New Accommodation Options in Osaka as American Guest Stays Rise

August 26, 2026 Vacationer Staff

Interest in Japan as a destination has soared, with demand for accommodation increasing in the past few years.

The Japanese yen has fallen sharply against the US dollar, making hotels, food, and transport much cheaper for American tourists than in the US or Europe. Plus, there’s Japan’s unmatched cleanliness and beauty, which are regularly showcased on Instagram accounts. Plus, Osaka was specifically named the world’s most attractive tourist city in a global report by Yanolja Research.

MIMARU, Japan’s leading apartment hotel brand for families and groups, will open MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi CENTRAL on Sept. 1, 2026, as the number of American travelers adding Osaka to their Japan itineraries grows. Opening Sept. 1, the new location will bring the brand to 28 properties and 1,500 rooms nationwide.

According to MIMARU internal stay data, room nights from American guests at its five Osaka properties increased 46% year over year between 2024 and 2025. The increase reflects rising interest in Osaka as more than just a brief stop between Tokyo and Kyoto, offering travelers a different perspective on Japanese city life, food culture, and everyday neighborhoods.

Figures from the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau show that Osaka Prefecture welcomed a record 17.635 million international visitors in 2025, up 21%. North American travelers spent an average of 9.6 nights in Japan, including 4.0 nights in Osaka. Yet beyond Osaka’s best-known attractions are neighborhoods, local culture, and surrounding destinations still less familiar to many international travelers, giving them reason to devote more of their itinerary to the city.

Beyond Osaka’s Best-Known Sights

Beyond Dotonbori, Shinsekai and Amerikamura lie local shopping streets, narrow lanes, seasonal landscapes and small temples. Dining ranges from special-occasion cuisine to neighborhood izakaya, craft beer and street food, offering a taste of Osaka’s energy and everyday life. Baseball fans can also experience Kansai’s distinctive supporter culture.

Osaka Castle. Photo by Jason Rost on Unsplash

MIMARU staff from 39 countries and regions tailor suggestions to guests’ interests. They may recommend Koka in Shiga Prefecture, around two hours from central Osaka including local transfers, for historic ninja residences, museums and ninja heritage.

A New Base in Shinsaibashi

Located two minutes from Shinsaibashi Station, MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi CENTRAL will offer 66 rooms of more than 40 square meters, each with kitchens, dining areas and washer-dryers. Half of the rooms accommodate up to six guests.

“For guests from the United States, Tokyo is often an important starting point for a trip to Japan. But extending the journey to Osaka can make their impression of Japan even richer,” said Mao Mochizuki, International PR, Cosmos Hotel Management Co., Ltd.

“Just beyond its lively streets, Osaka offers experiences that bring visitors closer to everyday local life. We hope MIMARU can be a base for families and friends to explore a side of Japan different from Tokyo.”

The new bunk-bed room features a distinctive design that gives each guest greater personal space while allowing families and friends to stay together. The property offers a convenient base for exploring Osaka and the wider Kansai region at their own pace.