budget travel – Page 2 – The Wknd Travel

Hostel of the Day: SANTIAGO GUESTHOUSE HIROSHIMA – Fully-Booked Budget-Friendly Hostel During Peak Sakura Season

My friends and I flew to Japan for last year’s Sakura season. We spent the first few days in Takayama and Osaka, then traveled to Hiroshima during the forecasted “full bloom” period. To our surprise, the full bloom was delayed by a little over a week due to colder-than-usual temperatures. We spent two days and two nights in Hiroshima and enjoyed the historical city, despite the large crowds.

We stayed at Santiago Guesthouse Hiroshima for our two nights in the city. This property will be featured as today’s Hostel of the Day. Read on below to find out if this type of backpacker accommodation is something you would consider for your upcoming trip to Hiroshima.

Santiago Guesthouse Hiroshima

Santiago Guesthouse Hiroshima is a budget-friendly accommodation located in the heart of the city. The property occupies the 3rd to 6th floors of a six-story mixed-use building. It offers 89 private and dormitory rooms across four floors, with the reception, communal dining, and kitchen areas located on the 6th floor.

Planning to get a Japan tourist visa soon? I got your covered. I wrote about the 4 easy steps in securing your next Japan tourist visa.

Location & Access

The property is located at 4-18 Nakamachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima, 730-0037, Japan. It is situated in a quiet commercial neighborhood filled with shops, offices, cafes, and restaurants.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum is 700 meters away on foot, while the Atomic Bomb Dome site is 850 meters from Santiago Guesthouse. JR Hiroshima Station is just over 2 kilometers away, accessible by both tram and bus. Hiroshima’s Hondori Shopping Street is only 5 minutes on foot (300 meters) from the hostel’s entrance.

Santiago Guesthouse is 50 kilometers from Hiroshima Airport, but it is close to important establishments such as 7-Eleven, Lawson, and Family Mart convenience stores. The property’s location is perfect, especially for those who want to base themselves in the city for a few days while exploring.

Room Options & Cost

Santiago Guesthouse Hiroshima offers both private and dormitory rooms. The private rooms are available in the following configurations: twin room with shared bathroom, twin bunk room with shared bathroom, double room with bunk bed and shared bathroom, family room for 4 adults, family room for 5 adults, and another family room for 5 adults. These private rooms feature air conditioning, a heating system, comfortable bedding, a clothes rack, a table and chair, and a lamp.

On the other hand, the air-conditioned dormitory rooms offer the following bed arrangements: 8-bed mixed dormitory, female dormitory, and mixed dormitory rooms, all with access to shared bathrooms on the 4th floor. The dormitory beds feature Japanese-style bedding, individual reading lights, power sockets, lockers, and privacy curtains. Room or dormitory bed rates per night vary depending on the season and booking platform.

My friends and I booked our stay about 6 months in advance. I stayed in the mixed dormitory room for 2 nights and paid ₱1,342.09 after discounts. My friends stayed in the twin room for 2 nights and paid ₱5,660.43 (for 2 people) after discounts. Accommodations in Hiroshima are relatively affordable, even during the peak season. Be sure to book early to get the best possible rate.

Guest Facilities & Amenities

Guests staying at Santiago Guesthouse Hiroshima can enjoy the following facilities and amenities:

Free Fast Wi-Fi – Guests have access to complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi throughout their stay.

Shared Kitchen & Dining Area – The guesthouse features a shared kitchen and dining area near the reception.

Communal Lounge Area – Guests can relax and meet fellow travelers in the communal lounge area, located just beside the reception.

Clean Shared Shower & Toilet Facilities – The guesthouse offers clean shared toilet and shower facilities. The toilets are located on each floor, while all shower facilities are on the 4th floor. Each shower cubicle is equipped with bottles of shampoo and liquid soap.

Towel Hire – The hostel offers towel rentals for guests who do not have bath towels. The rental fee is ¥200 per towel.

Air Conditioning & Heating System – The entire hostel building is equipped with air conditioning and heating, which are used depending on the season and current weather conditions.

Drink Vending Machine – Guests can purchase drinks from the vending machine located on the 4th floor.

Tour Desk / Tourist Corner – The property offers tours and activities. Feel free to approach the reception if you would like to book one.

Lockers & Safe Boxes – Lockers and safe boxes are available for rent near the reception.

Coin-Operated Laundry & Dryer – The hostel has a coin-operated laundry and dryer, which guests can use during their stay.

Luggage Storage – Complimentary luggage storage is available for incoming guests on check-in day and for outgoing guests on check-out day.

Limited Reception Hours – Reception is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Guests arriving outside these hours should contact reception in advance to arrange their check-in.

Multi-Lingual & Friendly Staff – The property has friendly staff members who speak multiple languages.

Secured Hostel & Room Access – Access to the hostel and rooms is restricted to guests only. The main door is locked and can only be opened using a code.

Lift Access – The hostel has a lift that serves all floors. Guests with large luggage do not need to carry it up the stairs.

Hostel Experience

My stay at Santiago Guesthouse Hiroshima was just alright. It was not exceptional, but it wasn’t bad either.

The property excels in the following aspects. First, Santiago Guesthouse Hiroshima’s rates were affordable. My friends and I booked our stay 6 months in advance and got a good deal for both the dormitory bed and the private room. Second, the hostel’s location is quiet yet central enough to walk to Hondori Shopping Street, Peace Memorial Museum, and Atomic Bomb Dome site.

Third, the hostel staff were friendly and accommodating. The staff member who checked us in, Rilly, even gave us slippers to use during our stay. Fourth, the hostel’s communal shower areas were kept clean and tidy throughout the day. Lastly, despite the limited space, the hostel managed to fit in a communal lounge area, as well as shared kitchen and dining areas, which guests can use during their stay.

Santiago Guesthouse Hiroshima also has its flaws. First, my friends and I visited during the peak season. This meant that all rooms and dormitory beds were booked, leading to messy and smelly rooms. The staff struggled to keep the dormitory rooms tidy, given the number of luggage and bags inside.

Second, the communal areas were crowded at night, which meant that at times, guests’ noise reached our dormitory room on the 6th floor. Lastly, the property’s check-in time is at 4:00 p.m., one of the latest I have ever encountered in my years of traveling. I do not mean to suggest they change it, but I find it a bit unusual.

Nevertheless, it was still a good stay at Santiago Guesthouse Hiroshima. My friends and I got a good deal for the price we paid, and we would not hesitate to go back. I suggest you check them out during the off-peak season and avoid booking during peak times.

If you have any questions about the hostel or a potential upcoming stay, please feel free to reach out to them through the following channels:

Santiago Guesthouse Hiroshima
Address: 4-18 Nakamachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan, 730-0037
Phone Number: +81 82 545 8477
Email: hiroshima@sansansantiago.com
Website: www.sansansantiago.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/santiagoguesthousehiroshima

This ends up my post about Santiago Guesthouse Hiroshima. What do you think of the hostel? Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Hostel of the Day feature. Please also take time to check out my previous HOTD features by clicking this. You will find my other hostel reviews about Le Village Montmartre in Paris, The Bed KLCC in Kuala Lumpur, The RomeHello in Rome, Yesinn Youth Hostel in Hong Kong, The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi in Osaka, Yeah Hostel in Barcelona, Imano Tokyo Ginza Hostel in Tokyo, and Z Hostel here in the Philippines.

Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and please watch out for more Sakura 2024 content in the coming weeks.

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

2024 in a Nutshell: Back to Where It All Started

It is now 2025. Happy New Year!

The last three months of 2024 were so busy that I got sick during the holidays. Our relatives from overseas also came home for the New Year. Apologies, I did not have the time to write and post my 2024 recap during the break. Well, it may be a little bit late, but here it is.

Despite being very busy with work, I continued to travel in 2024. I visited different cities, stayed in various hostels, flew with new airlines, and continued to travel on a budget. I did not post much about my trips last year, but I will give you a preview of where I went. After the “revenge travel” year of 2023, I basically returned to the places I first visited about a decade ago.

Kansai, Japan

I flew to Japan with my relatives in February 2024. I toured them around Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara for five full days.

We visited the usual sights like Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Umeda Sky Building, Universal Studios Japan, Shinsaibashi, Nara Deer Park (in Nara), Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kinkaku-ji, and Fushimi Inari Taisha (in Kyoto). We also spent some time shopping around Shinsaibashi and Namba.

Japan Sakura Trip

I, along with two friends, flew back to Japan a month later to experience the Sakura season for the first time. This was also my 10th trip to Japan in 9 years. Our journey began in the cold and snowy Takayama and Shirakawa-go, followed by a few workdays in Osaka, and some relaxing yet educational days in Hiroshima. The full bloom of the Sakura was delayed by one to two weeks due to extreme cold weather.

We caught the start of the full bloom during our few days in Kyoto and finally experienced it in its full glory during our final days in Nagoya. We traveled around Japan for 20 days, chasing the cherry blossoms, and we were thrilled to catch the best views during our last days.

Cebu, Philippines

In April, my sister and I took our house “ate” of 10+ years on a free weekend vacation trip to Cebu. We enjoyed the beautiful views from the Sirao Flower Farm, the Temple of Leah, and the Taoist Temple. We also had the famous Cebu lechon for lunch, strolled around Magellan’s Cross and the Sto. Niño Basilica, and bought goodies from Tabo-an Market.

The following day, my sister took her to Cebu Ocean Park. I joined them afterward for dessert, arcades, and dinner. We flew back to Legazpi on our third day. Cebu was the first-ever domestic destination I visited as a solo traveler back in February 2012.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Last May, I flew to Kuala Lumpur with my colleagues for a weekend getaway. During our trip, I took them to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, such as Bukit Bintang, the Petronas Towers, Chinatown, and Genting Highlands.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was the first city I visited outside the Philippines when I traveled there in April 2013. It holds a special place in my memories as my first international adventure.

Hong Kong SAR

I joined my aunt and her family in Hong Kong last July for her birthday trip. We spent a day at Hong Kong Disneyland, where we enjoyed as many rides as we could due to the shorter-than-usual queues (only 40 minutes max, compared to 125 minutes in December 2023).

We also visited The Peak, Lantau Island, Ngong Ping, and Citygate Outlets. Looking back, Hong Kong was the third destination I visited with my Philippine passport back in October 2013.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

In August, my friend and I flew to Saigon to rediscover the city. We stayed and explored for five full days. We went on day tours to the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels. We also walked around the city and checked out the War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Bui Vien Walking Street, Saigon Opera House, the Coffee Apartment, and many more.

The last time I explored the city was back in May 2014, during my fourth international trip out of the Philippines.

Sydney, Australia

I flew to Sydney, Australia, in September for business. After the work portion of the trip, my colleagues and I decided to extend our stay by two days and explore the city. We visited the usual sights, including the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and The University of Sydney. We also made our usual stops at Coles and Chemist Warehouse for some shopping hauls.

Sydney holds a special place for me, as it was my first-ever trip outside of Asia back in August 2018.

Jakarta, Indonesia

I flew to Jakarta for work last November. I visited our local office and attended a trade show. Unfortunately, I did not have the chance to go out and explore the city, as I was there for a full 48 hours and focused solely on work.

It was during this trip that I had the opportunity to fly with our flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, internationally for the first time. I will post about this flight in the coming weeks.

Seoul, South Korea

I flew to Seoul, South Korea, the same day I returned from my Jakarta work trip. I stayed and re-explored the city for a little over a week with my high school friends.

We visited the usual spots like Hongdae, Myeongdong, Nami Island, N Seoul Tower, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong, and Hangang Park. We also checked out areas we had not visited during our previous trips—Seonsu-dong, Seoul Forest Park, Starfield Suwon, COEX Starfield, and Dong-myo Flea Market.

South Korea issued my first-ever tourist visa back in 2014. I visited the country twice—once in November 2014 and again in November 2015—but had not been back since. It was great to see Seoul again after 9 years.

Looking back on these trips, it is amazing to see how much travel has shaped my experiences and memories over the years. From rediscovering familiar places like Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur to exploring new districts in Seoul and Saigon, each journey has brought something special.

Whether it was business or leisure, solo adventures or trips with friends and family, I am grateful for the opportunity to see the world and create unforgettable memories. I look forward to more discoveries, new and renewed friendships, and the joy of exploring even more of the world this year.

Wishing everyone a travel-filled 2025! May all your dream trips come true.

HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON) Long Weekend: 5 Days & 5 Nights Around Vietnam’s Vibrant City for Less Than ₱22,500 All-In (Airfare, Food, Tours & Accommodation Included) [August 2024]

Last August, I flew to Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon), Vietnam, with a friend for 5 days and 5 nights. I have been to Ho Chi Minh City early last year, but only for a quick stop before going back to Manila. The last time I went around and explored Saigon was back in May 2014. Ten years later, I am back to check out what has changed in the last decade.

In this 5-day Vietnam trip, I only spent less than ₱22,500 all-in, including return airfare, accommodation, food, day tours, and lots of coffee. I will share in this post how I made it happen. I will also provide the list of expenses incurred during the trip.

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is Vietnam’s largest financial and economic center. It may not be the country’s capital (it is Hanoi), but it is the country’s most populous city. It is also the main hub of the country’s southern region.

The city is known for its ‘old meets new’ type of culture, architecture, and way of life. It is a place to enjoy delicious food, great coffee, and hospitable locals.

In case you want to know, I flew to Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, last year. I wrote about this quick weekend visit and I want you to check it out here.

Plane Tickets

We booked our tickets 6 months before the intended trip and paid ₱6,358.84 per person return. We flew with Cebu Pacific Air in their late-night flight to Ho Chi Minh City and red-eye flight back to Manila.

This return ticket included 7 kilograms of carry-on luggage both ways and 20 kilograms of checked luggage on the way back. No preferred seats and inflight meals were included in the ticket.

This return ticket could have been cheaper if only we waited for the lower base fare promotion. It was still a good deal considering the flight duration, distance, and destination.

On top of this ticket, I also paid the Philippine Travel Tax of ₱1,620 before leaving Manila. This travel tax is required for all Philippine passport holders going out of the country for holiday or vacation.

In case you missed it, I flew with Vietnam Airlines last January 2023 from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on the Airbus A350 business class. I wrote about this trip and I hope you can check it out here.

Accommodation

Given the late-night flight schedules, my friend and I had to book 6 nights in our accommodation. We stayed at Akoya Central Saigon Hotel, near Bến Thành Market. We got a superior king room and paid ₱5,014.83 each for all 6 nights, including breakfast.

The windowless room includes a king bed, a private toilet and shower, a small refrigerator, a workstation, a safe box, and a clothes rack. The property has a lift, which can be used to go up to and down from the rooms. The property also has a breakfast buffet for guests who included this in their bookings.

Looking for a cheaper alternative? I went to Ho Chi Minh City in 2023 and stayed for a few nights with a family-owned hostel, Long Hostel. I wrote about my hostel experience and shared it in this hostel of the day feature.

Going Around Ho Chi Minh City

Going around Ho Chi Minh City can be challenging, depending on which part of the city you are staying in. If you stay around District 1 (like we did), you can pretty much walk to all major tourist spots. Some visitors rent a motorcycle to go around the city while others take a Grab, Southeast Asia’s version of Uber. Public buses are also available but can be quite challenging for visitors.

Traveling to and from the airport is best via Grab, the region’s ride-hailing application. In our case, we opted for a private airport transfer upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh City. We booked our airport transfer via Klook and paid ₱460.70 for two people.

Internet Sim Card

I bought an internet eSIM from ByteSIM and paid ₱398.59, including foreign transaction service fees. The $6.84 eSIM had 5 gigabytes of data valid for 7 days from the day of activation. The eSIM does not include local phone calls and messaging.

Are you in need of an affordable internet SIM for your next trip? Check out ByteSIM. Use my referral link and get a $3 off coupon after your first purchase.

Travel Insurance

One of my non-negotiables when going on a trip is getting travel insurance. This insurance protects me from any happenings, delays, cancellations, or unexpected circumstances during a trip.

For this Saigon trip, I bought my travel insurance from Malayan Insurance. I paid ₱408.00 for the Travel Master Insurance product that covers up to ₱1 million in claims.

Pocket Money

Most merchants and establishments in Ho Chi Minh City still prefer cash as the mode of payment. I got VND 1,500,000 from one of the ATMs in the airport arrival hall. I used my GCash Visa Card, and I was charged ₱3,557.11. GCash’ Visa card has one of the best international withdrawal rates in the country. Make sure to get yours before your next trip.

Tours & Activities

We maximized our time around the city by joining half- and whole-day tours and activities. We booked all these activities from Klook.

Mekong River Day Tour

My friend and I joined a large group tour to the Mekong Delta. Our guide, Huy, picked us up from our hotel, and we took a bus to Mỹ Tho. From there, we enjoyed a boat cruise to Unicorn Island (Ky Lan), where we explored an orchid garden, listened to local musicians, and snacked on fresh fruits. We also visited a local shop for coconut water, checked out a bee farm, sampled honey tea, and even took photos with a snake.

Next, we boated over to Cù lao Thới Sơn and toured a coconut candy factory. We then hopped on a motorized rickshaw for a ride along the river to our lunch spot. Before eating, we paddled through serene coconut canals on a small boat. After lunch, we took a tuktuk and boat back to the mainland.

On our way back to Ho Chi Minh City, we stopped by Vinh Trang Pagoda. We booked the tour through Klook for ₱1,011.05 per person after the discount.

Cu Chi Tunnels Half Day Tour

We joined another group tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Our guide, Tom, picked us up from our hotel, and we took a private bus to a local lacquer village. After that, we explored the Cu Chi Tunnels, walking around various tunnels and bomb craters. After our tour, we enjoyed some boiled cassava before heading back to the city.

We booked the tour through Klook for ₱904.65 per person after the discount.

Street Food on Scooter Tour

We joined a night street food tour on scooters. Our guide, Denny, picked us up from our hotel and took us to various street food spots. We enjoyed a feast that included bún bò huế (beef rice noodle soup), banana sticky rice, Vietnamese beer, grilled scallops, clam soup, Vietnamese pizza, crispy banana crackers, beef rolls, fresh spring rolls, sugar cane juice, coffee pudding, and, of course, bánh mì. That was a lot of food in just 3-4 hours!

During the tour, we also explored the 24-hour flower market and zipped through districts 1, 3, and 10. We booked this street food tour through Klook for ₱1,599.05 per person after the discount.

Golden Water Puppet Show

The Golden Water Puppet Show is a captivating 45-minute performance showcasing enchanting Vietnamese folk tales and legends, all staged in a pool with stunning backdrops. The accompanying music and sound effects are provided by an orchestra using traditional Vietnamese instruments.

My friend and I pre-booked our tickets through Klook for ₱689.90 per person after the discount. Since the show often sells out, it is a good idea to secure your tickets early.

Places Visited in Ho Chi Minh City

Aside from the joiner tours above, we also took time to walk around District 1 and we went to the following places:

War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants Museum offers a poignant look at the history and harsh realities of the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War. Its exhibitions detail the events that unfolded during these conflicts and their lasting impact on the country and its people.

This museum is a must-see in Ho Chi Minh City, and no visit is complete without it. Entry tickets are priced at VND 40,000 per person and can be purchased at the museum entrance. It is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Bến Thành Market

Bến Thành Market is Saigon’s version of Central Market. It is a popular shopping destination for tourists or visitors. It started out as a trading hub in the 17^th century and has evolved into the city’s most famous market.

Bùi Viện Walking Street

Bùi Viện Walking Street is the city’s entertainment and nightlife center. It has restaurants, pubs, bars, and shops located along the busy 850-meter strip.

Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon

The Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon is a Catholic cathedral built by the French colonists in the 1860s. It is the largest Catholic church in Vietnam and a known icon of Ho Chi Minh City. Entry into the cathedral is free of charge.

Saigon Central Post Office

Adjacent to the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Saigon Central Post Office is a renowned city landmark celebrated for its distinctive architectural style. It showcases a blend of neo-classical European design with subtle Asian influences. The building remains an active post office and is open to all visitors.

Ho Chi Minh City Book Street

Situated along Nguyen Van Binh Street, the HCMC Book Street is a pedestrian street dedicated to bookworms. Various shops sell new and pre-owned Vietnamese books and merchandise. The community also conducts workshops and selected activities for kids.

Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Building

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Building is the city’s local government office.

Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City

The Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City, commonly known as the Siagon Opera House, is the city’s main theater. The theater hosts cultural performances, musicals, concerts, and even official government functions.

Saigon Skydeck

The Saigon Skydeck is one of two observation decks in Ho Chi Minh City, situated on the 49th floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower. It provides stunning 360-degree views of the city.

My friend and I purchased our tickets through Klook for ₱525.75 per person after the discount. Our tickets included a fridge magnet souvenir and access to unlimited drinking water during our visit.

Café Apartment Building

Situated at No. 42 Nguyen Hue Street, the popular Café Apartment Building is home to numerous cafes and restaurants. You can access these spots for free via the back stairs, or use the elevators for a convenience fee of VND 3,000.

Independence Palace

The Independence Palace was once the official residence and workplace of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. It features numerous banquet halls, offices, and rooms that hosted the country’s official functions. Today, the palace operates as a museum, attracting thousands of local and international visitors each day.

Tickets are priced at VND 65,000 per person, and the museum is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

RESTAURANT & CAFE Recommendations

Here is the list of coffee shops and restaurants we tried during our 5-day visit around Ho Chi Minh City.

Tonkin Specialty Coffee (Vietnamese Egg Coffee)

Trung Nguyên Coffee (Vietnamese Coffee)

Phúc Long Coffee & Tea (Milk Tea)

OKKIO Tự Do (Saigon-style Coffee – Bạc Xỉu)

Eggyolk Coffee (Vietnamese Egg Coffee)

21Grams – Vegetarian (Coconut Coffee)

Little HaNoi Egg Coffee (Vietnamese Egg Coffee)

Bếp Mẹ Ỉn – Lê Thánh Tôn (Michelin Bib Gourmand eatery)

Phở Phú Vương (Beef phở restaurant)

Phở Hà (Chicken phở restaurant)

Summary of Expenses

Here’s a summary of everything spent on this 5-day and 5-night trip around Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam:

Disclaimer: The expenses above do not include personal shopping such as Vietnamese coffee and the likes.

I spent ₱22,318.12 for a 5-day weekend in Saigon, covering plane tickets, accommodation, tours, pocket money, and everything trip-related. I think I could have saved more by booking during a ₱1 base fare sale or reducing the number of days of my stay. Overall, though, it was an affordable, enjoyable, and interesting trip.

This 5-day Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) trip summary shows that traveling within a budget is still possible despite the inflated cost of everything around us. One needs to just plan everything out and choose the places to visit.

Have you been to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) recently? How was your trip? I hope you had fun! Which place do you want to visit again? I hope you can share your experiences in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? You may send them to me via email at contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for joining me in today’s Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) trip recap. I hope to visit more and more places on a budget and share how I did it with everyone. Before you go, I hope you can like, follow and share my social media pages – Facebook and Instagram. This will help me increase my reach; it will also keep you up-to-date with the latest blog posts, itineraries and flight reports on this website. Thank you and see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Sakura 2024: OSAKA – Lazy but Relaxing Travel Days around Japan’s Amazing City [March 2024]

Early this year, my friends and I flew to Japan to witness the beautiful Hanami season. We started our journey in Takayama and Shirakawa-go, then went around Kansai Region, Hiroshima, before finishing our trip where we started, in Nagoya.

We spent a significant amount of time in Osaka, working on various professional commitments during our trip. After these daily commitments, we went to the usual sights and enjoyed the amazing city. We all have been to Osaka a few times in the past, so we did not pressure ourselves to see everything during our stay.

Allow me to share some of our sightings during our lazy but relaxing travel days around the bustling city of Osaka.

Osaka is not new on this website. In fact, I wrote about my previous visits in the following blog posts: The Japan Series | 3 of 3: OSAKA (2015), Going Solo in Japan Series: KYOTO & OSAKA (2016), Japan Highlights 2019: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN – A Theme Park That Brings You Back to Being a ‘Kid’ Just for a Day (2019), and Kansai 2023: OSAKA & NARA Photoblog [April 2023] (2023).

OSAKA

Osaka is Japan’s second-most populous and famous city. This bustling port city is the center of commercial and economic activity in the Kansai Region. It is known for its modern architecture, food, entertainment, and nightlife. It is also known to be more relaxed than the very busy Tokyo.

In case you missed it, my friends and I went around Hida Takayama and Shirakawa-go before coming to Osaka on this trip. I hope you can check out the Takayama and Shirakawa-go blog post here.

Planning to get a Japan tourist visa soon? I got your covered. I wrote about the 4 easy steps in securing your next Japan tourist visa.

Plane Tickets

My friends and I flew in and out of Nagoya. We flew with our favorite budget airline, Cebu Pacific Air, and paid ₱13,759.49 each for the return tickets, including checked baggage allowance.

Our tickets were not the usual ₱1-base fare because our travel period is during the busy Holy Week (in the Philippines) and Hanami (in Japan) seasons. I wrote about our flights to and from Nagoya in the previous flight reports. I hope you can check them out here: Cebu Pacific Air Manila to Nagoya | 5J 5038 & Cebu Pacific Air Nagoya to Manila | 5J 5039.

Takayama to Osaka

We took a not so popular route and went to Osaka directly from Takayama. Normally, people would base in Nagoya and only take a day trip to Takayama and Shirakawa-go. We took the 5.5-hour express bus from Takayama Bus Terminal to Namba OCAT in Osaka.

Kintetsu Bus operates the 8:00 a.m. bus from Takayama while Nohi Bus operates the 1:40 p.m. bus to Osaka. One-way fare costs ¥5,500 per person from Mondays to Thursdays and ¥6,000 per person every Friday to Sunday.

We left Takayama on a Saturday afternoon, so we paid the ¥6,000 bus fare. We paid ₱2,303.59 each, including our bank’s foreign transaction service fee. We arrived in Osaka on time and went straight to our accommodation.

Accommodation

We stayed in Osaka twice during this trip, after Takayama before going to Hiroshima and after Hiroshima before going to Kyoto. In both instances, my friends and I stayed with The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi.

The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi is a 2-star accommodation located in the heart of Osaka. Renovated in 2019, the property has 134 private and dormitory rooms across 7 floors. It also has well-designed communal areas on the second level.

I wrote about The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi in one of the recent hostel of the day features. I hope you can check it out here.

Going Around Osaka

Osaka has an extensive subway and train system. Most, if not all, places to visit can be reached by train. My friends and I did not avail of any train or subway pass. We used our IC cards for every ride around the city.

Places Visited in Osaka

The Sakura full bloom got delayed by a little over a week during our visit. We enjoyed whatever the city had to offer during our stay.

Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street

This long shopping arcade is the best place to shop when in Osaka. It has a wide range of stores, from cosmetic stores to apparel shops, second-hand stores, shoe shops, and designer boutiques. It also has hundreds of nearby restaurants and cafes.

Dōtonbori

Dōtonbori is a famous commercial and entertainment district in Osaka. It is where the famous Glico man sign is found. Characterized by different LED billboards, this place is famous for local street food and restaurants.

Namba

Namba is another commercial area in Osaka that is connected to the busy Namba Station. The area has several shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, and even entertainment establishments.

Umeda Sky Building

The Umeda Sky Building is a two-tower mixed-use skyscraper with a rooftop observatory named Kuchu Teien Observatory. The observatory offers beautiful views of Osaka from its 39^th floor from morning until evening.

My friends and I got our observatory tickets from Klook. We paid ₱540.30 each after discounts and went up the rooftop after sunset.

Shinsekai

Shinsekai is an old but cool neighborhood just outside the Minami ward. It has affordable restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. It also has the Tsutenkaku Tower, another famous local observatory. The neighborhood is best enjoyed at night when the lights are all lit up.

Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. This historical landmark played an important role in unifying the country back in the 1600s. Today, it is a museum where visitors can enter for a fee.

Osaka Castle Park

The Osaka Castle Park is a massive park surrounding the beautiful Osaka Castle. This park is a famous Sakura spot in the city.

Too bad, the full bloom got delayed by a little over a week. We only saw the buds in the Sakura trees during our visit.

Nakaoe Park

Nakaoe Park is a small park near Osaka Castle. This park had beautiful Sakura trees in full bloom during our visit.

Kuromon Ichiba Market

Kuromon Ichiba Market is Osaka’s most famous fish market. Market vendors sell fresh seafood and produce daily. It is also a famous seafood and street food destination in Osaka. It also has various restaurants and souvenir shops, which visitors can check out during their visit.

This sums up our lazy but relaxing time in Osaka. We decided to just take our time and enjoy the city, and we eventually did.

Have you been to Osaka? How do you find the city? Is it a place you will come back to in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? You may also send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Osaka blogpost. In case you missed it, my friends and I flew to Japan for 20 days to experience the cherry blossom season from March to April 2024. You can find all posts related to this trip under the Sakura 2024 category.

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Hostel of the Day: THE STAY OSAKA SHINSAIBASHI – The Affordable Osaka Accommodation I Keep Coming Back To | My Favorite Osaka Hostel

In the last two years, I have been to Osaka four times. Believe it or not, I only stayed in one accommodation. I enjoyed my first stay back in April 2023, to the point where I stayed in this property every single time I visited Osaka after. I will not gatekeep this any longer, and I will share my favorite Osaka hostel, The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi, in today’s Hostel of the Day feature.

I have been to Osaka a few times in the past. If you are interested to know more about my previous visits, feel free to check out the posts under the Osaka category.

The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi

The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi is 2-star high-rated accommodation in the heart of Osaka. Renovated in 2019, the property has 134 well-designed private and dormitory rooms across 7 floors. The reception, communal lounge, and co-working spaces are found on the second floor.

A few years ago, I stayed with The Stay Osaka’s sister hostel, The Stay Sapporo, in Hokkaido. I also featured the said hostel in this website. I hope you can check out that hostel of the day post here.

Location & Access

The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi is located at 1-14-29 Shimanouchi Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, 542-0082. It is in the center of Osaka, in a quiet neighborhood east of Shinsaibashi. The property is 2 minutes by foot from Exit 6 of Nagahoribashi Station (K16/N16) on the Sakaisuji & Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Subway Lines. It is 10 minutes by food from Exits 5 & 6 of Shinsaibashi Station (M19) on the Midōsuji Subway Line.

The hostel is 700 meters or 10 minutes away by foot from the Shinsaibashi Shopping Street and 1.1 kilometers or 15 minutes away by foot from Dotonbori/GGlico Man Sign. It is also near several local restaurants and convenience stores like Lawson, Family Mart, and 7-Eleven.

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The Stay Osaka is 25 to 30 minutes by train (Midōsuji Subway Line) from Shin-Ōsaka Station, 45 to 50 minutes away by train (Midōsuji and Sakaisuji Subway Lines) and airport bus from Osaka Itami Airport, and 50 minutes to an hour by train (Midōsuji and Sakaisuji Subway Lines, Nankai Lines, and Osaka Loop Line) from Kansai International Airport.

The hostel’s location is an easy 10 out of 10. It is close to everything one needs when traveling around Osaka. It is near the subway station, near commercial spaces, and is accessible to the airports via train.

In 2023, I stayed with another hostel in Osaka named Backpackers Hotel Toyo. It is probably the most economical hostel in the city with good quality facilities. You can check out my Backpackers Hotel Toyo hostel of the day feature here.

Room Options & Cost

The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi has a long list of hotel- and hostel-type private and dormitory rooms that all types of guests can choose from.

The private rooms have the following configurations: queen room with private toilet, twin room with private toilet, triple room with private toilet, 4-bed bunk room with shared toilet, 4-bed bunk room with private toilet and mini kitchen, Japanese-style (futon) room (for 5 people) with private toilet, 5-bed bunk room with private toilet and mini kitchen, and 6-bed bunk room with shared toilet.

The dormitory rooms have the following bed arrangements: mixed dormitory room with shared toilet, female dormitory room with shared toilet, and mixed dormitory room with semi-double beds and shared toilet. Room or dormitory bed rates per night vary depending on season and booking platform.

I stayed with The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi four times in the last 2 years, and I have booked the same mixed dormitory room (Room 701) with semi-double beds for all stays. Each semi-double bed features an enclosed (by curtains) space, a pillow and duvet, a safe box, in-room slippers, and toilet amenities, including bath and face towels. The room also features a large storage space and a small co-working space with tables and chairs facing the windows.

I paid an average of ¥4,322.13 per night, or ₱1,682.86 per night, with 11 out of 16 nights during peak season (long holiday weekend and Sakura season).

Guest Facilities & Amenities

Guests staying at The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi enjoy the following facilities and amenities:

Free High-Speed Wi-Fi – All hostel guests have access to complimentary high-speed wi-fi both inside the rooms and in the communal areas. The connection is fast enough to accommodate those people working remotely while in Osaka.

Shared Kitchen – Guests can use the shared kitchen to cook meals during their stay. The kitchen is fully-equipped with a burner, pans, and everything needed for cooking.

Communal Dining Area – The hostel has a spacious and aesthetic communal dining area beside the kitchen.

Complimentary Tea, Coffee, & Ice Cubes – The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi offers complimentary tea, coffee, and ice cubes to all guests. The hostel’s tap water is safe for drinking.

Co-Working Space – The hostel has a co-working space shared with the dining area on the second floor. Some dormitory rooms also have small co-working spaces inside the rooms.

Common Lounge & TV Area – Guests can chill and relax in the common lounge and TV area beside reception.

Clean Communal Showers & Toilets – The property makes sure that its communal showers and toilets are clean and well-maintained.

Air Conditioning & Heating Systems – All private rooms, dormitory rooms, and common areas feature air conditioning and heating systems.

Breakfast Service – The hostel offers breakfast service to those who avail themselves of it. The breakfast meals can be ordered for a fee the night before.

In-House Bar – The Stay Osaka has an in-house bar that sells alcoholic drinks and mixed drinks.

Vending Machines – The hostel has vending machines in front of reception.

Tourist Corner – The Stay Osaka has a tourist corner that has guides, city maps, flyers, and pamphlets with everything about Osaka, current promotions, and upcoming events.

Locker Rental – Guests can rent lockers for their valuables or other items when needed.

Free Boardgames Rental – Guests can borrow the boardgames near the lounge area and play with them during their stay.

Free Umbrella Rental – The Stay Osaka offers free umbrella rental during rainy days. Guests can freely get one when leaving the hostel and return it after use.

Coin-Operated Laundry & Dryer – The hostel has a coin-operated laundry and dryer, which guests can use during their stay.

Luggage Storage – The Stay Osaka offers free luggage storage before check-in until 3:00 p.m. and after check-out until 10:00 p.m.

Hostel Shop – Forgot to bring something? Fret not. The hostel has a small shop selling items the guests might need during their stay.

Seasonal Hostel Activities – The property hosts seasonal hostel activities to welcome guests from around the world. These activities are announced ahead of time in the hostel socials and on the noticeboards.

Long Reception Hours – The hostel reception is open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily. Check-in starts at 3 p.m. daily while check-out is allowed until 10:00 a.m.

Multi-Lingual & Friendly Staff – The hostel staff are all warm, welcoming, and friendly. They speak different languages including Nihongo, Korean, and English.

Lift Access – The hostel has one lift that goes to every floor. Guests who bring large luggage do not need to carry it via the stairs.

Designated Smoking Area – The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi has a designated smoking area outside near the building entrance.

Secured Room Access – All private and dormitory rooms can only be accessed by using the assigned key cards during check-in. The key cards only work on your assigned room, the assigned floor in the lifts, and the common floors.

Secured Hostel Premises – The rooms can only be accessed by the guests. Also, the lift requires a keycard for it to go up. The main entrance door is locked every day after 11:00 p.m. The hostel is also equipped with a 24/7 security surveillance system.

Hostel Experience

I have stayed with The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi several times in the past, and I will continue to stay with them every time I am in Osaka.

The hostel wins in some aspects. First, the mixed-dorm with semi-double beds is something I really like. I get the privacy I need for a fraction of the price of a private room. I also like that the room is spacious, has its own toilet and shower, and has a small co-working space or table.

Second, the hostel’s common area is my favorite. The common area is spacious and aesthetic. It is also perfect for those who need to do some work during their stay. It also has a fast and reliable wi-fi connection, ideal for work calls and meetings.

Third, the hostel offers complimentary amenities like shampoo, conditioner, liquid soap, coffee, tea, and even ice cubes. It is my first time to see a hostel regularly provide ice cubes to its guests. Fourth, the hostel’s location is one of the best in Osaka. It is in a quiet neighborhood near Shinsaibashi and near many Osaka sights like Dotonbori, Kuromon Market, and Namba. It is also accessible to the city’s public transportation system.

Fifth, the hostel’s rates are not the cheapest in the city but are affordable and reasonable for the location, facilities, and amenities they offer.

The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi is not a perfect hostel. I also had some not-so-good experiences during my previous hostel stays. First, the common area can be very noisy and busy during the night when most guests are back from the days outside. There was one instance when guests were laughing out loud and shouting at 1:00 a.m. Good thing, the staff advised that group to tone down their voices.

Second, the dormitory room temperatures can be hot and uncomfortable at times. The dormitory room temperatures are controlled by the staff. There were instances when it went to the high and hot temperatures during my spring visits.

Even with these not-so-good experiences, The Stay Osaka remains to be my favorite hostel in Osaka. I enjoyed my previous stays with them and I am looking forward to coming back in the future.

If you have any curiosities about the hostel and about a potential upcoming stay, please feel free to reach out to them on the following channels:

The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi
Address: 1-14-29 Shimanouchi Chuo-ku ,Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, 542-0082
Phone Number: +81 06-6251-3900
Email: osaka@thestay.jp
Website: www.thestay.jp/osaka/en
Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_stay_osaka_shinsaibashi

This wraps up my post about The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi. What do you think of the hostel? Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. You may also send these questions to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Hostel of the Day feature. Please also take time to check out my previous HOTD features by clicking this. You will find my other hostel reviews about Le Village Montmartre in Paris, The Bed KLCC in Kuala Lumpur, The RomeHello in Rome, Yesinn Youth Hostel in Hong Kong, Yeah Hostel in Barcelona, Imano Tokyo Ginza Hostel in Tokyo, and Z Hostel here in the Philippines.

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.