Guesthouse U-En Osaka

I spent five nights here and had a great stay. The curry restaurant on the ground floor is excellent, and you can hang out there after 10pm. The showers are especially nice for a hostel, and the toilets are fine. My room and bed were clean and comfortable, though climbing up to the top bunk is a bit tricky. It can get warm in summer despite the air conditioning, maybe because the ventilation isn’t ideal. Staff were friendly and helpful, and the location is decent, with three stations about a 5-10 minute walk away. I’d recommend it.

I slept better here than anywhere else in Japan, even in a capsule-style bottom bunk. The room was really dark, and the fan made a gentle, cool breeze. It has a hostel atmosphere, with lots of travelers from abroad and a book library. There are also Google Maps lists with recommended places to eat. Staff were friendly, and the laundry is cheap, which helps in the heat. Once you get your bearings, the location works well, with plenty of cafes and restaurants around and the station within easy reach.

Of the four Osaka hostels I tried that week, this was easily my favorite. The beds were comfortable, with useful shelves beside them, and the staff were really friendly. The atmosphere was nice, and the ground floor cafe was a cute spot to grab coffee. The location worked well too. The drawback was the price, about $30 for one night. The experience was best if I ignored the cost, since the other hostels were only a little worse and nearly half the price.

The morning coffee, with a special discount for guests, was such a nice touch. We had a private room, though the bathrooms and showers were shared, and everything felt clean and well looked after the whole time. This is the best guesthouse or hostel I’ve stayed in.