Neighborhood: Yamashina-ku

Also Called: Otowa?

Pros:

• It is a residential neighborhood, so you can see how people really live here.
• It’s pretty, with mountains and cherry blossom trees nearby.
• It’s quiet.
• It has plenty of dining options—though many are chains—and the employees/servers are very nice.
• It is right on a major subway line through the city, so it’s easy to get to attractions.
• It’s safe—though, as in Osaka, this is true in most areas.

Cons:

• It’s relatively far from the center of town, so seeing anything requires a minimum 20-minute subway ride—and often notably longer. This can be normal in many cities, but it doesn’t seem to be necessary here.

Should You Stay There?

Not unless you like residential neighborhoods a lot, or affordability is a top priority.