Monthly Breakdown for Digital Nomads, Hybrid Workers, and Travellers.

Osaka, Japan often sits in Tokyo’s shadow — but don’t be fooled. This city packs a punch with vibrant food streets, easy access to Kyoto, and a more relaxed energy. I spent a month here on a mid-range budget, and spoiler alert: I still think about the meals.

💰 Expenses Breakdown

🛏️ Accommodation: SGD3,600
→ Hotel near Yodoyabashi Station and Namba. Small but had onsen facilities.
🍜 Food: <SGD50/day
→ Restaurants, cafes, street eats.
🚕 Transport: SGD400
→ Suica card for local, regional passes for Kyoto trips.
💄 Personal Expenses: ~SGD600
→ Shopping, massages, grooming, etc.

Total: ~SGD6,150 (excluding activities)

📌 This is a mid-to-high range lifestyle. Budget travellers can easily do it for half.

🏡 Where to Stay in Osaka: Best Mid-Range Options

✔️ Near Osaka Station – Close to malls, JR lines, and incredible food basements.
✔️ Near Namba Station – Buzzing shopping street and great food stalls. Beautiful Christmas lights in December.
✔️ Yodoyabashi Station – A quieter area with access to Kyoto-bound lines. I stayed here and loved the balance.

🏠 Hotel vs Airbnb in Osaka

✅ Hotels: Compact but often come with nice extras like onsen.
✅ Airbnbs: More space, better for longer stays, but central ones can get pricey.

📌 I chose a hotel this time for the onsen during cold winter nights. Worth the splurge.

🍽️ Food and Grocery Expenses (~SGD50/day)

If there’s one city that will ruin you for food elsewhere, it’s Osaka.

Top eats:

✔️ Gyukatsu Motomura – Insane grilled beef cutlet. Queue early at Namba!
✔️ Kuromon Ichiba Market – Wagyu, uni, scallops, and more.
✔️ Hanamaruken Hozenji (24-hour) – Fall-apart pork rib ramen.
✔️ Ishida – Premium sukiyaki spot. Reserve ahead — most tables are private rooms.

📌 Budget Tip: Convenience store meals are high quality in Japan — and great if you’re on the go.

🚕 Transport Costs (SGD400 for the Month)

I skipped the all-Japan JR Pass and instead used:

✔️ Suica Card – Local transport.
✔️ Regional Area Passes – Kyoto and Kansai region trips.

Japan Transport – Suica card

Japan Regional Area Passes – Kansai and Kyoto

📌 Regional passes can save a ton if you plan a few day trips.

📶 Internet and Workspaces (SGD25)

Used SIMBA SuperRoam Plan (Singapore) and had strong hotel WiFi.

✔️ Cafes and hotel lounges were great for remote work.
✔️ Co-working spaces exist but are less common than in Tokyo.

🎟️ Activities and Side Trips from Osaka

🏮 Dotonbori Walking Street
Neon lights, street food, chaotic energy. Best explored at night.

🛕 Day Trip to Kyoto (SGD60+)
Used regional pass and visited temples, bamboo groves, and traditional streets.

Japan Regional Area Passes – Kansai and Kyoto

🎄 Winter in Namba

Think festive lights, pop-up stalls, live music. Magical.

🌟 Final Thoughts: Was SGD6,150 Worth It?

✔️ Comfort, good food, and access to nearby cities made it worth every cent.
✔️ Budget travellers can stay for under SGD3,000/month with basic accommodation.
✔️ I’d return in a heartbeat — this time with a bigger stomach.

🙋‍♀️ Who This City is For

• Digital nomads who want Tokyo-level ease without the chaos.
• Foodies who travel for taste.
• Travellers looking to mix comfort with convenience.