Hotel
The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka
Japan's first Ritz-Carlton, in Umeda, with rooms on the 24th to 37th floors, classic English-style interiors, an indoor pool and spa and a Michelin-starred French restaurant.
Hotel Noum Osaka
A relaxed boutique hotel by the Okawa river near Tenmabashi, with beds from bunks to suites, a public cafe-lounge and a rooftop sauna.
At a glance
- Type
- Boutique hostel and hotel
- Area
- Tenma (Kita-ku), Osaka, Japan
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- no-um.jp
Good to know
- Cafe and lounge open to the public
- Rooftop sauna
- River-view rooms
- Bunk beds to suites
Why we recommend it
Hotel Noum Osaka is a small, design-minded place to stay on the edge of Minami-Tenma, beside the Okawa river and a few minutes from Tenmabashi Station. It mixes the social spirit of a hostel with the comfort of a boutique hotel, which makes it one of the most interesting budget-to-mid-range options in the city and a welcome alternative to the large chain hotels around the stations.
Accommodation ranges widely. At one end are bunk beds for budget travellers and solo backpackers; at the other are private rooms and suites with king-size beds, and several rooms look out over the river. Because the choice is so broad, it works for friends travelling together on a tight budget, couples who want a private room with character, and solo travellers who like to meet other people.
The ground-floor cafe and lounge, next to reception, is the heart of the place and is open to non-guests from 7:00 to 23:00 every day. It serves coffee from a well-regarded Tokyo roaster, along with light meals and wine, and it is a pleasant spot to work, plan the day or wind down in the evening. Breakfast has an Australian accent, with a short menu that includes a hearty full breakfast. Up on the roof is a sauna, which also hosts yoga classes and other activities, an unusual extra at this price level.
Book early for private rooms and river views, which are limited. Expect a casual, self-sufficient style of service rather than the full facilities of a big city hotel. The hotel suits travellers who value atmosphere and a local neighbourhood over being in the middle of the shopping districts, and anyone who likes to start the day with good coffee.
Tenmabashi Station, on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line and the Keihan Main and Nakanoshima lines, is close by, so Kyoto is reachable directly on the Keihan line and the subway runs to Tanimachi 4-chome for Osaka Castle and the Osaka Museum of History. The riverside paths along the Okawa are good for morning walks and, in spring, cherry blossom, and the long Tenjinbashisuji shopping street and Osaka Tenmangu shrine are within walking distance to the north-west.
Hotel Noum Osaka FAQs
What kind of hotel is Hotel Noum Osaka?
A boutique hotel with hostel-style bunks as well as private rooms and suites.
Where is it?
At 4-1-18 Tenma in Kita-ku, beside the Okawa river near Tenmabashi Station.
Can non-guests use the cafe?
Yes, the cafe and lounge is open to the public from 7:00 to 23:00 daily.
Is breakfast available?
Yes, an Australian-inspired breakfast menu with several options, including a full breakfast.
Is there a sauna?
Yes, a rooftop sauna, which also hosts yoga and other activities.
Do any rooms have river views?
Yes, several rooms overlook the Okawa river; book early for them.
Which station is nearest?
Tenmabashi Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line and the Keihan Main and Nakanoshima lines.
Is it good for solo travellers?
Yes, the bunk beds and social cafe make it a good choice for solo travellers.