If you’re looking for a comfy/homely base that’s social, this is the one. We weren’t sure about booking because of the location but we are so glad we did - wouldn’t stay anywhere else in Osaka again! Comfy beds with plugs, light, aircon etc, all the amenities you could dream of inc sauces/seasonings to cook up a storm in the kitchen, SUPER clean, great showers, staff happy to go above and beyond, the downstairs bar makes it super easy to meet people, Familymart next door AND 2 gorgeous cuddly boys (the kitty cats) - what more could you want?! The owner has honestly nailed it, our fav hostel in Japan by far.

The location isn’t exactly central, but honestly there’s a bus stop outside and it’s a 8 min walk to the metro. Both are on great lines where you can get anywhere easily. We had a busy stay travelling around Osaka and it was absolutely fine! Can also rent bikes from the hostel for cheap.

Rieko the owner is a wonderful woman visually as much as humanly. Her smile is contagious and will make you at ease immediately. This guest house is divided in three main parts : the bar, the living room and the dorming room. Everything is very clean even with the two gentle cats living here Maru and Kogo. The dorming room is fresh and has a nice smell. The little bedroom is well arranged with a lamp, a couple of hangers, a little table to put your stuff and the bed obviously. Your space is very cozy with curtains for privacy. The living room and the bar are the place where you meet people which is what you look for in a guest house I believe. People come from all around the world each one with their own story which is very enriching. The evening the bar opens and as a guest you can have one free greeting drink which is nice since original beers are available. At the bar you can meet the guests as well as the locals which result of everyone sharing their culture, talking about their language and laughing about the differences between the countries. At the end of the day, it's a wonderful and warming human experience which I believe is the outcome of the hardworking and heart Rieko puts in her dream project. Recommended. 一期一会

The cats are super adorable and the staff are incredible. The bunks are a bit tough to get in and out of, but the beds themselves are pretty comfy! Good location in Osaka within a few minutes walk to a few different train lines. Strongly recommend for any travellers in Japan that like cats or cat cafe type vibes and would like the chance to stay at a hostel with cats

The bathrooms were a bit of a struggle with the upstairs bathroom doorknob (or lack-thereof) being really tough to open. The noise from the bar downstairs would carry quite a bit but if you're someone that likes staying up late this isnt a problem.

Arigatoooo🧡💚🩷I don’t think there are enough words to express the beautiful experience at Mad Cat :) I felt like home from day 1 and it was my home base throughout almost two months in Japan. So many beautiful moments together, so much fun and good vibes. It really isn’t just a hostel, it’s a home stay experience with people who genuinely take care of their guests and treat them with an open heart 💗Rijeko, Yoshi, James, and Pedro thank you for making my time in Japan so much more memorable💛

If you want to feel like coming home, then this is the place for you! It literally feels like you’re staying with friends and therefore has been one of my greatest and most memorable hostel stays in all of Japan! Everyone is so nice there and especially Yoshi goes out of his way to make sure you’ll have a great time in Osaka - whether it is food recommendations or helping out with an umbrella when there is pouring rain outside. He got you! Thanks for everything to Mad Cat and hopefully I’ll be able to stay there again in the future :)

Amazing place, the perfect mix between social and cozy. The common area resembles a livingroom complete with the hostels two mascots (the cats), but theres also a bar for the thirsty travellers who like to socialize. It's an ideal hostel for backpackers, couples, locals and runaways. The owner is a sincere woman, with a contagious laugh, and a soft spot for animals. We felt very welcome, and hope to come back again one day! Bonus info: There's a guitar in the bar for people to play, theres bikes for rent, and (like any Japanese hostel with respect for themselves) there's hairdryers in the bathrooms :P

That we didn't have more time to stay here.

I must have stayed in over 10 hostels during my trip in Japan but this was the best by far. I don't know how Rieko managed to achieve the best hostel experience (maybe because she is a traveler and backpacker) but the combination of the small group of guests, how friendly the owners Rieko and Yoshi are, having a bar attached with a free welcome drink for every night and the CATS just make it such a cozy, heartwarming place and experience. After traveling solo for a while it was exactly the remedy I needed. On one of my last nights there a bunch of people from the hostel including Rieko and Yoshi went to karaoke and it was just such a crazy, fun experience. Another evening I had delicious fresh Sashimi for so cheap at the hostel who have a partnership with a fisherman. I mean it's just a wonderful surprise after another. I loved this place so much and I know that if I ever go back to Osaka I will stay there again, no doubt. You guys were the best.

Can't think of anything. Just hated saying bye to the cats :'(

I was travelling Japan for 3 weeks, staying in about 10 different hostels, hotels and guesthouses, and Mad Cat was easily the best big-city accommodation experience I had all trip. Yoshi was an amazing host, so friendly, social, informative and helpful, and he kept the place running smoothly all while manning the bar at night and dishing out free welcome drink after welcome drink! Maru and Kogo are adorable little cats, and the energy of the hostel makes it feel like you're staying at a good friend's place for a trip to the big city. Also, make sure to ask Yoshi about the Okonomiyaki place just around the corner run by the elderly Japanese couple! They spoke no English but were so charmed to have foreigners come dine at their place. We ate and drank the night away with them as we had conversations and laughs through Google Translate. I'll never forget my time in Osaka, and Mad Cat is a big reason why I had such a fantastic experience.

This Hostel is the perfect adress, if you like home-like Hostels with warm staff and social interactions. Yoshi and Rieko (as well their 4 legged comrades) are the most caring, social and genuine staff I have encountered thus far. The bar offers also a nice opportunity to meet other Hostel guests to just talk to or have a night out. You can also of course just do your own thing and will still be supplied with everything you need for a great Hostel stay. Loved it here, I hope I will have the opportunity to visit Osaka again to stay here for another night!

Hard to find something negative, but the only thing that is not 10/10, is the location. Wherever I wanted to go, I could rarely find a direct route. But that is probably Osaka in itself being kinda weird to travel by train. You can easily still go everywhere in Osaka in under an hour, so don't worry.

After a warm welcome from owner and staff I had a nice stay at mad cat hostel. The cats Maru and Kogo had to warm up to me first, but i got adopted by Kogo soon. The common room is spacious and kitchen well equipped. Toilets and showers on the different levels are clean. Womens dorm was a bit stuffy but bunk beds offer all you need, like outlet,lights,locker,curtain.. quiet hostel and neighbourhood yet close to center and trains. the hostel bar was a nice plus to hang out with locals and make new experiences. But it is not a party place. I will be back!

Dorm room was a bit stuffy.