JA Hotel Midoribashi

The reception staff were welcoming and helped me with self-check-in, and the affordable price made this a good base for exploring Osaka. It’s a short walk from Midoribashi Station and about 15 minutes on foot from Osaka Castle, with several supermarkets and konbinis nearby. My room was small but comfortable, with plenty of amenities. There’s no lift and the stairs are steep, though I didn’t mind that.

The stairs are very steep and there’s no elevator. We tried to cancel within an hour of booking and they refused, even after we explained that my friend had an injury. The area also felt poor and there wasn’t much nearby apart from osaka castle, so getting around took a lot of time. Reception was empty almost all the time. We only met anyone at check-in, though to be fair, the guy helped with our luggage. The building’s ventilation was bad, with unpleasant smells in the entrance and rooms. The room was below average for cleanliness and had lots of hair. We booked a couple of nights in Kyoto and Okinawa just to get out of the hotel for a while. We chose it because it was affordable for eight nights, but I’d spend a bit more for a decent Airbnb or a hotel in a better area.

We followed the instructions and arrived before 18:00 to check in. For the low price, the hotel was better than we expected. The rooms are small but cozy, though there isn’t much space for a big suitcase and there’s no elevator. You can hear noise from outside, but earplugs help.

The staff were kind and let us check in an hour early, though they didn’t speak English. The room itself is pretty nice, but there was mould in the AC, and when it’s around 36 degrees Celsius, you really want to use it. The location is okay, but not very exciting if you’re planning late-night activities. Dontonbori, for example, is 30 minutes away.