Osaka & Kyoto – the last word Kansai showdown. On one facet, you’ve received 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facet, there’s Kyoto: serene, elegant, and dripping in historical past, with temples, tea homes, and that magical outdated Japan appeal.
However right here’s the million-yen query: the place must you keep? And which space specifically? What lodges have we tried? We’ll reply all these on this article, so learn on.
This video shall be all about resort and hostel places, and if you happen to’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 lodges. Redeem your P500 low cost voucher right here! ✅
Which is the higher base: Osaka or Kyoto? It’s truly fairly simple to reply, however it’s not clear reduce. The reality is, as in most if not all instances, which is best relies on your itinerary. If a lot 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 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 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, the most effective 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.
Namba & Dotonbori
Location: Chuo Ward
In the event you’re in search of a vibrant and high-energy space to remain, Namba and Dotonbori ought to be in your record. 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 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 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, 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 (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.
Crimson Roof Inn & Suites Namba
Right here in Namba Space, we tried staying at Crimson Roof Inn & Suites Namba. It’s arduous to categorize this resort when it comes to value level. Its reasonably priced on offpeak weekdays however manner too costly on different days. Its most cost-effective 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’d have remembered if we encountered one thing dangerous. However what stands out to me probably 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 quite a lot 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 related prepare hubs, which is why it’s typically considered the town’s beating coronary heart, at the least so far as tourism is anxious.
In the event you’re staying near Osaka Station or Umeda Station, a lot of the points of interest throughout the metropolis will simply be a straightforward prepare journey away. Even if you happen to plan on visiting Kyoto, Kobe and Nara, it’s additionally superb as there are direct trains from both of those stations. And if you happen to’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 increased than in most different components of the town. In reality, we now have by no means actually stayed inside its borders. However we now 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 lodges. At its core, it’s a capsule resort however is completed in a extra refined trend. The interiors are trendy, 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 particular person 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 need a correct relaxation and leisure within the resort room. A room for two friends can go as little as JPY 11,700 (USD 75, PHP 4300).
It takes pleasure in having pure sizzling spring in every room, making certain that you’ve a soothing time throughout your keep. In addition they have spa services if you wish to degree up your unwinding. The very best 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. For this reason I choose 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.
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 if you happen to plan on visiting different prefectures or cities on a day journey by bullet prepare OR if you happen to intend to take the shinkansen to your subsequent cease, the world surrounding the Shin-Osaka Station is right.
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 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 friends.
APA Lodge is among the hottest finances resort chains in Japan, and when staying at any of their branches you’ll be able to anticipate 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.
Different Areas in Osaka
We have now 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 now have to say may not be related right now. However our lodges then had been all near a prepare or subway station and we didn’t run intro any downside.
Seek for extra Osaka Accommodations!
However there’s yet one more factor I need to talk about.
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 lots of instances, I discover that a lot 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 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. Particularly, the world surrounding Kyoto Station is a handy alternative.
Kyoto Station, very like Osaka Station, is an excellent 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 purchasing and eating institutions across the space.
APA Lodge Kyoto Ekikita
We have now 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 friends.
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 charge, in fact. You probably have a much bigger finances and also you need a greater room, contemplate 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.
Ok’s Home Kyoto Hostel
In the event you’d quite keep at a hostel, contemplate Ok’s Home Kyoto. It’s been years since we final stayed right here, however taking a look at critiques, it looks like it’s nonetheless a good 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 notice that non-public rooms don’t have any ensuite rest room. It’s shared with the remainder of the friends. Listed here are the charges, as of this writing:
- Dorm mattress
JPY 2350 (PHP 863, USD 15)
per particular person - Personal room (good for two pax)
JPY 6485 (PHP 2380, USD 40)
Or JPY 3243 (PHP 1190, USD 20) per particular person
Lodge MUSUBI KYOTO Karasuma Nanajo
One other place that we now have 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 condominium advanced. I wasn’t certain if we must always embody 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 important 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 Accommodations!
That’s all for now. Keep in mind, plan sensible, journey protected, and make each journey WORTH IT!
