Since the first time I set foot onto Japan, I knew that I would be coming back to the Land of the Rising sun. I immediately fell in love with its urban vibe, serene parks, fabulous museums, chic fashion, colourful districts and glorious food scene.
My past trips mainly centred on the bustling Metropolitan Tokyo area and the need to explore a different side to Japan made me and travel buddy Otoi decide to go West to explore Japan’s second largest metropolitan area this year, the Kehanshin Metropolitan area, of which Osaka is the largest component. Located on the Western side of Japan’s biggest island, Honshuu, the area where Osaka is located is known for its rich history with many historic Japanese Castles, shinto shrines and buddhist temples can be found.
Being that this is both our first times to visit Osaka, we really wanted to find a proper hotel which we can call out “home base” to start our daily expeditions. After much research, we finally decided to book our stay at the Swissotel Nankai Osaka Hotel.
Location is the key
Being a stranger to a totally new city, it is the excellent location of the Swissotel Nankai Osaka that sealed the deal. Japan’s international airports are normally located on the edge of city limits and Osaka’s Kansai International Airport is no exception. Getting to downtown Osaka, one has to take a 35-minute Rapi:t Express Train from the airport to Osaka Namba Station.
If it was any other hotel in Osaka, we would have to exit the massive station, find our bearings and still walk a few hundred meters on unfamiliar streets to get to our destination. But the Swissotel Nankai Osaka is located right on top of Osaka Namba Station. I was all smiles was we merely exited the train station and rounded a corner to get to the hotel’s elevators.
This close proximity to the main city to airport link also meant that going back to the airport was quick and easy, ensuring that we can get to the airport on time and still have time to shop and explore. The area of Namba is also where many of Osaka’s train and subway lines converge. These subways allow easy travel across Osaka all just a few steps from the hotel’s main door.
Outstanding accommodations
The Swissotel Nankai Osaka is a wonderful property located at the heart of Osaka and I was glad we were able to book a room at a good price on agoda.com.
The rooms of the Swissotel Nankai Osaka were larger than a typical hotel room in Japan. The Swiss Advantage room we booked carried the basic amenities every traveller would need, from high-speed WiFi, LED TV, to coffee and tea-making facilities and a sumptuously appointed bathroom.
Serendipity smiled as I found out that a friend of mine, Sonny Ang, is the Director of Sales at the Swissotel Nankai. We eventually had lunch at the hotel’s Minami teppanyaki restaurant where their Japanese chefs delighted and entertained us with their cooking skills.
Aside from lunch, Sonny offered to upgrade our room to one of their Swiss Executive rooms and we happily accepted.
Sporting more modern interiors and a higher floor, the Swiss Executive room offers a spectacular view of Osaka and nearby Dotonbori. High-speed WiFi, 50-inch LED TVs, fabulous linens, Nespresso coffee and tea facilities, and a beautifully appointed bathroom complete the in-room experience. Club lounge access also came with the room, providing complimentary breakfast, beverages, snacks, afternoon tea and cocktails in the early evening.
Adventures abound
As I wrote earlier, location is the key when it comes to finding new adventures. From the Swissotel Nankai Osaka, it is just a short walk to the Osaka Kintetsu station where one can take a train to Nara and nearby Nara Park.
Kyoto is also within reach thanks to the many rail connections emanating from Namba. Even those who booked a day tour are in luck as the Osaka City Air Terminal, where most tours meet-up, is just a short 8 minute walk from the hotel.
Of course the immediate area around Swissotel Nankai is also a great place to explore too. Just across the hotel is a huge Takashimaya department store and the famous Namba Parks mall. Foodies and shoppers will definitely love the vibe of the mall as well as the streets surrounding it.
Not to be forgotten is Osaka’s famous Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi and Kuromon markets which are always humming with people looking for a place to eat and shop but I will leave these for another article.
Overall, my stay at the Swissotel Nankai Osaka hotel exceeded expectations as it made exploring bustling Osaka a breeze, making first-timers like me feel at home at the heart of Osaka. I can’t wait to go back!
