New Osaka Hotel

We all have our individual criteria for choosing hotels but for me, a very important consideration is access to public transportation. When it comes to Japan, that'd mean staying near a subway station. And since we were in Osaka because our flight home will fly off from Kansai, I chose New Osaka as it was just 5 mins. away on foot from the JR Shin-Osaka station.

Other than this, there's not much to rave about this place. The hotel's age shows, our room was small and crampy, hardly any space for luggage and the small window just allows light in without any view.

If you don't mind the small space then this hotel is suitable for solo travelers on a budget. Room rate does not include breakfast however.

Unique Quality: Even nearer to the hotel is the Shin-Osaka station of the Marunouchi subway line.

Directions: From the JR Shin-Osaka station, get out of the East exit down to street level. The hotel and its large sign can be seen so you could just walk towards it.

A business-type hotel located near the enormous JR Shin-Osaka station. The hotel offers both Western and Japanese style rooms to your liking. I prefer the Japanese style as the rooms are bigger and you sleep on tatamis.

Unique Quality: A no-frills business hotel by JR Shin-Osaka station.

Directions: The hotel is located south of the JR Shin-Osaka station.

Rooms are a little bit small but quite comfortable. Also lots of free things which are now in my bathroom (you just can't buy class eh? :) ) I have to say the view from my window wasn't great, looking into an office building less than 20 yards away. And you might want to give the 'Chinese' restaurant on the top floor a miss. I found it overpriced and not very good. The ground floor restaurant was much better

Unique Quality: Conveniently located opposite Shin Osaka Station where you can travel on the shinkansen to other Japanese cities, or on the subway around Osaka itself. For this type of hotel the staff were also extremely friendly.

(I should add I booked this room at Kansai airport and got a considerable discount).

Directions: it's big. you can't miss it !