Cosmos Hotel Management has announced a significant expansion of its popular apartment-style hotel brand, MIMARU, with two new properties slated to open in Osaka’s prime Shinsaibashi and Namba areas in the fall of 2026. The move, announced on March 24, 2026, will add 134 rooms to the city’s accommodation landscape, directly addressing the soaring demand from international families and groups seeking more spacious and flexible lodging options.
Behind the Expansion: Osaka’s Rising Global Profile
Osaka’s role as a top-tier international tourist destination is undeniable, and several key factors are driving this strategic expansion. Japan’s tourism industry has experienced a V-shaped recovery, with international visitor numbers consistently breaking pre-pandemic records in recent months. Osaka, in particular, has been a major beneficiary of this resurgence.
The city’s profile has been further elevated by the upcoming Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. This global event is drawing unprecedented international attention and investment, solidifying Osaka’s position not just as a standalone destination but as a crucial hub for exploring the wider Kansai region, including Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. Kansai International Airport (KIX) continues to be a primary gateway for tourists entering western Japan, making centrally located accommodations in Osaka more valuable than ever.
This influx of visitors has also highlighted a shift in travel preferences. Post-pandemic travelers, especially families and groups, increasingly seek accommodations that offer more than just a place to sleep. The demand for apartment-style hotels with kitchens, living spaces, and multiple bedrooms—allowing for longer, more comfortable, and cost-effective stays—is at an all-time high.
What the New MIMARU Hotels Will Offer
MIMARU has carved a niche in the market by catering specifically to this need. The new hotels in Shinsaibashi and Namba, two of Osaka’s most vibrant and well-connected districts, will continue this successful formula.
The 134 new rooms will be designed to accommodate four or more guests, featuring fully equipped kitchens and spacious dining/living areas. This setup allows guests the freedom to prepare their own meals, relax together as a group, and experience the city more like a local resident than a temporary visitor. This model is especially appealing for travelers with children or those planning extended stays to deeply explore the region.
Future Impact: A More Family-Friendly Osaka
The addition of these two MIMARU hotels is poised to have a tangible impact on Osaka’s tourism ecosystem.
For travelers, it means a greater variety of high-quality, group-friendly accommodation choices in the heart of the city. This enhancement in lodging infrastructure makes Osaka an even more attractive and accessible destination for the lucrative family travel segment, which often has very specific accommodation needs that traditional hotels struggle to meet.
For Osaka’s tourism industry, this investment signals strong confidence in the city’s long-term appeal beyond Expo 2025. By building up a diverse range of accommodation options, Osaka is strengthening its foundation for sustainable tourism growth. This move by Cosmos Hotel Management will likely spur further competition and innovation in the hospitality sector, ultimately benefiting consumers and solidifying Osaka’s reputation as a world-class, welcoming city for all types of travelers.
