Imperial Hotel Ōsaka

Cherry blossoms line the Okawa River outside, and Osaka Castle Park is a short walk away, which goes some way toward explaining why this Forbes Four Star hotel feels like a deliberate escape from the city rather than a base inside it. The Imperial name carries weight in Japan, shorthand for a certain caliber of formal, attentive service. A complimentary shuttle connects it to Osaka Station, so the quieter setting comes without much sacrifice.