Where to Stay in OSAKA & KYOTO? Best Areas and Hotels We Tried

Osaka & Kyoto – the ultimate Kansai showdown. On one side, you’ve got Osaka: the modern and oh-so-vibrant kitchen of Japan. It’s a city where neon signs and the aroma of takoyaki keep the energy alive. On the other side, there’s Kyoto: serene, elegant, and dripping in history, with temples, tea houses, and that magical old Japan charm.

But here’s the million-yen question: where should you stay? And which area in particular? What hotels have we tried? We’ll answer all these in this article, so read on.

This video will be all about hotel and hostel locations, and if you’re looking for a place to stay in Osaka, try KLOOK and use our promo code THEPOORTRAVELERKLOOK to score up to P300 OFF or TPTKLOOK5 to grab P500 OFF on hotels. Redeem your P500 discount voucher here! ✅

Which is the better base: Osaka or Kyoto? It’s actually pretty easy to answer, but it’s not clean cut. The truth is, as in most if not all cases, which is better depends on your itinerary. If most of the attractions you’re visiting is in Osaka, then stay in Osaka. If your itinerary is dominated by Kyoto sites, why make it complicated? Stay in Kyoto.

But once you have picked a city, the better question is: WHERE IN KYOTO? Or WHERE IN OSAKA?

In theory, as long as you’re near a train station, you’re already winning. Osaka and Kyoto’s public transport game is top-tier, and most attractions are conveniently near a station or bus stop. But—and this is a big but—not all areas are created equal. Some spots are just way more practical or exciting depending on your plans.

And once again, the best district depends on your itinerary. Are you here to soak in all the Osaka goodness and nothing else? There’s an area for that. Planning day trips to places like Kobe or Nara? Yep, there’s a spot for that. Or maybe you’re all about that shinkansen life, going to farther destinations but staying in Osaka as your base. Guess what? There’s a perfect area for that too.

So what are these areas? Let’s start with Osaka.

Namba & Dotonbori

Location: Chuo Ward

If you’re looking for a vibrant and high-energy area to stay, Namba and Dotonbori should be in your list. This is Osaka’s frenetic entertainment and shopping district, bursting at the seams with locals and tourists alike.

Dotonbori is a destination on its own and is often included in any Osaka first-timer’s itinerary. It mainly refers to this street, flanked with…