I Osaka Traditional

A great option if you're coming from the airport, since it's between the big city and KIX. Check-in and checkout were very easy. If you can't find staff, try the cafe next door.

There are several kinds of rooms, including traditional and modern styles. The shared kitchen and bathroom were neat and clean. Good service, and a friendly guide.

For Taiwanese travelers, this place is pretty funny in a good way. At this price, what more could you ask for? It's suited to people who like a bit of adventure. The shower is semi-transparent, and there was no hot water, or maybe there was some downstairs, I'm not sure. There were all kinds of things left by previous guests: paper cranes, colored paper, charging stations, you name it. If you're not an extreme germaphobe, the room isn't too off-putting. Some rooms have no air conditioning, so cool air doesn't really reach you, though it's still okay. You can turn on the outside air conditioning in the same room to cool things a little. Still, why are there rooms with heating but no air conditioning? The staff member is Vietnamese and doesn't speak much Japanese. To check in, go to the cafe next door and ask. The common areas were quite clean, with stoves and microwaves, and some rooms have kitchens too. There are plenty of restaurants less than a ten-minute walk away, plus a supermarket open until midnight. Namba is about a twenty-minute subway ride. Very cheap, and suited to adventurous travelers.

For the price, I think it was worth it. The tatami mats in the room were quite dented, the bath towels weren't replaced, and there were lots of mosquitoes. The washing machine was broken and there wasn't any detergent in the kitchen, so it didn't feel very clean. For check-in, you had to call a staff member at the cafe next door. Foreigners arriving late at night often got lost or couldn't figure out how to check in, so it might be better to change that system. It'd be fine if you went in expecting a dormitory.