Osaka Hotel Review
🚄 Nagoya → Osaka|Shinkansen 1-hour direct to the core area
After a quick trip to Nagoya, I continued my journey by taking the Shinkansen 🚅 to my final destination, Osaka. The entire trip took 1 hour without any transfers, and the timing was perfect. After getting off the train, I took a taxi 🚕 to Hotel Oriental Express Osaka Namba 🏨 for check-in. Initially, the photos didn't impress me much, but the location was convenient, so I decided to give it a try. To my surprise, it exceeded my expectations!
✨ Hotel Features|Prime location in Namba, super convenient for shopping and dining
📍 Address: 1-4-13 Nipponbashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu
This was my first time in Osaka, so I chose this hotel. It's located in the heart of Namba, just a few minutes' walk to Dotonbori, Kuromon Market, and Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street. The area is packed with shopping and dining options 🏬, so there's always something to do right outside the door. Plus, it's close to Nankai Namba Station, where you can take the Nankai Electric Railway Limited Express Rapi:t 🚆 to Kansai Airport ✈️ in 45 minutes, which is super convenient for catching flights!
♨️ Facilities|Free laundry, lounge, mini fountain garden
The hotel has quite comprehensive facilities, including a Welcome Lounge 🍹 that offers free beer 🍺, juice 🧃, and snacks. It's great to enjoy a drink after returning to the hotel at night. There's also a free self-service laundry, which is super convenient for long stays or if you need to wash clothes! Additionally, the hotel has a small fountain garden, which is quite comfortable. I planned to sit and relax, but there were too many places to visit, so I didn't get a chance to fully enjoy it.
🛁 Room Environment|Clean and tidy, spacious enough
The room was larger than expected, with new and clean decor and complete facilities. It didn't have the cramped and old feeling of typical city center hotels. The bathtub, large windows, and ample storage space made it comfortable even for a few days' stay.
🍽️ Dining|Too many nearby options, didn't try the hotel restaurant
The hotel offers breakfast, but there were so many nearby options that I ate out for every meal, so I didn't specifically try the hotel's dining. There are plenty of local delicacies around, and with Kuromon Market just a stone's throw away, there's always something to eat right outside the door. This is a big advantage for those who love to try local food!
🛎️ Hotel Service|Efficient, smooth check-in
The hotel staff were courteous, and the check-in process was smooth without much waiting. The overall experience was very pleasant. The housekeeping was meticulous, and the service was commendable.
💗 Stay Experience|Unbeatable location, great for shopping and dining
The stay exceeded my expectations, with the biggest highlight being the unbeatable location. Most major attractions in Osaka are within a 5-10 minute walk, making it very flexible to arrange the itinerary.
🎡 Exploring Osaka|Landmark photo spots + must-try local snacks
📸 Glico Sign 📍Dotonbori— Osaka's most iconic street view, with neon lights shining at night, perfect for soaking in the atmosphere.
🍽️ Must-try Osaka snacks
🔹 Okonomiyaki 🔥 Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, with a rich texture
🔹 Takoyaki 🐙 Hot with a gooey center, rich in flavor
🔹 Kushikatsu (skewered and fried) 🍢 Crispy coating, savory sauce, addictive
👟 Shopping Time|Shoe shopping at Shinsaibashi, unexpected sneaker finds
Shinsaibashi-suji has many shoe stores. I didn't plan to buy any, but I found the right size at a price lower than in Hong Kong, so I couldn't resist buying a few pairs. I even found Osaka-exclusive designs, which was a pleasant surprise!
✈️ Last Day|Direct to the airport with Nankai Electric Railway Limited Express Rapi:t 🚆
On the last day, I packed my luggage and took the Nankai Electric Railway Limited Express Rapi:t 🚆 directly to Kansai Airport, without any transfers. The timing was perfect. This express train is not only fast but also has a futuristic design, with a round and sleek blue metallic body that looks like a superhero's helmet!⚡️
The interior is quite comfortable, with spacious seats and large windows to enjoy the scenery along the way. The 45-minute ride is definitely the most convenient way to connect to the airport, making the end of this trip a breeze!