Having done a pit stop in Osaka in June 2024 during my one month journey of discovering Japan after my retrenchment, I must say Osaka isn’t one of my favourite places to be at for someone who breathes fashion and loves to get her hand dirty with some cultural immersion. I get that Osaka is where food comes alive, a culinary paradise renowned for its vibrant and affordable street food, including iconic specialties like savoury pancakes known as okonomiyaki and crispy octopus balls called takoyaki. So when I properly stayed at the Swisshotel Nankai Osaka, I allowed myself the time to truly immerse in the food scene and came back home as a fan. But this is where Swisshotel played a huge role: dining at a few of the hotel’s restaurants and bars allowed me to grow an appreciation for the art of dining.
The hotel lies in the strategic heart of Osaka, where the tracks run below that lines up access to Kansai International Airport and all major tourist attractions such as Kyoto, Nara and Kobe via Nankai Railway’s Namba Station. There are also neighbouring malls that are just a stone’s throw away so you needn’t not go far. But let’s talk about the rooms.
The 36-storey tower has 546 well-appointed guestrooms, with 42 Executive floor rooms and 28 suites featuring upgraded amenities including Swiss Executive Lounge access offering all-day refreshments, exclusive breakfast and pre-dinner cocktails. When the group of media first checked in then, the hotel was going through varied times of refurbishment, and I could already then experience some of the modern facelift in the hallways.
What I like
The Swiss Select Queen Room has the perfect space for a single traveller and up to a couple. Measuring 23 square meters, there was ample room to move about, with a lounge chair I could even relax in to decompress after a long day of walking outdoors. I liked the modern contemporary finishings, with a touch of Japanese art—a gold gingko leaf frame sits beautifully by the bed frame, just reminding me how there is a quiet sophistication detail.
The room also features a standing rain shower room in the bathroom, with amenities with from Swiss alpine ingredients to refresh with. The bed was firm and good for my back—I never liked mattress that sunk in and makes me feel like I wake up with a bad posture instead. Everything was perfect, including peaceful sleeping nights.
I also got to experience the Purovel Spa & Sport, and combining the beauty of Swiss and Japanese hospitality was quite a treat. The spa shares the same floor as the indoor pool and gym so it can be quite a task to make your way around here.
We started off with a consultation form, followed by some tea and I opted for the Shiatsu treatment with oil imported from Bali. The treatment room is serene, which reminded me of a Japanese room with some tatami flooring and scroll arts donning the wall. My masseuse made sure I was comfortable and when she started working her magic, boy, I felt the knots in my thighs simply melted away. The technique was firm and honestly, 60 minutes (¥21,450) felt too short. I joked with her after that I felt so much better, I could go for another round of shopping! Right after the treatment, I wore my kimono and sat overlooking a small Japanese garden while enjoying tea and a mochi sweet. The feeling was bliss.
Now, food-wise I was spoilt by the team. On the first night we spent time getting to know the team at Bar36, which felt like one of the highest cocktail bars in Osaka with unblocked views of the city. Because it was Sakura season, the bartenders prepped special concoction using Roku Gin Sakura to mix ‘Sakura Petal’, a light refreshing drink for us with hints of elderflower liquor, davor sakura liquor, lemon juice, honey and Japanese bitter ‘Sakura’.
Dinner at SH’UN Wine & Dine was memorable, and I wished to return again. The restaurant offers a refined and contemporary take on kushiage, the deep-fried skewers that originated as a downtown Osaka street food. Elevating this traditional local favourite, the restaurant focuses on a “World Travel Series” concept, where chefs use premium, global ingredients to create unique flavour combinations. The experience is further enhanced by an award-winning wine list, curated by an in-house sommelier to perfectly pair with the creative and seasonal kushiage creations. Guests can watch as the “Kushiage Sensei” (master chefs) prepare the skewers with a light-as-air panko crust and a variety of house-made salts and dipping sauces, transforming a humble snack into a luxurious and artistic dining experience.
Because I don’t take red meats, the chefs kindly prepared kushiage creations that are seafood or pork for me, which were juicy and delicious. Pacing yourself with each meal allows you to appreciate the preparation in front of you and to savour the wines along with it. By the time we neared the third hour, I was full from the sophisticated experience. With a capacity of only 40, it’s best to make a reservation, and I stressed it’s a must go!
At Minami Teppanyaki, the experience was equally intimate and endearing. Sitting in front of the master chefs who were delicately preparing our meals around the sleek teppanyaki counter in front of us reminded me to slow down and just enjoy the process. The restaurant’s philosophy is to showcase the finest seasonal ingredients, with a particular focus on organic vegetables sourced from its partner, Senshu Agri Farm in Osaka. I watched as the master chefs expertly grill premium Japanese beef, fresh seafood, and seasonal produce right before my eyes. While teppanyaki is often known for its flashy and acrobatic cooking theatrics, Minami’s approach is more traditional, emphasising the quality of the ingredients and the precise skill of the chefs. The experience is set against a serene backdrop of a Japanese garden, providing a tranquil escape from the bustling city below, and can be complemented by a curated selection of wines and sakes.
The chefs even threw a fiery performance for us, carefully guiding the flames to grill the premium meats which was described by my media friends as some of the best meals they’ve ever had. Perhaps this was a sign to return with my husband. Another bookmark for my list!
What could be better
I much prefer a vast, welcoming reception area at the ground floor but to get to the hotel, you’d have to ride an escalator up to the floor first, which takes away that first initial alluring experience (but that’s just me).
Activities around Osaka
The hotel’s PR team really went all out to make sure we were experiencing Osaka’s hospitality. From Osaka Castle, to Kuromon Market, Namba Yasaka Jinja to a night of karaoke at FrenZ FrenZy, a muscle bar and discovering the lights at teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka, it was one of the most fun media assignments I’ve ever been on.
We had so much fun and laughter, honestly, the energy was infectious. I’ll be back again, Osaka.
This trip was made possible by Accor Hotels.
Book a stay at Swisshotel Nankai Osaka now.
