Today we are checking into a new hostel, this one is book-themed. It’s a bit confusing but an incredible hostel. The reason it is confusing is because it is called Book & Bed Tokyo Shinsaibashi but it is located in Osaka. The address is
Chuo-ku Higashishinsaibashi 1-19-11 Unagitani Square 3F, Shinsaibashi, Osaka, Japan, 542-0083 -
When you check in the receptionists will guide you through a beautiful book filled room where the dorms/ capsules are located on all sides. I stayed in a bottom capsule as this is my usual preference when staying in hostels. Especially when there are bunk beds. I hate being the person climbing on top of someone else’s bunk. I also prefer being on the bottom because I feel like less of an inconvenience to others if I need to go to the bathroom at night, and I am closer to my suitcase.
I checked in during the afternoon so I had time to rest and reset after a few big days of using my JR Pass to travel around Kyoto and Nara. It was actually so fun to just kick back in the communal area in the middle with some anime.
Each capsule comes with bed linens, power points for charging, a light, blackout curtains, heating and cooling for whichever season you are there, soundproofing and even a pair of slippers. I found this to be one of the most comfortable capsules I have stayed in. The mattress was comfortable and there was enough room to comfortably sit up. Compared to other capsules I have been in this was very spacious.
The lighting in this main area isn’t super bright and it’s really comfortable to sit in this centre console and have a read. I had to take advantage of the aesthetics and get some cute photos while no one was around.
In the back there on the left is a shared kitchenette and there is also a cafe where you can get really good coffee.
Behind me here you can see where the toilets are. From memory there are different slippers you put on in the bathroom different from the bedroom ones. I think that’s pretty neat.
You can find such an amazing collection of books here from anime, to novels, to cookbooks, history and everything in between. Here I am having a moment with the OG Harry Potter.
This is the view lying down in my capsule. You also have hooks on the side to hang clothes and the blankets were so puffy I felt like I was sleeping in a cloud.
Having too much fun taking photos here. It was a great hostel. Extremely clean and the staff were so lovely. It is in a convenient location, really central to everything in Osaka. I would highly recommend checking this place out if you are travelling solo. They do also have double size capsules and private rooms if you are travelling with people.
One thing I do really love about Japan are animal cafes. I have written about a few I have visited in the past including an owl cafe, a capybara cafe and a few others around Japan. This one in Osaka is called ‘Small Animal Cafe Rock Star’.
Japan, 〒542-0075 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Nanbasennichimae, 6−7 ツジBL 5F
This one was interesting as it was a combination of a pet cafe and a pet store. Majority of the animals you see here are available to purchase. There are prices on the cages and notes on others if they are not available. To enter you do need to pay a fee of 1,000 YEN but this is a one time payment and you are free to revisit as many times as you like after.
There are a lot of animals you can interact with from ferrets to hamsters, rabbits, hedgehogs and even meerkats. Once you request an animal they are brought over to your little table area. You can pay for some additional food or treats or you can just sit and enjoy interacting with these cuties.
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Most of the animals were quite well socialised and actually seemed to enjoy playing and interacting with you. Some were a bit more shy like this little hedgehog dude. A few of these animals we don’t even have in Australia so it was just cool to come in and observe them and give them pats if they let you. It is important to read the animals body language. None of the animals here were aggressive but some were just a bit more shy than others and didn’t want to be patted or held, which is totally understandable.
I absolutely adore Chinchillas, we don’t have these in Australia and I just think they are so cool. This little one was clearly not in the mood and just wanted to sleep so I put him back pretty quickly. I just love their little tiny paws and big ears, and they are just so fluffy!
They even had a Prairie Dog but he had a bit of an infection so he couldn’t come out, poor little guy.
The meerkats were insanely adorable and friendly. They loved to play and be around people even when they were in their cages. I have only ever seen these at the zoo in Australia so it was pretty cool to be able to get up close and personal with them here.
The funkiest looking half hairless Guinea Pig I’ve ever seen.
Tiny little chipmunks going crazy on the wheels.
Obsessed
This was definitely the highlight for me. I played with this guy for so long he was so funny. The chittering noises they make is so unique and I’ve never heard it before. He loved a back scratch and was just so friendly and chill. This was such a cool experience.
These hamsters reminded me of my boy Max that I had when I lived in London. I swear Australia misses out on so many fun pocket pets. I love hamsters so much, I wish I could own them here. Mice just aren’t as fun or funny as hamsters.
I went here on a weekday and it was pretty chill. Below is some information from their website regarding opening and closing times. You can make a reservation on their website and it is just 1,000 YEN, you also get a drink on entry.
OPEN 11:00 ～ CLOSE 22:00
Please make an advance reservation for 2 hours among them below.
①１１：００～１３：００
②１３：３０～１５：３０
③１６：００～１８：００
④１８：３０～２０：３０
FreeTime ２０：３０～２２：００
You can come to sit in during “Free Time”without a reservation
Join me for my last day in Osaka where I visit this stores cousin Reptile Cafe!
erica
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