Yamatoya Honten is a traditional ryokan style hotel in the heart of Osaka’s Minami district. Though ryokan traditionally provide both bed and breakfast, guests here can choose in advance whether they want meals included in their accommodation plan. This hotel is very well placed for Osaka’s main tourist and entertainment districts, and also has easy access to public transport at the nearby Namba stations.
The entrance to Yamatoya Honten ryokan
Guest Rooms
All 39 guest rooms at Yamatoya Honten are Japanese style with traditional décor, shoji paper screens on the windows, and tatami flooring. Guests sleep in futons instead of beds. All rooms are equipped with Western style toilets and bidets, but not all rooms have their own bathrooms. In this case guests can use the traditional communal baths in the basement.
All rooms have Wi-Fi internet access and the following amenities: a television, a tea set, a refrigerator, a hair-dryer, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a hand towel, a bath towel, nightwear, slippers, and a safe. Rooms with their own bathtubs have hand soap, body soap, two-in-one shampoo and conditioner. These bathroom amenities are also supplied in the communal bathrooms.
Japanese style rooms at Yamatoya Honten Ryokan
Check Room Rates and Availability
Yamatoya Honten
Breakfast & Dining
The standard Japanese style breakfast is a generous set meal of rice, soup, tofu, grilled fish, sashimi, and assorted side dishes served with Japanese tea and juice. However, guests can also order a Western style breakfast of ham, eggs, sausage, toast and salad. Dinners are kaiseki style with elegant multi-course meals served with sake rice wine or other beverages of your choice. Various options are on offer including a Kobe beef course, and a “Maido” course which features typical local dishes like takoyaki octopus dumplings and Osaka style sushi. Meals should be booked with your accommodation plan, and any personal preferences or allergies stated at that time.
Communal Bath
This hotel has large traditional communal baths in the basement which are separated into two separate areas by gender. This style of the bathing is the perfect way to relax your legs after a day of sightseeing. Unfortunately only the male area has a sauna. The baths are open from 6.00 – 9.00 and 15.00 – 23.00. The gentlemen’s sauna is available from 16.00 – 23.00.
Services & Facilities
This hotel has no curfew. Luggage can be left at reception before checking in and after checking out. Reception staff can also speak English.
A trouser press, side lamp, and iron can be borrowed from reception.
There is a large lobby lounge area with a café that operates as a bar in the evenings. Free Wi-Fi internet access is available in the lobby area. There is also a small souvenir shop beside the lobby.
Guests can try a “kimono workshop” and experience trying on a Japanese style yukata, or light cotton kimono.
Six large banquet rooms are available for private events and functions.
Yamatoya Honten building
Access
Yamatoya Honten overlooks the Dotonbori canal and is a short walk from the center of the Dotonbori entertainment district. The shopping and dining centers of Namba and Nippombashi are also just a short distance away. The nearest station is Nippombashi Subway Station from which you can access the Sakaisuji and Sennichimae lines.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
