Osaka & Kyoto – the final 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 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facet, there’s Kyoto: serene, elegant, and dripping in historical past, with temples, tea homes, and that magical outdated Japan appeal.
However right here’s the million-yen query: the place do you have to keep? And which space particularly? What inns 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 in the event you’re on the lookout 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 inns. Redeem your P500 low cost voucher right here! ✅
Which is the higher base: Osaka or Kyoto? It’s truly fairly simple to reply, but it surely’s not clear reduce. The reality is, as in most if not all instances, which is best is determined by 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 difficult? Keep in Kyoto.
However after you have 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 profitable. 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 it is 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 very best district is determined by 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
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a vibrant and high-energy space to remain, Namba and Dotonbori needs to be in your listing. That is Osaka’s frenetic leisure and purchasing 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 avenue, flanked with eating places, meals stalls, and outlets, working 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 prepare stations, a few of which have the title 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 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 by way of worth level. Its reasonably priced on offpeak weekdays however approach too costly on different days. Its least expensive room, good for two friends, 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 might have remembered if we encountered one thing unhealthy. However what stands out to me probably the most is its location. If 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 prepare hubs, which is why it’s usually considered town’s beating coronary heart, at the very least so far as tourism is worried.
If you happen to’re staying near Osaka Station or Umeda Station, many of the points of interest throughout the metropolis will simply be a straightforward prepare journey away. Even in the event you plan on visiting Kyoto, Kobe and Nara, it’s additionally preferrred as there are direct trains from both of those stations. And in the event 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 larger than in most different elements of town. In truth, we have now by no means actually stayed inside its borders. However we have now coated 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 inns. At its core, it’s a capsule lodge however is completed in a extra subtle style. The interiors are fashionable, 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 particular person in lean season. You may as well keep for only some 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 a much bigger funds and need a correct relaxation and rest within the lodge room. A room for two friends can go as little as JPY 11,700 (USD 75, PHP 4300).
It takes delight in having pure sizzling spring in every room, making certain that you’ve a calming time throughout your keep. Additionally they have spa amenities if you wish to stage up your unwinding. The perfect 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 prepare transfers UNLESS after I’m carrying heavy baggage. This is the reason I choose 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.
Identical to Osaka Station, SHIN-Osaka Station serves varied 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 will not be. So in the event you plan on visiting different prefectures or cities on a day journey by bullet prepare OR in the event you intend to take the shinkansen to your subsequent cease, the realm surrounding the Shin-Osaka Station is right.
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 absolutely near the station, only a small block away.
A room right here can value as little as JPY 9400 (USD 60, PHP 3470) per night time, good for two friends.
APA Resort is without doubt one of the hottest funds 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 environment right here may be very completely different. Not like 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
Now we 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 have now to say may not be related as we speak. However our inns then have been all near a prepare or subway station and we didn’t run intro any downside.
Seek for extra Osaka Motels!
However there’s yet one more factor I need 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 normally, the very first thing I ask is, “What’s your itinerary?” And lots of occasions, 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 contemplate 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 need to see are in Kyoto, then why not keep in Kyoto as an alternative. Particularly, the realm surrounding Kyoto Station is a handy selection.
Kyoto Station, very like Osaka Station, is an excellent 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 purchasing and eating institutions across the space.
APA Resort Kyoto Ekikita
Now we have 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 friends.
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 scale of APA Resort however at a better price, after all. In case you have a much bigger funds and also you need a larger room, think about Resort 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.
Okay’s Home Kyoto Hostel
If you happen to’d moderately 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 greatest for backpackers, particularly these touring solo!
They provide dorm beds and personal rooms. However word that non-public rooms haven’t any ensuite rest room. It’s shared with the remainder of the friends. Listed below are the charges, as of this writing:
- Dorm mattress
JPY 2350 (PHP 863, USD 15)
per particular person - Non-public room (good for two pax)
JPY 6485 (PHP 2380, USD 40)
Or JPY 3243 (PHP 1190, USD 20) per particular person
Resort MUSUBI KYOTO Karasuma Nanajo
One other place that we have now tried in Kyoto is Resort MUSUBI KYOTO Karasuma Nanajo. I do know it’s a mouthful. It’s probably not a lodge, however extra like an residence complicated. I wasn’t certain if we should always embody it right here as a result of once we stayed right here, it operated beneath 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 important 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 once we stayed right here, we nonetheless used Kyoto Station more often than not as we actually get pleasure from strolling across the metropolis.
Seek for extra Kyoto Motels!
That’s all for now. Bear in mind, plan sensible, journey secure, and make each journey WORTH IT!
