IHG Hotels & Resorts operates 19 hotel brands with more than 6,300 hotels in over 100 countries. In Japan, IHG Hotels & Resorts currently operates about 47 hotels under seven brands from Hokkaido to Okinawa (as of March 2024). For this interview, we asked Mr. Masaomi Minowa, General Manager of Holiday Inn Osaka Namba, about the attractions around the hotel.
Name: Holiday Inn Osaka Namba
Location: 5-15 Soemon-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
–How did you come to work at Holiday Inn Osaka Namba?
I have been working at a hotel in Chiba Prefecture for more than 20 years, but due to the increasing demand from foreign tourists visiting Japan, I was given the opportunity to work at Holiday Inn Osaka Namba and was assigned to this position in the spring of 2024. As an IHG Hotels & Resorts hotel, I have more opportunities to meet international guests, and I am inspired by my work every day.
–What kind of hotel is it?
The most attractive thing about Holiday Inn Osaka Namba is its excellent location. It is a 6-minute walk from Namba Station, which is connected to various train lines, and is located in the center of the “Dotonbori” area, which is crowded with tourists from all over the world, and the famous “Glico Sign” can be reached in 2 minutes on foot. In contrast to the vibrancy of the city with its neon signs twinkling throughout the night, the guest rooms are decorated in friendly vitamin colors, just like a Holiday Inn, to provide a relaxing and tranquil stay.
–What is the unique experience of Holiday Inn Osaka Namba?
A unique feature of our hotel is that you can enjoy the vibrancy of Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi all day long. Many restaurants in the Dotonbori area are open until late at night, but you can experience the charm of the deep city to the fullest without worrying about getting home.
–please let me know if you have any personal favorites tourist spots or restaurants in the vicinity of the hotel.
I have only been here a short time, so I am still in the process of learning, but I am making discoveries every day because the cooking methods and tastes of the same dish are different in Kansai than in Kanto, where I have been for a long time. For example, in the Kanto region, eel is steamed and then grilled, but in the Kansai region, the traditional way of cooking does not involve steaming, so the flavor of the ingredients can be felt more directly. The Dotonbori area has a concentration of restaurants of various genres, so it may be a good idea to look for such differences.
–What restaurant menu do you recommend?
On the morning of the day after you have had your fill of fun, refresh yourself with a leisurely breakfast at “BARKT” restaurant, which has a terrace area surrounded by greenery. The mornings in Dotonbori are very quiet and relaxing, a far cry from the evenings. We offer a wide range of lineup with a focus on mouth-watering mini hamburgers, while incorporating seasonal menu items.
–What souvenirs do you recommend?
While you can find a variety of souvenir shops in this area with just a short walk, I recommend the wagashi of the long-established “Fukujyudo Hidenobu,” which celebrated its 75th anniversary in business. Originally founded in Soemon-cho, a prestigious flower district, this famous store has continued to produce delicious wagashi as the Naniwa culture flourished.
© Source travel watch
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