Hotel Toyo
The two-pearl Hotel Toyo is a clean, affordable hostel for those who prefer private rooms to dormitory-style lodging. While its Nishinari location is a bit far from Dotonbori nightlife, Universal Studios and other major attractions, it’s close to public transportation and within a short stroll of shopping, dining, and Tsutenkaku Tower. There’s no on-site food service, but guests are offered a communal kitchen and lounge, plus coin-op laundry and a rooftop deck. The 100 basic guest rooms have beds with regular mattresses or futons and tatami mats, and they come equipped with small TVs (some are old tube-style) and free Wi-Fi, but they show wear and tear, and they’d don’t all have AC. All units share bathrooms and shower rooms. Budget travelers who want to stay in a more central location near Dotonbori might consider the Fuku Hostel, but it doesn’t have free access to public baths.