Osaka & Kyoto – the last word Kansai showdown. On one facet, you’ve bought 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 vitality alive. On the opposite facet, there’s Kyoto: serene, elegant, and dripping in historical past, with temples, tea homes, and that magical previous Japan appeal.
However right here’s the million-yen query: the place do you have to keep? And which space particularly? What motels have we tried? We’ll reply all these on this article, so learn on.
This video shall be all about lodge and hostel areas, and should you’re searching for 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 motels. Redeem your P500 low cost voucher right here! ✅
Which is the higher base: Osaka or Kyoto? It’s truly fairly straightforward to reply, nevertheless it’s not clear reduce. The reality is, as in most if not all circumstances, which is healthier relies on your itinerary. If many of the points of interest 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 principle, so long as you’re close to a prepare station, you’re already successful. Osaka and Kyoto’s public transport sport is top-tier, and most points of interest 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, 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 case you’re searching for a vibrant and high-energy space to remain, Namba and Dotonbori must 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 commonly 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 totally different railway firms.
- 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, if 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 situated right here. It’s a hub, the place you’ll discover buses going to and coming from different prefectures. I normally 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 onerous to categorize this lodge when it comes to value 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 keep in mind it being nice, which is nice as a result of I might have remembered if we encountered one thing dangerous. However what stands out to me essentially the most is its location. While you’re staying right here, you’re shut to coach stations and OCAT, and Dotonbori is simply across the block. There are additionally a number of 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 simply’ll discover Osaka Station and Umeda Station, two of Osaka’s busiest and most linked prepare hubs, which is why it’s typically considered the town’s beating coronary heart, at the very least so far as tourism is worried.
In case you’re staying near Osaka Station or Umeda Station, many of the points of interest inside the metropolis will simply be a simple prepare experience away. Even should you plan on visiting Kyoto, Kobe and Nara, it’s additionally best as there are direct trains from both of those stations. And should you’re on a multi-city journey in Japan and your subsequent cease is Tokyo, you’ll additionally discover buses sure 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 increased than in most different components of the town. In reality, we’ve by no means actually stayed inside its borders. However we’ve 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 motels. At its core, it’s a capsule lodge however is completed in a extra subtle vogue. The interiors are fashionable, modern, 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.
Resort Hanshin Osaka
We’ve additionally stayed at Resort Hanshin Osaka, which can also be exterior the bounds of Umeda, however nonetheless shut sufficient. That is for these with an even bigger price range 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 satisfaction in having pure scorching spring in every room, making certain that you’ve a soothing time throughout your keep. In addition they have spa amenities if you wish to stage up your unwinding. The most effective half, some rooms have an superior view of the 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 prepare transfers UNLESS after I’m carrying heavy baggage. This is the reason I favor staying at a lodge 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.
Similar to Osaka Station, SHIN-Osaka Station serves numerous prepare traces, too, with one large distinction. On high of the common trains, SHIN-Osaka can also be a Shinkansen Station, one thing that the opposite is just not. So should you plan on visiting different prefectures or cities on a day journey by bullet prepare OR should you intend to take the shinkansen to your subsequent cease, the realm surrounding the Shin-Osaka Station is good.
APA Resort Shin-Osaka Ekimae
On our final Osaka journey, we stayed on this space, particularly at APA Resort 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 night time, good for two visitors.
APA Resort is likely one of the hottest price range lodge chains in Japan, and when staying at any of their branches you possibly can count on just about the identical. Small, cozy rooms, however squeaky clear and cleverly designed.
The ambiance right here could be very totally 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 an extended, very long time since and no matter we’ve to say may not be related at present. 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 Inns!
However there’s yet one more factor I need to focus on.
Kyoto Station Space
We get a number of messages from our viewers and readers asking for recommendation about the place to remain in Osaka, and normally, the very first thing I ask is, “What’s your itinerary?” And lots of instances, I discover that many of the points of interest 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 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 an alternative. Specifically, 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 may as well 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 Resort Kyoto Ekikita
We’ve tried staying at APA Resort 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 Resort expertise. On offpeak days, a room can go as little as JPY 8400 (PHP 3000, USD 53), good for two visitors.
Resort New Hankyu Kyoto
One other lodge we tried is Resort New Hankyu Kyoto, which is located proper in entrance of Kyoto Station. The room right here is nearly twice the dimensions of APA Resort however at the next price, in fact. You probably have an even bigger price range and also you desire a larger room, take into account Resort 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 case you’d reasonably keep at a hostel, take into account Ok’s Home Kyoto. It’s been years since we final stayed right here, however taking a look at evaluations, 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 be aware that personal rooms haven’t any ensuite lavatory. 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
Resort MUSUBI KYOTO Karasuma Nanajo
One other place that we’ve tried in Kyoto is Resort MUSUBI KYOTO Karasuma Nanajo. I do know it’s a mouthful. It’s not likely a lodge, however extra like an condo complicated. I wasn’t positive if we should always embrace it right here as a result of after we stayed right here, it operated underneath 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 awesome 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 after 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. Keep in mind, plan sensible, journey secure, and make each journey WORTH IT!
