Haruka’s Airbnb Tour!

Staying in a foreign country can be intimidating. Without firsthand or prior knowledge of a location or the local language, finding an accommodation can be a pit of stress-fueled confusion. I should know - I accidentally booked a one-star love hotel before arriving here.

Hello! My name’s Jacob and I’m an intern at The DECK this summer. As someone who’s new to navigating accommodations in Japan, I’m very eager to learn more and meet locals. So when a friend and long-time member of The DECK, Haruka, mentioned that she recently renovated two properties and turned them into Airbnbs (be sure to read to the end - Haruka offers a discount for those referred to her by The DECK!), Fumi and I had to check them out for ourselves.

From The DECK, we took the Sakaisuji line (exit 14 is right outside!) to Ebisucho, then transferred to a local “Chinchin Densha”, a classic Japanese streetcar.

After getting off at Hosoigawa, it was just a 3 minute walk to her first Airbnb: “Sumiyoshi Kaze”. Haruka kindly greeted us at the station!

A renovated Japanese townhome, Sumiyoshi Kaze beautifully combines its old-school, rustic charm with modern amenities and design. The restored frame, doors, windows, and roof are very charming and remind me of a nice ryokan. Meanwhile, the brand-new appliances, soft tatami-esque tiling, and English-language directions on everything make the home accessible and easy to live in.

I got to try out the included ergonomic chair for some remote work and I was very comfortable. I’m also happy to report the air conditioning was quite strong and was a needed relief from the summer heat. She’s even included kendama and cards!

The upstairs, meanwhile, contained the most spacious bedroom I’ve seen in Japan. The room contains 3 full-size beds, complemented with ample storage space provided by these beautiful antique closets. Fresh sheets, towels, and toiletries were also neatly laid on the beds when we got there.

On our way to her next airbnb, we stopped by Sumiyoshi Taisha. This massive Shinto shrine, first built in the 3rd century, is dedicated to Sumiyoshi Okami, a god of the sea, winds, and fishermen. It’s a peaceful and natural retreat from the surrounding city, and the pond features turtles and Koi fish!

After stopping next door for some delicious dorayaki, we arrived at the airbnb. Named “Sumiyoshi Zen”, this 3-story apartment is exemplary of Japanese efficiency. The first floor features a working nook with a sakura decal, one of the softest sofas I’ve ever sat on (which doubles as a pullout bed), and a bathroom. The apartment as a whole is complemented with a matcha-esque color scheme, making it quite cozy.

The second and third floors host the kitchen + laundry and bedroom respectively. The windows offer plenty of natural light, and the appliances are marked with the same detailed, English-language directions as in Kaze. Everything was very tidy and compact, balancing the full suite of amenities with usable space. The bedroom manages to squeeze in 2 full-size beds, a closet, and bathroom. New air conditioning units on each floor meant that, even on the third floor, I was staying cool.

Since it was nearing lunchtime, we followed Haruka’s recommendation and went to Taisha Maneki for some curry. The seasonal summer veggie curry was a more spiced and lighter take on the classic Japanese curry rice, and ending with some coconut mango kakigouri was perfect.

After experiencing their charm and comfort, I can confidently say next time I’m in Osaka, I am 100% staying at one of Haruka’s places. Not only did they balance that Japanese sense of tidiness and modernism with amenities and accessibility, but they’re also located next to some fantastic scenic spots and local restaurants. I couldn’t have asked for more.

Haruka offers a 10% discount for guests referred by The DECK! Just email her at haluvia2025@gmail.com with the subject line “Introduction from The DECK””.

You can find more info on Sumiyoshi Kaze here, and more info on Sumiyoshi Zen here.