Find our Inspection team's official review, here. Below, one MICHELIN contributing writer on what makes the InterContinental the perfect base for foodie travelers in Osaka.
Osaka might be a detour off the typical Japan itinerary, but the so-called “Nation’s Kitchen” is an obvious stop for the MICHELIN-minded traveler — and it has a special appeal in 2025 as the host of this year’s World Expo. Attendees of the year’s many conferences, festivals and events will find no fewer than 79 MICHELIN Star restaurants among the city’s attractions, along with four MICHELIN Key Hotels. At InterContinental, they’ll find both: a Key hotel with the Star restaurant within.
I stayed at the InterContinental during a magical spring trip through the country, and between the dining and spa — an on-site, upscale take on onsen baths — I left with an appreciation of the hotel as a local experience I don’t always expect from such a large international brand. In every detail, this was a place that embraced the highlights of Osaka. For me, it was a one-stop shop for everything that brought me to the city.
On one hand, I had been drawn to Osaka in part for its proximity to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe — and I didn’t have as much time here as I would have liked. Osaka has plenty of its own attractions. A 16th-century castle, ancient Buddhist temples and shrines, a lively canal district. But I was more or less passing through, and the InterContinental makes the most of the city’s home-base appeal. Steps from Osaka Station, guests whisk themselves away for day trips outside the city and return, sleepy and satisfied, to bask in the hotel’s tranquil elegance.
On the 20th-floor lobby, skyline views are complemented by a traditionally minimalist aesthetic and bright artwork, and the cool citrus water in artsy, colorful glasses became my minor obsession every time I passed through. The concierge insisted on calling the spa and asking them to save some for me when I returned too late in the day for my usual fix.
Those little moments and gestures are in ample supply at InterContinental, along with the culinary gems that give Osaka such a MICHELIN appeal. No matter how much time you have here, if you spend any of it at the InterContinental, you won’t miss out on what makes this city the nation’s kitchen. Pierre, the One Star restaurant adjacent to the hotel’s lobby, represents the MICHELIN dining scene, with its innovative, elevated approach to French cuisine set alongside an open kitchen with glimmering views of the Osaka skyline. The sprawling breakfast buffet is another highlight — one that still haunts my cravings — a combination of Japanese sensibilities and simple cooking that included beautiful fresh fruit, tamago (a Japanese omelet), perfectly salty cod roe and fresh pastries. Just across the street, plenty of restaurants await at Grand Front Osaka — one of the city's most dynamic dining and shopping hubs.
Nor will you miss out on the region's traditional hot spring experiences here. No matter how little time you have in the city, make an appointment at the InterContinental spa for a Japanese bathhouse designed to mirror the region’s traditional hot spring experiences. Along with the typical offerings like massage and facials, a gym that’s open 24/7 and a swimming pool, two warm baths are intended for, respectively, sitting and lying.
It’s what you expect from a big brand like the InterContinental: pure excellence and high-end luxury. At the same time, you never forget you’re in Osaka. That’s the beauty of it.
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Top image: A king room with a city view at InterContinental Osaka.
