Imazato Ryokan

Imazato Ryokan Overview

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first heard about staying at a traditional ryokan in Higashinari ward, I wasn’t sure what to expect. This isn’t exactly the touristy part of Osaka that everyone talks about, you know? But Imazato Ryokan turned out to be one of those hidden gems that makes you feel like you’ve discovered something special.

The place sits quietly on this residential street in Ooimazato, and honestly, you might walk right past it if you’re not paying attention. But once you step inside – wow. The owners have done this incredible job of keeping all the traditional elements (the tatami floors actually smell like fresh grass, and those sliding doors are the real deal) while making sure everything works for modern travelers. The check-in process was refreshingly personal too, not like those big chain hotels where you’re just another room number. The woman at the front desk took time to draw little maps showing me the best route to Osaka Castle and which convenience store stays open latest.

What really got me was the attention to detail that you just don’t see much anymore. The yukata they provide isn’t some cheap throwaway – it’s properly sized and comfortable enough that I actually wore it around the neighborhood for evening walks. And speaking of the neighborhood, this area is fascinating if you like seeing how locals actually live. There’s this tiny ramen shop about two blocks down that doesn’t even have a sign in English, but the master there makes this incredible tonkotsu that’s better than anything I had in the touristy districts. The morning routine at the ryokan follows traditional patterns – they serve breakfast early (like, really early if you’re used to hotel buffets starting at 8 AM), but the spread of grilled fish, miso soup, and pickled vegetables is exactly what you want before exploring the city.

I mean, let’s be real about location – you’re not walking to Dotonbori from here, but the subway connections are actually pretty solid once you figure them out. Imazato Station is maybe a seven-minute walk, and from there you can get to the main attractions without too much hassle. What I loved was coming back in the evenings to this quiet pocket of the city where you can hear cicadas in summer instead of constant traffic. The building itself has this wonderful old-school vibe (I’m guessing it’s been around for decades), but they’ve clearly invested in keeping the facilities updated – the shared baths are spotless and the water pressure is surprisingly good. One small thing that impressed me: they provide these little lockers for your belongings that actually fit a full-size camera and wallet, unlike those tiny boxes you get at some places. For the price point and the genuine cultural experience, this place delivers something you can’t get at the international hotels downtown.

Discovering Osaka offers visitors an unforgettable journey through Japan’s most flavorful city, from its merchant traditions to its modern innovations and world-renowned connections to Japanese culture and culinary excellence.

Imazato Ryokan Accommodations

Reviews of Imazato Ryokan

• Pavel from Czech Republic – 19 June 2025 (9/10)

  Cozy room with a classic futon bed. And a very good breakfast.

• Kajese from Germany – 25 May 2025 (9/10)

  Very friendly and the facilities were really clean.

• Wolfymo0z from French Polynesia – 23 May 2025 (9/10)

  The perfect stay for a first night in Japan!
  
  The staff were incredibly kind and helpful. After a late flight delay, I arrived really late, well after 1 AM, and the staff waited for me throughout the night while helping as much as they could by communicating directions, tips, and information via Booking.com.
  
  The location was excellent. The accommodation is situated in a quiet, charming, and traditional neighborhood, with the subway just a few minutes walk away.
  
  The interior was spotless, spacious, and well-equipped. The room was in traditional Japanese style, which was everything I had hoped for.
  
  Everything made me feel at home and truly enjoy my stay.
  素晴らしい滞在をありがとうございました！

• Seiichi from United Kingdom – 18 May 2025 (9/10)

  Great customer service. Value for money.

• Kent from United States – 26 April 2025 (8/10)

  The lovely onsen.
  
  What could be improved: There’s only one toilet on the 2nd floor, which was a real inconvenience. It was distressing when one of the other 8-10 people renting were in it.

• Gabriel from Australia – 25 April 2025 (9/10)

  The location was nice and quiet

• Kelly from Canada – 18 April 2025 (9/10)

  Homemade breakfast was tasty and had a nice presentation. The interior was spacious, yet cozy. My single room had a lovely traditional style with a cathedral shaped ceiling and two windows. I could adjust the brightness of the lights. The toilet and shower was outside of the room, but it was nice and clean. The bathroom had a separate shower area and bathtub onsen. The staff was very hospitable and helpful during my stay. I didn't speak or understand much Japanese, so they used a device to translate their response to me. They alsobwent out of their way to help me find my phone, which I appreciated very much!

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

  I love everything about Imazato Ryokan. The kind owners, delicious breakfasts, immaculate rooms, and the reasonable price. I stayed here for 10 days last year, and I came back this year to view the cherry blossoms.

• Juan from United States – 13 April 2025 (9/10)

  The family of that manages the place are really great. Traditional style with just enough modern bathroom to make it comfortable

• Gil from Israel – 9 April 2025 (9/10)

  Really nice staff and nice place too
  Bad location

Surroundings

Facilities