Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [302]
Minami Area
MIDRANGE
Osaka Namba Washington Hotel Plaza (Map; 6212-2555; http://nanba.wh-at.com, in Japanese; 1-1-13 Nihonbashi, Chūō-ku; s/d/tw from ¥6900/13,000/14,000; Sakai-suji subway line, Sennichimae subway line & Kintetsu Nara line to Nihonmashi) The Washington Hotel Plaza chain is a reliable and relatively comfortable nationwide business-hotel chain and its Namba branch stays true to form: rooms are small but sufficient and well kept. The hotel is within walking distance of the chaos of Minami, but (fortunately) not right in the thick of things.
Cross Hotel Osaka (Map; 6213-8281; www.crosshotel.com/eng_osaka/index.html; 2-5-15 Shinsaibashisuji, Chūō-ku; s/d/tw from ¥16,170/24,255/27,720; ; Midō-suji subway line to Namba) Located just a short walk from the Dōtombori area, this is a decent deal if you want to be based in the heart of Minami. The hotel has just been refurbished and the rooms are fairly spacious for this price bracket. Cable LAN available in rooms.
TOP END
Hotel Nikkō Osaka (Map; 6244-1281; www.hno.co.jp/english/index_e.html; 1-3-3 Nishi-Shinsaibashi, Chūō-ku; s/d/tw from ¥21,945/34,650/34,650; ; Midō-suji subway line to Shinsaibashi) In Shinsaibashi, this is a good choice, with excellent facilities and a convenient location. All the rooms here are Western style and very clean, including the bathrooms. There is direct access to Shinsaibashi subway station. Cable LAN available in rooms.
Swissotel Nankai Osaka (Map; 6646-1111; http://osaka.swissotel.com; 5-1-60 Namba, Chūō-ku; d/tw from ¥34,650/48,510; ; Midō-suji subway line to Namba) Minami’s most elegant hotel, with stunning views and direct connections to KIX via Nankai-line trains that depart from Namba Station below the hotel. Rooms are clean and well appointed. There is a gym and excellent dining options on-site and nearby. Cable LAN available in rooms.
Other Areas
BUDGET
Osaka-fu Hattori Ryokuchi Youth Hostel (; off Map; 6862-0600; www.osakaymca.or.jp/shisetsu/hattori/hattori.html; 1-3 Hattori Ryokuchi, Toyonaka-shi; dm ¥2500; Midō-suji subway line to Ryokuchi-kōen Station, western exit) Located in Ryokuchi-kōen, this youth hostel is a little long in the tooth and not quite as welcoming as the other two listed here. However, if you fancy a little fresh air in the evening, this is a good choice. No membership is necessary here. It’s approximately 15 minutes from Kita or 30 minutes from Minami. Leave the station, enter the park and follow the path past a fountain and around to the right alongside the pond.
Osaka Shiritsu Nagai Youth Hostel (; off Map;6699-5631; www.nagaiyh.com/english/index.html; 1-1 Nagai-kōen, Higashisumiyoshi-ku; dm from ¥2950, s ¥3450; ; JR Hanwa line to Tsurugaoka) This is another good youth hostel, although it’s somewhat less conveniently located than the Shin-Osaka Youth Hostel. It’s clean, well run and smoke-free. There are private rooms and a family room for up to four people. Take the Midō-suji subway line south from the centre of town to Nagai Station, go out exit 1 and walk for 10 minutes towards the stadium. The hostel is at the back of the stadium. Or (for Japan Rail Pass holders), take the JR Hanwa line to Tsurugaoka Station and walk southeast for five minutes.
Shin-Osaka Youth Hostel (; Map; 6370-5427; www.osaka-yha.com/shin-osaka; 1-13-13 Higashinakajima, Higashiyodogawa-ku; dm ¥3300, tw per person ¥4500; ; JR line to Shin-Osaka, east exit) Five minutes’ walk from Shin-Osaka Station, this fine new youth hostel is the closest hostel to the centre of town. The rooms are clean and well taken care of and there are great views across the city. A variety of private rooms are available, including one barrier-free room. The east exit out of Shin-Osaka Station is only marked from the upper floors of the station; cross the road and go left, passing a small convenience store and a sushi restaurant; turn right just past the sushi restaurant and walk 200m and you will see the large building on your left. Elevators are at the back.
TOP END
Hotel Nikkō Kansai Airport (0724-55-1111; www.nikkokix.com/e/top.html;