Deep Osaka Experience Part 1:
When a Town Becomes a Hotel – SEKAI HOTEL, Fuse

● Fuse: Osaka’s Hidden Gem

Hi, I’m Do-Gyoung from South Korea.
I’ve been studying in Osaka for about a year now. I love traveling, and lately I’ve been drawn to places where I can experience the local daily life firsthand.

On this trip, I’m exploring Osaka’s Fuse area with my friend Aoi!

Nestled in Higashiosaka, the town of Fuse is full of charm—from its lively shotengai shopping street and old-school sento public bath to cozy local coffee houses and more. I love the retro Showa ambience here. During our overnight girls’ trip, we got to experience a life like locals at this hidden gem.

It was a stay that felt both new and nostalgically familiar.

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●SEKAI HOTEL Deep Osaka Experience

We hopped on the Osaka Metro Sennichimae Line at Namba, and just 15 minutes later, we arrived at Shoji Station. A short walk through a quiet, old-town neighborhood led us straight to the modern SEKAI HOTEL Deep Osaka Experience, tucked right in the heart of a lively shotengai.
This one-of-a-kind hotel reimagines the entire town of Fuse as a place to stay—what better way to dive into local life? This hotel was perfect♪

Unlike a regular hotel, at SAKAI HOTEL, the “rooms” are scattered throughout the shotengai. It’s such a fun, innovative concept—you literally wander the streets, wondering which spot will be your room for the night! Here, the entire town, full of old-town charm, becomes your hotel.

There is no grand lobby with sparkling chandeliers. Instead, you might stumble upon a decades-old butcher shop selling crispy, hot croquettes, fresh out of the fryer, or strike up a conversation with a friendly local at the public bath. Here, the streets are your hotel hallways, and local diners serve your breakfast★

SEKAI HOTEL Deep Osaka Experience

【Access】	Approx. 10-minute walk from Shoji Station on the Sennichimae Lines
【Address】	1-19−1 Ajiro, Higashiosaka City, Osaka
【Google Map】	https://maps.app.goo.gl/43EMQyudjPHWELDi6
【Check in】	3:00 PM
【Check out】	10:00 AM
【Price】	Rates range from ¥7,000 to ¥30,000 per person, per night. ※Prices may vary by room type, hotel package, and season.
【Credit Card】	VISA, MasterCard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club
【URL】	https://www.sekaihotel.jp/area/fuse/ ★Check out our video here

●Check In to the Daily Life of a Shotengai

Once a cute boutique, the SEKAI HOTEL Deep Osaka Experience building retains its retro, nostalgic storefront. Step inside, and it’s all modern and chic☆

A sleek counter, soft orange lighting mixing with natural sunlight streaming through a large window, and low modern tables and iron light fixtures gave the space a perfect retro-modern vibe. My excitement for the stay only grew from there.

The reception staff warmly guided us through a map of the shotengai, sharing tips on how to make the most of this town-turned-hotel. The delightful “Whole Town Hotel Map” is packed with restaurant recommendations and local favorites, perfect for curious visitors.

Aoi and I spotted so many places we wanted to explore—hidden alleys, cozy snack shops—and spent a fun few minutes planning our afternoon adventure. Bonus: the map comes in both Japanese and English◎

SEKAI PASS

At check-in, we were also handed a SEKAI PASS.
It’s so much more than a key card— think of it as your partner for the stay! Show your pass at participating businesses, and you’ll receive special perks, just like a local regular. With this special pass, a town that was completely new becomes familiar, as if it were your hometown.

The reception area at SEKAI HOTEL doubles as a café and bar. We didn’t take long to grab a seat and sip a drink—already feeling relaxed before even heading to our room.

Hiyashi Ame Soda at Cafe & Bar by SEKAI HOTEL

We ordered Hiyashi Ame Soda, Osaka’s local favorite: rice malt syrup mixed with ginger juice and soda water. The amber gradient shimmered in the sunlight✧

With just one sip, I tasted the fresh zing of ginger, while the fizz of the soda perfectly balanced the sweetness of the malt syrup. The warm, spicy ginger aftertaste eased the travel fatigue,

and I was so relaxed that I couldn’t help exclaim “So tasty♡” in my mother tongue.

●Room No.10 DOORS

After the café, the hotel staff led us to our room. No. 10 DOORS was tucked away in an alley off the shotengai.

We opened the door, which blended seamlessly into the old townscape, and stepped into a different world—a stylish, modern room. The calming green wallpaper paired perfectly with the wooden bed frame, making it feel like a cottage in the middle of a forest.

It was instant happiness. I just wanted to dive right onto the bed! Surrounded by clean, crisp white bedding and the warmth of wood, all the travel stress melted away.

Aoi and I absolutely loved it. The soft natural light made it a perfect selfie studio— just snap a shot, and we had a special picture ready for social media.

Outside our window was a view of the lively shotengai!
Bicycle bells jingling, shopkeepers calling out…everything sounded cheerful yet comfortably distant from our quiet little room. It felt like we were watching a movie unfold below us💛

We recharged in our room before heading out with a hungry tummy, ready to explore.

●Street Food & Strolling the Retro Shotengai Shopping Street

With our luggage safely stored in the hotel room, we stepped hands-free into the lively shotengai!

One of the best parts of this trip was the food tour tickets, included in some of the hotel’s packages. Each ticket is valid at a specific restaurant—just show it, and you get their signature dish. No Japanese needed, since each ticket is tied to a popular local favorite.

Aoi and I studied the shotengai map to pick our stops and planned our strategy for the culinary journey🎶
We were ready. With our food tour tickets in hand, we set out on our foodie adventure in Fuse!

※The food tour ticket package is exclusive to reservations made through hotel’s official website. Be sure to select the package labeled “Includes breakfast & public bath & ticket for eating out /A trip to eat out in a shopping arcade!” when booking.

1. Freshly fried croquettes at Niku no Yamajin butcher shop
First stop: a butcher shop called Niku no Yamajin, where locals are always lining up!

Their specialty croquettes (from 70 yen) are fried to order, and the moment you get close, the aroma or sizzling lard hits you. We handed over our ticket, got a cheerful “Sure thing! Coming right up!”, and seconds later had piping-hot croquettes and golden French fries in hand. One bite through the crispy batter, the sweetness of potato filling came through perfectly. “This! I wanted to eat this!” Aoi looked completely satisfied.

2. Takoyaki octopus balls from Marukou Suisan
Next, we had to have Osaka’s favorite, takoyaki octopus balls, from Marukou Suisan.

We used our food tour ticket again! “Welcome! Where are you from?”, a friendly voice called out to us. I love those little unassuming conversations—they instantly make you feel welcome.
We sampled two takoyaki balls, one with the classic sauce and one soy-based version. The takoyaki were big and fluffy on the outside, creamy inside—just the way Osakans like them. Carefully biting into piping-hot takoyaki, steam curling into the air, we felt closer to Osaka than we ever could at any fine dining restaurant.

3. Fruit Daifuku at Momoya Fuse
After savory came sweet. We stopped by a confectionery called Momoya.

Here, you can use your food tour ticket to get jewel-like fruit daifuku (soft chewy mochi ball filled with sweet bean paste and a fruitor nostalgic, old-school Japanese snacks♪
Whether filled with strawberry, melon, or kiwi, the daifuku look splendidly vibrant when sliced in half—an instant Instagram favorite. Cute, retro-style snacks line the shelves, making it fun to browse and choose your favorite.

As we hopped from shop to shop and enjoyed local foods, cheerful “Thank you” and “Here we go!” greeted us at every stop. These food tour tickets felt truly magical☆彡

Snap-worthy retro alleys
After our food tour, we took a stroll with our camera in hand.

The town of Fuse is filled with nostalgic alleys♪
Vintage signage and unique fonts line the streets – every corner is a perfect retro shot.

We posed behind an yellow takoyaki flag, pretended to make a call at a retro phone booth… we felt like models, snapping each other’s pictures everywhere.

We were even excited about public phones! The bright green ones caught my eye💚, because public phones in South Korea are mostly blue.

Along the way, we came across a toy shop with vintage Showa-era displays. Plastic model toys and plushies lined the front, and I felt like a kid again.
We even found rare items, including a doll I grew up with, which put a huge smile on our faces.

Fuse is not overrun by tourists; the ordinary still remains in every corner. That’s why every photo felt real, capturing everyday life instead of staged retro aesthetics you often see on social media. This is Fuse—the authentic retro, full of life.

●Continued in Part 2 ── More of Fuse, Osaka’s Hidden Gem!

In Part 1, we explored SEKAI HOTEL and its unique rooms, wandered retro streets of the shotengai, and enjoyed a gourmet tour of Furse. The warmth of the town filled our hearts, and the delicious food filled our bellies♪

The fun continues.

In Part 2, get ready for local favorite okonomiyaki, a vintage Showa-style public bath, delicious onigiri rice balls perfect for brunch, and more! Stay tuned for the next highlights from Fuse♪

※Please note the information provided in the article is current as of February 2026. Schedules, hours, and pricing may differ from what is listed here.

▼Take advantage of various ticket deals for sightseeing in Osaka▼
Osaka Metro Tickets and Passes

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