Swissôtel Nankai Osaka - Luxury hotel - Destination Guide

The city is yours to explore. Take in the sights, go on a cultural adventure, and discover what Osaka has to offer.

Towering above Namba Station, Swissôtel Nankai Osaka is truly at the heart of the Kansai hub city of Osaka. With trains on the Nankai Line providing direct access to Kansai International Airport, as well as the popular tourist destinations of Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and Mount Koya (UNESCO World Heritage Site), our premium hotel offers luxury rooms and suites for business and leisure travellers alike who wish to explore the entire Kansai area.

The bustling entertainment district of Namba is filled with high-end shops, nightclubs, arcades and pachinko parlours, all within easy walking distance from the hotel entrance. The countless electronics, anime and manga shops of DenDen Town are just a five-minute stroll, as are the retail shops of Namba Parks, which also features a variety of international restaurants and a stunning rooftop garden. For a more traditional Japanese shopping experience, the stately Takashimaya department store is just around the corner, while over 300 trendy shops and unique cafes await you in Namba City, all steps from your front door. Enjoy a wild night out in Dotonbori, an eclectic entertainment district lined with quirky clubs and iconic electric billboards such as the Glico Running Man. Fashionistas won’t want to miss the high-end boutiques and trendy shops of Shinsaibashi, the heart of Osaka’s youth culture.

Many family-friendly attractions are within 30 minutes of Swissôtel Nankai Osaka. Experience the quiet history of Japan with a leisurely stroll around Osaka Castle, one of the country’s most famous landmarks dating back to the sixteenth century. Let your children delight at seeing the Oriental small-clawed otters and North Pacific giant octopus and whale sharks at the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the largest public aquariums in the world. Then take in the panoramic views on the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, which features colour-coded lights that predict tomorrow’s weather. Shop along Hello Kitty’s Fashion Avenue before experiencing the magic of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN®.

Namba Station, conveniently located below our hotel, offers easy access to your choice of Kansai cities and attractions. Spend a tranquil day exploring the serene historic temples and palaces of Kyoto, a “living museum” city famous for its beautiful Buddhist temples and gardens. Travel further back in time with a visit to Nara, an ancient city with endless preserved tombs, temples and shrines, or take in the ocean air—and a mouth-watering steak dinner—in the port city of Kobe. A day trip to Mount Koya, a stunning temple settlement and one of the most important Buddhist sites in the country, makes for an unforgettable pilgrimage.

• For details on how to get to Swissôtel Nankai Osaka, please download the transport guides:
  • English Transport Guide
  • Japanese Transport Guide
  • Chinese Transport Guide
  • Korean Transport Guide

[ Directions to Kyoto Arashiyama]

By Train
Estimated Travel Time: 60-70 minutes

• Escalator down to Namba station (M20) of Subway Midosuji Line (marked in red) on the basement.
• Purchase a one-way ticket and take a subway from Platform #2.
• Change trains at Umeda station (M16) and take Stairway “F” to the Exit.
• Exit 1 or Exit 2 to Hankyu Umeda station.
• Purchase a one-way ticket; take a train (limited express / Tokkyu) bound for Kawaramachi from the platform #1, 2 or 3 (Hankyu Kyoto line).
• Get off at Katsura station and change trains from the platform #C to Arashiyama station (Hankyu Arashiyama line).

By Taxi
Estimated Travel Time: 80 minutes

[Directions to Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan)]

By Train
Estimated Travel Time: 30 minutes

• Lift and escalator down to Namba station (M20) of Subway Midosuji Line (marked in red) on the basement.
• Purchase a one-way ticket.
• Take a subway from Platform No.2.
• Change subways at Hommachi station (M18) to Subway Chuo Line (marked in green). ・Escalator “F”.
• Take a subway from Platform No.2 to Osakako Station (C11).
• West Gate and Exit #1 to the aquarium

By Taxi
Estimated Travel Time: 30 minutes

[Directions to Kobe / Sannomiya]

By Train
Estimated Travel Time: 50 minutes

• Exit hotel entrance at 1st floor, take stairs or escalator down to the underground.
• Walk past Namba station, subway Midosuji Line on the left.
• After passing the station, take an escalator that appears on leftward to B2 to Hanshin Osaka-Namba station, Hanshin Namba Line;
• Purchase a one-way ticket; take a Rapid Express Service bound for Sannomiya from Platform #3.
• Hanshin Sannomiya station.

By Taxi
Estimated Travel Time: 60 minutes

[Directions to Mt. Koya (Koyasan)]

By Train
Estimated Travel Time: 90 minutes

• Elevator down to Namba station of Nankai Railway on the 3rd Floor.
• Purchase a one-way ticket for Limited Express service “KOYA” at the ticket counter.
• Take a train from either platform #3 or #4 to Gokurakubashi station (80 min.).
• Steps up to the cable car station; take a cable car to Koyasan station (5 min.).

[Directions to Kyoto (JR Kyoto Station) ]

By Train
Estimated Travel Time: 50-60 minutes

• Lift and escalator down to Namba station (M20) of Subway Midosuji Line (marked in red) on the basement.
• Purchase a one-way ticket to Umeda station.
• Take a subway to Umeda station (M16) from Platform No.2.
• “Stairway H” to the gate.
• Exit 8 or Exit 9 to JR Osaka station.
• Purchase a one-way ticket; take a train (special-rapid service / Shin-kaisoku)bound for Kyoto from the platform #7 or #8 (JR Kyoto Line).

By Taxi
Estimated Travel Time: 60 minutes

[Directions to Nara]

By Train
Estimated Travel Time: 50 minutes

• Exit hotel entrance at 1st floor, take stairs or escalator down to the underground.
• Walk past Namba station, subway Midosuji Line on the left.
• After passing the station, take an escalator that appears on leftward to B2 to Kintetsu Osaka-Namba station, Kintetsu Line.
• Purchase a one-way ticket; take a Rapid Express Service bound for Nara.
• Kintetsu-Nara station to Nara Park(15 min. by walk) / Todaiji Temple (20 min. by walk) / Kofukuji Temple (10 min. by walk)

By Taxi
Estimated Travel Time: 70 minutes

[Directions to Osaka Castle]

By Train
Estimated Travel Time: 30 minutes

• Escalator down to Namba station (M20) of Subway Midosuji Line (marked in red) on the basement.
• Purchase a one-way ticket.
• Take a subway from Platform #2.
• Change subways at Hommachi station (M18) to Subway Chuo Line (marked in green). ・Escalator “F”.
• Take a subway from Platform #1 to Tanimachi 4-chome station (C18).
• Exit #9 to Osaka Castle Park.

By Taxi
Estimated Travel Time: 20 minutes

[Directions to Universal Studios Japan]

By Train
Estimated Travel Time: 30 minutes

• Take lift down and exit hotel entrance at 1st floor, take escalator to the underground.
• Walk past Namba station, subway Midosuji Line on the left.
• After passing the station, take an escalator that appears on leftward to B2 to Hanshin Osaka-Namba station, Hanshin Namba Line.
• Purchase a one-way ticket; take a train from platform #3.
• Get off at Hanshin Nishikujo Station, take escalator down to JR station (Level 2).
• Purchase a one-way ticket; take a train to Universal-City station (JR Yumesaki Line bound for Sakurajima).

By Taxi
Estimated Travel Time: 40 minutes