a great choice as a base for day trips, or for an overnight stay before travel to an onward destination.

• Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Osaka Station
  (View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
  The only proper luxury hotel at Shin-Osaka, this fine hotel is great for travellers who intend to use the shinkansen to explore central Japan. Rooms are relatively spacious by Japanese hotel standards - fantastic for families travelling with children.

Shopping in Shin-Osaka

• Eki Marche Shin-Osaka (shopping/restaurant arcade)
  Inside the ticket gates of Shin-Osaka Station, this food arcade is the best place to pick up some eats at the station (highly recommended before boarding trains to other parts of Japan).
• arde! Shin-Osaka (shopping/restaurant arcade)
  This simple shopping and restaurant arcade under the station is a very good place for a quick meal or some snack shopping while passing through the station.

Where Are These Places Located?

See these places on the Inside Osaka Google map:

• Open the Osaka map
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
• If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

Osaka District Map

• Shin-Osaka Area
• Kita Area
• Central Osaka Area
• Minami Area
• Tennoji Area
• Osaka Castle Area
• Osaka Bay Area