大阪浮世絵旅館 Osaka Ukiyoe Ryokan — Hotel in Osaka

I'm trying not to go overboard on my review. To say we loved it would be an understatement. ||Ozaki-San was kind, attentive, and helpful from the moment we booked until the day after we left. He was invaluable with information on the area, what to see, where to eat, etc. He was willing to make reservations for us where we needed them. ||The ryokan itself is on a quiet side street a short walk from Hommachi station. You are greeted by many happy lucky cats as you open the door. There is an elevator if you need one. ||Each "room" is an entire floor. Two of the rooms have western-style beds. Four have futons, which makes it a great opportunity to try sleeping on one if you'd like. If you find it a little hard, Ozaki-san is more than willing to provide extra futons for more cushioning. ||I couldn't believe it when we were given a tour. The "room" just kept going. ||You walk in and there's the room with four beds, made up beautifully. The artwork on the walls is stunning, and there are beautiful shoji screens covering the windows. ||Behind white shoji screens there is a room with tatami mats containing a low table and cushions, traditional instruments, a stunning iro-uchikake, a tv with various channels, cabinets, and a closet with many blankets and extra quilts.||Leading off this room is a kitchen with fridge and freezer, microwave, sink, and kitchen supplies (cutlery, mugs, glasses etc). ||A second door off the tatami mat room leads to a spacious bathroom with stunning sink, a washing/drying machine, a drying rack, a beautiful cabinet, and a basket with towels, dressing gowns, and toothbrush/toothpaste. Two rooms lead off the bathroom: one with a toilet, one with a shower and bath. Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are provided. ||There is an air purifier and and excellent air conditioning in the apartment. The rooms are spotlessly clean. The beds are incredibly comfortable. The washer/dryer worked so well. If you don't speak Japanese, take note of how to use it when you are shown. Be aware one cycle takes about 3 1/2 hours. The clothes were perfectly clean and dry after we used it. The door to the apartment has an easy to use keypad, and we were also provided a physical key. ||I have to look really hard for anything contrary to say about it. I suppose the lighting? If you are someone who needs bright light in order to put on make-up, you will find it difficult in this ryokan as it is softly lit. Other than that I can't think of anything. It's pretty much perfect. ||Ozaki-San is a kind and generous host. You have the opportunity for a photo session with a samurai helmet and two absolutely stunning iro-uchikake. We did not have the time as we were only in Osaka one day, and I'm sad about that. However, Ozaki left them for me to try on even though we could not have a photo session.||There are many little gifts for you: wooden sake cups, lucky cats to colour, treats for children, etc etc. You are made to feel so welcome and at home. ||Overall, I cannot recommend this ryokan highly enough. It was absolutely lovely. I hope I have the opportunity to go back one day. I have traveled through many countries in the world, and this was one of my most...

I'm trying not to go overboard on my review. To say we loved it would be an understatement.

Ozaki-San was kind, attentive, and helpful from the moment we booked until the day after we left. He was invaluable with information on the area, what to see, where to eat etc. He was willing to make reservations for us where we needed them. The ryokan itself is on a quiet side street a short walk from Hommachi station. You are greeted by many happy lucky cats as you open the door. There is an elevator if you need one.

Each "room" is an entire floor. Two of the rooms have western-style beds. Four have futons, which makes it a great opportunity to try sleeping on one if you'd like. If you find it a little hard, Ozaki-San is more than willing to provide extra futons for more cushioning.

I couldn't believe it when we were given a tour. The "room" just kept going. You walk in and there's the room with four beds, made up beautifully. The artwork on the walls is stunning, and there are beautiful shoji screens covering the windows.

Then, behind white shoji screens there is a room with tatami mats containing a low table and cushions, traditional instruments, a stunning iro-uchikake, a tv with various channels, cabinets, and a closet with many blankets and extra quilts.

Leading off this room is a kitchen with fridge and freezer, microwave, sink, and kitchen supplies (cutlery, mugs, glasses etc).

A second door off the tatami mat room leads to a spacious bathroom with stunning sink, a washing/drying machine, a drying rack, a beautiful cabinet, and a basket with towels, dressing gowns, and toothbrush/toothpaste. Two rooms lead off the bathroom: one with a toilet, one with a shower and bath.

There is an air purifier and excellent air conditioning in the apartment. The rooms are spotlessly clean.

The door to the apartment has an easy to use keypad and we were also provided a physical key.

I have to look really hard for anything contrary to say about it. I suppose the lighting? If you are someone who needs bright light in order to put on make-up, you will find it difficult in this ryokan as it is softly lit. Uhh. Other than that can't think of anything.

Ozaki-San is a kind and generous host. You have the opportunity for a photo session with a samurai helmet and two absolutely stunning iro-uchikake. We did not have the time as we were only in Osaka one day, and I'm sad about that. However, Ozaki left the iro-uchikake for me to try on even though we could not have a photo session.

There are many little gifts for you: wooden sake cups, lucky cats to colour etc etc. You are made to feel so welcome and at home.

Overall, I cannot recommend this ryokan highly enough. It was...

As hosts, Ozaki-san and Kumiko-san are in a class of their own. My family and I have traveled to over a dozen countries together over the past decade, visiting multiple cities in each one, and I can confidently say we've never had a stay as memorable as our recent one at Osaka Ukiyoe Ryokan.

Ozaki-san contacted us in advance of our stay over Whatsapp, making sure everything was on schedule for check-in and providing a detailed list of restaurant recommendations in Osaka. If you don't have or want to use Whatsapp, he offers other options such as email or messaging through the third-party reservation site you used to book your stay, if applicable. Anyway, once we got in touch he was very responsive and this made finding the inn and checking in easy and straightforward. They also provided us with some small gifts upon check-in, which were very much appreciated. Among them were a series of ceramic lucky cats that we could paint ourselves, using materials they also provided, and take home as souvenirs.

A little bit about the inn: it's three minutes' walk to the nearest Osaka Metro station (Hommachi), to an entrance/exit that has elevator access. Each suite takes up an entire floor; the one we got was on the third floor, and featured floor-to-ceiling paintings of kabuki actors in the ukiyo-e art style along one wall. The futons were comfortable and warm, and the space more than comfortably fit the four of us in our party. Separate from the main sleeping area is a small sunken common/dining room with a table and floor cushions, as well as a kitchenette with fridge, sink, cooktop, and microwave. The one bathroom is divided into three separate areas with the shower/tub and toilet enclosed from the main powder room with the washer/dryer combo, which conveniently allowed for multiple people to get ready in the morning at the same time.

One of the highlights of our stay was the samurai / irouchikake photoshoot offered shortly after check-in. Ozaki-san and Kumiko-san helped us to dress up in samurai armor and colorful wedding kimonos from their personal collection, and took photos with us in a studio on the ground floor of the building. It was a unique experience and extremely fun! If you do book a stay at this inn, we highly recommend that you avail of this experience if they offer it.

We only stayed three days and two nights in Osaka, but the warmth and kindness Ozaki-san and Kumiko-san showed us made us feel right at home, and in the end we regretted that we didn't stay longer. For future trips to Japan, when we return to Osaka we know for sure we'll want to stay at Osaka Ukiyoe...