Osaka & Kyoto – the last word Kansai showdown. On one facet, you’ve received Osaka: the trendy and oh-so-vibrant kitchen of Japan. It’s a metropolis the place neon indicators and the aroma of takoyaki maintain the power alive. On the opposite facet, there’s Kyoto: serene, elegant, and dripping in historical past, with temples, tea homes, and that magical previous Japan allure.
However right here’s the million-yen query: the place must you keep? And which space specifically? What resorts have we tried? We’ll reply all these on this article, so learn on.
This video will likely be all about lodge and hostel areas, and when you’re in search of a spot to remain in Osaka, attempt KLOOK and use our promo code THEPOORTRAVELERKLOOK to attain as much as P300 OFF or TPTKLOOK5 to seize P500 OFF on resorts. Redeem your P500 low cost voucher right here! ✅
Which is the higher base: Osaka or Kyoto? It’s really fairly straightforward to reply, but it surely’s not clear reduce. The reality is, as in most if not all circumstances, which is best relies on your itinerary. If a lot of the sights you’re visiting is in Osaka, then keep in Osaka. In case your itinerary is dominated by Kyoto websites, why make it difficult? Keep in Kyoto.
However after getting picked a metropolis, the higher query is: WHERE IN KYOTO? Or WHERE IN OSAKA?
In idea, so long as you’re close to a practice station, you’re already successful. Osaka and Kyoto’s public transport recreation is top-tier, and most sights are conveniently close to a station or bus cease. However—and it is a huge however—not all areas are created equal. Some spots are simply far more sensible or thrilling relying in your plans.
And as soon as once more, one of the best district relies on your itinerary. Are you right here to soak in all of the Osaka goodness and nothing else? There’s an space for that. Planning day journeys to locations like Kobe or Nara? Yep, there’s a spot for that. Or perhaps you’re all about that shinkansen life, going to farther locations however staying in Osaka as your base. Guess what? There’s an ideal space for that too.
So what are these areas? Let’s begin with Osaka.
Namba & Dotonbori
Location: Chuo Ward
In the event you’re in search of a vibrant and high-energy space to remain, Namba and Dotonbori needs to be in your listing. That is Osaka’s frenetic leisure and procuring district, bursting on the seams with locals and vacationers alike.
Dotonbori is a vacation spot by itself and is usually included in any Osaka first-timer’s itinerary. It primarily refers to this road, flanked with eating places, meals stalls, and retailers, operating parallel the canal of the identical identify. The well-known Shinsaibashi arcade can also be simply across the nook.
Namba can also be a transportation hub. Its map is peppered with practice stations, a few of which have the identify Namba, that are operated by completely different railway corporations.
- Namba Station, which is a part of the Nankai Railway and Osaka Subway community.
- JR Namba Station, which is operated by JR West.
- Osaka Namba Station, which serves Kintetsu and Hanshin trains.
Though on the map, they stand simply subsequent to one another, while you’re on the bottom, they are often fairly complicated particularly for vacationers. And they’re 5 to 10 minutes aside on foot.
The Osaka Metropolis Air Terminal (OCAT) can also be positioned right here. It’s a hub, the place you’ll discover buses going to and coming from different prefectures. I often catch a bus right here when going to Hiroshima or Tottori.
Pink Roof Inn & Suites Namba
Right here in Namba Space, we tried staying at Pink Roof Inn & Suites Namba. It’s arduous to categorize this lodge by way of value level. Its reasonably priced on offpeak weekdays however approach too costly on different days. Its least expensive room, good for two visitors, can go as little as JPY 9000 (PHP3300, USD 60) offpeak, however on peak season weekends, it does go over and JPY 29,000 (PHP 10,600; USD 183.75).
It’s been years since we final stayed right here. I bear in mind it being nice, which is sweet as a result of I’d have remembered if we encountered one thing dangerous. However what stands out to me essentially the most is its location. Whenever you’re staying right here, you’re shut to coach stations and OCAT, and Dotonbori is simply across the block. There are additionally numerous eating spots. However there are different cheaper properties across the space.
Umeda & Osaka Station Space
Location: Kita Ward
Kita Ward (or North Ward) is Osaka’s bustling enterprise district with the eye-catching Umeda Sky Constructing and the Hep-5 Ferris Wheel dominating its skyline. However most significantly, it’s right here that you just’ll discover Osaka Station and Umeda Station, two of Osaka’s busiest and most linked practice hubs, which is why it’s usually considered town’s beating coronary heart, not less than so far as tourism is worried.
In the event you’re staying near Osaka Station or Umeda Station, a lot of the sights throughout the metropolis will simply be a simple practice experience away. Even when you plan on visiting Kyoto, Kobe and Nara, it’s additionally preferrred as there are direct trains from both of those stations. And when you’re on a multi-city journey in Japan and your subsequent cease is Tokyo, you’ll additionally discover buses certain for the capital right here.
We’ve tried taking a Willer Bus when going to Tokyo. Its terminal is excellent on the base of the Umeda Sky Constructing.
First Cabin Hanshin Nishiumeda
Due to its central location, properties right here within the Umeda space are at all times in demand and the prices are larger than in most different elements of town. The truth is, now we have by no means actually stayed inside its borders. However now we have lined First Cabin Hanshin Nishiumeda, which is technically simply exterior, however you gained’t actually really feel it. It’s only a 12 minute stroll from Osaka Station, and a tad longer to Umeda Station. However the closest is Fukushima Station.
First Cabin is a well-liked chain of capsule resorts. At its core, it’s a capsule lodge however is finished in a extra refined style. The interiors are trendy, modern, and impeccably neat. It’s designed in a approach that mimics a luxurious plane, with business-class and first-class capsules. An in a single day keep can go as little as ¥4300 (USD 27, PHP 1585) per individual in lean season. You can even keep for just a few hours if that’s all you want.
Lodge Hanshin Osaka
We’ve additionally stayed at Lodge Hanshin Osaka, which can also be exterior the bounds of Umeda, however nonetheless shut sufficient. That is for these with a much bigger finances and desire a correct relaxation and leisure within the lodge room. A room for two visitors can go as little as JPY 11,700 (USD 75, PHP 4300).
It takes pleasure in having pure scorching spring in every room, making certain that you’ve a soothing time throughout your keep. Additionally they have spa amenities if you wish to degree up your unwinding. One of the best half, some rooms have an superior view of town, with the Umeda Sky Constructing taking middle stage.
Shin-Osaka Station Space
I’m the kind of traveler who doesn’t thoughts making a number of practice transfers UNLESS once I’m carrying heavy baggage. That is why I choose staying at a lodge that’s near a practice station that has a direct line to my subsequent or earlier cease.
Which brings us to Shin-Osaka Station, to not be confused with the beforehand talked about Osaka Station. SHIN means new in Japanese, and this station was constructed a lot later.
Identical to Osaka Station, SHIN-Osaka Station serves numerous practice traces, too, with one huge distinction. On prime of the common trains, SHIN-Osaka can also be a Shinkansen Station, one thing that the opposite just isn’t. So when you plan on visiting different prefectures or cities on a day journey by bullet practice OR when you intend to take the shinkansen to your subsequent cease, the realm surrounding the Shin-Osaka Station is good.
APA Lodge Shin-Osaka Ekimae
On our final Osaka journey, we stayed on this space, particularly at APA Lodge Shin-Osaka Ekimae. Eki means station in Japanese, and mae means in entrance of. And this lodge is actually near the station, only a small block away.
A room right here can price as little as JPY 9400 (USD 60, PHP 3470) per evening, good for two visitors.
APA Lodge is likely one of the hottest finances lodge chains in Japan, and when staying at any of their branches you may count on just about the identical. Small, cozy rooms, however squeaky clear and cleverly designed.
The ambiance right here could be very completely different. In contrast to Namba and Umeda areas, it’s quiet right here, however you’ll discover a number of comfort shops and quick meals eating places across the block.
Different Areas in Osaka
We’ve additionally tried staying at different districts in Osaka, like Tennoji and Nishinari Ward. But it surely’s been a protracted, very long time since and no matter now we have to say won’t be related at present. However our resorts then have been all near a practice or subway station and we didn’t run intro any downside.
Seek for extra Osaka Inns!
However there’s another factor I wish to talk about.
Kyoto Station Space
We get numerous messages from our viewers and readers asking for recommendation about the place to remain in Osaka, and often, the very first thing I ask is, “What’s your itinerary?” And lots of instances, I discover that a lot of the sights on their itinerary weren’t in Osaka however in Kyoto. So right here’s one thing to think about too:
To be clear, Kyoto Station is NOT in Osaka, however in Kyoto, a totally separate metropolis and separate prefecture. But when most websites that you just wish to see are in Kyoto, then why not keep in Kyoto as a substitute. Particularly, the realm surrounding Kyoto Station is a handy alternative.
Kyoto Station, very like Osaka Station, is a brilliant well-connected hub, linking Kyoto to different cities and prefectures. And you too can catch each metropolis buses and inter-city buses right here. To not point out the sheer variety of procuring and eating institutions across the space.
APA Lodge Kyoto Ekikita
We’ve tried staying at APA Lodge Kyoto Ekikita, which is only a five-minute stroll away from Kyoto Station. It’s compact and budget-friendly and we had a typical APA Lodge expertise. On offpeak days, a room can go as little as JPY 8400 (PHP 3000, USD 53), good for two visitors.
Lodge New Hankyu Kyoto
One other lodge we tried is Lodge New Hankyu Kyoto, which is located proper in entrance of Kyoto Station. The room right here is nearly twice the dimensions of APA Lodge however at a better fee, after all. If in case you have a much bigger finances and also you desire a larger room, take into account Lodge New Hankyu.
The worth of a room for 2 right here ranges from JPY 9750 (PHP 3595, USD 62) in offpeak weekday to JPY 36,000 (PHP 13,270, USD 229) in peak season weekend.
Ok’s Home Kyoto Hostel
In the event you’d moderately keep at a hostel, take into account Ok’s Home Kyoto. It’s been years since we final stayed right here, however critiques, it looks as if it’s nonetheless a good place to remain. It’s 10 minutes away on foot from Kyoto Station. It’s greatest for backpackers, particularly these touring solo!
They provide dorm beds and personal rooms. However observe that personal rooms haven’t any ensuite rest room. It’s shared with the remainder of the visitors. Listed here are the charges, as of this writing:
- Dorm mattress
JPY 2350 (PHP 863, USD 15)
per individual - Non-public room (good for two pax)
JPY 6485 (PHP 2380, USD 40)
Or JPY 3243 (PHP 1190, USD 20) per individual
Lodge MUSUBI KYOTO Karasuma Nanajo
One other place that now we have tried in Kyoto is Lodge MUSUBI KYOTO Karasuma Nanajo. I do know it’s a mouthful. It’s not likely a lodge, however extra like an condominium complicated. I wasn’t certain if we should always embrace it right here as a result of once we stayed right here, it operated beneath its earlier identify. However now, it has been renovated and renamed.
However I’d be remiss if I don’t point out it as a result of we actually had an ideal keep right here, and that was BEFORE the renovation. The one draw back is, it’s not likely that near Kyoto Station, 12-15 minute-walk away. Gojo Station is nearer, though once we stayed right here, we nonetheless used Kyoto Station more often than not as we actually take pleasure in strolling across the metropolis.
Seek for extra Kyoto Inns!
That’s all for now. Bear in mind, plan good, journey secure, and make each journey WORTH IT!
