Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
I agree.
Most of the major Osaka hotels have limited scheduled shuttle service between Osaka station and the hotel, but these get full late in the evening when people finish their dining and entertainment in the downtown areas. I can't think of a good hotel that's right at a station for transportation from the airport in downtown Osaka, although IIRC the Kyoto situation is better in this dimension but the last train is earlier.
there is a decent hotel in the airport building. i finally found a contact number, and had fluent japanese speaker call and reserve for me.
we took a $20 cab ride to an micheline 2* in the area. good food, very expensive wine.