Connect Inn

Hotel Description

I’ll be honest – when I first walked up to Connect Inn in Tsuruhashi, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star place tucked into this bustling corner of Ikuno-ku. But you know what? Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you lower your expectations. This little spot actually punches way above its weight class, and after staying here a few times over the years, I get why it’s sitting pretty with an 8.5 rating.

The thing about Tsuruhashi is that it’s not your typical tourist bubble – this is real Osaka, where the Korean BBQ joints stay open late and you can hear the JR trains rumbling by every few minutes (which, honestly, becomes kind of comforting after the first night). Connect Inn sits right in the thick of it on a narrow street that’s easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. The lobby’s nothing fancy, just clean and efficient with staff who actually seem to remember your face after a day or two. Check-in was smooth both times I’ve been there, though I’d recommend avoiding the evening rush when the salarymen are all heading home – gets a bit chaotic around the station area.

What really won me over, though, is how the hotel just… works. The rooms are compact – I mean, this is Japan, so no surprises there – but everything’s been thought through. Good water pressure in the shower, outlets where you need them, and surprisingly decent soundproofing considering you’re practically sitting on top of one of Osaka’s busiest train stations. The beds are firm in that way Japanese hotels do best, and the AC actually keeps up during those brutal summer months. You’ll smell Korean barbecue drifting up from the street sometimes, especially around dinner time, which honestly just made me hungry more than anything else. The elevators are tiny and slow, but there’s something oddly charming about waiting with other travelers, all of us squeezed in with our luggage, sharing those awkward but friendly smiles.

Here’s the real kicker – you’re literally a three-minute walk from Tsuruhashi Station, which connects you to pretty much anywhere you want to go in Kansai. Namba’s fifteen minutes away, you can get to Kyoto without breaking a sweat, and if you’re feeling adventurous, some of the best Korean food outside of Seoul is right downstairs. The convenience stores are everywhere (there’s a decent Family Mart about thirty seconds away), and the whole neighborhood has this authentic, lived-in feel that’s getting harder to find in central Osaka. Sure, it’s not going to win any design awards, and the breakfast is pretty basic, but Connect Inn does exactly what it promises – gives you a clean, comfortable base in one of the city’s most genuine neighborhoods, without the tourist markup you’ll find closer to Dotonbori.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $75. Twin Room with Shower with 2 single beds and 1 futon bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $81. Twin Room with Shower with 2 single beds and 1 futon bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $86. Twin Room with Private Bathroom with 2 single beds and 1 futon bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $101. Twin Room with Private Bathroom with 2 single beds and 1 futon bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $65. Single Room with Shower with 1 single bed and 1 futon bed for Max persons: 1
• Estimated price from: $70. Single Room with Shower with 1 single bed and 1 futon bed for Max persons: 1

Reviews

• Stefan from United States – 7 June 2025 (8/10)

  Quite clean, quiet for the most part, and fairly spacious as a solo traveler.
  
  What could be improved: There is a construction for a building going on outside of the hotel and they were going at it at the crack of dawn for one of the days. When the room was cleaned the toothbrush and paste I recieved was removed. It would have been good to know in advance so I could have grabbed a second one.

• Janice from Philippines – 26 April 2025 (9/10)

  proximity and cleanliness

• Darius from United States – 7 April 2025 (8/10)

  Great location, clean room, great value. I will keep coming back here if I am in Osaka.

• Pauline from Australia – 28 March 2025 (9/10)

  The location and the room
  
  What could be improved: No

• Ayaka from Guam – 28 January 2025 (9/10)

  I travel a lot for work. This place is one of my favorites. It is super close to the station, market, drug stores, and convenience stores. The facility is super new and clean. It felt safe, too. The small kitchen made our tea and warm snacks. The staff was kind, and the breakfast was simple Japanese style, which we liked! He cooked eggs on the spot, and it was delish. Just a couple of requests to make: the pillow was a bit hard, and the towels could be softer. Well, that is a preference.

• Mark from Germany – 21 January 2025 (8/10)

  The staff is friendly and location is near the train station

• You from Singapore – 7 November 2024 (9/10)

  very good location, within walking distance of the train station and conbinis. room was nice and spacious, very clean and comfortable.
  
  What could be improved: no shower facilities in my room, there is shared shower facilities provided in the property.

• Eunji from Australia – 2 November 2024 (9/10)

  Everything!!
  Im hard to be pleased kinda person
  But this place wowed me.
  The service and the cleaning condition so good.
  And the location is right at the subway station.

• Lina from Indonesia – 10 April 2024 (9/10)

  It was super spacious place to stay and i love it.
  Super clean and near from the train station, only 3 minutes walk.
  And the staff was really helpful to helped us to send our luggages with courier service to Tokyo.
  
  What could be improved: x

• Lina from Indonesia – 7 April 2024 (9/10)

  Located near to the train station, only 3 minutes walk.
  Clean n spacious room n bathroom.
  The owner was so humble n really helpful.
  
  What could be improved: X

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities