Published date: September 9, 2025
Hotel Near Osaka Castle
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
Hotel The Lutheran
I stayed in a Standard Double room. I had stayed at this hotel twice a few years ago and found it quite good, so when I noticed it was available on HafH for 307 coins (7% off), I made a reservation immediately. It seems you can stay a bit cheaper now.
The location is immediately up from Exit 1 of Tanimachi 4-chome Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line.
*Note: The photo is of Exit 2.
From the Chuo Line, you need to walk from one end of the Tanimachi Line platform to the other. The area combines business and residential feel but offers a gentle atmosphere, different from a bustling area.
As the name suggests, the hotel has a church. It feels like you can stay here right after a wedding. The exterior and interior have a stylish and calm cafe-like atmosphere. Apparently, you can also eat lunch at the hotel’s restaurant, which seems to recommend pasta.
As for hotel services, there is an amenity bar where you can take what you need to your room. The drink bar is open for free and they also offer one complimentary drink of 'CANADA DRY' and Osaka's local specialty 'Mikuchu Juuchu' per person.
The last time I stayed here was during the pandemic when I could enjoy a spacious room at a great price. This time, the Standard Double room is smaller than that, but compared to other hotels, I think it's still relatively spacious. Besides being spacious, the bed is large, and there’s a counter desk by the south-facing window, making the room bright and comfortable.
When I looked at the unit bath, I could tell it was an older hotel, but the large tiled walls felt slightly retro, and the place seemed very clean.
Breakfast is served buffet style in the restaurant on the first floor. I think the food is quite delicious. For tourists, there are many types of local Osaka dishes available. Personally, I really like the breakfast curry here. Also, on weekends and holidays, breakfast is served until 11 AM, which is quite nice.
The prices are reasonable, the location is great for sightseeing in Osaka, and it's a comfortable hotel that I recommend.
Experiences during the trip
Tanimachi 4-chome is not in a bustling area, so I was concerned about restaurants being open on Sundays, but surprisingly, many were open when I looked around. However, I wanted a quick meal and ended up eating 'unagi katsu don' at a certain katsu don chain, coincidentally on the Saturday of the 'Doro no Ushi' (eel day).
I visited Osaka Castle after dark. Osaka Castle Park is about a 3-minute walk away. On the way, you pass by the Osaka Prefectural Police and NHK, surrounded by various government buildings which can be somewhat intimidating.
Osaka Castle is very spacious, and I thought I would have to walk quite a bit to reach the main keep, but it wasn't as far as I expected. First, I walked north along the outer moat, passing through the important cultural property of Otemon Gate and into the castle grounds. As I walked along the inner moat, I came to Sakuramont, the entrance to the main area. There’s a large Takoishi stone and as I continued walking, I saw a large brick building – 'Miraisa Osaka Castle'. During the war, it was the old headquarters of the 4th division, and after the war, it served as the Osaka Prefectural Police Headquarters. Now, it has transformed into a leisure facility with restaurants and shops.
Lit up in white is the 'Osaka Castle Tenshukaku'. It is said to have been built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, but the current structure was rebuilt by Tokugawa Ieyasu. Although it was too late to enter, there were quite a few people around the main area, including tourists and locals walking their dogs.
Osaka Castle Park is enjoyable during the day, but the exotic ambiance of the park at night is also delightful.