🧭 Why Choosing the Right Area in Osaka Matters
Osaka is compact but energetic. Picking the right base can save you time—and make the difference between a chaotic trip and a fun, smooth adventure.
🗺️ Cheat Sheet: Best Areas to Stay in Osaka
1. Near Namba (難波)
Best for: First-timers, nightlife, food, entertainment
This is Osaka’s heart—Dotonbori, street food, shopping, neon, and all the action. Plus, the Midosuji Line runs through here for easy city-wide access.
🎯 Great for short stays and energetic travelers
💡 Tip: Stay near Namba Station for best connections
2. Near Umeda (梅田)
Best for: Shopping and regional travel
Umeda is Osaka’s transport hub with big malls, skyscrapers, and direct trains to Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara.
🛍️ Ideal if you're hopping between cities
3. Shinsaibashi (心斎橋)
Best for: Shopping with a calmer vibe
This is the main fashion street in Osaka—cafés, boutiques, and walkable to both Namba and Dotonbori, but quieter.
👜 Perfect for stylish travelers who want a balance
4. Shinsekai / Abeno (新世界・阿倍野)
Best for: Budget stays & local flavor
A retro Osaka neighborhood with lots of personality. Great for cheap eats, sento (public baths), and Tsutenkaku Tower views.
💸 Best value for longer stays or low-key trips
5. Nipponbashi (日本橋)
Best for: Anime & manga fans
Known as Osaka’s otaku zone, it’s filled with anime shops and gaming arcades. Walkable to Namba, Shinsekai, and Kintetsu Line to Nara.
🎮 Similar to Akihabara in Tokyo—but less crowded
🗺️ All Mapped in the map bellow
Best of both world : touristy & off the beaten path places
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Marie creator behind @Tabimawari
Hi, I’m Marie.
French islander from Reunion island, Japan lover, and travel planner behind Tabimawari.
I spent a year living in Kyoto, learning Japanese and falling in love with the culture. Since then, I’ve kept going back, exploring every corner from Tokyo to the tiniest hidden towns.
I created these guides after spending months planning, testing, and fine-tuning every detail so you don’t have to. Inside, you’ll find:
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This is what I wish I had on my first trip to Japan and now it’s yours.
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Marie creator behind @Tabimawari
Hi, I’m Marie.
French islander from Reunion island, Japan lover, and travel planner behind Tabimawari.
I spent a year living in Kyoto, learning Japanese and falling in love with the culture. Since then, I’ve kept going back, exploring every corner from Tokyo to the tiniest hidden towns.
I created these guides after spending months planning, testing, and fine-tuning every detail so you don’t have to. Inside, you’ll find:
✅ Interactive maps
✅ Step-by-step directions
✅ Local spots + travel tips
✅ Offline use
Each guide is made with care, based on real-life travel, not generic blog advice.
This is what I wish I had on my first trip to Japan and now it’s yours.
MY SOCIALS
MY NEWSLETTER
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