Ichigo Jisho Acquires Two “the b” Hotels in Osaka’s Minami District

Ichigo Jisho acquired the hotels “the b Namba Kuromon” and “the b Osaka Shinsekai” in Osaka’s Minami district in November 2025. Both properties are located in highly accessible areas that serve as convenient bases for both leisure and business travelers. The sale process was advised by JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group.

“the b Namba Kuromon,” completed in 2018, features 173 guestrooms and is located a two-minute walk from Nipponbashi Station on the Osaka Metro and Kintetsu lines.

“the b Osaka Shinsekai,” completed in 2021, offers 222 guestrooms and is situated a four-minute walk from Dobutsuen-mae Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji and Sakaisuji lines.

Ichigo Jisho has been involved in operating several hotel brands, including “THE KNOT,” and the company expects these assets to capture stable lodging demand in Osaka’s major tourist hubs as the recovery in urban hotel demand continues.

According to Hisao Kaminishi, Senior Vice President at JLL, the sale attracted more bidders than anticipated. With the Osaka-Kansai Expo in 2025 and the opening of the integrated resort (IR) planned for 2030, investor appetite for Osaka’s hotel market is clearly strengthening.

Key Facts

• Property Name: the b Namba Kuromon

  • Buyer: Ichigo Jisho Inc.

  • Seller: Not disclosed

  • Transaction Price: Not disclosed

  • Address: 1-20-6 Nipponbashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

  • Nearest Station: Nipponbashi Station (Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line, Sennichimae Line; Kintetsu), approx. 2-minute walk

  • Completion: 2018

  • Total Guestrooms: 173

• Property Name: the b Osaka Shinsekai

  • Buyer: Ichigo Jisho Inc.

  • Seller: Not disclosed

  • Transaction Price: Not disclosed

  • Address: 2-1-24 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

  • Nearest Station: Dobutsuen-mae Station (Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, Sakaisuji Line), approx. 4-minute walk

  • Completion: 2021

  • Total Guestrooms: 222