Ideal Fukushima

Hotel Description

You know what? When I first stumbled across Hotel Ideal Fukushima, I’ll be honest – the name threw me off a bit. I mean, you hear “Fukushima” and your mind goes to the prefecture up north, but this little place is actually tucked away in Osaka’s Fukushima ward, which is a completely different story. It’s one of those neighborhoods that most tourists skip right over, but locals know it’s got this really authentic, lived-in vibe that’s hard to find near the main tourist drags.

The hotel itself is pretty much what you’d expect from a solid 3-star spot – nothing fancy, but they’ve got the basics down pat. What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets at night, even though you’re literally a stone’s throw from JR Fukushima Station. The rooms are on the smaller side (this is Japan, after all), but honestly, they’ve made good use of the space. The bed was surprisingly comfortable, and the bathroom – well, it’s tiny but functional, with one of those high-tech toilets that makes you feel like you’re living in the future. Check-in was smooth, though the front desk staff’s English is pretty limited, so brush up on your basic Japanese phrases or have Google Translate ready.

Here’s the thing that really sold me on this place though – the location is actually brilliant if you know how to work it. You’re about a 10-minute walk to Osaka Station, which sounds like nothing until you’re dragging luggage through the underground maze during rush hour. From Fukushima Station right outside, you can hop on the JR loop line and be in Namba or Tennoji in no time. Plus, the neighborhood has this cluster of tiny yakitori joints and family-run restaurants along the shotengai (shopping street) that you’d never find in a guidebook. There’s this one place – I think it was called Toritaro or something – where the mama-san makes the most incredible chicken karaage, and it’s literally two blocks away. The morning convenience store run is easy too, with a Lawson basically across the street and a 7-Eleven around the corner. Sure, it’s not going to win any design awards, and the 7.1 rating feels about right – it’s good, not great, but it does exactly what it promises without any pretense. If you’re the type who wants to experience Osaka like someone who actually lives here rather than just hitting the major tourist spots, this little place gives you a genuine base to work from.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $170. Superior Apartment with 5 double beds for Max persons: 4
• Estimated price from: $170. Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 2 double beds for Max persons: 4
• Estimated price from: $170. Deluxe Apartment with 5 double beds for Max persons: 4
• Estimated price from: $170. Apartment with Shower with 5 double beds for Max persons: 4
• Estimated price from: $170. Superior Family Room with 5 double beds for Max persons: 4
• Estimated price from: $170. Family Room with Private Bathroom with 5 double beds for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• Saira from Singapore – 6 May 2025 (8/10)

  This is probably going to be one of the more sizeable property in Japan. Most apartments or hotel room wouldn’t be anywhere close to how big the place was. With 5 double beds, you could easily fit up to 10 people.
  
  The location is good too, with Fukushima Station being the nearest and a 15mins walk to Osaka Station. There’s a 7-11 just below the apartment, a supermarket 3mins walk away and a couple of restaurants some distance away.
  
  What could be improved: The interior is a little dated and some of the facilities need revamping. The shower area causes water to pool and not flow down the floor trap properly. While the apartment can hold up to 10 pax, there is insufficient rack space to hang clothes. The aircon probably needs maintenance too as it struggled to warm the apartment on the colder days. Once the weather warmed up, we switched to the cooling function and it was okay, but may not be on hotter summer days.

• Charles from Australia – 1 October 2024 (8/10)

  Great location with access to food shops and nearby 7-eleven and Family Mart. A 5 mins walk to Fukushima station and a bus stop right in front of the apartment building. The beds were comfy, pillows were great and facilities were great too (kitchen, bathroom, toilet, washing machine). Really good value for money.
  
  What could be improved: No dryer so we had to go to a nearby laundry and dryer place to dry our washed clothes. Having said that, it was nice to stroller out in the early morning to put the clothes to dry at the shop, head to 7-eleven to buy breakfastbfor the family, back to the laundry place and pick up the dried clothes.

• Shiela from Australia – 17 January 2024 (8/10)

  Close to public transport and eateries. Good value for money.

• Eswar from United States – 16 June 2023 (8/10)

  Location

• Julie from United Kingdom – 8 March 2023 (8/10)

  exactly as advertised. spacious and comfortable

• Robertj from Sweden – 30 November 2023 (7/10)

  The apartment has a great location. Very close to Fukushima Station which was our target when visiting Universal Studios. It's extremely spacious for Japanese standards and has 5 double beds. Good value. I traveled with family and children so the space made up for the somewhat nasty shower.
  
  What could be improved: – It is located in a highly trafficated area and crossing, and sound proofing is close to none. If you're like me who can sleep propped against a dry-wall then it's not an issue, but should be considered. Beware!
  
  – Shower is something from the 80s. It's….not nice to say it kindly. Very worn and there was black mold around the window. Everything else is renovated.
  
  – One sofa was broken and stuffing came out. The center table was….strange.

• Thorborg from Denmark – 26 July 2023 (8/10)

  What could be improved: Trafic noice and a bit old

• Pawar from Japan – 12 June 2023 (8/10)

  I like the Rooms and facilities provided. Good, Comfortable stay.

• Ng from Singapore – 27 December 2022 (8/10)

• Ching from Malaysia – 22 April 2025 (7/10)

  Comfortable
  
  What could be improved: A bit far from train station & not much food choice surrounding the area

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities