Osaka & Kyoto – the last word Kansai showdown. On one aspect, 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 maintain the vitality alive. On the opposite aspect, there’s Kyoto: serene, elegant, and dripping in historical past, with temples, tea homes, and that magical outdated Japan appeal.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 particularly? What lodges have we tried? We’ll reply all these on this article, so learn on.
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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 instances, which is best depends upon 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 idea, so long as you’re close to a practice station, you’re already successful. 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 it is a massive 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 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
When 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 usually included in any Osaka first-timer’s itinerary. It primarily refers to this avenue, 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 practice stations, a few of which have the identify 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.
Crimson Roof Inn & Suites Namba
Right here in Namba Space, we tried staying at Crimson Roof Inn & Suites Namba. It’s exhausting to categorize this lodge by way of worth level. Its reasonably priced on offpeak weekdays however means too costly on different days. Its least expensive 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 sweet as a result of I’d have remembered if we encountered one thing unhealthy. 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 plenty 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 practice hubs, which is why it’s usually thought to be town’s beating coronary heart, at the very least so far as tourism is worried.
When you’re staying near Osaka Station or Umeda Station, many of the points of interest throughout the metropolis will simply be a straightforward practice trip 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 good 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 elements of 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 received’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 lodge however is finished in a extra subtle style. The interiors are fashionable, glossy, 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 can too 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 a much bigger price range and desire a correct relaxation and leisure within the lodge room. A room for two company can go as little as JPY 11,700 (USD 75, PHP 4300).
It takes satisfaction in having pure sizzling spring in every room, making certain that you’ve got a calming time throughout your keep. In addition 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 middle 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. For this reason I desire staying at a lodge 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 numerous practice traces, too, with one massive distinction. On high 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 practice OR when 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 absolutely 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 company.
APA Resort is among the hottest price range lodge 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 environment right here could 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
We’ve got 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 now have to say may not be related right now. However our lodges then had been all near a practice or subway station and we didn’t run intro any drawback.
Seek for extra Osaka Accommodations!
However there’s yet another factor I need to focus on.
Kyoto Station Space
We get plenty 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 plenty 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 totally 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 realm 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 can even 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
We’ve got 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 company.
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 sort of twice the scale of APA Resort however at a better price, in fact. When you’ve got a much bigger price range and also you desire a greater room, take into account 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
When you’d moderately keep at a hostel, take into account Okay’s Home Kyoto. It’s been years since we final stayed right here, however 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 personal 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
Resort MUSUBI KYOTO Karasuma Nanajo
One other place that we now have 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 condominium advanced. I wasn’t certain if we should always embrace it right here as a result of once 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 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 take pleasure in strolling across the metropolis.
Seek for extra Kyoto Accommodations!
That’s all for now. Keep in mind, plan good, journey protected, and make each journey WORTH IT!
