KONJAKUSO Osaka Shinsaibashi “TARUKAISEN” Rooftop SPA

Hotel Description

Look, I’ve stayed at my fair share of hotels in Osaka, but KONJAKUSO Shinsaibashi honestly caught me off guard in the best way possible. The name’s a mouthful – I still stumble over “TARUKAISEN” – but once you’re there, you get why they went with something so distinctly Japanese. It sits right in the heart of Higashishinsaibashi, which means you’re literally a two-minute walk from all the chaos of Dotonbori but tucked away enough that you’re not hearing drunk salarymen singing karaoke at 2 AM.

The rooftop spa situation is actually what sold me on this place, and I mean… it delivers. You know how most hotel spas feel kind of cramped and afterthought-ish? Not here. The view stretches across the city in a way that makes you forget you’re in one of the most densely packed neighborhoods in Japan. I spent way too much time up there during the quieter evening hours – around 8 or 9 PM seems to be the sweet spot when it’s not crowded but the city lights are just starting to pop. The water temperature is perfect, which sounds basic but you’d be surprised how many places get that wrong. There’s this subtle mineral smell that’s actually quite relaxing, nothing overpowering.

What I really appreciated was how they handle the whole luxury thing without being pretentious about it. The lobby has this understated elegance – dark wood, clean lines, none of that over-the-top gold everywhere vibe you sometimes get with five-star places. Check-in was smooth, staff spoke decent English (though honestly, their politeness transcends language barriers anyway). The rooms themselves are spacious by Japanese standards, which is saying something. I had a corner room that looked out toward Namba Parks, and the soundproofing is surprisingly good considering you’re right in the middle of everything.

Here’s something practical – parking is handled through valet service, which costs extra but saves you the headache of navigating those impossibly narrow side streets. Also, if you’re planning to hit up Kuromon Ichiba Market for that famous tuna breakfast, it’s about a seven-minute walk east. The hotel concierge actually gave me better recommendations than half the travel blogs I’d read.

The only minor thing I’d mention is that the elevators can get a bit busy during check-in/check-out times – there are only two serving the whole building. But honestly, that’s me being picky. The 8.9 rating makes total sense when you factor in the location, the spa experience, and just the overall feeling that someone actually thought about what travelers want rather than just checking boxes on a luxury hotel list. If you’re doing the Osaka thing and want something that feels special without being stuffy, this place hits that sweet spot perfectly.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $1,119. Four-Bedroom House with 2 × 2 single beds, 2 × 1 large double bed, 2 double beds and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 8

Reviews

• Alicia from United States – 5 June 2025 (9/10)

  Location was walking distance to train, restaurants and shops.

• Dorte from Belgium – 26 April 2025 (8/10)

  Very convenient location near restaurants, convenience stores and public transportation. Good with two bathrooms and number of bedrooms for our group.
  
  What could be improved: The kitchen utensils / cooking items were a little limited.

• Baptiste from Portugal – 5 May 2024 (9/10)

  Equipments
  
  What could be improved: A bit noisy

• Bianca from Australia – 20 March 2024 (9/10)

  Beautifully decorated property perfect for large groups in a fantastic, central location! The wooden spa bath on the top floor was a highlight! Complimentary drinks and snacks on arrival was a lovely surprise!
  
  What could be improved: Everything was perfect!

• Sharon from United States – 26 February 2024 (9/10)

  Fridge was well stocked with drinks at no cost. Bath amenities all included.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing, just caution if you are traveling with anyone with mobility issues, they will need to feel comfortable going up and down the stairs to the main living area.

• Jessica from Australia – 20 January 2024 (9/10)

  The accommodation was amazing the decor the interiors, the styling was so purposeful that it was easy to take photos in every corner of the house!!! I was amazed! It looked so much like the pictures maybe even better. The staff was amazing and special mention to Chiharu for being so accommodating by replying to all my questions., helping us with our luggage delivery, as well as going above and beyond to guide us to the accommodation itself. She was super nice and so fun to speak to.
  
  The amenities was generous and well stocked. They even gave us complementary drinks. And they had everything washer, dryer, vacuum music entertainment, games with such a fun accommodation if you are traveling with a bunch of friends. And the spa was unforgettable!!!
  
  What could be improved: Nothing everything was amazing.

• Masami from United States – 29 November 2023 (9/10)

  Super clean, so comfortable, nice design and very consistent
  
  What could be improved: Minimal storage

• Cip from United States – 4 November 2023 (9/10)

  Konjaku-so Shinsaibashi Rooftop Spa is an exceptional property in a location that is very desirable especially if you want to shop or eat at the Dontonburi area. Train station is right around the corner, making easy to access areas farther away. The many rooms are very clean and comfortable and can accommodate many people. We had two couples and two singles and we had room to spare. We ate out mostly, because there are excellent restaurants within walking distance, but there is plenty of space for eating inside the unit. The spa area is even nicer than the pictures. The many stairs are steep, but the elevator makes it easy to access the first few floors, we used it to lift the suitcases to the upper rooms. On a side note, one of our group unfortunately broke her ankle a few days before our stay. she was still able to manage to walk up and down the stairs. The manager was nice and received our luggage (sent through Yamamoto Delivery Service) for us, we simply had to pick it up from their nearby office). When we shipped our luggage to Tokyo, they referred us to a Yamamoto office one block away where we easily rolled our luggage to.
  
  What could be improved: I honestly cannot think of any way to make this property better. Although one should note that there are a lot of stairs, so it would not be suitable for someone who does not like to climb upstairs.

• Hung from Vietnam – 11 October 2023 (9/10)

  Everything is great and our family had a pleasant experience here

• Lam from Australia – 5 October 2023 (9/10)

  We loved the location, the spa bath, the lift was a fun novelty, the facilities were amazing! It was spacious and the Nintendo switch was fun!
  
  What could be improved: The property is a little bit on the expensive side, however we felt for a special treat it was worth it.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities