Yamatoya honten

I want to express my sincere gratitude for the outstanding service provided by the front desk agent during our stay. The lady from Hong Kong went above and beyond to assist us when we inquired about local dining options. Not only did she recommend excellent places to eat, but she also took the extra step of using Google to search for more details and provided us with clear directions. Her kindness, professionalism, and commitment to making our stay enjoyable made a significant positive impact. Exceptional service like hers deserves recognition, and I highly recommend her assistance to any future guests. Thank you for making our stay truly memorable!

It may be a bit of a walk from the nearest metro station, but it's worth it to stay here.||The staff was very helpful in both English and japanese. Check in went smoothly. You can pay cash or card and even split payment of your room between the two, which is what we did.||They have a little gift shop in the lobby. As the local specialty that I hope you'll be gorging yourself on is takoyaki (octopus fritters), get a plush octopus.||Tatami mats and futons awaited us in our room. If you're not a fan of such firm sleeping arrangements, extra quilts and pillows are in the closet.||While we enjoyed plenty of food from Dotonbori just outside, we stocked provisions from the nearest kombini (convenience store) [just one block behind the ryokan] in our in room fridge.||We didn't take advantage of the hotel's restaurant or public bath, so I can't talk about them. The ensuite bathroom was nice, though. If you're 6 feet 3 inches (1.9 meters) like me, be careful or you might hit the celling. Not with your head necessarily but with your hands while shampooing your hair.||A kombini one block behind the ryokan, a tonkatsu sandwich vendor in front and all of Dotonbori right next to it. Stay here and you'll be in the middle of the best parts of Osaka nightlife.

Disappointed by the specially booked Japanese room that had some dust, stains and a whole in the sliding window. We paid 210€ for one night when it’s barely worth 60€. The public bath was also very gloomy and not quite clean. The whole hotel is very old and would need with a good renovation. The neighborhood is very noisy and they let you know on a piece of paper in the room but do not offer earplugs like in a capsule hotel. Very saddened by this experience, expected more from a ryokan.

I stayed at the Yamatoya Honten for 3 nights from the 8th to the 12th of October 2024. The hotel is ideally located in central Osaka to make it easy to walk to nearby Dotonbori for food or Denden town to do some shopping. The hotel itself is in a more traditional Japanese style and a great experience for it. (Though you don't lack any modern amenities - there is air conditioning for example!) The hotel staff were very helpful and spoke quite a bit of English, which was helpful since my Japanese is still quite basic. The Yamatoya accepts luggage deliveries and my suitcase was waiting for me in my room when I arrived, which was a really nice touch. The front desk staff also helped me book my bag through to my next hotel. The room had enough space for me and sleeping on the traditional futon bed was quite comfortable.

We wanted to have at least one experience of staying in a ryokan and it fulfilled it. However the building is very old and the rooms could be better, not too comfortable. Considering the price we paid I don’t think it’s worth it

During my travels through Osaka, I had the pleasure of staying at Yamatoya Honten, a traditional Japanese inn that offers a peaceful escape in the heart of the city. The hotel impressed me with its seamless blend of cultural heritage and modern hospitality, providing a uniquely satisfying experience. Firstly, the responsiveness of the staff to online inquiries was notably efficient. I had reached out via email with some questions before my arrival, and their swift, helpful replies were not only reassuring but also quite impressive considering the less common practice of such online interactions in Japan. This proactive communication set a positive tone for the upcoming stay. Despite its location in a bustling area of Osaka, Yamatoya Honten provides a surprisingly quiet and cozy atmosphere. The inn is a sanctuary of calm, where the noise of the city fades into a distant hum, allowing guests to unwind in peace. This tranquility was especially appreciated after spending my days exploring the vibrant cityscape. The highlight of my stay, however, was the exceptional service provided by the friendly staff. Despite the smaller size of the rooms, which could have limited our group's interactions, the staff was incredibly accommodating. They encouraged us to use the hotel lobby for gatherings both before check-in and during the evenings. This flexibility greatly enhanced our overall experience, as it allowed my companions and me ample space to socialize and plan our adventures in comfort. In conclusion, Yamatoya Honten stands out as a gem in Osaka, perfectly marrying the quietude of traditional lodging with attentive, modern service. The staff's dedication to ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all guests is commendable. Whether you're seeking a serene haven from the urban rush or a hospitable base for your city explorations, Yamatoya Honten promises a memorable and delightful visit.

Traditional Japanese onsen rooms. They make up the bedroom in the evenings. Has a onsen baths and sauna. Although the staff is not really that friendly. We arrived 20 minutes early than our Check-in time, the staff did not let us into the room until after the check-in time. We were not allowed to use the sauna and I suspect it wasn’t occupied when we wanted to use it.

The room itself is clean and towels and bedding is fresh, but that's about it. Otherwise the hotel is old, dusty and very loud (especially during the night). Staff is friendly, but very slow, not helpful and they don't really understand English.

I didn't do much research prior to arriving to Japan since my friend took care of most of the planning. She researched all the hostels we stayed in and took charge of booking, so I can't really delve into the booking process. However, they do have an English website and they do accept credit card for payment! We stayed in the room on the second floor across from the dining room. The room is pretty small and cozy with a bathroom included and a view of the street, which can get pretty noisy if you're a light sleeper. Since we arrived in the evening, our beds were already made when we checked in. They were nice enough to put away and make our beds everyday after we left our rooms. It was one less thing to figure out, haha. The futons are thin, but pretty comfy. The pillows could be firmer, but that's just my preference and the comforter was extremely warm for the cold nights. The restroom was included in our room and it was the first time I ever experienced warm seats and a bidet. Plus, I'm extremely amazed by how close the door was to the toilet when opening or closing. Space is very tiny and can be a little claustrophobic, but that's Japan for ya. For bathing, there's an Onsen on the basement floor. It's a public bath with a spa and it's separated by gender because you're basically naked in front of others, so I guess you would have to be comfortable with that. This was such a lifesaver throughout our stay here considering how much walking we did! What I thought was neat is that you return your key to the front desk before you leave. One less thing to carry or lose! I would recommend this hostel if you would like to stay in a more traditional style room with tatami mats. They also offer traditional Japanese meals for an additional price, but since we were traveling on a budget, we skipped out on that. Since it's located across the street from Dotonbori, we spent most of our lunches and dinner exploring the area.

Stayed two nights here with breakfast and kaiseki dinner included in a Japanese style room. Very disappointed. Furnishings (tables, chairs, sliding doors, walls, plumbing's) in desperate need of replacement or refinishing. Everything very worn and/or broken. Bathroom walls were dingy and yellow. The faucets get stuck and can't turn off water. They were very old and teetered around when we tried to use them. Toiletries were a bare minimum. Very depressing room. Breakfast was Japanese style and was very good. Dinner for the first night was good although the food served was average, nothing fancy. The second dinner had pretty cheap food and wasn't good at all. Plus, there were other parties in other rooms, so service was pretty bad too. We had to wait long periods between courses. Location was excellent right in the center of town. Airport shuttle just across the street. We paid too much for a worn out room and bad dinners. Will not come back. There are many other nicer hotels in same area.