Would you believe that only a few minutes’ walk from the bustling, dynamic centre of Osaka, Dotonbori, is this delightful family-run ryokan?! I never knew there was such an affordable, authentic ryokan in Osaka so close to the major sights like the Glico man! For less than ¥10,000 per person (between ¥6,600-8,800 depending on the plan), you can stay at Kaneyoshi Ryokan & find yourself within easy reach of some of the most popular attractions Osaka has to offer.
A welcoming arrival at Kaneyoshi Ryokan
As soon as I entered, I was given such a hearty, genuine welcome from the owner of this Osaka ryokan, Kaneyoshi-san. The Kaneyoshi family ryokan has a long history, having been welcoming guests since 1919 so they have truly mastered the art of omotenashi. They’re also a member of the International Ryokan Association and have served many foreign customers over the years. Now that Japan’s undergoing a tourism boom, they’re hoping to continue to welcome and meet the requests of their increasing number of foreign guests.
Traditional, simple, comfortable rooms
Rooms are traditional in design so you can experience an authentic Japanese ryokan stay, with tatami flooring and shoji sliding doors. Some rooms can sleep up to 6 people making it ideal for those with larger families or a group trip with friends.
I loved the little touches of Japanese art adding to the atmosphere of the room. There’s also a tv so you can enjoy the quirkiness of Japanese tv before bedtime too!
Behind the shoji doors was a little table and chairs for me to sit and enjoy a cup of green tea and a snack. The windows are double glazed so you don’t have to worry about it being noisy. You can open the windows too for a more unobstructed view.
Look at this river view!
For a minimal extra fee, you can choose to have a room with a river view which I highly recommend. You can see all the way along the Dotonbori river which is even more stunning all lit-up at night! While away your time with a cup of green tea as you watch the boats pass you by.
Make sure to give a little wave to the tourists passing by below! This river cruise is only a 3 minute walk away from Kaneyoshi Ryokan and is a unique way to see Dotonbori.
The most convenient location for sightseeing in Osaka
One of the things I loved most about this hotel is that it is only a 7 minute walk from exit 14 of Namba station (or a 3 minute walk from exit 2 of Nihonbashi station) which is the vibrant heart of downtown Osaka. For more detailed information and a guide on what to do there, make sure to check Day 5 of my West Japan in a Week Itinerary.
Kaneyoshi Ryokan’s facilities
Enjoying a Japanese public bath
One thing you’ll be craving after getting in those 10,000 steps (or more like 20 – 30,000 steps when on holiday in Japan!) is a long, hot bath. Your muscles will really appreciate the deep soak trust me!
Whilst it’s a small public bath, the retro design is nostalgic and will do the trick of relaxing those sore legs!
Although it isn’t onsen water, you can still experience the joy of having a relaxing Japanese public bath. If it’s your first time, no need to worry. There’s a guide of the simple steps to follow in English so you can avoid any awkward moments! Visitors with tattoos are also allowed to use the bath.
The dining room
Although dinners are not served, this isn’t an issue as Osaka is THE city for foodies. You’ll want to head down to Dotonbori and feast on all the different street foods! Takoyaki and okonomiyaki are the must tries! If you prefer, you’re able to bring back food and drinks to enjoy in the hotel’s dining room too.
A Japanese breakfast is served in the morning in the shared dining room with beautiful calligraphy decorating the walls.
A stylish coworking space
For those of you that unfortunately might have to bring your laptop with you & do a bit of work on your travels, I have good news for you! There is a stylishly designed coworking space which you can use freely with free wifi.
A cosy instagrammable corner to relax in
Grab a beanbag and a book and relax in front of this wall adorned with Hokusai’s Red Fuji. Such a cosy space!
Currency exchange in the lobby
It can be quite difficult to find a currency exchange when you’re travelling so I was pleasantly surprised to find an ATM-like machine in the lobby! Having cash is essential in Japan, please don’t make the mistake of thinking everything is cashless these days. Yes, cashless has increased a lot the last few years but some places still only accept cash. The last thing you want to do is stumble across the cutest boutique shop or cafe and not be able to buy anything!
Learn some Kansai-ben!
Kansai-ben is the dialect you’ll hear in this region of Japan. One of my favourite unexpected features was this cute little stairwell I discovered when leaving! As I live in the Greater Tokyo area, I don’t know much Kansai-ben other than ookini – thank you, so I enjoyed learning a few more helpful phrases here!
With its perfect blend of affordability, authenticity, and convenience, this ryokan provides an unforgettable experience for travelers. I hope you’ll enjoy your stay at Kaneyoshi Ryokan, a unique gem of an Osaka ryokan. Until next time, honamata – see you again!
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