Hotel New Otani Osaka is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, with amazing views of Osaka Castle (one of Japan’s most famous castles) and the greenery of Osaka Castle Park. The hotel has 525 rooms, 15 restaurants, a fitness gym, a seasonal outdoor pool (only open in summer), and a banquet hall, making it a true luxury retreat.

The New Otani is one of Japan’s leading luxury hotel groups, with Hotel New Otani Tokyo recognized as one of the country’s three most prestigious hotels.

Hotel New Otani Osaka opened in 1986 as the group’s second spot, following its Tokyo location, with the vision of offering visitors from around the world the chance to experience the iconic Osaka Castle up close.

If you’re coming from outside the city, Hotel New Otani Osaka is easily accessible from both Osaka Station and Kansai International Airport, with train and limousine bus options available.

From Osaka Station, the JR Osaka Loop Line offers a direct ride with no transfers required.

From Kansai International Airport, we recommend the Nankai Railway Limited Express Rapi:t, which offers wide seats ideal for travelers with luggage, as well as multilingual announcements in four languages.

There are also direct limousine buses operating daily from both Osaka Station and Kansai Airport to the hotel. When leaving from the hotel, tickets can be purchased at the front desk.

Upon stepping into the hotel, guests are immediate greeted by the elegant atrium lobby, and its spaciousness is sure to impress! Surprisingly, both the size and design of this lobby have remained virtually unchanged since the hotel first opened in 1986.

The reason, according to the hotel, is that “a hotel should stay close to the memories of its guests.” To preserve that sentiment, the lobby has been maintained with only necessary updates, allowing it to retain its original charm over the years.

The front desk and bell staff are all able to assist guests in English, with some members fluent in other languages, as well. They’ll kindly guide you through the hotel with a friendly smile.

One particularly thoughtful detail is that you are given the option of getting the next day’s newspaper in either English or Japanese. Those who choose English will get The Japan Times as available, while Japanese guests can choose from about ten different newspapers.

Once check-in is complete, the bell staff will escort you to your room.

The room for our stay was the Superior Twin Room with a Castle View, as seen here.

Hotel New Otani Osaka offers a total of 20 different room types, with views of either the castle or the city. (We personally recommend the Castle View!)

Just pull open the curtains, and...

...enjoy the amazing view right outside your window! Osaka Castle Park, Osaka-Jo Hall, and the magnificent Osaka Castle itself!

The nighttime view is also a sight to behold, with the castle illuminated daily from sunset until midnight, glowing right above the park grounds.

The room itself features soft colors for a relaxing atmosphere, with a spacious, 120 cm-wide bed, a desk, and seating area that you can use as you please. All in-room guides and information are available in both Japanese and English.

Complimentary drinks include mineral water, drip coffee, and tea (sencha and black tea). Bath amenities are by PHYTOMER, a well-known luxury spa brand. Other toiletries include soap, a toothbrush, cotton swabs, razor, shower cap, hairbrush, and skincare items like makeup remover, cleanser, toner, and moisturizer.

The room also provides soft, comfortable pajamas that are perfect for lounging around during your stay!

We were also given a special tour of the hotel’s newest room: the Deluxe Connecting Room Rikyu, which opened in 2024. The room is named after Sen no Rikyu, the famous tea master from Osaka who shaped the art of Japanese tea ceremony in the 1500s.

This special room is inspired by traditional tea rooms and the refined aesthetic of sukiya-style architecture, incorporating elements like shoji-style windows and tatami floors. The room can accommodate up to 6–7 guests.

One feature of this room is the traditional bathtub, made of hinoki (Japanese cypress) for an authentic Japanese experience. Hinoki has long been used in Japan for its light color, elegant wood grain, and calming fragrance, all of which make for a soothing soak.

Exclusive amenities include a bottle of sake called Sen no Rikyu, an ochoko (sake cup), arare (traditional rice crackers), blotting paper, and a tenugui towel,each thoughtfully selected for its connection to Japanese culture.

The tenugui features a custom design with the hotel’s logo. The bilingual info board on the table (Japanese/English) provides details about the amenities, and a guide to traditional Japanese bathing.

The bathroom and sink area are separated for added convenience, and are fully stocked with amenities from the French spa brand, Omnisens Paris.

A stay in the Rikyu Room also includes access to the Gold Key Service, an exclusive perk for guests on the Executive Floors (15–17F) or in a Deluxe Suite. Perks include a welcome drink (8:30 AM - 8:30 PM), 24-hour shoe shine, and a complimentary evening drink at the Sky Lounge Four Seasons (5-7 PM).

One of my personal favorites was the morning coffee service (6–10 AM), where a dedicated floor attendant delivers a fresh cup right to your door.

After you’ve settled into your room, you’ll want to explore the hotel’s cafes and restaurants. Hotel New Otani is often praised as a top destination for dining, earning it the nickname “Shoku no New Otani,” a hotel synonymous with delicious cuisine.

One of the first signature items we’d like to introduce is the wildly popular New Extra Super Cake series. These premium cakes are made with carefully-selected ingredients from all over Japan, created especially for celebrating life’s special moments.

There are several varieties of the New Extra Super Cake, each featuring different fruits. Today we tried the New Extra Super Melon Shortcake (4,320 yen), available year-round. Other flavors rotate seasonally, such as strawberry in spring, mango or peach in summer, and grape in autumn.

The first thing that catches your eye is its impressive size! But despite its richness, the cake is light and easy to eat, making it hard to stop at just one bite. The generous topping of sweet, juicy melon pairs perfectly with the fresh cream for an unforgettable treat.

These cakes can both be purchased at at Patisserie Satsuki on the first floor, or enjoyed at the neighboring all-day dining restaurant, Satsuki.

Amongst the hotel’s 15 eateries, one standout is the French restaurant Sakura on the top floor (18F). With a view overlooking Osaka Castle, a meal here will surely make for an unforgettable dining experience!

Ordered here was the rich and delicious Volcano Steak (starting at 12,000 yen). Guests can choose from fillets of Japanese Black Wagyu or branded Wagyu, both known for their lean cuts packed with deep flavor.

These lean cuts boast a fine texture and remarkable tenderness, making even thicker steaks surprisingly easy to eat. The more you indulge, the more the Wagyu’s depth and sweetness come through.

Guests can select the type and size of their steak, with sommelier-selected red wines to complement the meal.

After savoring your wagyu steak, head up to Bar Four Seasons on the 18th floor. Pictured here is the limited-time Fresh Amaou Cocktail (3,500 yen), made with seasonal fruit. The strawberries are so big, the size of the glass seems to pale in comparison!

For non-drinkers, non-alcoholic options are also available. Also pictured here is the non-alcoholic China Blue (1,800 yen), an original recipe of Bar Four Seasons.

For breakfast, we recommended option the Delicious & Healthy Breakfast Buffet at Satsuki, the all-day dining restaurant on the first floor, which features a wide variety of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes.

Price: Adults 4,945 yen / Children (ages 4–12) 2,875 yen / 3 & under are free

As its name suggests, this breakfast buffet is all about serving meals that are both healthy and delicious. One recommendation is the omelet, freshly made in the live kitchen using genmai eggs (eggs from chickens raised on organic brown rice). Fillings include classics like ham and cheese, and Japanese favorites like simmered wagyu beef and Kujo green onions.

The Japanese Food corner offers kettle-cooked, traditionally-prepared white rice, freshly boiled Sanuki udon, and tai-dashi chazuke (rice served in sea bream broth). Local Osaka specialties like takoyaki and negiyaki are also available.

You’ll also find plenty of Western options like hotel-made, kiln-baked bread and prosciutto, as well as Chinese dishes like congee and boiled dumplings. With so many choices, it’s impossible to try everything in a single breakfast! (Menu offerings vary by season.)

Along with fresh fruit and vegetables, there are also two vegan food corners. On the day of this visit, there were eight vegan dishes available, including Japanese items like simmered koya tofu and young bamboo shoots, as well as Western-style vegetable pilaf with olive oil. Naturally, these delicious meals can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless if you’re vegan or not!

Amongst the many choices, one particular favorite was the pickle corner, where guests can sample traditional tsukemono from two famous shops: Nishiri from Kyoto, and Iseya Shoten, a long-established shop from Osaka’s Kuromon Market. Japanese pickled foods vary greatly depending on the region, so it’s also recommended to try and compare the different flavors!

If you’d like to take home a special reminder of your stay, be sure to stop by the New Otani Shop on the first floor, offering hotel-made sweets, adorable Japanese souvenirs, wine, and other miscellaneous goods.

Amongst the bestsellers, the hotel’s original yukata is especially popular with international guests, and also makes the perfect souvenir for friends, or for yourself!

Hotel New Otani Osaka boasts a prime location right next to Osaka Castle Park, with the iconic Osaka Castle at its center. The park is one of the city’s top cherry blossom spots, and is also home to plum, azalea, and other seasonal flowers throughout the year.

Inside the castle itself is a museum with valuable historical artifacts on display, and visitors can even climb to the top of the main keep for a panoramic view. It’s a great destination for anyone interested in both history and scenery!

Hotel New Otani Osaka combines refined hospitality and a luxurious atmosphere with exceptional original cuisine. Guests are sure to appreciate the stunning views of Osaka Castle from morning to night, and the various touches of Japanese culture all throughout the hotel. With so much to experience, especially when it comes to dining, one night is simply not be enough!

For the full experience, consider extending your stay, and create long-lasting memories of your trip to Japan right here at Hotel New Otani Osaka.

(Information in article as of March 2025. Please see official website for the latest updates and information.)