Osaka

Tuesday Tips: 6 SUGGESTIONS on HOW to PLAN Your NEXT SAKURA TRIP

Planning a Sakura trip can be stressful. For one, no one knows the exact date of the Sakura trees’ full bloom in each city until at least a week before. Secondly, everything — from plane tickets to hotel accommodations — gets expensive due to high demand from both locals and tourists.

Last year, my friends and I went on a 20-day Sakura trip. We started our journey in the cold and snowy Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Then, we went to Osaka to relax and work for a few days. Afterward, we continued our journey south to Hiroshima and Miyajima Island, using the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass. We used the same pass to return to Osaka, where we based ourselves and took day trips to Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. We spent a few days in Kyoto before finishing our trip in Nagoya and Inuyama.

Months before our trip, we had planned our schedule to coincide with the forecasted Sakura full blooms in Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and even Nagoya. However, the colder-than-expected weather delayed the Sakura full bloom by almost a week or two. Believe it or not, we only managed to witness the full bloom in Nagoya towards the end of the trip.

In today’s Tuesday Tips post, I will share some suggestions on how you can plan your next Sakura trip. While I cannot guarantee that you’ll catch the full bloom, I can offer tips on how to save money and make the most of your trip. These suggestions are based on our experiences from last year.

Plan Trip Dates Ahead

First things first: plan your trip dates in advance. Historically, the Sakura trees are best viewed in famous cities during the last week of March through the first two weeks of April. If you can schedule your trip to include these weeks, it would be ideal.

Book Plane Tickets and Accommodations Ahead

Once you have an idea of when the Sakura trees are best viewed, you can start looking for affordable plane tickets and accommodations ahead of time.

My friends and I booked our Manila to Nagoya plane tickets as early as July the year before for a trip in late March. We waited for the return flight forecasts and purchased our tickets four months in advance. The ticket to Nagoya only cost us a little over ₱3,000, including baggage. The return ticket, however, cost almost ₱11,000 due to the late booking and baggage fees. If only we had booked everything earlier, we could have gotten a much cheaper return ticket.

95% of our accommodations (see photos below) were booked up to nine months in advance. My friends and I took advantage of credit card promotions with Agoda and Booking.com. We also made sure to book places with free cancellation and a pay-later option. Even during peak times like this, accommodations are cheaper when booked months in advance. Plus, you get access to the best options since others have not started planning yet.

Having our plane tickets and accommodations settled early gave us plenty of time to research and plan our itinerary.

Stay Longer and Base in Selected Cities

As mentioned above, no one knows the exact date of the Sakura full bloom. Everyone depends on forecasts made by the Japanese authorities. Staying longer in your selected cities gives you the time and flexibility to adjust according to these forecasts.

It is also ideal to choose one or two cities as your base while chasing Sakura. In our case, we based ourselves in cities like Osaka and Kyoto, which are within reach of many other cities like Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. Staying longer in these cities also gave us more time to wait for or chase the Sakura, depending on where it was best viewed during our visit.

Monitor Sakura Forecasts

I suggest that you continuously monitor the official Sakura forecasts released by the Japanese authorities. These forecasts are available as early as January and are updated every few weeks. However, I do not recommend planning your trip solely around these forecasts, as they are always subject to change.

These forecasts will give you an idea of where to go during your selected trip dates and which day trips you can take from your chosen bases.

Keep Itinerary and Schedule Flexible

I do not recommend Sakura trips for first-time visitors to Japan. Ideally, when chasing Sakura, you should have already visited the usual attractions in Japan. This allows you to focus entirely on chasing Sakura and doing nothing else. You will not have to worry about missing out on a temple or a particular site because you have already seen it before.

There are thousands of places, parks, and areas where Sakura can be viewed during this season. Keeping your itinerary flexible gives you the freedom to visit wherever Sakura is in bloom.

Last year, on our few days in Osaka, we had not seen any Sakura trees in full bloom. Fortunately, I came across a random Instagram post showing that a small park (Nakaoe Park) near Osaka Castle had Sakura trees in full bloom. Since we had no plans after visiting Osaka Castle, my friends and I decided to go to this park and were able to enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms.

On another occasion, it was a random day in Kyoto when I saw online that the Sakura trees were starting to bloom along the Philosopher’s Path. My friends and I immediately went to the area that afternoon, and we were treated to stunning views of cherry blossoms lining the long, beautiful path by the river.

Purchase Passes Perfect for Your Final Itinerary

Lastly, Japan offers hundreds of visitor passes that might be perfect for your plans or itinerary. Be sure to check if one fits your needs for additional savings.

In our case last year, my friends and I took advantage of the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass. We used this pass to take the Shinkansen to and from Hiroshima from Osaka, as well as for the trains and ferry rides to and from Miyajima Island, the train to Nara, and the Shinkansen rides to Kobe, Himeji, and back to Osaka. We only paid ¥17,000 for the pass, but we got ¥33,000 worth of Shinkansen, local train, and ferry rides out of it.

I hope these suggestions help you plan your next Sakura trip. It might be too late to use them for this year, but hopefully, they will come in handy for your next trip. Sakura season in Japan is truly magical, and with a bit of planning, you can really enjoy it without the stress. Keep these tips in mind, and take your time to enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossoms. Best of luck with your future trips — I hope you catch the perfect bloom and have an unforgettable experience!

Have you been to Japan during Sakura, or are you planning to visit soon? I would love to hear about your experiences or any questions you might have! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. If you have any further questions or need more details, you can also reach me directly at contact@thewkndtravel.com. I am happy to help with any clarifications or travel tips.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Tuesday Tips post. 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 next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

JR KANSAI-HIROSHIMA AREA PASS Review – Is It Worth It?

Early last year, my friends and I purchased the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass for our trip around Hiroshima and the Kansai Region. We used this pass to travel to Hiroshima, Nara, Kobe, and Himeji from our base in Osaka.

Today, I will give you an in-depth look at this area pass and whether it’s worth purchasing. Read on below to learn more.

JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass

The JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass is an unlimited rail (and bus) pass offered to foreign tourists who wish to travel around the Kansai Region and Hiroshima for five consecutive days. The pass includes unlimited Shinkansen (bullet train) rides between Osaka and Hiroshima.

Price & Inclusions

The JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass costs ¥17,000 for adults (12 years and older) and ¥8,500 for children (6 to 11 years old). The pass is valid for five consecutive days from the date of the first trip/ride.

According to the West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) website, the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass covers the following:

Unlimited use of the Sanyo Shinkansen (including Nozomi and Mizuho) between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima, including the Hello Kitty Shinkansen
Unlimited Shinkansen seat reservations on ordinary cars
Unlimited use of local, rapid, and limited express JR trains in the JR-West coverage area
Unlimited use of the JR Ferry to and from Miyajima Island (Itsukushima)
Unlimited use of Kyoto Tango Railway going to Amanohashidate
Unlimited use of Wakayama Electric Railway
Unlimited use of local JR buses around Hiroshima, Kyoto and other West Japan JR buses within the covered areas
Free bicycle rental at Ekirin Kun outlets in the designated areas

Limitations

This area pass also comes with certain limitations. First, the pass is only available to foreign visitors/tourists (with valid landing permits) in Japan. It is not available for purchase by locals or residents of Japan. Second, the pass can only be used by a single person. It is tied to the person’s passport details, so it is not transferable. Additionally, the pass holder must always carry their passport.

Third, the pass does not cover the Tōkaidō Shinkansen route between Shin-Osaka and Kyoto. It also cannot be used on any other Shinkansen routes outside the Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima route. Fourth, Shinkansen seat reservations via ticket machines can only be made up to six times. Any seat reservations beyond the 6th must be made at the offices.

Where To Buy

The JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass is available for purchase on the West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) website. It is also available through accredited local travel agencies worldwide. You can find the list of accredited travel agencies here. The area pass is also available for purchase on online travel platforms such as Klook and KKDay.

Please note that the pass must be exchanged within 3 months from the date of purchase.

How To Use It

Each purchased pass must be exchanged at designated JR-West ticket offices or selected JR-West stations for physical tickets. These passes can also be exchanged at green ticket machines labeled e5489. The machine will require the customer to present the reservation number, e-ticket QR code, and a foreign passport with an IC chip. Seat reservations can also be made at these green ticket machines.

The JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass works like any other single-journey ticket. The ticket holder must insert the JR Pass along with the seat reservation ticket (if applicable) at every station checkpoint and retrieve them after passing through.

Japan Rail Pass Fare Calculator

Websites in Japan have created JR Pass fare calculators to help determine whether purchasing a particular pass is worth it, depending on your itinerary.

The JR Pass and Japan Travel websites offer fare calculators for the standard 7 to 21-day passes. The Japan Guide website provides a more detailed fare calculator that includes all available regional passes.

Where Did We Use

My friends and I purchased our JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass from Klook. We paid ₱6,346.00 each and exchanged our pass vouchers at a green ticket machine located at Osaka Station.

We used our passes for 5 consecutive days and traveled the following route: Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima via the Nozomi bullet train, Hiroshima to Miyajima Island (Itsukushima) via train and ferry (round trip), Hiroshima Meipuru-pu sightseeing bus to our accommodation, Hiroshima to Shin-Osaka via the Nozomi bullet train, JR line from Shin-Imamiya Station to JR Nara Station and back, Shin-Osaka to Shin-Kobe, Shin-Kobe to Himeji both via the Nozomi bullet train, Himeji to Shin-Osaka via the Hikari bullet train, and Kyoto Station to Arashiyama Station and back.

We used the pass to visit Hiroshima, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, and Kyoto all within 5 days. We didn’t use it for our trip to Kyoto (because we found a faster and more convenient option), but we did use it for the return train service from Kyoto to Arashiyama.

Was It Worth Purchasing?

Was the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass worth the purchase given our route above? The answer is YES. With the help of Google Maps, I manually checked every ride we took. The total fare cost of everything listed above without the pass was around ¥33,000 per person.

The pass only cost us ¥17,000 per person. Including all bus and local train rides, it saved us around ¥16,000 per person. That is almost double the original pass cost! What a steal.

At the end of the day, the pass will only be worth it if you carefully plan your itinerary and make sure to maximize its inclusions within the 5-day usage period. While it may not be the most affordable option for visiting the Kansai Region and Hiroshima, it can become a valuable investment with proper planning and usage. If you plan to stay solely within the Kansai Region, you can consider these cheaper alternatives: the JR Kansai Area Pass and the JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass.

What do you think of the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass? Is it something that suits your travel style? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about the pass? In addition to posting below, you can also send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s pass review. 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.

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 next time!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Sakura 2024: NARA, KOBE & HIMEJI Photoblog [March 2024]

Last year, my friends and I flew to Japan to experience the world-famous Sakura season. We had planned to be in most cities during the forecasted full bloom period, but to our surprise, the bloom was delayed by a little over a week due to colder-than-usual temperatures. We continued with our plans and enjoyed the trip despite the delay.

We started our journey in Takayama and Shirakawa-go, then went down to Osaka for a few relaxing / working days. We traveled further south to Hiroshima and Miyajima Island, then returned to Osaka. During our second visit to Osaka, we decided to explore nearby cities such as Nara, Kobe, and Himeji.

Allow me to share some of the photos I took during these short visits to the cities. I had been to Kobe in 2016 and Nara a few times (2016, 2019 and 2023), so I did not take many photos.

Accommodation & Osaka Base

My friends and I stayed in Osaka again for a few days after Hiroshima. Just like during our previous visit, we stayed at The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi.

It has become my favorite accommodation in Osaka. I have stayed at this property during my last four visits to the city. I wrote about why I love this property in one of the recent “Hostel of the Day” features. I hope you can check out why this is my favorite here.

A few years ago, I wrote about how to apply for a Japan tourist visa. Click here to learn more about getting one for yourself.

JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass

We purchased the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass for our visits to Hiroshima and the three cities. We paid ¥17,000 each for a 5-day pass that allowed us to take unlimited Shinkansen rides between Osaka and Hiroshima, as well as limited express and local JR trains and buses within the area. We used this pass to visit the three cities, take bullet trains to Kobe and Himeji, and use the local JR line for Nara.

I took an in-depth look at the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass and evaluated whether it was worth purchasing. I hope you can check out my review of the area pass here.

Nara

We visited Nara to see the world-famous deer park. It was one of my friend’s first times visiting the city.

Kobe

We went to Kobe mainly for the Kobe beef. We had lunch at a local steak restaurant and walked around the nearby temple area while waiting for our Shinkansen to Himeji.

Himeji

We took the Shinkansen to see one of the most beautiful castles in Japan, Himeji Castle. Our visit coincided with the local cherry blossom viewing festival, despite the Sakura not yet being in full bloom.

Our visits to these three cities were full of amazing sights, great food, and memorable first-hand experiences. Despite the delayed Sakura bloom, we thoroughly enjoyed exploring the cities and their unique attractions.

Have you been to Kobe, Nara and Himeji, or are you planning to visit soon? I would love to hear about your experiences or any questions you might have! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. If you have any further questions or need more details, you can also reach me directly at contact@thewkndtravel.com. I am happy to help with any clarifications or travel tips.

Thanks for joining me in today’s blog post. 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. You can also check out our Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Osaka, and Hiroshima visits.

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 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 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.

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.

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.