Osaka & Kyoto – the final 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 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 previous Japan allure.
However right here’s the million-yen query: the place must you keep? And which space particularly? What resorts 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 lower. 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 difficult? 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 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 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 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
Should 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 commonly 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 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 totally 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 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 arduous to categorize this resort by way of worth level. Its inexpensive 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 keep in mind it being nice, which is sweet 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. Whenever you’re staying right here, you’re shut to coach stations and OCAT, and Dotonbori is simply across the block. There are additionally loads 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 usually considered the town’s beating coronary heart, at the very least so far as tourism is anxious.
Should you’re staying near Osaka Station or Umeda Station, many of the points of interest throughout the metropolis will simply be a simple prepare trip away. Even when you plan on visiting Kyoto, Kobe and Nara, it’s additionally ideally suited 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 sure 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 all the time in demand and the prices are larger than in most different elements of the town. Actually, we now have by no means actually stayed inside its borders. However we now have coated First Cabin Hanshin Nishiumeda, which is technically simply outdoors, 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 resorts. At its core, it’s a capsule resort however is completed in a extra subtle trend. The interiors are trendy, smooth, 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 can even keep for only some hours if that’s all you want.
Lodge Hanshin Osaka
We’ve additionally stayed at Lodge Hanshin Osaka, which can also be outdoors 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 resort room. A room for two friends 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 a calming time throughout your keep. Additionally they have spa amenities 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 heart 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. That is why I want 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.
Identical to Osaka Station, SHIN-Osaka Station serves numerous prepare 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 is just not. So when you plan on visiting different prefectures or cities on a day journey by bullet prepare OR when you intend to take the shinkansen to your subsequent cease, the realm 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 admittedly 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 without doubt one of 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 could be very totally 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. But it surely’s been an extended, very long time since and no matter we now have to say won’t be related in the present day. However our resorts 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 another factor I wish to focus on.
Kyoto Station Space
We get loads 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 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 very separate metropolis and separate prefecture. But when most websites that you simply wish 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 similar to 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 buying and eating institutions across the space.
APA Lodge Kyoto Ekikita
Now we 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 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 scale of APA Lodge however at the next price, in fact. When you have a much bigger price range and also you desire a larger room, take into account 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
Should you’d reasonably keep at a hostel, take into account Okay’s Home Kyoto. It’s been years since we final stayed right here, however taking a look at opinions, it looks as if 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 observe that non-public rooms haven’t any ensuite lavatory. 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 - Non-public 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 condo advanced. I wasn’t positive if we should always embody it right here as a result of once 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 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 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 Accommodations!
That’s all for now. Bear in mind, plan sensible, journey secure, and make each journey WORTH IT!