清水屋大阪西九条駅前

Hotel Description

You know what? I wasn’t expecting much from Shimizuya when I first walked up to it – it’s tucked into this quiet residential pocket near Nishikujo Station, and honestly, the exterior is pretty understated. But sometimes the best places are the ones that don’t need to shout about it, and this little 3-star gem is exactly that kind of spot.

The thing about staying here is that you’re actually living like a local for a few days. Nishikujo isn’t touristy at all – it’s where real Osakans catch the train to work, grab convenience store coffee at 7am, and duck into those tiny ramen shops that don’t even have English menus. The hotel sits right there in the mix of it all, maybe a two-minute shuffle from the station platform. I mean, you can literally hear the JR trains pulling in and out, but it’s not annoying noise – more like a gentle urban lullaby that reminds you you’re connected to the whole city. The Osaka Loop Line runs right through here, so you’re basically 15 minutes from anywhere that matters – Osaka Station, Namba, even a quick hop over to Universal Studios if that’s your thing.

What really got me was how the staff just… cared. Check-in was smooth, sure, but they actually took time to mark up a local map with decent breakfast spots and showed me which convenience store had the best onigiri (it’s the FamilyMart around the corner, by the way). The rooms are clean and functional – nothing fancy, but everything works properly and there’s enough space to spread out your stuff without living out of a suitcase. The beds are firm in that particularly Japanese way that somehow leaves you sleeping better than you have in months. I stayed during Golden Week when half of Japan is traveling, and while other places were chaotic, Shimizuya felt calm and organized. The common areas stay tidy, the elevators aren’t packed, and you can actually think clearly in the lobby instead of fighting through crowds of confused tourists with rolling luggage.

Here’s the thing that really sold me on this place – it’s got a 9.5 rating, which initially made me suspicious because that seems too good to be true. But after staying there? It makes total sense. They’re not trying to be the fanciest hotel in Osaka or impress you with marble lobbies and overpriced room service. They’re just really, really good at being exactly what they are: a solid, reliable base camp in a neighborhood where you can experience actual Osaka life instead of the sanitized tourist version. Plus, and this matters more than people admit, the whole area feels safe to walk around at any hour – I was coming back from late dinners in Dotonbori and never felt sketchy about the walk from the station.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $353. Three-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 2 single beds and 3 double beds for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• Katie from Australia – 8 April 2025 (10/10)

  Well equipped and really close to transport.
  
  What could be improved: Really steep stairs – which we got used too!

• Mark from Japan – 31 March 2025 (8/10)

  Very clean and fantastic bedrooms in a great location. Very comfortable and easy to use. The only negative was the staircase on the right side . It has no handrail and is very steep. Children and grandparents found it too scary to use and couldn’t use the bedroom connected to it, which is a a shame because it’s a beautiful bedroom. If a handrail was added and if a small table was added to the kitchen area for more countertop space . I would happily give it a perfect score.

• Ten from United States – 10 March 2025 (10/10)

  This unit is really nice a quiet neighborhood, very close to the subway station. It is right next to a park, and our boys were able to go there and play with the local kids, which was a highlight. There are tons of beds, along with three bedrooms, in the unit, so sleeping space is not an issue. The aircon / heating worked well, and the host has everything lined out for you in easy to access instruction manuals. The shower / bath was traditional, and that was kind of fun for us. Note that the stairs up to the bedrooms are steep, so its best to treat them more like ladders and face them when going down. It may not be the best if you have mobility issues. The host is very strict about the 10am checkout time, so be conscientious of that as well. Overall, it was a great place for our family to stay while in Osaka!

• Rodney from Australia – 7 February 2025 (10/10)

  Super clean and everything was so new and well presented…5 stars.

• Sarah from Australia – 1 February 2025 (10/10)

  It was lovely and spacious and clean. It was also very close to train station.
  
  What could be improved: There were some very steep stairs to the bedrooms, which was to be expect but if you have someone with mobility issue it may be a problem but other then the at the property was perfect for us.

• Iris from South Korea – 26 December 2024 (10/10)

  The host was very helpful. We had a very pleasant stay.

• Qing from Singapore – 11 December 2024 (10/10)

  The most commendable part is the comfort of the beds and linens, best experience ever.
  Then the location. 200m walk to train stations.
  It's a quiet neighborhood with lots of eateries and shops for daily necessities.
  
  What could be improved: The staircases to the bedrooms on the 2nd floor are a bit steep.

• Hwang from South Korea – 15 November 2024 (10/10)

  The location is great. 5min walk to station and 15-20 min train ride to most tourist areas.
  Building may be old but everything inside is brand new.
  Everything was super clean.
  If I visit Osaka again I would book this house again!

• Sterlyn from Guam – 14 October 2024 (10/10)

  The house was exactly like the pictures. Very clean and spacious. Location was great since it was close to the train station, easy to find. The host was very quick to respond to my messages. It was a home away from home.
  
  What could be improved: The stairs are steep with no hand railings, not suitable for people with bad knees or balance.

• Pantipa from Thailand – 12 April 2025 (10/10)

  ที่พักทำเลดีมาก อยู่ใกล้สถานีรถไฟ Nishigujo ซึ่งสามารถเดินทางไป USJ เพียง 2 สถานี ไม่เกิน 10 นาที ทำให้เข้าสวนสนุกได้แต่เช้า จองเข้า Nintendo zone ได้เร็ว และยังสามารถนั่งรถไฟ Hanshin ไป Namba ไม่ถึง 10 นาที, และไปเที่ยว Osaka castle ด้วยรถไฟสายเดียว ใกล้สนามเด็กเล่นเล็ก ๆ ของคนในท้องถิ่นและมีร้านสะดวกซื้อ รวมทั้ง supermarket ใกล้ ๆ
  
  นอกจากนี้ยังมีเครื่องซัก-อบผ้า พร้อมน้ำยาซักผ้า ห้องครัวพร้อมอุปกรณ์ทำอาหาร เครื่องปิ้งขนมปัง ไมโครเวฟ มีราวตากผ้า มีห้องนอนถึง 3 ห้อง
  
  What could be improved: ห้องน้ำมี 1 ห้อง และห้องอาบน้ำพร้อมอ่างอาบน้ำขนาดกะทัดรัด 1 ห้อง อาจไท่เพียงพอกับคนที่เข้าพักหลาย ๆ คน

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities