Prince Smart Inn Osaka Yodoyabashi

Hotel Description

You know what surprised me about Prince Smart Inn Osaka Yodoyabashi? It’s tucked away on this quiet corner in Koraibashi where you can actually hear yourself think – which, honestly, is pretty rare in central Osaka. I mean, you’re literally a five-minute walk from the chaos of Yodoyabashi Station, but somehow this little pocket feels almost residential. The building itself won’t win any architecture awards, but there’s something refreshingly straightforward about it that I actually appreciated after dealing with some of the more “design-forward” places that sacrifice comfort for Instagram appeal.

The rooms are what I’d call intelligently small – and I say that as someone who’s stayed in plenty of cramped Tokyo business hotels where you can’t open your suitcase without doing yoga poses. Here, they’ve clearly thought about how people actually use a hotel room. The bed takes up most of the space, sure, but there’s this narrow desk area that’s actually usable if you need to get some work done, and the bathroom… well, it’s tiny but everything works properly, which is more than I can say for some four-star places I’ve been to. The shower has decent pressure too, though you’ll want to keep your elbows tucked in.

What really sold me on this place was the location intelligence – they’ve positioned themselves perfectly for people who want to be in the thick of things without paying Namba or Umeda prices. You’ve got the Tosabori River right there for morning walks (surprisingly peaceful at 6 AM), and you’re close enough to Kitahama that you can easily explore the old financial district’s coffee shops and little galleries that most tourists completely miss. The convenience store situation is solid – there’s a decent 7-Eleven about two blocks down, and if you’re into proper groceries, the Hanshin department store basement is totally walkable. I actually ended up spending way too much money there on fancy bento boxes, but that’s beside the point.

The staff runs pretty lean, which means check-in can take a few extra minutes during busy periods, but everyone speaks enough English to handle the basics, and they’re genuinely helpful rather than just polite. One guy at the front desk gave me specific directions to this amazing okonomiyaki place that definitely wasn’t in any guidebook – turned out to be one of my best meals in Osaka. The 8.1 rating makes sense to me; it’s not trying to be fancy, but everything that matters actually works well. If you’re the type of traveler who values location and functionality over marble lobbies and room service, this place gets it right.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $77. Standard Double Room with Complimentary Breakfast with 1 double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $86. Standard Compact Twin Room with Complimentary Breakfast with 2 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $98. Superior Compact Twin Room with Complimentary Breakfast with 2 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $107. Standard Double Room with Buffet Breakfast with 1 double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $112. Standard Twin Room with Complimentary Breakfast with 2 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $112. Standard Triple Room with Complimentary Breakfast with 2 single beds and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $114. Superior Twin Room with Complimentary Breakfast with 2 single beds and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $119. Standard Compact Twin Room with Buffet Breakfast with 2 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $122. Deluxe Twin Room with Complimentary Breakfast with 2 single beds and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $133. Superior Compact Twin Room with Buffet Breakfast with 2 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $149. Standard Twin Room with Buffet Breakfast with 2 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $149. Standard Triple Room with Buffet Breakfast with 2 single beds and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $151. Superior Twin Room with Buffet Breakfast with 2 single beds and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $160. Deluxe Twin Room with Buffet Breakfast with 2 single beds and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Lucile from Japan – 17 June 2025 (9/10)

  Quite and stylish room big enough for three adults and three semi-double beds. The location is amazing (1 minute from subway Yodoyabashi station) with a coffee shop and a supermarket right next door.

• Geza from Hungary – 10 June 2025 (9/10)

  The room is quite large for Japanese standards. The hotel provides a free minimal breakfast which is basically tea, coffee and some rice or you can pay for a traditional breakfast at another restaurant in the hotel. After leaving the hotel, there is a supermarket 40 m to the right which also has a separate dining area, so the food purchased there can be consumed immediately or heated in a microwave. The subway station is also 50 m from the hotel, from which the whole city is accessible and the bustling city district of Dotonbori is about a 30-minute walk away. The location of the hotel is therefore ideal.

• Laura from Canada – 6 June 2025 (9/10)

  Rooms were large and clean, comfortable beds. Very close to the metro station at Yodoyabashi in a nice area
  
  What could be improved: The complimentary breakfast was very sparse (drink and rice cake) so we opted to pay for a full breakfast. It wasn’t worth the price

• Yuka from United Kingdom – 28 May 2025 (7/10)

  Great location and very clean hotel. There is a self check-in machine so it’s quick, efficient and easy. Location is great as it’s less than a minute to the station, walkable to the Shinsaibashi area. There is also a locker in the lobby where you can store your luggage after check out which was very handy.
  
  What could be improved: Having stayed at this hotel two years ago, I felt a little disappointed at how the free breakfast was served. Previously, we were seated in the restaurant area, served our onigiri and miso soups on a place/given proper cutlery to eat with. This time around, we were told to eat in a what looks like a staff meeting room (with vending machine and dark lighting). Breakfast was served in a polystyrene package which we were told to throw away at the end – which is very bad for the environment.
  
  I understand that I should not be complaining as we were given free breakfast and it makes sense that the restaurant space (where the free breakfast was originally served) is used to serve those who opted to pay for the breakfast buffet. I do however think the hotel should revisit the use of polystyrene packages as it’s damaging the environment and awful for sustainability.

• Jill from Australia – 23 May 2025 (7/10)

  Bed was comfy. Room was clean. Breakfast was good. Excellent location, close to subway, supermarket ( for those teabags) and some great very friendly bars with good meals and locals keen to practice their English. Staff were competent and attentive.
  
  What could be improved: Too little space in the room to open luggage. We were travelling with ‘carry on ‘ and still very squeezy. Two people could not easily move around the space. One always had to climb onto the bed. Worst aspect was only disposable cups provided in the rooms. No teabags etc provided.

• Patricia from Canada – 20 May 2025 (8/10)

  The location was good, very convenient for metro, grocery store etc.
  
  What could be improved: Standard room was very small, not a lot of room for two people with 2 suitcases, you have to be inventive.

• Jennifer from Australia – 13 May 2025 (9/10)

  Great location. Above Yodobayashi station with easy rail connections all over the city. Compact room with everything you need. Comfortable bed. Friendly helpful staff.

• Tripoom from Thailand – 8 May 2025 (7/10)

  What could be improved: Its simple Breakfast. If you want buffet breakfast, you have to more pay about 1600 yen/day

• Krishna from Madagascar – 5 May 2025 (9/10)

  The rooms were very modern and spacious. It was also very close to the station which allowed quick transit to the major areas.

• Sumaya from Australia – 3 May 2025 (8/10)

  Right on a metro line and only one stop to interchange at Osaka station. Supermarket next door. Good wi-fi. Comfy beds
  
  What could be improved: Amenities – no tea/coffee in the room or at the amenities bar

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities