Tamatsukan 玉津館, Detached Hse, JR Tsuruhashi 7min, Kansai Airport 關西空港 57 mins, Namba 6 mins, Nihonbashi 4 mins, Universal Studio 37 mins, Nara 30 mins, Early Check In

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first saw Tamatsukan listed as a “detached house” in Osaka, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But after staying here, I get why it has that crazy 9.6 rating. This isn’t your typical hotel experience, and that’s exactly what makes it brilliant.

The location alone sold me. You’re literally four minutes from Nihonbashi (I timed it), which means you can stumble back from dinner in Dotonbori without paying for expensive taxis or figuring out the last train. Tsuruhashi Station is about seven minutes away – actually feels more like five if you walk at a decent pace – and from there you’ve got easy access to pretty much everywhere. I mean, Nara’s only thirty minutes away, which is perfect for a day trip to see those pushy deer everyone talks about. The early check-in option is a lifesaver too, especially when you’re dragging yourself off that red-eye from Kansai (which, yes, really is under an hour away).

What surprised me most was how quiet it stays despite being so central. The Tamatsu area has this residential feel that you don’t get in the main tourist zones, but you’re still walking distance from all the action. The house itself feels more like staying at a well-organized friend’s place than a hotel – there’s this authentic Japanese living experience that you just can’t get in those generic business hotels near Osaka Station. You know what I really appreciated? The space. After weeks of cramped Tokyo accommodations, having room to actually spread out your luggage felt luxurious. The neighborhood has this lived-in quality where you’ll see locals going about their daily routines, small family-run shops, and the kind of tiny restaurants that don’t have English menus but serve incredible food.

Here’s the thing – at three stars, you might expect corners to be cut somewhere, but honestly, the attention to detail impressed me. Everything just works smoothly, from the booking process to actually finding the place (which, in Osaka’s maze of narrow streets, is saying something). The setup makes sense for different types of travelers too. I was there solo and felt comfortable, but I could easily see families or groups loving the extra space and privacy. Just don’t expect hotel-style room service or a front desk – this is more about having your own little corner of Osaka to come back to. The Universal Studios connection takes about forty minutes, which isn’t bad if you’re planning that trip, though I’d honestly recommend spending your time exploring the real Osaka instead. The proximity to Namba and Nihonbashi means you’re right in the heart of the best food scene in Japan – and trust me, you’ll want to take advantage of that.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $169. Two-Bedroom House with 2 × 2 double beds and 1 futon bed for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• Tony from Australia – 24 May 2025 (10/10)

  The house was new and clean. It was well equipped to be comfortable and felt homey.
  
  What could be improved: The lock on the door sometimes did not work. It was an 11 minute walk from the train station which was not too bad.

• Viktorija from Netherlands – 14 May 2025 (10/10)

  It was lovely house and had many amenities. Carol was lovely persoon to communicate. Everything went smoothly and we had pleasure stay.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Sean from New Zealand – 28 April 2025 (10/10)

  Great spacious home perfect for a group
  
  What could be improved: Everything was perfect for our trip!

• Charles from United States – 18 April 2025 (10/10)

  The house was everything you need for a family's stay. Washing machine, bathrooms, kitchen and bedrooms were all excellent. Space was small but functional.
  
  What could be improved: The alleyway into the house is not ideal for heavy suitcases. It is not accessible by car. BEWARE. You will have to roll your suitcases 150 meters over rough paths to get to this unit.

• Hiu from Australia – 1 March 2025 (9/10)

  Very new and stylish place. Provided everything you needed except for toothpaste, which is not something hard to prepare by yourself. The owner has been very friendly and responsive.
  
  What could be improved: The only thing that I would say could be improved was no hot water supplied at the kitchen sink and the water was freezing cold in winter. It won't be a problem if you are staying in summer or anytime that is not that cold.

• Maria – 29 January 2025 (10/10)

  House was huge, spacious and clean.
  Something, you rarely find in Japan, space for luggages.
  Quiet neighbourhood.
  Restaurants and shops as described.
  Good value for money
  
  What could be improved: A little bit of walk to and from Metro, but manageable except if you have luggages

• Areej from Oman – 17 January 2025 (10/10)

  Everything was near the property
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Yen from United States – 2 January 2025 (10/10)

  Spacious, good for big family.

• Scott from Australia – 1 December 2024 (9/10)

  The property had everything we needed and was very comfortable for a family of 4. Very clean, with excellent modern amenities. Close to everything and in a charming and quiet location. Would recommend this property to anyone looking to live the local life. Thank you for letting us stay in your beautiful little house!
  
  What could be improved: Was a little tricky for Google Maps to find, but the locals helped us out.

• Katie from New Zealand – 5 October 2024 (10/10)

  This was a wonderful stay, we stayed here for 8 nights as a family of four.
  The house is large for Japanese standards, it’s tastefully decorated and has everything you need for a perfect holiday
  The location is great with many good restaurants around and is a great location to enjoy Osaka
  The owners were very prompt in responding to us when we needed anything. This was the most spacious house that we stayed in during our time in Japan. It comes with our highest recommendation
  
  What could be improved: It would be a good idea to supply a broom so we could tidy up ourselves

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities