Kaneyoshi Ryokan

Obviously you can't beat this location--right in the heart of Dotonbori, Nipponbashi, Namba, etc. But what really sets Kaneyoshi apart is the customer service. It was like staying with friends. I wanted my family to experience a ryokan so they could imagine what my life was like decades earlier when I lived in Japan. We got the bonus of feeling like we were staying in the home of close family or friends. Everyone from the front desk to the housekeepers doted on us like VIPs. They were giving us unsolicited advice on weather, places to go, the best routes to avoid congestion, etc. One day it poured rain and as I left the lobby I mentioned I was going to buy umbrellas. They stopped me and gave me 4 of their own. On our last night there they stopped me and wanted to help me plan my travel to the airport so we'd get the best fare. It was almost too much, but just like staying with an uncle or aunt who wanted to make sure all was OK. Anyway, it's definitely Japanese--no English TV. But comfortable and authentic Japanese home feel. Highly recommended. And did I mention that it's in the perfect location?

Yes, I'd stay again because the price is so good for the location, but... if I was trying to impress someone, or it was a romantic trip, I'd find an alternative. PROS: Superb location on the Tonbori river, so close to major shopping. No difficulty walking to Namba station, with our luggage, by using the underground mall- all smooth surfaces, things to look at, and air-conditioned. Staff were so friendly, and treated us so royally at breakfast. The breakfast spread is a work of beauty, and it changed daily. Onsen available. A little plain looking, but very clean. Top quality wood hangers. Large room, easily fit 3 futons. Housekeeping left hot and cold water carafes for us. CONS: The decor is old, the furniture is old, not a lot of electrical outlets. I'm assuming by not doing renovations they're keeping the room cost down, so I didn't mind so much. The futons are thin, but there are extras in the closet, so I just doubled them up, and was fine. Although I'd say 99% of the room looked clean, housekeeping had not dusted the hanging light fixture in a long time. And the worst of it, and hard to fix, is that the bathroom is tiny, and has a urine smell that didn't quit. So few places to hang clothes and towels while showering- really tricky to keep them off the floor. The urine smell was so noticeable, that I even tried to wash the floor and toilet with body wash, but the smell wouldn't go away. I'm guessing decades of guests have left their mark. I'm so grateful for the lovely breakfast, the attentive staff, and superb location at a price I could afford, but the bathrooms really need renovating.

This traditional hotel is so clean and sleeping on tatami mats was surprisingly comfortable. My husband and I loved it. Our room looked out overthe river right in the heart of Dotonburi and we enjoyed watching nightlife from our room. Tons of good eating places at night. Personnel could not be nicer even though English is limited. We regret not ordering the breakfast with our room, because in the morning all shops are closed and judging from hotel quality, it must have been a great experience. Loanne C.

A great hotel right in the middle of Osaka's best neighborhood to just stroll around in. The hotel is right around the corner from Dotombori, and it's only a 200m walk to a nearby metro exit. The staff is friendly and the breakfast is top-notch!

The Ryokan is a very nice place where you can stay in a large traditional room with tatami and futon. The equipment and cleanliness were both 1A. The view was to to the river, we were happy our room was to this side of the hotel that was not so loud than the other one. There is also a bath in the hotel where you can relax after the busy town. The staff is very friendly and we had wonderful breakfasts.

Really cant fault this place for a great experience of real Japanese style Ryokan experience. Like anything else, first of all it is the people that make this place great. I arrived later afternoon and was checked in by a lovely lady (who spoke a fair bit of English, which is always appreciated) and showed me to my room and explained things (like taking your shoes off etc). Room itself was great, quite large by Japanese standards, and of course basic!.. that's the idea with a ryokan.. Although i had a bathroom (not many rooms come with an on-suite as such, you share a common bathroom, for a really basic experience which I wasn't willing to lol), and my room had the added advantage of a balcony overlooking the canal, lovely to have the green tea which the lady had kindly provided waiting for my arrival. See my room pix for a better idea. The famous Dotonbori is just the other side of the canal, and its a must to visit, especially in the evening. You really couldn't wish for a better location to explore Osaka. Don't expect a lot of comfort but it is very clean, there's air conditioning, safe, towels, and even a kimono for you to dress up in and take some pix. I found the experience of sleeping on the funny mattress on the floor (after putting two mattresses on top of each other, cheating?) not bad at all. Some reviewers have complained about noise but i cant say i was bothered. Probably dead tired after all the walking in the day. On the day I left I was given some very good advice about how to get top Kyoto by the gentleman who I'm guessing is the husband of the lady, he also speaks a very good level of English and couldn't do enough for me. Definitely a fantastic experience, and would go back again.

My daughter and I stayed at this Ryokan. From reviews and looking at the photos thought it would be perfect. The staff was very nice, especially when we did not accept the first room they offered since it smelt of cigarettes. They do not have non smoking rooms, which means most rooms can smell. The street it is on is full of XXX clubs, and men info shops which was not appropriate for women to be walking down especially at night. i would recommend travelers find places nearer the main fashion street if they do not want to be around sex clubs.

This is a very traditional Ryokan, in the sense that you can still see Japanese business men staying here. If you are looking for a classic experience this is the place. Its very affordable and the lovely women who works there is so helpful. We made our booking from Malta and when we arrived she had written down all the Ryokan information in Maltese. The rooms are basic as would expect, however the sleeping mats are a lot more comfortable than you would think. If possible though try and ask for a room that had not been smoked in as our room did smell of smoke however you are allowed to smoke in Ryokans so keep that in mind. The Japanese breakfast is traditional and extensive you definitely leave full. All in all it was a positive experience and I would recommend for 1 or 2 night maximum.

Awesome location, heaps to see do and eat right outside your door. The people running the place were some of the most friendly / lovely people I have ever met. Definately get the traditional breakfast - it was awesome! The rooms are very big for a Ryokan, we also had a balcony with some seats as well which was handy for us whities who are not used to sitting on the floor all the time. THE BUT: There are no Non-smoking rooms - and the smell was very strong from previous guest. If you do not smoke or are senstive to the smell this is probably not the place for you. They do have an air purifier in the room... but it was not turned on on our arrival. Once we ran it for a day the smell did get little better. I would stay here again, my wife wouldn't as she was quite sensitive to the smoke smell.