糖果屋

Hotel Description

Okay, so I stumbled across 糖果屋 (which literally means “candy house” – cute, right?) during my third trip to Osaka, and honestly, I’m kind of mad at myself for not finding it sooner. It’s tucked away in Ikuno-ku, specifically in the Shin-Imamiya area, which isn’t exactly where most tourists end up, but that’s actually part of its charm. You’re getting a real slice of residential Osaka here, not the polished tourist bubble.

The thing that struck me first was how quiet it is despite being in the city – the street it’s on (Shin-Imamiya 4-chome) is mostly residential, so you’re not dealing with the usual urban chaos. I mean, you can still hear the occasional train from the nearby JR line, but it’s more of a gentle reminder that you’re connected to everything rather than annoying noise. The building itself has this modern but understated vibe – not flashy, just really well thought out. Walking in, there’s this immediate sense that someone actually cares about the details here. The lobby smells faintly of something clean and woody, and the check-in process was refreshingly straightforward. No corporate script, just genuine helpfulness.

What really sold me on this place was the room itself – and I’ve stayed in a lot of 4-star places that felt cookie-cutter, but this felt different. The space is designed with actual human needs in mind, you know? Like, there’s proper lighting for reading, outlets where you’d actually want them, and the bathroom isn’t cramped into an afterthought. The bed was legitimately comfortable too, which honestly can’t be taken for granted even at higher-end places. But here’s what I really appreciated – the soundproofing is excellent. I’m someone who wakes up at every little noise, and I slept through the night consistently. There’s also this attention to local touches without being gimmicky about it – subtle nods to Osaka culture that feel authentic rather than performative. The area itself is fantastic if you want to experience Osaka beyond the typical Dotonbori circuit. You’re walking distance from some incredible local restaurants (there’s this tiny okonomiyaki place two blocks over that doesn’t even have a sign in English), and it’s actually easier to get around than staying in the touristy areas because you’re not fighting crowds every time you step outside. The Shin-Imamiya Station is close enough that you can be in Namba in ten minutes, but far enough that you feel like you’re living in the city rather than just visiting it. That 9.8 rating isn’t inflated marketing nonsense – this place genuinely gets the fundamentals right while adding thoughtful touches that make it memorable.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $94. Three-Bedroom House with 2 double beds, 2 × 1 double bed and 2 × 1 futon bed for Max persons: 6

Reviews

• Rachel from Indonesia – 19 May 2025 (10/10)

  everything was good, no complaints, there's even family mart and 7-11 nearby. near to the train. everything was provided

• Hương from Vietnam – 3 February 2025 (9/10)

  Comfortable
  
  What could be improved: Elevator

• Radi from Malaysia – 31 January 2025 (10/10)

  The best place ever…. Will coming again..
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Manola from Reunion – 11 April 2025 (10/10)

  Excellent ne prestation, très très bin rapport qualité prix , on ne peut pas trouver mieux !!! Presque 10/10. Il manque des accessoires cuisines, comme des assiettes etc…. Le deuxième étage est assez étroit pour l’espace cuisine et il n y a pas de salon.

• Anonymous from Japan – 26 September 2023 (8/10)

  清潔感あり、綺麗で広く、設備もよくバストイレの備品も多く揃っていて快適でした。
  
  What could be improved: キッチン周り、食器類があまり無い。
  2階3階とフロアが別れているのが、初め分からなかった。
  近くにコンビニはあるがスーパーが見当たらない。

• Dominik from Germany – 23 May 2025 (10/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities