1688 House Osaka B

Hotel Description

So I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to 1688 House Osaka B in Nishinari, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The neighborhood’s got this interesting mix of old-school Osaka working-class vibe and newer budget traveler spots, and you know what? It actually works. This little 3-star place sits right on a quiet side street where you can hear the morning delivery trucks but not the constant hum of tourist buses that plague other parts of the city.

The thing that surprised me most was how the staff actually remembered my name after day two (I mean, I was there for almost a week, but still). Check-in was refreshingly straightforward – none of that overly formal bowing and ceremony you sometimes get, just genuine helpfulness. The rooms are what you’d call efficiently designed rather than spacious, but honestly, when you’re spending your days exploring Dotonbori and Osaka Castle, who cares if your room’s a bit snug? The beds are surprisingly comfortable though, and the AC works like a dream – crucial during those sticky summer months when Osaka feels like a sauna.

Here’s what I really appreciated: the location puts you within walking distance of Dobutsuenmae Station, which sounds touristy but is actually a perfect launching point for getting around without dealing with the chaos of Namba or Umeda. Plus, there’s this fantastic little ramen shop about three blocks down (turn right when you exit, you can’t miss the red lantern) that serves tonkotsu until 2 AM – saved my life more than once after long days of sightseeing. The neighborhood’s got character too, with tiny grocery stores and those mysterious vending machines that sell everything from hot coffee to… well, you never know what you’ll find. Parking’s a bit tricky if you’re driving, but let’s be real – nobody should be driving in Osaka anyway.

What sets this place apart from the cookie-cutter business hotels is the little touches. They’ve got this small lobby area where people actually hang out and chat (mostly other travelers, some locals), and the morning coffee – while not exactly artisanal – is decent enough and always fresh. The shower pressure’s solid, which you can’t take for granted in older Japanese buildings, and the Wi-Fi reaches every corner without cutting out every five minutes. I did notice the walls are somewhat thin, so if you’re a light sleeper, pack earplugs – though it’s generally pretty quiet since most guests seem to be the respectful type rather than party crowds.

Look, it’s not going to wow you with luxury amenities or Instagram-worthy views, but 1688 House Osaka B does something more valuable – it gives you a genuine slice of Osaka life without breaking the bank. The 8-point rating feels about right; it’s the kind of place where everything works as it should, the staff cares about your experience, and you’ll probably find yourself recommending it to friends back home. Just don’t expect a concierge or room service – this is more about clean, comfortable, and authentically Osakan.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $199. Apartment with 2 × 1 double bed, 2 × 2 double beds and 3 × 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• Janet from United States – 11 April 2025 (8/10)

  Plenty of space for family of 6. Close enough to the station.
  
  What could be improved: Located right next to a famous red light district. Recent fire with extensive damage right next door.

• Criselda from Australia – 25 January 2025 (7/10)

  The house interior itself was awesome, very spacious and beds were clean and toilets are new. We had the best nights sleep in this property. Has everything you need. Great for big groups. The location was good, easy to get to train. usj is 30 mins away and dotonbori is like 19 mins from nearest station.
  
  What could be improved: But note the property is not accesible by car, you will need to walk. We had troubles getting drop off by cab or picked up by airport car transfers. The surrounds while I think is safe, its something to get used to—- Dark side streets alleyways. The red light district is also a street away so up to you if that is a pro or a con.

• Juan from United States – 29 December 2024 (9/10)

  Every floor had its own bathroom and washer. Spacious to say the least.
  
  What could be improved: It was a bit confusing understanding the breakdown of the units. Turned out it was two separate entryways: one door for the first floor and the other door for the 2nd and 3rd floor. Also, it was raining for most part of our trip and both places have very little entryway space for shoes so it becomes a debacle to remove shoes and again wear shoes without it getting messy/dirty etc.

• Boscolollh from Hong Kong – 22 May 2025 (8/10)

  Clean , big with 3 floors
  
  What could be improved: There have an abandoned burned house near it

• Bronte from Australia – 1 May 2025 (5/10)

  Overall, the accommodation was clean and well-equipped. The amenities were also suitable for large groups, allowing everyone to stay together.
  
  What could be improved: Its location presents a challenge, as it is situated in Osaka's red-light district, which I do not believe to be suitable families.

• Carissa from Australia – 1 September 2024 (8/10)

  The property was clean and easy to live in for the 4 nights we stayed! We all had our own room and bathroom which is nice on holidays. It was super quiet location but still in walking distance to shops and nice restaurant and food options. The host was super easy to talk to. Will definitely be recommending this accommodation to all my family and friends back home in Australia!

• Angels from Andorra – 6 November 2024 (8/10)

  Todo nuy bie

• Carol from Macao – 28 May 2025 (7/10)

  一樓和2樓佈局不錯，有足夠空間使用，交通方便，該區域很有趣。
  
  What could be improved: 地下層有兩間房，但共用空間太細，各人只能站立。洗衣機亁衣只有脫水功能，不是真正的乾衣機。第一晚房間內遇上曱甴。

• Magicow from China – 23 February 2025 (9/10)

  每一层楼都有相应的卫生间，一大家子人不需要排队等，也避免了多人共用卫生间的尴尬。
  
  What could be improved: 楼梯比较陡，带着重行李箱的话搬运不是很方便，不过在日本这也难免，可以理解。门口没有遮雨棚，下雨天进出会有些许不便。

• Koji from Japan – 16 April 2025 (6/10)

  非常に清潔で、設備も整っていた点は申し分なかった。しかし奥の部屋のカーテンを開けると火事で焼けた建物が目の前にあり、特に2、3Fからは全貌が見えて気分悪かった。すぐにインターネットで調べたが、今年の3月2日の火事であると分かり、それも2名が死亡したと報じられている。4泊したが、2日目からは良い住み心地ではなかった。何か高い塀等を建てて、見えない様にするとか、訳ありと言うことで格安にするかの対応を取らないと、焼けた建物が全て撤去されるまでに泊まった顧客の気分を害すると思います。我々も今でも変な気分が取れていません。

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