Osaka’s luxury accommodation sector is gaining momentum, supported by Expo 2025 and the city’s upcoming US$10 billion integrated resort, scheduled to open in autumn 2030.
More than 250 new accommodation properties opened across Osaka Prefecture between 2020 and 2024, with the strongest development concentrated in the city’s central districts and the high-end segment, according to local government data.
International visitors have responded strongly to the growth. Properties in Osaka Prefecture recorded 19.7 million inbound guest stays in 2024, the latest available data, up from 13.5 million in 2023, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.
Upscale openings in 2025 include the Waldorf Astoria Osaka and Patina Osaka, with both brands choosing Osaka for their first properties in Japan.
“Japan has long been a pinnacle of refined travel, blending deep-rooted traditions with modern innovation, and Osaka – renowned for its vibrant culture, culinary excellence and warm hospitality – was the perfect setting for Waldorf Astoria’s debut in the country,” Candice D’Cruz, vice president of luxury brands, Asia-Pacific at Hilton, told TTG Asia.
As luxury travellers increasingly seek “authenticity, emotional resonance and a deeper sense of connection to a destination”, Osaka stands out for “its unique culinary landscape as the Kitchen of Japan, vibrant street culture and proximity to key destinations across the Kansai region”, she said.
D’Cruz added that the city’s “distinctive personality” creates “a layered, experience-rich journey that appeals to discerning travellers”.
Elen Franke, general manager of Patina Osaka, said Osaka has become increasingly attractive to high-net-worth travellers in recent years.
“The Expo 2025 significantly elevated the city’s global visibility, bringing international attention, infrastructure investment, and renewed confidence in Osaka as a world-class destination. At the same time, the upcoming integrated resort development, including MGM Osaka, signals long-term growth in luxury hospitality, entertainment and international business,” said Franke, adding that this “kind of large-scale investment typically attracts affluent travellers”.
