Backstage Osaka Party Hostel and Bar

For comfort, I’d choose a hotel room. The hostel rooms are crowded, the air conditioning isn’t great, and there’s not much space to sit when the downstairs bar is closed. I met some travelers who complained about the lack of comfort too. Still, it’s a ridiculously well-located hostel. Several subway stations are just a 5-minute walk away, and the nightlife and many well-known attractions in Osaka, a beautiful, big, gritty city, are about 20 minutes away on foot. My bed was really, really cheap, so I knew what to expect. If you want somewhere inexpensive with friendly people and very kind hosts who have lots of recommendations to share, it’s worth a stay.

The location was good, and the people seemed laid-back, but I left as soon as I saw the place because it didn’t meet my standards. Maybe in cooler weather it would have been bearable, though I’d still have concerns about the bed. I know it’s a cheap, one-star hostel, and sharing one toilet and shower among lots of guests is fine with me. What wasn’t fine was the AC, which couldn’t keep up with the number of people in the dorm. In September, with 30-degree weather outside, that was tough, and there’s no AC in the bathroom, showers, or stairway. The bed also wasn’t comfortable, and I wasn’t happy with its cleanliness. There’s nowhere to lock up your belongings either. My stay was bad by my standards, though yours may be different.

The beds are really good for such an inexpensive hostel, and the staff are super friendly. It’s also very clean and within walking distance of Namba. I’d definitely book here again.

The private room was roomy and comfortable, though anyone after luxury might want to look elsewhere. What made the place special for me was how social it was: this was the most sociable hostel I stayed in on my Japan trip, and I met some great people there. I stayed about a year ago, early in a long trip, and found it a good place to meet other travellers and settle into the time difference. The hosts were welcoming and accommodating. They even took us to a good local bar nearby and introduced us to some locals, which was a lovely way to start the trip. I rate the place highly if you want to meet travellers and locals.