The All-New Four Seasons Hotel Osaka Features a Cool Modern Ryokan Experience

Four Seasons Hotel Osaka

Joining a growing portfolio of Four Seasons hotels in Japan, Four Seasons Hotel Osaka officially welcomed its first guests this week. Located inside the new One Dojima multi-use building by architect Nikken Sekkei (the first ultra-high-rise mixed-used development in Japan to combine a Four Seasons Hotel and apartment building), it features a modern ryokan experience on the 28th floor. In contrast, the entire 36th floor has been dedicated as a wellness zone while six destination dining concepts, including a Japanese tea lounge and Cantonese restaurant, add to the allure.

A key business hub also noted for its important landmarks and cosmopolitan nightlife, Osaka was named the 10th most liveable city in the world – and number one in Japan – in the 2023 Global Liveability Index and is fast becoming a must-visit on international traveler wish lists. Also known as the “City of Water” for its rivers, waterways and bridges, General Manager Alastair McAlpine says an ‘A team’ of Japan’s best designers, including CURIOSITY, SIMPLICITY, DESIGN STUDIO SPIN, created beautiful spaces across the 175 room hotel that welcome the world to Osaka while also inviting local guests to celebrate all the diverse city has to offer. 

“Reflecting a distinctive story and aesthetic, each space has been crafted to immerse our guests in the spirit of Osaka. The Dojima area, where we are located, is dotted with small cafes and diners, hidden bars and fascinating historical sites. Guests can enjoy the neighborhood's relaxed local feel while being just minutes from Osaka's main transport and business hub,” he says. 

Osaka’s First Modern Ryokan

As high-end travelers seek ever-more exclusive experiences, the 'hotel within a hotel' concept has seen an uptick in popularity, and Four Seasons Hotel Osaka is poised to meet demand with its dedicated GENSUI floor. This contemporary ryokan experience, the first of its kind in Osaka, was designed by Japanese studio SIMPLICITY and features low-slung seating and futon-style sleeping platforms framed by washi paper headboards. Upon arrival to the 28th floor, guests are greeted with a cup of green tea by specially-trained Four Seasons staff and asked to remove their shoes – slippers are provided, or they can opt to enjoy the feel of rush-grass tatami mats on bare feet instead. Accommodations are described as a modern expression of Japanese customs and design principles – GENSUI guests will find yukatas (relaxed cotton kimonos) alongside curated mini-bars in their rooms and suites. They also have exclusive access to the SABO tea lounge, which offers bento-style breakfasts, tea rituals, evening sake, and wine. 

Beyond the GENSUI floor, Four Seasons Hotel Osaka offers 130 guest rooms and 24 suites, all boasting elevated city views from the 29th to 35th floors. Interiors feature an understated palette of harmonious colors, natural wood and stone finishes, and myriad thoughtful touches. And while the lavish Presidential, Grand Osaka and Dojima Suites are considered the most luxurious options, many rooms and suites located at the building’s curved and angled corners offer panoramic views of the city and beyond.

Destination Dining

Osaka, historically referred to as the “Kitchen of Japan” during the Edo era, boasts an impressive 85 Michelin-starred restaurants and Four Seasons Hotel Osaka is adding to the city’s dynamic food scene with its collection of six unique culinary experiences. Overseen by Director of Food and Beverage Sebastian Gassen and executive chef Paolo Pelosi, the hotel’s signature restaurant, Jiang Nan Chun, offers authentic Cantonese cuisine in a captivating setting – guests can tuck into barbecue specialties and a show-stopping roast duck carved tableside under soaring ceilings and against glittering skyline backdrop. The restaurant also features two semi-private dining rooms and one fully private room with a show kitchen. 

Cocktail emporium Bar Bota dazzles with its glamorous atmosphere on the 37th floor, where head bartender Andrei Marcu creates handcrafted libations using local botanicals, the finest Japanese whiskeys and gins. Led by executive sous chef Hiroaki Nagaishi, Jardin offers an airy, garden-like space on the ground floor to enjoy an international semi-buffet breakfast, afternoon tea sets by executive pastry Chef Hafiz Razali, and classic French dishes in the evening. The hotel also features artisanal bakery, Farine, and CHA, a quiet oasis where in-house guests can savor handpicked Japanese teas. An 18-seat sushi restaurant with a private dining room for up to six guests will be unveiled on the 37th floor later this year.

Tea Service at CHA

Spa and Wellness

Seasoned wellness enthusiasts will find a sky-high oasis of relaxation at The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Osaka, encompassing the entire 36th floor. It’s anchored by a 52-foot indoor pool that seemingly spills through windows into the city below but also features a 24/7 fitness center with similarly awe-inspiring floor-to-ceiling views. Five spa treatment rooms – including a couple’s room with a private bath – are finished in soothing hues and pale woods, with spaces flowing seamlessly into the next.

A range of uniquely created massages, facials, and body treatments grace the menu, but signature rituals include a 100-minute, high-performance facial inspired by Empress Komyo, whose name signifies brightness and radiance. Busy guests can mix and match from a mini-treat menu of 15-30 minute “Quick Replenishers.” The star of wellness facilities here, though, is the ofuro (Japanese baths) that harness the healing properties of seasonal herbs. Considered an essential part of daily life in Osaka for centuries, this ancestral ritual of Japanese culture is enjoyed as a moment of relaxation and well-being more than just a simple soak.

Ofuro bath at The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Osaka

Why Visit Osaka

In the Dojima district, where Four Seasons Hotel Osaka is located, historic sites and local businesses mingle with the commercial headquarters of western Japan. Within walking distance, you'll find the Umeda shopping, entertainment, and business district, as well as fine dining restaurants and bars in the glamorous Kitashinchi area. Art galleries and museums are located in Nakanoshima, a picturesque island in the city center. Families will enjoy the nearby Universal Studios Japan, while nature enthusiasts can admire cherry blossoms during sakura season in spring or the fall foliage. Osaka is conveniently accessible in under three hours from Tokyo via Shinkansen and 15 minutes by bullet train from the ancient capital of Kyoto.

Four Seasons in Japan

Take advantage of the Grand Opening Offer and be among the first overnight guests at Four Seasons Hotel Osaka, which marks the brand’s fourth location in Japan – alongside Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi and Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi – and will soon be joined by Four Seasons Resort and Residences Okinawa. 

Minami is Osaka's shopping, dining and nightlife centerKeri Bridgwater

A native Brit, Keri Bridgwater spent time in house at magazines and publishers in Sweden, New Zealand and Telluride, Colorado before moving to San Diego over a decade ago. She specializes in travel stories, destination guides, hotel news, and profiles for various publications. Bylines in Fodor's, Marie Claire, Yoga Journal, London's Evening Standard, and Virgin Australia's inflight magazine. ...(Read More)

The All-New Four Seasons Hotel Osaka Features a Cool Modern Ryokan Experience

The All-New Four Seasons Hotel Osaka Features a Cool Modern Ryokan Experience

The All-New Four Seasons Hotel Osaka Features a Cool Modern Ryokan Experience

The All-New Four Seasons Hotel Osaka Features a Cool Modern Ryokan Experience

The All-New Four Seasons Hotel Osaka Features a Cool Modern Ryokan Experience