We bring you the top headlines about tourism in Osaka.
Osaka Welcomes Record 17.6 Million Foreign Tourists Following Expo 2025
— Date: January 26, 2026
— Author: ABC News, https://www.asahi.co.jp/
— Approximately 17.6 million foreign tourists visited Osaka in 2025, the highest number ever recorded, according to the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau. The figure increased by around 3 million from the previous year, with Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai cited as a major driver of growth and visitor numbers from several Asian markets increasing significantly.
Osaka’s Namba Draws Growing Numbers of International Tourists
— Date: February 9, 2026
— Author: ABC TV, https://www.asahi.co.jp/
— Namba has emerged as one of Osaka’s most popular neighborhoods among international visitors as the city experiences record inbound tourism. The report follows foreign travelers exploring shopping, local izakaya, nightlife and lesser-known areas around Namba, illustrating how visitors are increasingly seeking everyday Osaka experiences in addition to traditional sightseeing.
Foreign Hotel Brands Expand Into Osaka’s Nishinari as Inbound Tourism Grows
— Date: May 13, 2026
— Author: Lmaga.jp Editorial Department, https://www.lmaga.jp/
— International hotel operators are expanding into Nishinari and Shin-Imamiya, driven partly by growing demand from repeat international visitors seeking affordable accommodation and more authentic local experiences. The area offers direct access from Kansai International Airport and convenient transportation to Namba and other Kansai destinations, while foreign visitors are increasingly attracted to Nishinari’s distinctive local atmosphere.
Osaka Hotel Boom Accelerates as the City Records Japan’s Highest Occupancy Rate
— Date: April 3, 2026
— Author: Lmaga.jp Editorial Department, https://www.lmaga.jp/
— Osaka is experiencing a wave of new hotel openings, particularly in the affordable-to-mid-range segment, as strong tourism demand keeps accommodation occupancy exceptionally high. Osaka recorded a 78.8% hotel room occupancy rate in 2025, the highest in Japan, while the number of foreign guests staying in the city exceeded Kyoto’s by roughly 30%, encouraging further hotel development.
Osaka Tourism Businesses Feel Uneven Impact From Decline in Chinese Visitors
— Date: December 8, 2025
— Author: Kantele NEWS/ news Runner, https://www.ktv.jp/
— A Kansai TV investigation examined how a decline in Chinese tourists was affecting tourism businesses in Osaka and Kyoto following China’s travel advisory concerning Japan. While only about 10% of the 20 businesses surveyed reported lower sales, some tourism-dependent operators experienced significant losses, suggesting that Osaka’s increasingly diverse visitor base may provide some protection against declines from a single overseas market.