Japan has been a dream travel destination for our family for quite some time. This is largely in part to exposure of my children to the Japanese culture, their school being run by Japanese Salesian sisters known as the Caritas Sisters of Miyazaki. Travel dreams however come with considerable budgetary considerations, foremost of which is accommodation.

I recently got to know about Karaksa Hotels owned by Xymax Corporation,Japan’s premier asset property management company that has teamed up with Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC), one of the leading property developers in the Philippines. RLC is the official Sales and Marketing agent of Karaksa Hotel in the country. Karaksa Hotel offers a comfortable stay in Japan without the hefty price tag. My budget-conscious sense highly sensitive to real deals was definitely alerted.

Two More Reasons to Visit Japan

There are more reasons to visit Japan other than experiencing the loud beat of Tokyo, which is admittedly the heart of The Land of the Rising Sun. There is Kyoto and Osaka.

Kyoto caters to the more peaceful soul. This city is bursting with history and tradition, you’ll be amazed with how its century-old culture and architectures have remained intact up to this day. The city is home to lovely cherry blossom trees and colorful geisha culture. With its reflective spirit and calm vibe, Kyoto is an amazing experience that you won’t get enough of.

Walk through the green wonderland that is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, pass by the historic castles dating from ancient eras, admire the aesthetic pathway of Fushimi Inari Shrine, and experience the Japanese way of life by trying the delectable cuisine like the Kyoto’s popular kaiseki meal. One of the city’s highlights is the Kinkaku-ji, also called the golden pavilion, which sits in a lush of greenery surrounded by water where you can be one with nature. A trip to Kyoto won’t be complete without visiting this renowned Buddhist temple, so don’t forget to take photos while you’re there!

Osaka is a dynamic city. It is acknowledged as the food capital of Japan thus the ultimate go-to place for binge-eating. If you’re in quest for the yummiest authentic Japanese eats like takoyaki, horumon and okonomiyaki—just head to Dotonbori or Shinsekai. Name it, they have it. The city is also home to popular tourist attractions such as Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum, Osaka Castle, and Universal Studios Japan.

For those who like to observe city skylines, Japan’s tallest skyscraper, Abeno Harukas, has an observation deck called Harukas 300 where you can admire the city’s sweeping views 300 meters high. While you’re there, you can visit the Kintetsu Department Store and Art Museum just a few floors below. The nightlife is also flourishing here, so be sure to be wide awake at night while exploring its happy streets.

Karaksa Hotel in Kyoto and Osaka

Filipino tourists in Japan would be happy to know that there are affordable three star leisure hotel options while visiting Kyoto and Osaka. It feels like home as you are greeted by Filipino receptionists and get to watch TFC Channel in your room television. Karaksa Hotel Kyoto is only 3 minutes away from Omiya station, so it’s a smart hotel option after a long day of exploration in the city. Karaksa Hotel Osaka, on the other hand,  is just a few walks away from Osaka’s main shopping district, Shinsaibashi. Osaka Shinsaibashi I is located at 1-6-9 Bakuroumachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, just a 5-minute walk from Sakaisuji-Hommachi Station/Nagahoribashi Station.

Whether you went to get cultured at Kyoto or eat your heart out in Osaka, you can come home to the inviting comfort of Karaksa Hotel, especially designed for the smart Asian traveller.


Inside, there’s everything you need for a cozy stay. The rooms are fully-air conditioned and equipped with hot and cold shower, all of which contains the basic necessities like the latest flat screen TV, universal sockets with USB ports, bath towels, hair dryer, suitcase storage under the bed, Japanese-style bidet, mini refrigerator, toothbrush set, shampoo, conditioner and face soap, pajamas, sanitized slippers. There’s also a mini desk area if you have an urgent work to check. The room sizes include double decker and Hollywood twin for 2 adults and their child, and connecting room for group of friends or bigger families. The average room size is 18 sqm.

Its interiors are charming—every corner is a minimalist’s haven. The hotel is an experience itself: their amenities include a smoking space, and prayer room for the Muslim guests. A high-speed Wi-Fi service is also installed in the whole building, so you won’t easily get bored. Guests can also assure their important belongings are safe with their safety deposit box.

You can book at Karaksa Hotel easily through http://www.gohotels.ph/gohotels-now-in-japan/. By booking at any Go Hotels branch, you can get a chance to win a trip for two to Osaka. Click here for more details.

Karaksa Hotel, in partnership with Go Hotels, will open five more branches before the Tokyo Olympics 2020: Hokkaido, Sapporo, Tokyo Ginza, Shin-Osaka and Namba to cater more budget travelers. You can expect the Namba branch to open this November.

My Say

Who wouldn’t want to stay in such an enticingly uncluttered room like this? After all the activity in discovering the wonders that Japan has to offer, coming home to such a relaxing environment makes you ready to do more discovering the next day. Add to that the peace of mind that you get to enjoy first class amenities without the big cut on your budget.

My son may have had to pass up on the opportunity for a study tour to Japan offered by his school for now but we’re hoping we can all go together as a family and visit Japan very soon. A room like this would just be perfect.