HOME Kansai Osaka Namba, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi Minami or Kita? Here's All About Osaka's Main Sightseeing Areas
Minami or Kita? Here's All About Osaka's Main Sightseeing Areas

Minami or Kita? Here's All About Osaka's Main Sightseeing Areas

Last updated: 3 June 2020

The main sightseeing areas in Osaka City can be broadly divided into “Kita” (North) and “Minami” (South). But which area most matches you?

Both have famous sights of Osaka, and are very convenient for shopping and tons of other activities. However, each has a slightly different personality, so you’ll want to choose a place to stay according to your own tastes and interests.

Depending on what you want to see and do, let’s find out which Kansai personality is best for you, Kita or Minami!

Table of Contents
  1. First of all, where are Kita and Minami?
  2. Q: Where should you go for department stores?
  3. Q: Where can you experience lively sightseeing?
  4. Q: Which is best for cheap, delicious Osaka foods?
  5. Q: Where should you go to enjoy an elegant hotel stay?
  6. Q: Which has reasonably priced hostels?
  7. Q: Where can you feel the heart of Osaka?
  8. Q: Where are the stylish cafés?
  9. Q: Which should I use as a base for traveling around Kansai?
  10. Refined Kita, or bustling Minami – which Kansai personality suits you?

First of all, where are Kita and Minami?

Allen.G / Shutterstock.com
Allen.G / Shutterstock.com

Given that we just told you they mean north and south, you might think this seems a bit obvious, but it can be difficult to know where one ends and another begins!

Broadly, Kita refers to the area around Osaka and Umeda Stations, and Minami refers to the area around Namba and Shinsaibashi Stations. Both areas have business districts that developed during the Edo period, and their prosperity has continued since.

In terms of distance, Kita and Minami are not far apart, and it’s possible to get from one to the other in about ten minutes using the Osaka Metro Midosuji subway line. Taking a taxi is another option with fares ranging from 1,500 yen to 2,000 yen.

So, which is better for sightseeing? It depends on what you want to do!

Q: Where should you go for department stores?

Hankyu Umeda Main Store in Kita - Kapi Ng / Shutterstock.com
Hankyu Umeda Main Store in Kita - Kapi Ng / Shutterstock.com

A: Kita!
There are three department stores in Kita: Hankyu Umeda Main Store, Hanshin Department Store Umeda Main Store, and Daimaru Umeda Store, which are all closely situated, making it easy to walk from one to the other. On the other hand, Minami is home to two department stores: Daimaru Shinsaibashi store and Osaka Takashimaya, but it takes a bit longer to get from one to the other as they are located one subway stop from each other.

Although all the department stores offer great shopping, Kita’s are more convenient for getting from one to the next.

Q: Where can you experience lively sightseeing?

Bright neon signs along Dotonbori - Richie Chan / Shutterstock.com
Bright neon signs along Dotonbori - Richie Chan / Shutterstock.com

A: Minami!
Dotonbori, one of Osaka's leading tourist spots, is located in Minami, and many tourists visit Ebisu Bridge every day. In addition, there are many gourmet restaurants and food stalls around Dotonbori, and it’s fun just to walk through the neighborhood.

Minami is also an epicenter of trendiness with Amerikamura near Shinsaibashi Station, and Kuromon Market, called “Osaka’s Kitchen,” near Nippombashi Station.

Q: Which is best for cheap, delicious Osaka foods?

Q: Which is best for cheap, delicious Osaka foods?

A: If you have to choose, Minami...!?
Osaka specialties such as takoyaki and okonomiyaki can be eaten anywhere in the city, but if you have to choose, Minami is recommended for the numerous gourmet restaurants around Dotonbori.

However, there are also many inexpensive and delicious restaurants in Kita. The Osaka Ekimae Building, which connects to JR Osaka Station via the underground shopping mall, has loads of small shops worth checking out.

Q: Where should you go to enjoy an elegant hotel stay?

Q: Where should you go to enjoy an elegant hotel stay?

A: Kita!
Staying in a nicely decorated hotel and enjoying a night in a lavish mood is one of the real pleasures of traveling and you’ll find that at the luxury hotels concentrated in Kita.

The Intercontinental Osaka is connected to JR Osaka Station and the Grand Front Osaka mall, while the Hilton Osaka is adjacent to nearby Osaka Metro Nishi Umeda Station and The Ritz-Carlton Osaka is a short walk from there.

The Westin Hotel Osaka is less than fifteen minutes from Osaka Station on foot, and other fascinating hotels include the Hotel Monterey Osaka, Hearton Hotel Kita Umeda, and Hotel Hankyu International!

Q: Which has reasonably priced hostels?

“9h ninehours” hostel in Minami
“9h ninehours” hostel in Minami

A: Minami!
Recently, hostels have been popping up one after another in Osaka, making it possible to find reasonably priced accommodations. If you plan on staying at a hostel, Minami is definitely the place to go. They can be found in Kita too, but the number of options in Minami is overwhelmingly larger.

Near Osaka Metro Namba and Nagahoribashi Stations especially, there are many new hostels with clean facilities and sturdy beds. Only a three-minute walk from Namba Station you’ll find “9h ninehours Namba Station” and “The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi” are both about five minutes from Nagahoribashi Station. Both are highly recommended!

Q: Where can you feel the heart of Osaka?

Mittera Kaikan, a multi-tenant building in Minami
Mittera Kaikan, a multi-tenant building in Minami

A: If we had to say... Minami!
If you want to experience a more “local vibe”, you might prefer Minami. There are lots of small bars in the somewhat suspicious looking multi-tenant Mittera Kaikan building in Shinsaibashi, and there are standing izakayas (pubs) in the exotic Ura Namba area between Namba and Nippombashi Stations.

Kita's hot spot is Hankyu Higashidori Shopping Street, which is the area’s largest entertainment district. This shopping street extends east from Umeda on the Hankyu Electric Railway side, and is ideal for experiencing the nightlife at various restaurants and game centers. The further east you go, the stronger the ambience!

Q: Where are the stylish cafés?

Tofu tiramisu at the popular and fashionable Kaya Cafe
Tofu tiramisu at the popular and fashionable Kaya Cafe

A: You might like Kita!
Stopping for a moment to eat sweets in a stylish shop while sightseeing makes for such a nice break. There are stylish cafes in both Kita and Minami, but if you’re looking for a more sophisticated atmosphere, Kita is the place for you.

Nakazaki-cho, a ten-minute walk northeast of Umeda Station, is especially enjoyable for a café tour with its many cute, retro cafés.

Q: Which should I use as a base for traveling around Kansai?

apple_express Japan / Shutterstock.com
apple_express Japan / Shutterstock.com

A: It depends on where you’re headed!
From Osaka, you can easily travel around Kansai by train, and you can depart from either Kita or Minami. However, to avoid tedious transfers, you should stay in Kita if you’re going to Kyoto, Hyogo or Shiga, or in Minami if you plan to visit Nara or Wakayama.

Also, if you’re going to Osaka’s Universal Studios Japan (USJ), Kita is the better choice since the theme park can be easily reached via the JR loop line.


From Kita to Kyoto
・ JR: Osaka StationKyoto Station (Approximately 30 minutes by new express train, 570 yen one way)
・ Hankyu: Osaka Umeda Station → Kyoto Kawaramachi Station (about 43 minutes by express train, 400 yen one way)
・ Keihan: Yodoyabashi Station → Gion Shijo Station (Approximately 48 minutes by express train, 420 yen one way)

From Kita to Hyogo
・ JR: Osaka StationSannomiya Station (approximately 30 minutes by rapid train, 410 yen one way)
・ Hanshin: Osaka Umeda Station → Kobe Sannomiya Station (about 30 minutes by express train, 320 yen one way)

From Kita to Shiga
・ JR: Osaka StationOtsu Station (approximately 53 minutes by express train, 990 yen one way)

From Kita to USJ
・ JR: Osaka Station → Universal City Station (about 11 minutes, 180 yen one way)

From Minami to Nara
・ Kintetsu: Osaka Namba Station → Kintetsu Nara Station (about 40 minutes by express, 570 yen one way)

From Minami to Wakayama
・ Nankai: Namba Station → Gokurakubashi Station (about 1.5 hours by express train, 1,680 yen)
※ It is necessary to take a cable car from Gokurakubashi Station to Koyasan

Refined Kita, or bustling Minami – which Kansai personality suits you?

Kita has its luxury hotels, attractive department stores, and stylish cafes. But Minami has lively sightseeing spots and places to immerse yourself Osaka’s local lifestyle and cuisine. With each of their distinct characteristics, you can choose whether to have an elegant trip or an adventurous one, depending on your style.

Either way, Kita and Minami are super close to each other, so embrace both Kansai personalities on your travels and make the most of everything Osaka has to offer!

Text by: West Plan

*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.

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