Bijou Suites Forest

Hotel Description

So I stumbled across Bijou Suites Forest during one of those late-night booking sessions where you’re trying to find something decent in Osaka that won’t completely destroy your budget. The name honestly threw me off at first – I mean, “Forest” in the middle of Nishinari-ku? But you know what, it actually makes sense once you’re there.

The location in Sannou is one of those spots that’s perfectly imperfect for travelers who want to experience real Osaka without the tourist circus. You’re about a 10-minute walk from Imamiya Ebisu Station, which sounds intimidating if you don’t know the area, but it’s actually super convenient – just two stops from Namba and you’re golden. The neighborhood has this lived-in feel that I really appreciate; there’s a family-run ramen shop about three doors down that stays open until like 2 AM (trust me on this one), and the morning sounds are just… normal city life, not the constant stream of rolling suitcases you get near the main tourist drags.

The hotel itself sits in this narrow building that’s typical for the area – you know, the kind where you wonder how they managed to fit actual hotel rooms inside. But they did, and honestly, the suites are surprisingly spacious for Japan. The “forest” theme isn’t some over-the-top gimmick either; they’ve got these subtle wood accents and this earthy color scheme that actually feels calming after a day of navigating Osaka’s sensory overload. My room had this little seating area by the window where you could watch the neighborhood wake up – office workers grabbing coffee, kids heading to school, the whole daily rhythm that makes you feel like you’re staying somewhere real rather than some sterile hotel bubble.

What really impressed me was how the staff handled the language barrier without making it feel like a barrier at all. The front desk person spoke enough English to sort out the practical stuff, but more importantly, they had this genuine helpfulness that transcended language – drawing little maps, calling restaurants to make reservations, that kind of thing. Check-in was smooth, and they actually let me store my luggage for a few hours after checkout without any fuss, which saved my last day in the city.

The building’s a bit older – you’ll hear some footsteps from upstairs if you’re on a lower floor, and the elevator is one of those compact Japanese ones that fits maybe two people and a suitcase if you’re being optimistic. But honestly? That’s part of the charm. It feels authentic in a way that those massive chain hotels just can’t replicate. The neighborhood gets pretty quiet after 10 PM except for the occasional delivery truck, so if you’re a light sleeper, you’ll actually sleep better here than in some of the busier areas.

For the price point and that 8.1 rating, Bijou Suites Forest delivers exactly what it promises – a comfortable, genuine stay in a neighborhood that most tourists never see. It’s not luxury, but it’s real Osaka, and sometimes that’s worth way more than marble lobbies and complimentary champagne.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $103. Three-Bedroom House with 2 × 1 double bed and 3 futon beds for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• Prachya from Thailand – 9 December 2023 (9/10)

  Neary transportation and spot, cleaness, big house, many facility and easy to check in
  
  What could be improved: Just Some bed to hard

• Lay from Australia – 25 October 2023 (8/10)

  Clean, location, allowed early check in.
  
  What could be improved: Shower all the way at the bottom.
  
  No dryer.
  
  Too many steep stairs.

• Kyoko from Malta – 19 August 2023 (8/10)

  The house was big and comfortable. The AC worked well. Amenities were good. It was close to the subway station, and walking distance to Abeno area.
  
  What could be improved: I was told that the area isn't the safest. However there was a police station close by and I've never felt unsafe there. Still, I would take care of travelling alone after dark. The house is three stories high and the stairs are narrow and steep, typical Japanese fashion. You won't be able to carry large baggage upstairs. There is a rather large area on the ground floor so you can keep bulky luggage there.

• Kendall from United States – 15 August 2023 (8/10)

  The house was lovely! It was the perfect size for 4 of us (2 couples) and the decor felt very comfortable. There are lots of common areas to relax in, and it was a nice perk to have the washer to do laundry and clothing rack on the balcony to hang dry. A quick walk to the subway system and a ~5 min walk to the JR line. The host was very accommodating and responsive. Definitely the cutest place we stayed on our trip.
  
  What could be improved: The hot water was broken during our stay, but we were able to get in touch with the host and, after some trouble shooting, they sent someone out to fix it, as well as offered to pay us back for the cost of a nearby bathhouse. Outside of the unit, though, the location is only alright. It's about a 15 min train ride into Osaka, which isn't bad given the price.

• Tsung-wei from Taiwan – 2 August 2023 (9/10)

  Perfect location for visit Osaka. Less than 5 mins walk to metro and about 12 mins walk to Nankai railway station.
  
  The rooms are very cozy and home feeling. The whole house was very clean. 2 toilet and washing machine is a real bonus.
  
  What could be improved: The house is close to a main road and highway. Everyday in the midnight, there were several cases of illegal street racing caused unpleasant noise. And also, occasionally awaken by siren from Ambulance and Police car.

• Dario from Italy – 1 May 2025 (8/10)

  Good place to stay in Osaka
  
  What could be improved: Cleaning could be improved

• Chris from Australia – 7 November 2023 (9/10)

  Like in a proper hotel without the price. Everything is provided for you! We were even surprised to find powerbanks there! Fast internet! Nice and cozy rooms! Very nice smelling house!
  
  What could be improved: No cupboards or drawers to store your clothes. We were left to leave our luggages on the ground flr so we have to walk up and down a couple of times in a day. You are sure to close up your activity rings here! No a/c or fan on the ground flr. It tends to be hot and humid there. No heater in the bathroom. You’ll be cold as ice in the winter. Steep stairs. If you have tiny feet, you are fine. Giants, big people. I don’t think this place is for you. Needs a digital lock for convenience! Carrying a small key is scary.

• Tan from Malaysia – 22 August 2023 (8/10)

  The location
  
  What could be improved: The stairs

• Kerry from Australia – 10 December 2024 (9/10)

  This house is in a great location, close to JR and train station, Shinsekai food market and we walked to Dontonbori. A renovated traditional house, 3 levels, very narrow with steep stairs and the bathroom on the bottom. The rooms are nice and big for Japan and the place was spacious for our family of 5.
  
  What could be improved: Not a big thing but there is no dryer and in winter it was hard to dry clothes.

• Yueting from Netherlands – 7 May 2025 (2/10)

  It’s conveniently located near a subway station.
  
  What could be improved: Hygiene:
  This was by far the worst cleaned accommodation I’ve encountered in a long time. One of the beds still had hair from a previous guest, the pillows were stained, and when we raised the issue, the host said it couldn’t be resolved until the next day.
  
  Exhausted after a long day of walking, we took matters into our own hands and managed to find a clean sheet within the accommodation so we could at least sleep. To our surprise, the host later threatened to charge us for using the extra sheet. I’m not sure what they expected, were we supposed to sleep in dirty bedding?
  
  Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of it. The bathroom walls were covered in mold. It’s clearly been building up for quite some time, and I’m genuinely puzzled as to how this has gone unaddressed by the host. I’ve included photos to show the extent of the issue.
  
  Kitchen:
  The kitchen amenities were extremely limited. There was only one pan, which looked like it went through hell and back, the Teflon coating was scratched beyond believe. The stove was dirty as well, I've seen cleaner ones in student housing.
  
  General Condition:
  The accommodation was quite old, which isn't necessarily a problem, but the lack of maintenance was very apparent. Most of the furniture and fixtures were outdated, and many doors had rubber seals hanging loose. It’s obvious this place hasn’t received proper care in a long time.
  
  Neighborhood:
  The area itself felt somewhat unsafe, particularly at night, it seems to be one of the less desirable parts of Osaka. I imagine female travelers might feel especially uncomfortable here. The building is also close to a highway, and with the poor soundproofing, noise from passing cars is quite loud and frequent. The front door area had dirty towels from the previous guest lying there for our entire stay. I have no idea why they weren’t removed, it was unpleasant and unwelcoming to come back to that every day.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities