Osaka & Kyoto – the final word Kansai showdown. On one facet, you’ve acquired Osaka: the fashionable and oh-so-vibrant kitchen of Japan. It’s a metropolis the place neon indicators and the aroma of takoyaki preserve 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 attraction.
However right here’s the million-yen query: the place must you keep? And which space particularly? What motels have we tried? We’ll reply all these on this article, so learn on.
This video will probably be all about resort and hostel areas, and when you’re searching for a spot to remain in Osaka, strive KLOOK and use our promo code THEPOORTRAVELERKLOOK to attain as much as P300 OFF or TPTKLOOK5 to seize P500 OFF on motels. 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 lower. The reality is, as in most if not all instances, 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 sophisticated? Keep in Kyoto.
However after getting picked a metropolis, the higher query is: WHERE IN KYOTO? Or WHERE IN OSAKA?
In concept, so long as you’re close to a prepare station, you’re already profitable. Osaka and Kyoto’s public transport recreation is top-tier, and most sights are conveniently close to a station or bus cease. However—and this can be a large 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, the perfect 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 possibly 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.
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
Namba & Dotonbori
Location: Chuo Ward
For those who’re searching for a vibrant and high-energy space to remain, Quantity and Dotonborg ought 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 prepare stations, a few of which have the identify Namba, that are operated by completely different railway corporations.
- Quantity Stationwhich is a part of the Nankai Railway and Osaka Subway community.
- JR Namba Stationwhich is operated by JR West.
- Saka Nigamba Stationwhich serves Kintetsu and Hanshin trains.
Though on the map, they stand simply subsequent to one another, once 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 (vinegar) 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.
Purple Roof Inn & Suites Namba
Right here in Namba Space, we tried staying at Purple Roof Inn & Suites Namba. It’s exhausting to categorize this resort when it comes to worth level. Its inexpensive on offpeak weekdays however manner too costly on different days. Its most cost-effective 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 nice as a result of I might have remembered if we encountered one thing unhealthy. However what stands out to me essentially the most is its location. Once you’re staying right here, you’re shut to coach stations and OCAT, and Dotonbori is simply across the block. There are additionally quite a lot of eating spots. However there are different cheaper properties across the space.
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Umeda & Osaka Station Space
Location: We 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 simply’ll discover Osaka Station and Umeda Stationtwo of Osaka’s busiest and most linked prepare hubs, which is why it’s usually thought to be the town’s beating coronary heart, at the very least so far as tourism is anxious.
For those who’re staying near Osaka Station or Umeda Station, a lot of the sights throughout the metropolis will simply be a straightforward prepare journey away. Even when you plan on visiting Kyoto, Kobe and Nara, it’s additionally excellent 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 greater than in most different components of the town. In actual fact, we’ve got by no means actually stayed inside its borders. However we’ve got lined First Cabin Hanshin Nishiumedawhich 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 motels. At its core, it’s a capsule resort however is completed in a extra subtle vogue. The interiors are fashionable, smooth, and impeccably neat. It’s designed in a manner 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. It’s also possible to keep for just a few hours if that’s all you want.
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Lodge Hanshin Osaka
We’ve additionally stayed at Lodge Hanshin Osakawhich can also be exterior the bounds of Umeda, however nonetheless shut sufficient. That is for these with an even bigger finances and need a correct relaxation and rest within the resort room. A room for two visitors can go as little as JPY 11,700 (USD 75, PHP 4300).
It takes delight in having pure scorching spring in every room, making certain that you’ve a calming time throughout your keep. In addition they have spa services if you wish to stage up your unwinding. The very best half, some rooms have an superior view of the town, with the Umeda Sky Constructing taking middle stage.
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Shin-Osaka Station Space
I’m the kind of traveler who doesn’t thoughts making a number of prepare transfers UNLESS once I’m carrying heavy baggage. For this reason I favor staying at a resort that’s near a prepare 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 varied prepare strains, too, with one large 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 prepare OR when you intend to take the shinkansen to your subsequent cease, the world 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 resort is basically near the station, only a small block away.
A room right here can value as little as JPY 9400 (USD 60, PHP 3470) per evening, good for two visitors.
APA Lodge is likely one of the hottest finances resort 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 may 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.
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Different Areas in Osaka
We’ve additionally tried staying at different districts in Osaka, like Tennoji and Nishinari Ward. Nevertheless it’s been a protracted, very long time since and no matter we’ve got to say may not be related in the present day. However our motels then have been all near a prepare or subway station and we didn’t run intro any downside.
Seek for extra Osaka Lodges!
However there’s another factor I need to focus on.
Kyoto Station Space
We get quite a lot of 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 plenty of occasions, 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 contemplate too:
To be clear, Kyoto Station is NOT in Osaka, however in Kyoto, a very separate metropolis and separate prefecture. But when most websites that you simply need to see are in Kyoto, then why not keep in Kyoto as a substitute. Particularly, the world surrounding Kyoto Station is a handy selection.
Kyoto Station, very similar to Osaka Station, is a brilliant well-connected hub, linking Kyoto to different cities and prefectures. And you may also 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.
What’s the Kyoto Ekikita Lodge
We’ve tried staying at What’s the Kyoto Ekikita Lodgewhich 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.
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Lodge New Hankyu Kyoto
One other resort we tried is Lodge New Hankyu Kyotowhich is located proper in entrance of Kyoto Station. The room right here is sort of twice the scale of APA Lodge however at a better fee, in fact. When you’ve got an even bigger finances and also you need a larger room, think about Lodge New Hankyu.
The value 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.
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Okay’s Home Kyoto Hostel
For those who’d reasonably keep at a hostel, think about Okay’s Home Kyoto. It’s been years since we final stayed right here, however taking a look at critiques, it looks as if it’s nonetheless an honest place to remain. It’s 10 minutes away on foot from Kyoto Station. It’s finest for backpackers, particularly these touring solo!
They provide dorm beds and personal rooms. However be aware that non-public rooms don’t have any ensuite rest room. It’s shared with the remainder of the visitors. Listed below are the charges, as of this writing:
- Dorm mattress
JPY 2350 (PHP 863, USD 15)
per individual - Personal room (good for two pax)
JPY 6485 (PHP 2380, USD 40)
Or JPY 3243 (PHP 1190, USD 20) per individual
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Lodge MUSUBI KYOTO Karasuma Nanajo
One other place that we’ve got tried in Kyoto is Lodge MUSUBI KYOTO Karasuma Nanajo. I do know it’s a mouthful. It’s not likely a resort, however extra like an condo complicated. I wasn’t certain if we must always embrace it right here as a result of once we stayed right here, it operated below 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 excellent 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.
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Seek for extra Kyoto Lodges!
That’s all for now. Bear in mind, plan sensible, journey protected, and make each journey WORTH IT!
