Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is one of Osaka’s most popular attractions.
This world-class Japanese theme park is renowned for immersive rides like Jurassic Park – The Ride and Yoshi’s Adventure.
Staying at a Universal Studios Japan Alliance or Associate Hotel is ideal for getting the most out of your stay and exploring the rest of Osaka.
In this article, I share the five best Universal Studios Japan Alliance and Associate hotels.
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5 Best Universal Studios Japan Alliance and Associate Hotels
Staying at a Universal Studios Japan Alliance or Associate hotel offers some perks but not the branded experience you get from the official USJ hotels in Universal City.
However, there are significant advantages to opting for Alliance and Associate hotels because they are more centrally located and offer opportunities to explore more of Osaka during your stay.
At a minimum, you can purchase 1 Day Studio Passes at these hotels, but many offer complimentary transfers to USJ, taking a lot of hassle out of your visit. Here are my top picks:
1. OMO7 Osaka by Hoshino Resorts
| Location | 556-0003 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, 3-16-30 Ebisu-nishi, Naniwa-ku, Japan |
| Star rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Property type | Hotel |
| Book hotel | booking.com |
| Type of Universal Studios hotel | Alliance hotel |
| Are children welcome? | Yes |
| Distance from Universal Studios Japan | 10.3 kilometers (21-minute car journey) |
| Direct shuttle bus? | Yes |
| Universal Studios Japan passes for sale? | Yes |
| Nearest airport | Itami Airport (10 miles) |
The OMO7 Osaka by Hoshino Resorts is located in central Osaka, just meters from Tsutenkaku. It is one of the city’s finest hotels and a Universal Resorts Japan Alliance hotel that offers a complimentary shuttle bus to USJ.
This upmarket hotel provides spacious accommodation with a garden, shared lounge, and elegant terrace that guests can enjoy.
All rooms in the hotel are ensuite with air conditioning, complimentary toiletries, and great views of the city. Select rooms have a kitchenette, meaning you can enjoy a self-catering stay.
More photos on booking.com
There are multilingual staff at the 24-hour front desk, and the hotel serves a daily buffet breakfast.
Once you’ve visited USJ, the location of OMO7 Osaka by Hoshino Resorts is perfect for heading to the Osaka Museum of Natural History or Tennoji Zoo.
2. Hotel Nikko Osaka
| Location | 542-0086 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Chuo-ku Nishishinsaibashi 1-3-3, Japan – |
| Star rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Property type | Hotel |
| Book hotel | booking.com |
| Type of Universal Studios hotel | Alliance hotel |
| Are children welcome? | Yes |
| Distance from Universal Studios Japan | 10.3 kilometers (21-minute car journey) |
| Direct shuttle bus? | No |
| Universal Studios Japan passes for sale? | Yes |
| Nearest airport | Itami airport (9 miles) |
Hotel Nikko Osaka is a Universal Studio Alliance hotel that is connected to Shinsaibashi Subway Station in central Osaka.
It is 15 minutes away from USJ by car. Though it does not offer a direct shuttle bus to USJ, you can buy a 1 Day Studio Pass for the theme park at the hotel reception. Interestingly the hotel does provide a limousine shuttle bus to Kansai International Airport.
Its great location means that there is so much to do just meters from the hotel entrance. You’ve got the downtown Dotonbori area, Daimaru Department Store, and the beautiful tree-lined Midosuji Avenue to enjoy.
Back at the hotel, the air-conditioned and spacious rooms are luxurious. Each room has a flat-screen TV, sofa, kettle, and fridge. There is Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.
More photos on booking.com
Each spacious air-conditioned room has an LCD TV, a fridge, and a sofa. Free WiFi is available throughout the entire property.
Hotel Nikko Osaka serves a delicious breakfast buffet daily in its Serena restaurant, or enjoys traditional Japanese cuisine at the Benkay restaurant.
3. Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower
| Location | 552-0007 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Mnato-ku Benten 1-2-1, Japan |
| Star rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Property type | Hotel |
| Book hotel | booking.com |
| Type of Universal Studios hotel | Associate hotel |
| Are children welcome? | Yes |
| Distance from Universal Studios Japan | 5.4 kilometers (14-minute car journey) |
| Direct shuttle bus? | Yes |
| Universal Studios Japan passes for sale? | Yes |
| Nearest airport | Itami airport (8 miles) |
The Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower is a Universal Studios Japan Associate hotel. It offers 1 Day Studio Passes for sale and a direct shuttle to the park.
It is also about 15 minutes away, taking the train from Bentencho Station to Universal-City Station.
This comfortable hotel has excellent amenities, including free hotel-wide Wi-Fi, guest laundry, and a generous discount on access to the hot spring baths of the Solaniwa Onsen that shares the building.
More photos on booking.com
All rooms at the hotel are ensuite with a bathtub, electric kettle, and large LCD TV. The views of the city from Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower are impressive as it is one of Osaka’s tallest buildings with 51 floors.
The Art Hotel Osaka Bay Tower also has excellent dining options with multiple on-site restaurants.
SARAS Cafe serves a Western-style buffet breakfast, and you can also eat from the hotel’s teppanyaki grill, or relax in the hotel’s bar and lounge.
4. Quintessa Hotel Osaka Bay
| Location | 559-0034 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Suminoe-ku Nankokita 1-13-65, Japan |
| Star rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Property type | Hotel |
| Book hotel | booking.com |
| Type of Universal Studios hotel | Associate hotel |
| Are children welcome? | Yes |
| Distance from Universal Studios Japan | 10 kilometers (17-minute car journey) |
| Direct shuttle bus? | Yes |
| Universal Studios Japan passes for sale? | Yes |
| Nearest airport | Itami airport (10 miles) |
The Quintessa Hotel Osaka Bay is an excellent choice for Osaka tourists who want a day out at some of the city’s best attractions.
It offers complimentary bus shuttles to Universal Studios Japan, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, and JR Osaka Station, so you can really get around the city.
The hotel is modern and fresh, with clean ensuite rooms with free toiletries. The hotel has complimentary Wi-Fi, and guests can store their luggage for free.
It features rooms furnished with a modern interior, a restaurant, and free WiFi. Private parking is available on-site.
More photos on booking.com
The hotel operates a free shuttle service to/from Universal Studios Japan®, Osaka Station, and Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.
Meals are served throughout the day at the Quintessa Hotel’s buffer restaurant, and you can enjoy refreshing beverages at the on-site bar.
5. Hotel Seagull Tenpozan Osaka
| Location | 6 Chome-2-78 Shimaya, Konohana Ward, Osaka, 554-0024, Japan |
| Star rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Property type | Hotel |
| Book hotel | booking.com |
| Type of Universal Studios hotel | Associate hotel |
| Are children welcome? | Yes |
| Distance from Universal Studios Japan | 6 kilometers (12-minute car journey) |
| Direct shuttle bus? | No |
| Universal Studios Japan passes for sale? | Yes |
| Nearest airport | Itami Airport (8 miles) |
This popular Osaka hotel is moments from the Osaka Aquarium in the heart of the Tenpozan district. It is a Universal Studios Japan Associate hotel.
It has 1 Day Studio Passes available for purchase but does not provide transfers to the park.
However, you can enjoy a 15-minute ferry ride from Tempozan to the Universal City Port that quickly gets you to and from the park.
One of the great features of this hotel is its impressive bay views that can be enjoyed by almost all of the rooms at the hotel.
More photos on booking.com
It is competitively priced and great for a family stay, but its accommodation is more basic than other USJ Associate hotels.
The Hotel Seagull Tenpozan Osaka has an on-site restaurant that serves breakfast and other meals for an additional cost.
In Conclusion
Universal Studios Japan Alliance and Associate hotels are great for a stress-free visit to USJ and the amazing sights of Osaka.
Ideally, opt for a hotel with a USJ bus transfer, but all the hotels are within a reasonable distance of USJ by taxi or public transport.
