Are you looking for the best hostels in Osaka?
Selecting the perfect hostel is no easy task. There are so many things to consider: sociability, cleanliness, security, the list goes on and on.
With so many stunning hostels in Osaka, how do you pick your perfect accommodation?
We are here to help. As hostel enthusiasts ourselves, we have used our experience to outline the 9 best hostels based on different desirability. With Osaka pulling record visitor numbers, book your bed ahead, especially in cherry blossom season and autumn.
Enjoy!
Comparison Of The Best Hostels In Osaka, Japan
- Hostel Mitsuwaya Osaka – Best Overall Hostel In Osaka
- Mad Cat Hostel Osaka & Bar – Best Party Hostel In Osaka
- The Pax Hostel – Best Backpacker Hostel In Osaka
- Hostel Caranashi – Best Cheap Hostel In Osaka
- Cabin & Capsule Hotel J-Ship Osaka Namba – Best Capsule Hostel In Osaka
- IMANO OSAKA SHINSAIBASHI – Best Hostel For Digital Nomads In Osaka
- Capsule Hotel J Garden Shin-Osaka – Best Hostel Near Shin Osaka Station
- Hostel OGK – Best Hostel Near Osaka Station
- Guest House Mii – Honorable Mention Hostel In Osaka
Best Overall Hostel in Osaka
The winner of the overall best hostel in Osaka is Hostel Mitsuwaya Osaka. This hostel has pretty much everything a traveler might be looking for when staying in a hostel: Comfort, cleanliness, security, friendly atmosphere, helpful staff, and excellent free Wi-Fi.
The wooden minimalistic decor creates a cozy atmosphere, especially in the common lounge area. It is much easier to meet someone when the ambiance is so relaxed. The staff goes out of their way to get to know you as a person and gives you guidance on exploring Osaka.
When you are not resting in your private capsule-style bed, you can get some sun on their beautiful rooftop.
This is the hostel that you will remember ten years after your stay. You will make friends that you will have your entire life. You will share stories and laughter like you have never done before.
It is no wonder why Mitsuwaya Osaka is considered one of the best hostels in Osaka.
Best Party Hostel in Osaka
Party hostels in Osaka aren’t the same as party hostels in other places such as Bali, Budapest, or Cancun. You won’t find crazy party hostels where music is blasting, booze is everywhere, and people puking in the toilet. Party hostels in Osaka are more like social hostels where guests are keener to go out and enjoy Osaka’s nightlife.
Mad Cat Hostel Osaka & Bar is one of the most social hostels in Osaka. This tiny 15-bed hostel in Abeno runs a beach-style bar every night from 7pm to midnight, and every guest gets a welcome drink. The owner keeps the shisha and fresh sashimi coming, and the two resident cats, Maru and Kogo, make the place feel like a home rather than a hotel.
It is cozy rather than rowdy, which honestly suits Osaka. You will actually talk to people here, and Tennoji and Shinsekai are a short metro ride away when you want to go out.
Besides the social vibes, the hostel is spotless. Guests consistently call it one of the cleanest dorms they have stayed in.
Dorms from ~$16/night
Best Backpacker Hostel in Osaka
If you are a backpacker traveling solo in Japan, The Pax Hostel is where you want to be. This dorm-only hostel in the heart of Shinsekai is built from the ground up for meeting people: an in-house vinyl record store, a cafe/bar hosting free live music, a rooftop, and a communal lounge with a slide between floors. Yes, an actual slide.
It sits 30 seconds from Tsutenkaku Tower and 3 minutes on foot from Ebisucho station, with Dotonbori about a kilometer away. The crowd is almost entirely solo travelers, so you will not be the odd one out.
The dorms are simple but the beds are comfortable, and at these prices you will have money left over for takoyaki.
Dorms from ~$14/night
Best Cheap Hostel in Osaka
Traveling in Japan is not cheap, a short Japan trip can easily set you back a few thousand dollars. Though accommodations in Osaka tend to be expensive, there are some cheap hostels in Osaka.
My favorite cheap hostel in Osaka is Hostel Caranashi. Tucked into the residential streets of Shin-Imazato near Koreatown, this cozy, plant-filled guesthouse is one of the best-value beds in the city. The tatami rooms are spotless, every bunk has a privacy curtain, and the hosts are exceptionally warm.
The social lounge and shared kitchen make it easy to meet people, and Imazato station is a few minutes on foot with Dotonbori and Namba a short train ride away. For the price, it is hard to beat.
Dorms from ~$18/night
5. CABIN & CAPSULE HOTEL J-SHIP OSAKA NAMBA
Best Capsule Hostel in Osaka
If you are looking to experience the trendy capsule-style hostels that have become so popular in the world, don’t overlook Cabin & Capsule Hotel J-Ship. They are the perfect accommodation in Osaka for travelers that prefer a little bit more privacy and space.
Once you enter your pod and shut down the curtains, it’s like you have entered your own little spaceship. Your own light switch, your own plugs, your own fan, and your own space! The facilities are super clean and the decor is very modern.
One of the most outstanding features of Cabin & Capsule Hotel J-Ship Osaka Namba is the public bathhouse. For anyone unfamiliar with them, they are similar to onsens (natural hot springs) but instead of natural water coming from the ground, it’s water from the building.
Think of it like a series of hot tubs in a big space where everyone gets together and hangs out. They are the perfect place to relax after spending a day exploring Osaka.
If you aren’t convinced yet, Cabin & Capsule Hotel J-Ship is located in one of the best places to stay in Osaka. Namba is a transportation hub and the neighborhood is filled with restaurants and grocery stores.
Best Hostel For Digital Nomads in Osaka
If you are a digital nomad or on a workation and need fast WiFi to work while you are traveling, then IMANO Osaka Shinsaibashi is perfect for you. Featuring comfortable dormitory rooms and spacious private rooms, IMANO surely has something for your needs.
The hostel bar and cafe is the perfect place to work during the day. When the night comes, you can explore the surrounding area of the hostel, Shinsaibashi. Shinsaibashi is filled with trendy bars, amazing Osaka nightlife, and it is close to the famous Dotonbori.
Work hard during the day, and party hard at night! IMANO is the perfect hostel for digital nomads in Osaka.
7. CAPSULE HOTEL J GARDEN SHIN-OSAKA
Best Hostel Near Shin Osaka Station
One of the biggest advantages of staying near the Shin Osaka is the accessibility to the bullet trains (shinkansen) of Japan. This modern technology allows travelers to cover a large distance in a short time of time, making seemingly impossible things such as taking a day trip to Hiroshima from Osaka doable.
However, the Shin Osaka station is far away from the main attractions of Osaka, so there are sacrifices to be made if you choose to stay in a hostel near Shin Osaka.
Capsule Hotel J Garden Shin-Osaka is a modern capsule hotel one stop from Shin-Osaka on the Midosuji Line. The designer capsules are roomy, the floors are gender-separated, and there is a communal onsen-style bath plus a recreation lounge. Towels, pajamas, and toiletries are all provided.
It skews quiet and business-traveler rather than social, which makes it perfect for a night before an early shinkansen. Just note the building clears out from 10am to 3pm for cleaning, so plan your day accordingly.
Capsules from ~$22/night
Best Hostel Near Osaka Station
If you want to stay in a hostel near Osaka Station so you can take a day trip to Nara, spend a day in Kyoto, or just for general accessibility of the Kansai region, then consider Hostel OGK. Located in Fukushima, about a 7-minute walk from JR Osaka Station, it is in an area filled with great restaurants and shops.
The capsule-style dorm beds come with privacy curtains and individual lockers, and guests rave about how big and comfortable the beds are. The shared facilities are clean, the staff are friendly and multilingual, and the common lounge is quiet but functional.
I highly recommend Hostel OGK for anyone that needs to stay close to Osaka Station but wants a comfortable and affordable bed.
Dorms from ~$19/night
Honorable Mention Hostel in Osaka
The honorable mention goes to Guest House mii, an owner-run guesthouse between Dotonbori and the quieter local streets. The location is the star here: a short stroll to Namba, minutes from Tanimachikyuchome Station, and surrounded by great food and nightlife.
The vibe is the other star. The owner is famously personable, the bar/common area is super chill, and guests consistently praise how clean everything is. The dorms are simple and the beds are comfortable, and at these prices you will have money left over for takoyaki.
Dorms from ~$19/night
How To Pick The Perfect Hostel In Osaka?
There is an overwhelming number of hostels in Osaka, and not all of them are good. To minimize the chance that you end up staying in a subpar hostel, there are certain things you might want to look for.
How Good Is The Wi-Fi?
As more and more travelers work remotely, the quality of Wi-Fi is becoming a very important deciding factor when it comes to hostel. Luckily, the internet speed in Osaka is generally very good, but you’ll need to make sure the range of the Wi-Fi is good in your hostel. Otherwise, you might not get any!
Do They Have Events?
It is hard to gauge whether a hostel is social or not. Sometimes hostels can claim they are social, but might not be due to the crowd. One thing that always gets the guests excited to socialize is events. If your hostel has events, you can expect it to be fairly social.
Is It Located Near A Subway Station?
The most convenient way to get around Osaka is through the Osaka metro system. It connects you to the majority of the sights in Osaka and can seriously save you some time if you are near one. However, on the other hand, if you are far from one, that could mean you need to spend lots of money on Uber or lots of time walking to one.
Osaka Hostels FAQs
What Is The Best Hostel In Osaka?
There are many great hostels in Osaka, but the best one is generally considered to be Hostel Mitsuwaya Osaka.
What Are The Hostels Like In Osaka?
There are plenty of variety when it comes to hostels in Osaka. You can have very modern ones that are tailored to business travelers, with their capsules and clean facilites. You can have backpacker hostels situated in old Japanese homes that are perfect for socializing and meeting other travelers. Whatever your taste is, you’ll find something that fits.
Picking the perfect hostel in Osaka is no easy task. I hope this post has at least given you insights into which hostel suits you best!
Any question? Leave a comment!
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