Osaka & Kyoto – the last 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 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facet, there’s Kyoto: serene, elegant, and dripping in historical past, with temples, tea homes, and that magical outdated Japan allure.
However right here’s the million-yen query: the place do you have to keep? And which space particularly? What lodges have we tried? We’ll reply all these on this article, so learn on.
This video might be all about resort and hostel areas, and for those who’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 lodges. Redeem your P500 low cost voucher right here! ✅
Which is the higher base: Osaka or Kyoto? It’s truly fairly straightforward to reply, but it surely’s not clear minimize. The reality is, as in most if not all instances, which is healthier depends upon 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 upon 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 profitable. Osaka and Kyoto’s public transport sport 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 depends upon 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 buying 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 title. 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 title Namba, that are operated by completely 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, whenever 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 normally 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 onerous to categorize this resort when it comes to value level. Its inexpensive on offpeak weekdays however means too costly on different days. Its most cost-effective room, good for two company, 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 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 just’ll discover Osaka Station and Umeda Station, two of Osaka’s busiest and most related practice hubs, which is why it’s typically considered town’s beating coronary heart, at the least so far as tourism is worried.
In case you’re staying near Osaka Station or Umeda Station, a lot of the sights throughout the metropolis will simply be a straightforward practice experience away. Even for those who plan on visiting Kyoto, Kobe and Nara, it’s additionally ideally suited as there are direct trains from both of those stations. And for those who’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 all the time in demand and the prices are larger than in most different elements of town. The truth is, we’ve got by no means actually stayed inside its borders. However we’ve got 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 lodges. At its core, it’s a capsule resort however is completed in a extra subtle trend. The interiors are fashionable, modern, and impeccably neat. It’s designed in a means 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 may also 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 price range and desire a correct relaxation and rest within the resort room. A room for two company can go as little as JPY 11,700 (USD 75, PHP 4300).
It takes delight in having pure scorching spring in every room, guaranteeing that you’ve got a soothing time throughout your keep. Additionally they have spa services if you wish to stage up your unwinding. One of the best half, some rooms have an superior view of town, with the Umeda Sky Constructing taking heart stage.
Shin-Osaka Station Space
I’m the kind of traveler who doesn’t thoughts making a number of practice transfers UNLESS after I’m carrying heavy baggage. That is why I favor staying at a resort 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 varied practice strains, 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 for those who plan on visiting different prefectures or cities on a day journey by bullet practice OR for those who 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 de facto 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 company.
APA Lodge is among the hottest price range resort chains in Japan, and when staying at any of their branches you may anticipate just about the identical. Small, cozy rooms, however squeaky clear and cleverly designed.
The environment 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.
Different Areas in Osaka
We now have additionally tried staying at different districts in Osaka, like Tennoji and Nishinari Ward. However it’s been an extended, very long time since and no matter we’ve got to say won’t be related immediately. However our lodges then have been all near a practice or subway station and we didn’t run intro any downside.
Seek for extra Osaka Accommodations!
However there’s another factor I wish 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 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 just wish 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 like Osaka Station, is a brilliant well-connected hub, linking Kyoto to different cities and prefectures. And you can too catch each metropolis buses and inter-city buses right here. To not point out the sheer variety of buying and eating institutions across the space.
APA Lodge Kyoto Ekikita
We now have 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 company.
Lodge New Hankyu Kyoto
One other resort 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 the next price, in fact. When you have a much bigger price range and also you desire a greater room, contemplate 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.
Okay’s Home Kyoto Hostel
In case you’d relatively keep at a hostel, contemplate 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 greatest for backpackers, particularly these touring solo!
They provide dorm beds and personal rooms. However observe that non-public rooms haven’t any ensuite toilet. It’s shared with the remainder of the company. 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
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 probably not a resort, however extra like an house complicated. I wasn’t certain if we must always embrace it right here as a result of after we stayed right here, it operated underneath its earlier title. 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 probably not 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 Accommodations!
That’s all for now. Keep in mind, plan sensible, journey secure, and make each journey WORTH IT!
