Centrage Ark Ueshio

Hotel Description

So I stumbled across Centrage Ark Ueshio during one of those late-night booking sessions when everything decent near Osaka Station was either booked solid or ridiculously overpriced. Honestly? Best accidental find I’ve made in years. This little 3-star gem sits tucked away in Tennoji-ku, and while it might not have the flashy lobby of those big chain hotels, there’s something refreshingly no-nonsense about the whole place that just works.

The location is actually pretty clever when you think about it. You’re in Ueshio, which means you’re close enough to all the action without being right in the middle of the tourist chaos. I mean, you can walk to Sumiyoshi Taisha if you’re into shrine-hopping, and getting to Dotonbori or Osaka Castle is easy enough on the JR lines. What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets at night – you know how some areas in Osaka can be… well, energetic until the early hours. Here, you actually sleep. The rooms aren’t huge (this is Japan, after all), but they’re thoughtfully laid out with those little touches that show someone was paying attention. The beds are surprisingly comfortable, and the bathrooms – okay, they’re compact, but the water pressure is fantastic and everything’s spotless.

Check-in was smooth, staff spoke decent English mixed with that patient Japanese hospitality that makes you feel like you’re not completely hopeless as a tourist. There’s a convenience store practically next door, which became my lifeline for morning coffee and those weird Kit Kat flavors you can’t get anywhere else. Parking’s available if you’re brave enough to drive in Osaka (I wasn’t), and the whole area has this lived-in neighborhood feel where you’ll see actual residents going about their daily routines instead of just other confused tourists. The 8.7 rating makes total sense once you’re there – it’s not trying to be something it’s not, just doing the fundamentals really well at a price that won’t make you wince when you check your credit card statement later. Perfect for travelers who want a clean, comfortable base without paying for amenities they’ll never use.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $90. One-Bedroom Apartment with 2 double beds and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Maiia from Russia – 4 June 2025 (9/10)

  Easy to follow instructions on self-check-in, and you can leave the luggage.
  
  The Quadruple Room with Private Bathroom was great. It is located in a seperate building, not the 100-years old house, but the vibe of the place was still great. The room was clean and spacious, it is basically 2 rooms and a veranda. There was only 1 air-conditioner, so we had to keep the door between the rooms open.
  
  The location is perfect, 7 min walking from the Kintetsu Nara station.
  Cozy cafes and ceramics shops around the hotel.
  
  Bikes for rent available.
  (We were lucky, as the staff was there when we arrived, so we were able to rent bicycles no problem).
  
  Keep in mind:
  Some bicycles available for rent at the hotel are simple models with ~90 kg weight limit for user.
  There is also a rent store right at the Kintetsu station, so consider using it if you want more of a selection or an e-bike.
  
  What could be improved: Wonderful stay, considering the price, no complaints whatsoever.
  
  Would be great to have a chair or something at the veranda and a couple of hooks for towels and toiletries in the bathroom.

• Davis from Australia – 23 May 2025 (9/10)

  Location, clean, reasonably spacious for Japanese accommodation, good beds, good communication.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Sali from South Africa – 22 May 2025 (8/10)

  The apartment was easily accessible to stores and the station was about a 5-10 minute walk away, with access to multiple lines. The beds were super comfy and we managed to do washing several times during our stay. Nice quiet area but just a few minutes ride away from Namba.
  
  What could be improved: The elevator was a little impatient, almost closing on us several times as we got in or out with luggage. Other than that, everything was ideal.

• Kate from Russia – 10 May 2025 (9/10)

  Recommend for staying

• Cameron from New Zealand – 7 May 2025 (9/10)

  Decent location. Quite spacious for accommodation in Japan. We enjoyed our stay here.

• Phoebe from Australia – 18 April 2025 (8/10)

  Perfect for a few nights stay. Good amenities
  
  What could be improved: The pillows were very thin

• Kris from Canada – 17 April 2025 (9/10)

  Great location, comfortable, well stocked, had everything we needed. A TV with access to Netflix or streaming would be nice (if that’s even available in Japan).

• Khai from Australia – 16 April 2025 (9/10)

  Good location, close to shops and stations. Staff always on hand and very responsive to resolving issues. Check-in process was pretty easy. I Would recommend this property for anyone visiting Osaka
  any time soon.
  
  What could be improved: The property was liveable but could do with a bit of clean up. The WiFi was not as good, keep lagging alot of the time.

• Daniel from Australia – 11 April 2025 (9/10)

  Spacious and cosy, perfect for small families, relatively close to the station, only a few blocks away.

• Lourie from United Kingdom – 5 April 2025 (9/10)

  Very spacious apartment with everything you need.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities