Osaka Guesthouse Hive

The center of the action at the Osaka Guesthouse Hive is the lobby-level lounge, where travelers gather around wood tables, plop on the sofa, or set themselves up in front of laptops or the large flat-screen TV and play video games. The communal kitchen is another busy spot at meal time, as guests prepare their own food and shuffle in and out. There's a range of evening activities on offer, but this isn't a hostel with a party vibe. That's not to say that the atmosphere isn't social—it's just more laid-back. The property gets a few business travelers, but the guest list skews heavily toward international budget-minded travelers and backpackers who are drawn to the affordable rates, clean rooms, and location near Osaka and Umeda train stations. 

The Osaka Guesthouse Hive is situated in a quiet spot in the Oyodonaka section of the Kita ward. Shopping, dining, bars, and Umeda office buildings are within a short stroll, and the hotel is just under five minutes on foot from Osaka Symphony Hall and Umeda Sky Building. Oyodonami 1-chome bus stop is a four-minute walk, and Osaka and Umeda station are both five minutes by taxi or about 10 minutes on foot. Umekita Garden is a 10-minute walk, and the HEP shopping mall, HEP Five Ferris wheel, National Museum of Art, and Osaka Science Museum are all about 10 minutes away by bus. The Festival Hall concert venue, Osaka International Convention Center, and Yodogawa River Park on the Yodo River are all within 15 minutes by bus, and Tenjimbashisuji Shotengai (billed as the longest covered shopping street in Japan) is 20 minutes by bus. Major Osaka attractions, like the Dotonbori nightlife district, Universal Studios Japan, the Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, and Osaka Castle are a little farther away, at 25 to 40 minutes via public transit. Osaka International Airport is an 18-minute taxi ride or about 45 minutes via public transit, while Kansai International Airport is 45 minutes by car or 75 minutes by train.

The Osaka Guesthouse Hive has 70 units, including private rooms, mixed-gender dormitory rooms, and female-only dormitory rooms. Most have a utilitarian but pleasant look, with simple light-wood floors and furniture, neutral bedding accented with a cheery shade of blue, and private rooms add simple pieces of Japanese wall art. Smaller dorm rooms have double beds, and the larger ones have bunk beds, each with a privacy curtain and electrical outlet. Guest lockers for valuables are located on the lobby level. All units have air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi, and guests are given robes, towels, sheets, and slippers, but there are no TVs or kettles. Private rooms come with toilets and sinks, and dorms have shared bathrooms. All guests shower in ground-floor common facilities, which are clean and well-lighted, and come equipped with hairdryers and toiletries. The hostel rents bath and face towels, along with Japanese-style robes. 

Typical of a hostel, the Osaka Guesthouse Hive has limited features, with no food service or leisure facilities on-site. There's a communal kitchen with a full-size refrigerator, two electric cooktops, a microwave, coffeemaker (with free grounds for brewing), toaster, sink, cookware, and tableware. The hostel also has a guest lounge with tables and TV, plus a coin-op laundry room, drink vending machines, and two laptops for guest use. Japanese-style robes and bicycles can be rented, luggage storage is available for a fee, and Wi-Fi is free throughout. The staff is available 24 hours a day, but the front desk closes during overnight hours. Travelers are charged a fee for checking in after 1 a.m., and prior notification is required. There is no on-site parking, but nearby public parking is available for an extra charge.