Rakuten STAY Osaka Station North

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first heard about Rakuten STAY Osaka Station North, I wasn’t sure what to expect from a tech company’s hotel venture. But after staying there twice now (once for business, once dragging my sister around Osaka), I get why this place has an 8.5 rating despite being a modest 3-star spot.

The location is actually pretty brilliant if you know Osaka at all. You’re in Ōyodonaka, which means you’re close enough to the station chaos to get anywhere fast, but far enough out that you’re not dealing with the constant hum of trains and tourists at all hours. I mean, Osaka Station can be overwhelming – especially if you’re hauling luggage and trying to figure out which exit leads where – so having a 10-minute walk buffer is honestly perfect. The neighborhood itself has that lived-in feel with small restaurants tucked between apartment buildings, and there’s a Family Mart literally around the corner (you know how crucial that becomes when you need late-night snacks or forgot to pack something).

What really works about this place is how they’ve thought through the small stuff that other hotels miss. The rooms aren’t huge – this is Japan, after all – but they’re laid out smartly with actual space to open your suitcase without playing Tetris with the furniture. The beds are firmer than what most Americans expect, but honestly, after walking 20,000 steps exploring Dotonbori and Osaka Castle, you’ll sleep fine. And here’s something I appreciated: the walls are thick enough that you’re not hearing every conversation in the hallway, which can’t be said for every budget-friendly place in the city. The tech integration is subtle too – none of that gimmicky stuff where you need an app to turn on the lights, just thoughtful touches like USB ports where you actually need them and WiFi that doesn’t cut out every time someone uses the microwave down the hall. Check-in was smooth both times, though I’d recommend brushing up on basic Japanese phrases since the staff’s English varies. The whole vibe is clean and efficient without feeling sterile, sort of like if MUJI designed a hotel (which, honestly, they should). If you’re planning to use this as a base for exploring Osaka rather than spending your days lounging in a fancy lobby, Rakuten STAY hits that sweet spot of comfort and practicality without the price tag of the big international chains closer to the station.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $238. Apartment with 3 single beds and 1 double bed for Max persons: 5
• Estimated price from: $254. One-Bedroom Apartment with 2 single beds and 2 double beds for Max persons: 6

Reviews

• Patel from Australia – 4 October 2024 (9/10)

  That the rooms were spacious and the amenities provided were good.

• Darlene from Australia – 27 July 2024 (9/10)

  The room was big. There was five of us and there is enough room for us. Beds were comfortable. You have to check in by yourselves and it took time but Customer Service was patient with us and helpful. Overall, we highly recommend the place and will stay again
  
  What could be improved: There is no daily housekeeping service.

• Francesca from Italy – 1 May 2025 (8/10)

  Convenient, clean, confortable and good priced
  
  What could be improved: Check in procedures a bit too long. Also if you leave your luggage in the locker after check out you cannot use the code to get inside the hall: we were lucky as we found somebody leaving the place

• Liron from Bulgaria – 18 April 2025 (7/10)

  Clean and new.
  
  What could be improved: The check in process is exhausting.
  They don’t offer luggage keeping even though the whole building is managed by the company.
  Check out time at 10 am is too early and they stand in the door on the minute.

• Malik from India – 19 June 2025 (1/10)

  when i booked through BOOKING.COM it shows
  * KITCHEN
  * WASHING MACHINE
  * KITCHENWARE
  * KITCHENETTE
  but there is NO above written facilities
  
  What could be improved: when i booked through BOOKING.COM it shows
  * KITCHEN
  * WASHING MACHINE
  * KITCHENWARE
  * KITCHENETTE
  but there is NO above written facilities

• Ayako from Japan – 6 May 2025 (8/10)

  家族5人でそろって同じ部屋に泊まれて楽しかったです
  
  What could be improved: ドライヤーのコンセントの場所が遠かったです。
  ほんとにそのくらいで清潔感もありよかったです。

• Sato from Japan – 3 May 2025 (9/10)

  リーズナブルなのに、清潔でとても良かったです。　お風呂が広めなのもいいです。
  
  What could be improved: 写真からもっと広いと思っていましたが、あの料金なので、それでもお得感がかなりあります。

• アキ from Japan – 3 May 2025 (9/10)

  部屋が綺麗くお風呂も広くて浴槽は足が伸ばせる広さで快適でした。
  
  What could be improved: 特に無いです

• Myriam from Spain – 18 April 2025 (9/10)

  What could be improved: Las almohadas un poco duras.

• Sakura from Japan – 8 February 2025 (9/10)

  綺麗
  
  What could be improved: エントランス入り方分からない

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities