There’s a regional rivalry between Tokyo and Osaka within Japan in terms of culture, food and even language. The latter began to flourish as a major city at the end of the 18th century, with a high level of trade thanks to its emerging merchant class. Today, it has grown into a popular cultural hub in Japan’s Kansai region, with a distinct vibe unlike anywhere else in the country. From the flashing lights and adverts lining the Dōtonbori district to the seemingly endless shopping arcades and street food stalls, Osaka is lively, exciting and sometimes chaotic.
However, the newly-opened Four Seasons Hotel Osaka couldn’t feel further away from this business, which borders on being exhausting. The hotel occupies twelve floors of One Dojima, a 49-story skyscraper that stands out in the city’s skyline yet is tucked away in a quieter district not far from Umeda, one of Osaka’s main stations.
[See also: Four Seasons Hotel Marunouchi, Review: Understated Tokyo Luxury]
The quiet, unfussy lobby sets the tone for the entire hotel: Tall windows let in plenty of light and offer views of the manicured greenery outside, complementing the minimalist design centered on natural colors and textures. The hotel’s ground floor boasts a number of contemporary sculptures from local artists, but these are hard to notice against everything else going on around.
The lobby also offers a glimpse into Farine, the hotel’s artisanal bakery that’s popular among locals, and Jardin, an all-day bistro where guests can enjoy a breakfast buffet. I’m told that the elevator entrance, with its red-lacquered walls, is inspired by the inside of a bento box – an unusual yet thoughtful nod to the region’s heavily food-based culture.
[See also: Aman Unveils First Standalone Branded Residences in Tokyo]
Related
Stay
Four Seasons Hotel Osaka is unique from other luxury hotels in the city in that it offers two strikingly different yet equally opulent room styles. The Western-style guest rooms and suites are typical of the timeless and tasteful interior design that Four Seasons hotels are known for around the world. The plush carpet and marble-tiled bathroom create a sense of luxury that does not compromise on comfort, while paper lantern-style lamps and sliding wooden panels remind you that this is Japan after all. Floor-to-ceiling windows look over the entire city, and I recommend waking up early to catch the sunrise.
[See also: A Sneak Peek of The Tokyo Edition, Ginza]
Content from our partners
However, the hotel’s standout is certainly the 28th ‘Gensui’ floor, where each of the 21 rooms are inspired by traditional Japanese inns, or ryokan. The interiors hit a sweet spot between authenticity and modernity for travelers who may be unfamiliar with traditional Japanese accommodation. For instance, guests are required to remove shoes upon entering these tatami mat-floored rooms, but rather than sleeping almost directly on the floor, the king-size futon beds come with a thick mattress and cotton dobby sateen sheets.
The top floors of the hotel are reserved for the most exclusive suites. The two-bedroom presidential suite is by far the grandest, accommodating up to six guests and offering unparalleled panoramic views of the Osaka skyline.
Dine
Osaka is one of Japan’s most cosmopolitan cities, and it’s nice to see that the Four Seasons Hotel Osaka’s dining options reflect this diversity. Jardin is great for a casual meal, but it’s worth booking dinner at Jiang Nan Chun or L’Abysse, the hotel’s fine dining restaurants. At Jiang Nan Chun, I enjoyed a signature tasting menu featuring authentic and flavorful Cantonese dishes that were not in the least bit heavy or overpowering.
Highlights included deep-fried crab shell stuffed with crab meat cooked in coconut milk, and an elevated take on egg-fried rice, a quintessential Chinese dish. For something slightly more traditional, the hotel’s newest restaurant, L’Abysse, is a collaboration between chefs Yannick Alleno and Yasuda Itaru, featuring dishes that fuse French haute cuisine with edomae-style sushi. I wouldn’t be surprised to see either pick up Michelin stars in the near future.
[See also: Four Seasons Takes Guests Behind the Scenes of The White Lotus]
Located on the 37th floor of the building, Bar Bota has a completely different atmosphere compared to the rest of the hotel. Dark, cool and low-key, the bar offers what might just be the best drinks and views in Osaka. Barman Andrei’s carefully curated drink menu features classic cocktails with creative Japanese twists, like a miso-flavored espresso martini.
Relax
Given the exhilarating, fast-paced nature of the city, Four Seasons Hotel Osaka has a range of facilities to provide much-needed respite for guests. The dedicated wellness floor calms you from the moment you step in, thanks to the aroma of incense and traditional interiors designed by Simplicity, featuring rounded stone walls and striking knick-knacks on the shelves.
Guests can make use of an indoor pool and gym (which come with excellent views, as usual), as well as dry saunas and ofuro Japanese-style hot tubs. The spa treatments are inspired by ancient Japanese rituals, such as a massage using oil infused with blessings from a Kyoto shrine.
[See also: The Best Luxury Ryokan Across Japan]
Explore
Although the hotel is so peaceful and cozy you might find it hard to leave, it would be a waste to travel to Osaka without visiting its main sights, including Osaka Castle. Try out iconic dishes like takoyaki (fried octopus balls) and grilled noodles in what is often nicknamed the nation’s kitchen. On rainy days, immerse yourself in the local culture by checking out some of the many art galleries and museums dotted around the city.
Rooms from $1,102 per night. Contact +81 666 768 697, fourseasons.com
