[This is a sponsored article with Doyanen Hotels.]
If you were to ask one of 36.9 million people where they went for a vacation last year, your answer would be Japan.
And setting aside the fact that I’m a writer for Vulcan Post for a second, I would’ve 100% been right there with them. Not that I had the time or money though.
That 36.9 million statistics comes as a new all-time record for inbound tourists for the country.
Most went to Tokyo, as you could probably guess, but in very close second was Osaka.
Hailed as “Japan’s kitchen,” Osaka is noted by many to be one of the country’s friendliest cities. And as it turns out Osaka has also been consistently ranking in the top 10 of the Global Liveability Index since 2018.
It could very well be just the place you’re looking for to unwind with friends or family.
And if you’re booking with Doyanen Hotels, you can allocate your budget a little more to experiencing all that the city has to offer.
No frills, no fuss
Scientex Berhad, a Malaysian company, is expanding into the hospitality sector through a joint venture with Creed Group to own and operate Doyanen Hotels.
Under its name are five hotels, namely KINGYO, which is located in Naniwa, as well as 3U, BAKURO, BAKURO 2, BESTIE, and YAMATO which are located in the Nishinari area.
For those unfamiliar, Nishinari is part of the Downtown Showa area of Osaka that’s retained a retro, Showa-era (1926-1989) atmosphere with narrow alleys, old-style izakayas, and mom-and-pop shops.
It goes without saying, then, that the five hotels don’t distinguish themselves from one another by each being located in different areas.
Instead, what they bring to the table are their variety of rooms catered primarily to traveling groups and families of different sizes at affordable prices. Whether you’re a student or large groups of families and friends, there’s a Doyanen Hotel that caters to your needs and budgets.
| Hotel | Caters to | Other Amenities or Highlights |
| YAMATO | Individuals or groups of up to 5 | There’s a shared communal space on the 5th floor. |
| BESTIE | Individuals or groups of 2 | – |
| 3U | Groups of 2 – 3 | – |
| BAKURO | Groups of 4 | In-house cafe with bread and coffee. |
| BAKURO 2 | Individuals or groups of 2 | – |
| KINGYO | Groups of 8 | Each room takes up a whole floor, equipped with its own bathroom. |
And did we mention that they’re all walking distance to the popular Tsutenkaku observation deck?
Each of Doyanen Hotels’ locations are also strategically located near major Japanese convenience store chain brands, such as LAWSON, FamilyMart, and 7-Eleven.
These chains are particularly popular for being open 24/7, offering a wide variety of hot and cold foods like oden and onigiri. Not to be missed is each chain’s fried chicken, which people have waged debates over who’s got the best.
But as much as tourists have, oddly enough, turned Japan’s ever-popular “konbini”s into tourist attractions in their own right, Osaka’s real tourist destinations lie only train-rides away.
And by staying at a Doyanen Hotel, you can easily access the train stations situated at its doorsteps.
The “Venice” of Japan
For those who are unfamiliar, much of Japan is connected by railway. Their system and infrastructure is very reliable, and in the past they have even apologised for being 25 seconds off schedule.
25 seconds early, that is.
The nearest train stations to Doyanen Hotels are Shinimamiya Station and Doubutsuen-mae Station. From there, travellers have ready access to some of Osaka’s best destinations.
Those looking for a one-stop-shop to experience Osaka’s food and drink scene can visit Dotonbori, which is only four minutes away.
In Dotobori’s 400-year-old district, you’ll find a plethora of restaurants, clubs, and bars. Osaka’s signature dishes, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu, are readily available here through street stalls or sit-ins.
But the place truly comes to life at night when the neon lights take the sun’s place in illuminating the area. Do keep in mind that the last train comes in at around midnight.
If sightseeing is on your to-do list, then these two spots that plenty of online guides rave about shouldn’t be missed.
The first is Osaka Castle Park, which can be reached in about 15 minutes from Shin-Imamiya Station (to Morinomiya Station). This place is a particular highlight when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, with locals and tourists alike gathering under the trees for picnics to celebrate new beginnings.
Aside from that is Namba Yasaka Shrine, 12 minutes away from the hotels. Its most standout feature is the “Shishiden,” a 12-metre-tall lion-shaped structure said to “swallow evil spirits,” bringing good luck in school and business.
Of course you also can’t mention Osaka without talking about USJ. No, not the one in Subang Jaya, we mean Universal Studios Japan.
About 23 minutes from Shin-Imamiya Station, it was the third most visited theme park in 2023. But interestingly, it apparently wasn’t doing too well until they embraced more of Japan’s own culture, namely with anime collabs and Super Nintendo World.
Wait times for attractions, as you can probably imagine, can get pretty dicey. If you’re unlucky, you might even be stuck there waiting for up to an hour or two. We recommend getting an express pass, also called “timed entry ticket,” to skip the queue.
Pretty nifty, just make sure you’re quick on the draw as they are limited in number.
For groups of all sizes
Malaysian travellers will also be delighted to know that there are two new Doyanen Hotels scheduled to open soon:
- 2Z in November 2025
- B-Zen in January 2026
These are just a few exciting expansions in the pipeline.
If you already have your heart set on or have been convinced to visit Osaka, then you can check out Doyanen Hotels’ website for more information on room options and to book your reservations.
After all, who doesn’t love a good deal?
Featured Image Credit: Intrepid Travel / Universal Studios Japan / Osaka Castle
