Sanco Inn Osaka Yodoyabashi Shikinoyu

The only real plus for me was the central location. The rooms, amenities, and service felt below standard, especially for a price that’s higher than similar budget hotels. The onsen doesn’t allow tattoos, even if covered with stickers, and anyone with a tattoo, no matter the size, is barred. I booked partly because of the onsen, so I wish the website had made this clearer. My standard room barely fit the bed and a tiny desk. The bathroom was one of the most basic I’ve seen: thin plastic in a camper-like space, with no water temperature above lukewarm. Even a budget hotel I stayed in in sapporo had a jetted tub and separate shower. Cleanliness was okay, but there was dust on the baseboard trim and in the carpet pile, which surprised me given the cleaning time available after checkout. Checkout at 10:00am is unusually early. I was feeling unwell after arriving in Osaka and slept until 10:01. When I left at 10:07, I was bombarded with calls and knocks, then admonished at the front desk. Other hotels often offer late checkout or a grace period, but this one didn’t. Breakfast also ends at 10:00am, and there’s no coffee or water in the lobby afterward. They’ll tell you, “Well we did warn you.” That’s true, but customer service could mean offering a takeaway machine coffee to a guest who has just lost the money spent on prepaid breakfast. Most travelers can find a better option.

The rooms are clean, though small, and breakfast was pretty good. What let the place down for me was the front desk staff. A Japanese and an Indian gentleman were arrogant and unhelpful. I stayed six nights, from 3 Apr to 9 Apr 2025, and wouldn’t stay there again.

The public bath was a highlight for me. The rooms were on the small side, but the location was right on point for what I needed, with a very convenient subway connection straight to Namba and Shinshaibashi.

I stayed two nights and found it really convenient. The guesthouse may look a little out of the way, but the subway is right next to it and gets you to the city center in 25 minutes. There’s a 7/11 and family mart nearby, plus local restaurants and shops within walking distance. It’s quiet too, with no noise. The owner was welcoming and explained everything clearly.