Osaka - Holiday Tips, Where To Stay?

[200sx]

Hey guys,

Im hoping some of the Japanese residents can help me out here. Im going to have a 2 week holiday in Japan with a bunch of friends and we've decided to base ourselves in Osaka and Tokyo. I've been to Japan a couple years ago and stayed at Shinjuku/Tokyo and found it to be a relatively good spot to be situated as its in the middle of all the action with a main JR line.

My question is, whereabouts in Osaka would you suggest I base myself? I'd like to be as close to where the action is as possible ie. food, nightlife, shopping. and not too far from the touristy places I'd like to visit.

Ive decided to stay at Shinjuku again when we're at Tokyo since its the place im most familiar with, but would you guys suggest somewhere else considering Im wanting a place that meets the same criteria as mentioned for Osaka?

[StinkyPoo]

Not sure what your budget is, but my budget was really low. Shin-Osaka Youth Hostel is a awesome place. I think its almost brand new(1 year i think). Youll probably have some room mates but a really nice place compared to other youth hostels ive been to.

Numba was a cool area, cant really remember much of anything else. Car stuff was really far out of the city. Took me 1hour by train and another 20min by taxi(no car or friends) to get to some interesting places.

[200sx]

well we have $1500 AUD as our budget for accomodation for the 14 days split between the 2 cities. Realistically though we're trying to keep it to around $1000 if possible or as close as we can to it anyway. Which is 2 ppl per room.

So do you think Shin-Osaka is a good area to stay in? There were a couple hotels I found around that area since I thought that may be the major part of town

Car stuff I probably won't be really buying much (sold my 200sx and now have a Golf GTI), so as much as I love Japan and jap cars, unfortunately the parts won't be as appealing to me as it were when I had my 200

Might go and get myself some DEFI gauges though, universal stuff like that I'll probably get while im there

[neergnevets]

Not much near Shin Osaka, stay somewhere near Namba. Osaka is no Tokyo, if I were you, I'd bias my time to Tokyo or get up into the mountains. Radison Miyagi is good value, expensive but value or the same. See expedia.com.au

well we have $1500 AUD as our budget for accomodation for the 14 days split between the 2 cities. Realistically though we're trying to keep it to around $1000 if possible or as close as we can to it anyway. Which is 2 ppl per room.

So do you think Shin-Osaka is a good area to stay in? There were a couple hotels I found around that area since I thought that may be the major part of town

Car stuff I probably won't be really buying much (sold my 200sx and now have a Golf GTI), so as much as I love Japan and jap cars, unfortunately the parts won't be as appealing to me as it were when I had my 200

Might go and get myself some DEFI gauges though, universal stuff like that I'll probably get while im there

[d0p3y]

Which Shinjuku place you going to stay at??

Sounds like you're doing a similar thing to what I'm gonna do.

Btw: go pick up one of the Lonely Planet books for either Japan or I believe there's an Osaka one as well - they're awesome for information

[Beer Baron]

my tip is unless you are travelling around japan a lot just buy the tokyo book and the osaka book.

I've only stayed at one place in osaka and it was the Osaka Hilton. It was an excellent choice. BIG rooms, big bathrooms, pillow menu, amazing service the only downside at all was the price. around $500 per night. but if you are ever passing through with a bigger budget I'd reccomend it for sure.

With a $1500 budget for 2 weeks it's going to be tough if you're staying in Shinjuku. Even a fairly average place will blow that budget in a week. If you dont mind 40min train train trip out of tokyo try the mitsui garden hotel in chiba. It's just 9000 per night for a double room which has one twin size bed, and one proper size single bed. It also has free in room internet.

[200sx]

Which Shinjuku place you going to stay at??

Sounds like you're doing a similar thing to what I'm gonna do.

Btw: go pick up one of the Lonely Planet books for either Japan or I believe there's an Osaka one as well - they're awesome for information

Well I havent decided which hotel in Shinjuku exactly, 2yrs ago I stayed at Shinjuku Village hotel, rooms were damn small but I was travelling with my gf at the time so it was ok since we had a semi double bed which was big enough. This time around I'll need 2 separate beds though so im assuming it'll eat up more room. With a semi double bed at the time and our luggage ( we had about 2 suit cases all up) it was a very tight fit. I guess im wanting to try a different hotel now just for the sake of it but when i decide on one ill let you know.

I've got a lonely planet book for Tokyo, might have to look at the Osaka one.

I have decided to have a bias towards staying in Tokyo longer than in Osaka, only problem is we're going to have to go back to Osaka since our flight arrives/leaves there (we are using that Jetstar deal).

Ill take a look at the hotels around Namba and hopefully see some within our price range.

When I say $1500 for 2 weeks I meant per person. So I guess finding a hotel which is $150ish a night (split between 2 ppl) should be doable?

$500 a night is way out of budget though

dop3y - have u decided on the hotels u'll be staying at as yet?

[d0p3y]

I haven't decided on hotels as yet but I'm looking at possibly staying at a "gaijin house" for a few weeks. It works out to like 200-250ish a week to stay there.

Exploring the many options available at the moment, should have a decision within the next few days. I'll let you know what I come up with anyway - I've been spending many hours googling and reading away