Located near the center of Osaka City is an area called Kamagasaki which was once known to be a gathering place for day laborers. Now, it’s a rather charming place where street cars run that kind of takes you back half a century. On the other hand, beneath the surface runs some violent energy as this area is often ground zero for riots and other acts of civil disobedience.
It’s here that I went in search of the cheapest hotel in Japan, The Kimiya, where it is said one could spend the night for a mere 500 yen (US$6).

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Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
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Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
We eat at three Japanese family restaurants to find the one with the best-value breakfast
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
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Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
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Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
10 awesome Tokyo cherry blossom festivals and experiences for this year’s sakura season
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
We eat at three Japanese family restaurants to find the one with the best-value breakfast
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
New Studio Ghibli anime coming this winter is first CG feature planned by Hayao Miyazaki
The results are in! One Piece World Top 100 characters chosen in global poll
Studio Ghibli releases new Totoro tenugui anime art for the rainy season in Japan
A diner’s guide to oden: Japan’s weird-looking, super-popular winter dish
Drift ice in Japan is a disappearing winter miracle you need to see now
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Cheerleaders! Maids! Japanese lingerie maker has you (slightly) covered for themed intimate apparel
Super Mario teams up with JR Kyushu for the perfect power-up steamed bun snack
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students