86%
Most are friendly staff that are amazing. The internet is way faster than other hostels i have stayed at. Recommend the Japanese style room because of more room than the western style bed. A Japanese futon you can fold up...not a bed :P Great for the price. Its also in a 'sketchy location' but not far from the JR loop. If you do stay here....dont go to the lawsons or family marts, (like 7-11's) walk towards the train station go a bit further and theres a supermaket that has cheap food and lots of it. Recommended Hostel!
Trevor Jr, from Canada ~ Apr 1 2008
94%
Really, even though the beds were hard and the lights were fluorescent, it's an amazing meeting place for foreigners and Japanese alike in the lobby. I'm so glad I got to stay at the Raizan, even if the beds were somewhat lacking. THey ever had a public bath!
Chelsea, from USA ~ Mar 16 2008
70%
This hotel was really good in terms of location it was literally a minute walk from the subway station. You could see the Tsunaku Tower from our window and the Zoo was just to the right. The public bath was fine...but you could only use it at certain times because it was shared between men and women. It did its purpose of a one night stay.
Kathleen, from USA ~ Feb 13 2008
74%
good location,
staff is friendly.
Only pity is the shower system.
But overall everything is good and will stay there again.
If you want a budget hotel in Osaka with a bed, shower and some privacy that's the place.
yu jen, from Taiwan ~ Jan 6 2008
84%
Was pretty good for what it was. Was the first place we stayed in and was pretty good. close to the JR station and supermarkets. Rooms were decent size. No real complaints. Not high class by any means, but hey, it works.
Wayne, from Canada ~ Jan 4 2008
64%
The hotel was alright. The room was actually very big compared to other places we stayed at in Japan. The staff seemed indifferent at first, but turned out to be very helpful. The bath house was a good experience, though only open at certain times. The location was very close to the subway station.
Sarah, from Australia ~ Dec 27 2007
76%
In a fairly shady area, but very close to Dobatsuen-mae subway station. Staff are helpful &there's a Family Mart close by for all the essentials.
Julia, from Germany ~ Dec 3 2007
50%
You get what you pay for, and this place is CHEEEAAAAPPPP!!! Dont come expecting anything other than a place to sleep. Shin Imamiya is a real dump of a town, stinks of piss, and is a bit dangerous, but its on the osaka loop line, and its only 30 minutes to Nara for 540 yen, which is well worth the trip!
ryan, from USA ~ Nov 7 2007
54%
The best thing I can say about this hotel (read hostel) is that it was in a very convenient location and it was cheap. The hotel used to cater for day labourers in the area, but since Japan's economic crisis and the growth of unemployment for labourers, the hotel, and many others in the area, has turned to attracting backpackers.
Although the area is not the best (a bit of a dive really), you are very close to the train station and about 30 seconds away from the subway station (only two stops away by subway to Namba station which is where all the action is- nightlife and shopping).
Apart from that, there is only one(!) shower for the whole hotel, and it is on the first floor, so you have to travel in the (one) lift to and from the shower, and often have to wait a while. I expected a hostel that mentioned 'shared bathroom facilities' would have adequate facilities, but have since learned you cannot assume anything. There should at least be one shower per floor.
The staff were helpful, but spoke very little English. The security was not very good as you have to hand in your key as you leave and when you come back you just tell them the room number. You don't give any sort of proof of who you are, and one time we realised when we'd arrived at our room that they'd given us the wrong key, so anyone could have obtained ours as well quite easily.
Also, this place has free internet and three computers, so it's fairly convenient.
As I mentioned, the price and location (re accessibility) of this hostel are the best things about it, so if your budget is a consideration and don't mind waiting for showers, and trust your fellow backpackers, this place is for you. There's also a pretty cool Karaoke place up the road which is worth a visit (ask the staff), but don't eat at family mart. Not so fresh I found. Soggy Inari.
Also, the beer is cheaper in the vending machine across the road, so get your beer from there, not in the lobby.
Kate, from Australia ~ Oct 29 2007
70%
The sorrounding area is not very appealing, but it is a couple stops away from where you want to go.
Ana, from Guatemala ~ Oct 22 2007
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