Rumor has it you are looking for where to stay in Osaka.
You have come to the right place. This is the absolute best hostels in Osaka, Japan, guide.
We also had our trouble first finding the best Osaka accommodation – there is so many good-looking places to stay. And especially with Osaka Hostels, you want to make sure it is a cool and social place.
Psst! We did a HUGE upgrade of this guide in 2024, replacing all of our top 3 hostels.
We know you won’t be disappointed. Let’s take a look.
Your shortcut:
- The Pax Hostel – best for female solo travellers
- J-Hoppers Osaka Universal – top pick for digital nomads
- Guest House Matsu – ideal for solo travellers
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
We have filtered and share here our own best hostels in Osaka we have stayed at – and loved.
Alongside modern architecture and yummy street food, we want to put our hand-picked selection of the 3 best hostels in Osaka on the map.
Design led and with privacy in mind, these awesome Osaka hostels will intrigue solo travellers and couples alike.
We’re so envious you’re off to Japan. Did you know there are at least 58 awesome hostels in Japan? Check our full guide right away. Other guides are:
- best hostels in Tokyo, Japan + 27 fun things to do in Tokyo
- best hostels in Kyoto, Japan
We should know – we found them especially for you, dear reader.
Osaka is becoming a top Japanese destination and we’re excited to share it with you.
After reading our guide you’ll no longer need to question where to stay in Osaka.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…
- are tired of crappy hostels!
- want a social Hostel to actually meet people
- are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
Camera at the ready, let us take a stroll under the cherry-blossom trees and discover the greatest hostels in Osaka.
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Osaka
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Osaka cost 9€ – 25€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 40€ up to 100€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on season and holidays. Please always check exact rates on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3pm), while the Check Out time is before 11:00 (11am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
The 3 Best Hostels in Osaka, Japan
Let’s jump right into the boutique hostels in Osaka.
We put all three accommodation on the map, you will find the map at the end of the article.
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Guest House Matsu |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | The Pax Hostel |
| 🥳 Party Hostel: | Imano Osaka Shinsaibashi Hostel |
| 👩❤️👨Couple Hostel: | Guest House Matsu |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | J-Hoppers Osaka Universal |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | J-Hoppers Osaka Universal |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Hostel Yu |
1. The Pax Hostel
It’s definitely the design of The Pax Hostel which grabbed our attention and swiftly moved this hostel into the number 1 spot.
The wooden furniture and brightly coloured paint compliment each other so well, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Pax actually has a rather unique idea behind it that we just love…
In the living area, the main gathering space in the hostel, you’ll also discover a record shop, loft and cafe!
Grab some food and a delicious roasted coffee and find your favourite record to play whilst you sit and enjoy. How cool is that?!
“We invite you to relax in our building, enjoy a friendly, fun and intimate atmosphere, surf our top-of-the-range internet(Wi-Fi) and make yourself at home!”
What else?
- Guest kitchen
- 4-bed female dorm, 10-bed mixed dorm & quad room
- Bicycle rental
- Free access to herbs/water/coffee/tea
Honestly, the dorm rooms here are to die for. Just look at those custom-made bunks! They are wooden, pod-style beds with all the necessary inclusions.
Private locker, bed lamp, 3 electric outlets, hanger, earplugs – each bed has all of this and more!
Location: Situated only 30 seconds away from Tsutenkaku Tower known as the symbol of Osaka. Namba and Minami are within easy walking distance.
The absolute coolest Osaka hostel for:
- Female solo travellers
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
2. J-Hoppers Osaka Universal
Well, J-Hoppers Osaka Universal is a great hostel in Osaka that shows you a perfect local way of life. And you don’t want to miss this!
This hostel is very close to the city center, where you can also find all the main offices to book all your tours around the city.
All night activities are very close to you if you stay at this hostel, more chance to meet some locals.
The beautiful fully equipped kitchen with a dining area offers a great place to chat with other travelers and share travel experiences.
It’s well kitted out, too with a toaster, coffee maker, rice cooker and microwave.
Free Wi-Fi, computers and an awesome rooftop – perfect if you’re a digital nomad!
Room choices include:
- 8-bed mixed dorm
- 8-bed female dorm
- Single room (shared bathroom)
- Twin room (shared bathroom)
- Japanese-stylerooms w/ 1 or 2 loft beds
J-Hoppers also offers pod beds which are super roomey – even your luggage has a little dedicated space next to your bed!
Overall, we enjoy this hostel because of its homely vibe and quiet atmosphere.
Location: Only 15 minutes walk to USJ and just 1 stop from the nearest JR station Ajikawaguchi to Universal City Sta.
The absolute coolest Osaka hostel for:
- Digital nomads
- Older travellers
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
3. Guest House Matsu
Guest House Matsu opened its doors in 2017 with an idea to create a place whereby:
“Travelers from all over the world gather and meet with a smile.”
As with our other recommendations, Matsu is a lovely laidback hostel to add to the collection.
This hostel is spread over 3 floors, plus a rooftop area which is ideal for peering at the city from above.
Some other cool things to note about this place:
- Takoyaki Party every Friday or Saturday
- Free tea/coffee, shampoo, hairdryer etc
- Bicycle rental
There are four room types to choose from here, 00-err!
Pick from a mixed dorm, female dorm, twin room and triple room. The female dorm comes with its own private bathroom, just saying.
Otherwise you can expect to find power sockets and bed lights for each bed, plus a privacy curtain.
It’s easy to meet people here and it’s not uncommon for people to get together to share food and drinks in the evening.
Location: From MATSU, just take 2 stops by train to reach the center of Osaka “Minami” Namba and Tennoji area. Easy!
This is one of the greatest hostels in Osaka for
- Solo travellers
- Friends
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
What about cheapest hostels in Osaka?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels.
We think, it’s not worth it to go with the cheapest hostel out there.
Why?
The difference is usually 1-2€ ($1-2) per night, and a lot of amenities are not included. This can be breakfast or linen.
However, if you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you wanna save every penny, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Osaka.
- Open Hostelworld with full list of budget places to stay in Osaka
- Order the listing by price
Simple as that.
Read: 15 hacks for booking hostels
Make sure you use then the other filters and rank per price.
Also keep a close eye on the ratings, especially the “extreme ratings”. Meaning, the best and worst. These ratings can give great insight on what to expect.
More Hostels Worth a Mention
Admit it; you’re impressed with our collection of the best hostels in Osaka. Yet it doesn’t stop there!
It was a struggle for us to choose only three. Osaka hostels are outstanding, so we want to show them off.
Here are a couple more stunning hostels to consider.
Hostel Yu
High quality facilities, beautiful design and friendly staff are to be found at Hostel Yu.
The doors opened in 2018 and it continues to impress each guest that walks in.
Although there are no private rooms here, the pod-style dorms more than make up for it.
They’re way more than just a bed. Have a look at the pictures and you’ll see what we mean.
There’s enough room to swing a cat! (Please don’t try this).
If you travel with your laptop and need to get work done, make use of the little work area. It comes with a window view.
Shops, restaurants and Shinsaibashi Station are all within a 5-minute walk.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Best Hostels in Osaka for Solo Travellers?
What is seriously the best hostel in Osaka for solo-travellers?
Honestly, we believe that every hostel mentioned in this guide is great for solo travellers. The greatest hostels in Osaka are a mix of private spaces, social vibes and beautiful shared amenities.
Whether you’re a social butterfly or a lone dingo; solo travellers will feel welcome and comfortable in Osaka hostels.
Here’s a quick overview:
- Best hostel for female solo travellers: The Pax Hostel
- Best hostel for backpackers: J-Hoppers Osaka Universal
- Best hostel for social solo travellers: Guest House Matsu
Party Hostels in Osaka
If you’re looking for crazy party hostels that guarantee an all nighter and a hangover, Osaka might not be your destination.
Party hostels in Osaka don’t really exist. At least not in the western sense.
Instead, head to Imano Osaka Shinsaibashi Hostel for a relaxed, social experience.
On the first floor there is a hostel bar which serves up great food and drinks throughout the day/evening.
It also happens to be located very close to an awesome food and shopping area if you fancy exploring with new friends.
Mixed and female dorms, private rooms and even dog-friendly rooms means Imano attracts a wide range of travellers.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
What about the cheapest hostels in Osaka?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Osaka.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Osaka
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Any Discounts?
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.
It is completely free to join!
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Osaka best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
Need an eSIM Card for Osaka?
Get your eSIM Card with Airalo.com instantly online. It is easy to set up and cheap! Read our review of Airalo here.
No more searching for mobile stores. Get your eSIM Card for now and enjoy it instantly after landing in your new destination.
Our Favorite Hostels in Osaka put on a map + sights
Let us have a look on the map. Below we list all three best Osaka hostels on a map.
Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map having all sights and potential hostels on it. We thought this map will help you with planning your trip too.
We also included the main tourist attractions you’ve to know in this list:
- Osaka Castle
- Dōtonbori
- Tsutenkaku
- Shitennoji
- Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel
- Nakanoshima Park lawn open space
- Kuromon Ichiba Market
Looking for fun things to do in Osaka? Check these out:
- Soul of Kansai Tour (with snacks!)
- Kyoto and Nara 1 Day Trip
- Hiroshima & Miyajima UNESCO Tour
- Private Tour with a Local Host
A great way to get around is by the Osaka Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing bus.
Any questions about hostels in Osaka? 🤔
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FAQ
Alright, here we share all your most asked questions.
Flights to Osaka?
On our own trip, we started in Tokyo and left from Osaka. It’s a simple, literally straight-forward itinerary for backpacking Japan. From Osaka you find good flights to Hanoi, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
More guides
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Osaka.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- best hostels in Tokyo
- best hostels in Shinjuku, Tokyo
- coolest party hostels in Tokyo
- 3 coolest hostels in Kyoto
- 3 best hostels in Hiroshima
- 3 best hostels in Kobe
- 3 best hostels in Sapporo
- 3 best hostels in Fukuoka
- Cup Of Tea Hostel in Takayama – 5 star hostel
- 58 best hostels in Japan
You can find all our new and updated articles for Best Hostels in here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect packing list and more.
Over to you
Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!
Your question will help us to improve this Osaka guide.
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.
Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks
– – –
pin it for later
CLOSED: The Dorm Hostel Osaka
Hold the phone – are you sure this is a hostel?!
Yep, we asked the same question when we first stumbled across The Dorm Hostel in Osaka.
Aside from the obvious name, when you have a look at this place you’ll swear you accidentally walked in to a fancy library with beds.
For sure, the library (offering 2000 books!), is the central masterpiece of this place.
We can’t think of a better space to wind down alone, or get to know someone new over a cup of tea.
If you’re making one, we’d love a green tea – it is free after all!
The staff here have tried their hardest to adapt the western culture of shared living spaces, and it’s really paid off.
Yet at the same time this hostel has also been designed with privacy in mind.
You’ll have to look closely to find the beds.
That’s right: they’re nestled cosily between the bookshelves. Cute!
There are a total of 60 beds divided between female-only and mixed dorms.
Air-conditioners keep the rooms at an ideal temperature, and your little pod space has everything you need.
Smile when you discover:
- Ready-made beds
- A privacy curtain
- Plug, light & shelf
- Wider-than-normal mattresses
- Huge locker that fits a backpack
And the excitement doesn’t stop there, oh no.
Pop to the bathroom and find free toiletries and slippers. There’s even a female-only bathroom on-site!
There’s a kitchen here if you fancy cooking for yourself. Otherwise, check out the surrounding restaurants and bars.
Location: The Dorm Hostel is a 5 minute walk from Nagahoribashi station. This is a central hostel close to famous monuments and the downtown area.
CLOSED: Home Hostel Osaka
Next in line is a modern design hostel where friendly international staff await you.
We’re excited to introduce you to Home Hostel Osaka.
Although modern, this place has a lovely infusion of traditional Japanese to really create that cultural experience.
You can either sleep in a typical hostel dorm, or see how you like sleeping on a tatami floor with futon.
If you opt for a shared room you’ll get:
- Privacy curtain
- Shelf, plug sockets & hangers
- Linen, slippers & towel
- Lots of space
They surely were created with luxury in mind, wouldn’t you agree?
One of the best bits is that the doors are coded, so you needn’t worry about losing a key!
Awesome: alongside female dorms, there are male-only dorms at Home Hostel Osaka.
All of the bathrooms here are shared. They come with complimentary toiletries and are incredibly clean.
There’s also a really cool shared lounge and terrace to hang out in.
It’s this part of the hostel that has a real Japanese feel. After enjoying the floor space you may never want to sit on a chair again.
The kitchenette is handy if you have something to microwave or fancy a cuppa. Otherwise, various restaurants are just 10-minutes away.
Location: From here the Universal Studios Japan is 30-minutes away. All convenience stores and points of interest are 10-minutes by foot.
CLOSED: Coffee & Music Hostel LnK
If coffee is included in the hostel name, you know this is going to be good.
At Coffee & Music Hostel LnK you can expect freshly ground drip coffee with your free Japanese breakfast. See you there!
The owner’s passions include music, beer and fresh coffee (that one’s obvious).
So when this hostel was being designed and built from scratch, all of these things were embedded in the hostel soul.
Gorgeous wooden design fills the ground floor bar. It’s homely and a great place to meet people.
Looking for a cosy, quiet hostel without losing out on the social vibe?
LnK has just 4 rooms here, accommodating a total of 15 guests. Awww.
The room choices include:
- 6-bed mixed dorm (2 bunks, 2 single beds)
- 4-bed female dorm (2 bunks)
- Private room (1 bunk)
- Private room (traditional tatami/futon)
Each room comes with air-con, speedy Wi-Fi and ample space for your bags.
If you choose to stay in a shared dorm, your bed will have a privacy curtain and space to hang clothes.
The reception has limited hours, but there is no curfew. The handy passcode means you can enter the hostel any time, day or night.
Thanks to the owner, it’s easy to explore and enjoy a local experience.
He knows a lot about Osaka and is always ready to chat and share his secrets over – you guessed it – a lovely cup of coffee.
Location: Walk for 15-minutes and you’ll reach the Dotonbori area. Other top sights such as the Universal Studios is around half an hour by train.
The nearest Osaka Hostel to Namba, a high-energy entertainment district visited by travelers and backpackers, especially for all video games and manga lovers.
