Osaka isn’t lacking in cozy hotels to snooze at or funky bars to booze at, but The Lively Honmachi combines them expertly, providing the best of both worlds. After a wild night out in western Japan’s capital of counterculture, you’re gonna need a good place to rest.
Hotel highlight
Photo: Global AgentsThe hotel’s rooftop bar terrace is like the setting of a romantic comedy where the main character unexpectedly meets the love of her life. The suitor approaches her under the sexy mood lighting and smooth playlist asking to join her for a drink.
It was raining during our stay, so we didn’t meet our guy—better luck next time.
Right in the heart of party city, Osaka
Photo: Global AgentsWith its multilingual staff and international atmosphere, The Lively Honmachi is a good choice for foreign travelers looking to experience Osaka’s nightlife, families, and business travelers. The sleek and sophisticated decor feels less Japanese and more New York loft, with several community spaces for guests to lounge and intermingle.
Chill in the lobby and watch movies on the projector screen with other guests, or get some freelance work done in the open co-working space.
Photo: Global AgentsIt’s centrally located in the bustling Honmachi district, within 15 minutes’ reach of foodie tourism hub Dotonbori where you can eat your weight in takoyaki (octopus-filled dough balls) and snap a pic next to the Glico Man.
Photo: iStock/ SeanPavonePhotoIs this a hotel or a cafe…?
Global Agents, the real estate development mogul operating The Lively brand of hotels, seems to have a thing for atypical check-in desks. At their Fukuoka location, guests check themselves in on a tablet, while in Osaka the front desk is up on the second floor.
Photo: Randiah Camille GreenThat’s because the first floor serves as a deli cafe open to anyone whether they’re staying overnight at the hotel or not.
The cafe serves cafeteria-style lunch where you tell the staff what you’d like and they plate it up or box it up for those on the run. If you’re looking for a homey, Western-style lunch—think cold pasta, salads, and soup—you’ll find it here.
Photo: Randiah Camille GreenPlus, like all The Lively locations, free beer is available from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Yes, the beer is FREE.
About that bar
Regardless if it’s raining or not, you can still enjoy the Lively Honmachi’s creative drinks at the 14th-floor bar.
Photo: Global AgentsTry the Kaiyukan Wave—a citrusy gin concoction with a touch of seaweed. Yeah, that’s right, they put seaweed in a drink. What does it taste like? A strange cup of ocean spiked with gin, that’s what.
Gaze overtop Osaka’s highrises and live your best life as you sip on the artisan cocktails.
Hotel rooms fit for a king
A wide variety of rooms cater to both group and solo travelers, with even the smallest double room having plenty of space.
All rooms are decked out with a sofa, perfect for chilling after you’ve had enough of the free-flowing beer to put you to sleep.
Photo: Global AgentsExtra thick mattresses with a super soft gel foam top layer feel like sleeping on a cloud that whisks you off to dreamland.
The King’s suite is the size of a one-room apartment with amazing skyline views—more power to you if you can shell out the ¥20,000 a night. It definitely looks worth it!
