Carpe Diem (ima wo ikiyo, Seize the days) is located at the heart of the city, but still manages to stay as a calm and relaxing place.
While in Osaka, Carpe Diem offers you a Japanese-style residence that has maintained the rich history of older homes.
While enjoying the serene hospitality, you can go discover the agglomeration that created the city of Osaka and enjoy the countless activities we offer such as Japanese calligraphy, Kimono wearing-“Kitsuke”, Soba buckwheat noodle making, Mizuhiki-knot workshop, Japanese home-cooking and Tea ceremony.
Carpe Diem Carpe Diem video



Carpe Diem is a Japanese home that will transport you back to the Showa era (1926 to 1989), a period that has brought up Misoguchi, Ozu, Kurosawa and Oshima.
Come hear the soft rustling of sliding doors made of Shoji paper, the warm sound of your steps on the tatami which exhale a charming perfume. Listen to the soft wind whistling through the pine trees of Japan, experience an architecture that is open to nature, its softness and peace.
Our home was designed by a famed artist from the Kansai region called 'Mangetsu', a 'Rodokushi' (storyteller) that has lived in this residence at the beginning of the 20th Century. He chose this location for his home because it sits in the shadow of Osaka Castle, which now doubles as the general headquarters of the French embassy, right next to the Osaka Business Park.
About the residence:
Please click on the following links for detailed explanations of the residence:

  • The black stones in the garden
  • Lanterns and pagodas
  • Gallery
  • Tea ceremony room
  • Japanese room
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    Since 1970, the home has been the main residence of a French man named Frank Riva, who has fallen in love with the exquisite charms and beauty of the surrounding region. Having returned to his home country in 2004, he left the residence to his family in order to create a cultural center in which international exchanges can be held.
    Frank and his wife Misa are particularly interested in transmitting this heritage to a new generation of tourists.
    Staying here, at the heart of the Japanese lifestyle, offers travelers the opportunity to discover the unique hospitality imbedded in the culture which is strictly based on its tradition, and the opportunity to experience living in a different but yet comfortable environment in Japan.
    Having lived in Osaka for more than 20 years, Frank awaits you with great pleasure to make you feel cozy and comfortable, and also to help you discover the region surrounding the home (Nara, 40km; Kyoto, 40km; Kobe, 30km). He can help you discover the wonderful landscapes, history centers and finest dining experiences in the area.




    Carpe Diem is not a simple, blunt place where you just sleep. It's also a magnificent traditional Japanese home, a piece of heaven where time seems to have frozen to allow you to relax and experience the never-ending beauty of western Japan.
    Kyoto and Nara used to be great capitals of history, and they remain today as pillars of sightseeing sites in Japan. Accessing these cities is very convenient from Carpe Diem.
    Room amenities: hair dryer, A/C (with heater and cooler), kettle, mini-refrigerator
    Shower amenities: Shampoo, conditioner, body soap, a set of bath towel and face towel per person

    Tea room :
    2 connectable Japanese rooms with private shower & WC
    *It is require for guests to be above 10 years old (Children under 10 years old can not stay)



    Loft room :
    Japanese wooden 2-storey loft with private authentic bathtub & WC
    *It is require for guests to be above 10 years old (Children under 10 years old can not stay)



    Sakura :
    Japanese private room (with 2 private shower & 2 WC)
    *It is require for guests to be above 10 years old (Children under 10 years old can not stay)






    During your stay at Carpe Diem, we offer various courses including Japanese calligraphy, Kimono wearing-”Kitsuke”, Mizuhiki-knot workshop, Soba buckwheat-noodle making, Japanese home-cooking (Tempura, Maki-zushi, Japanese curry, nikujaga, oden, etc...).
    Other activities such as a traditional tea ceremony will immerse you in a true Japanese atmosphere.
    Your works will undoubtedly become an important part of your wonderful adventure in the country of the rising sun.
    Japanese family-style cooking
    During your stay, if you would like to discover the secrets of Japanese home-cooking, participate in one of our available courses.
    ￥10,000 for the first person and ￥5,000 added from the second person. (*Please reserve in advance)
    ...Please ask for more details
    Tea ceremony
    It is a tradition that dates back to the 12th century. Come and experience it in a calm afternoon.
    It will be ￥10,000 for the first person and ￥5,000 added from the second. (*Please reserve in advance)
    ...Please ask for more details
    Kitsuke- Kimono Wearing
    Introduction to kimono wearing. Courses are given by professional Kitsuke-master in Carpe Diem's Japanese room.
    Private lessons only.
    It will be ￥10,000 for the first person and ￥5,000 added from the second. (*Please reserve in advance)
    ...Please ask for more details
    Calligraphy Café
    Experience the beauty of Japanese traditional calligraphy while relaxing with a cup of hot beverage. Courses are given by professional calligrapher in Carpe Diem's Café Space.
    It will be a special price of ￥3,000/person for the guests staying here! Prices include material cost and one hot beverage. (*Reservation only)
    If you would like to experience it on a different date, we offer private sessions too.
    It will be ￥10,000 for the first person and ￥5,000 added from the second. (*Please reserve in advance)
    ...Please ask for more details.
    Soba Buckwheat Noodle Making
    Enjoy the taste of authentic Soba master’s delicious bowl of Soba noodles.
    Watch the delicate ways how Soba noodles are made and if you would like, experience how to make them yourself!
    ...Please ask for more details





    Detailed plan of trains and metros in Osaka
    Printable plan (PDF)

    Detailed plan around Carpe Diem (stores, restaurants, convenience store, etc.)
    Printable plan (PDF)
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    Direction from Morinomiya Station to Carpe Diem
    Printable plan (PDF)
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    Direction from Midoribashi Station to Carpe Diem
    Printable plan (PDF)
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    Carpe Diem on Google Maps
    Google Maps    		 From Shin-Osaka Station to Carpe Diem (arrival by Shinkansen, the local bullet-train)

    Whenever you use the Shinkansen, you arrive and depart at Shin-Osaka station.

    1. From Shin-Osaka station go to Osaka station and change to “JR Kanjo Loop Line” and get off at Morinomiya station. It will be about 15 minute walk from there to Carpe Diem. Please refer to the map “Direction from Morinomiya to Carpe Diem” listed on the left side of this web page for directions.

    2. Or, from Shin-Osaka station go to Osaka station and use the “Midosuji subway line” to Honmachi station. Once there, change to the “Chuo line” and get off at Midoribashi station. Take exit # 2 from the station and please refer to the map “Direction from Midoribashi to Carpe Diem” listed on the left side of this web page for directions. It will be about 8 minute walk.

    From Itami Airport (domestic flights) to Carpe Diem:

    1. Take a limousine-bus to New Hankyu Hotel (next to Osaka-Umeda station). From there, walk to JR Osaka station and use the “JR Kanjo Loop line” to Morinomiya station. It will be about 15 minute walk from there to Carpe Diem. Please refer to the map “Direction from Morinomiya to Carpe Diem” listed on the left side of this web page for directions.

    2. Take a limousine-bus to New Hankyu Hotel (next to Osaka-Umeda station). From there, walk to “Midosuji line” Umeda station and go to Honmachi station. Then, change to the “Chuo line” and get off at Midoribashi station. Take exit # 2 from the station and please refer to the map “Direction from Midoribashi to Carpe Diem” listed on the left side of this web page for directions. It will be about 8 minute walk.

    From Kansai International Airport (KIX) to Carpe Diem:

    1. By taxi (Duration: 60~90min., Price: approx. ￥10,000 ~ ￥15,000)

    2. By Limousine Bus
    Take the Limousine Bus to Miyako Sheraton Hotel (Duration: approx.55~65min., Price: ￥1,550/adult, ￥780/child)
    From there, take a taxi to Carpe Diem (Duration: ~20 min., Price: approx. ￥1,000~1,500)

    3. By Train
    Take a rapid train (“Nankai Line Airport Express” or “Nankai Express Rapitoβ”) to Tennoji or Osaka station,
    then change to the “JR Kanjo Loop line” to Morinomiya station. (Duration: approx.~70min., Price: ￥1,000~1,600/person)
    Once there, it will be about 15 minute walk from there to Carpe Diem. Please refer to the map “Direction from Morinomiya to Carpe Diem” listed on the left side of this web page for directions.



    Q. What is the Check-in and Check-out Policy?
    Check-in: Between 3pm~6pm.
    For early or late check-in please notify us in advance or else the house will be closed.
    Check-out: Until 10am. *We do not do late check-outs.*

    Q. What kind of amenities do you have in each rooms?
    Room amenities such as a hair dryer, A/C (with heater and cooler), kettle, mini-refrigerator and shower amenities including shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and a set of bath towel and face towel are provided in each rooms.

    Q. Do you accept credit cards?
    No, we don’t accept credit card payments. There are many places in Osaka where you can withdraw cash. The most common place will be Seven-Eleven.

    Q. How long does it take from Kansai Airport (KIX) to Carpe Diem? What are the different ways to get here?
    It takes about 90 minutes.
    Please refer to “ACCESS to Carpe Diem” section of this web page for the detailed ways to get here from KIX.

    Q. How can I get to Kyoto from Carpe Diem?
    Take the train from Morinomiya station to Osaka station on the “JR Kanjo Loop Line”.
    From Osaka station, take the “JR Kyoto Line” and get off at Kyoto station
    (Total Duration: approx. 50~70min., Price: approx. ￥800/person)
    *The special rapid service train will be the fastest train to get to Kyoto

    Q. What are the ways to get to Nara from Carpe Diem?
    Take “Chuo line” from Midoribashi station to Ikoma station (the line will automatically switch to “Kintetsu Keihanna line”). Switch trains at Ikoma station that goes towards “Kintetsu-Nara”. Get off at Kintetsu-Nara station.
    (Total Duration: approx. 40~50 min., Price: ￥700~1,000/person)

    Q. Can we wash our clothes?
    Yes. We have a laundry machine and a dryer: One load will be ￥200.

    Q. Is there a curfew?
    No, but the lights in the garden will be switched off between 11:00~11:30pm so watch your steps if you get home after that.

    Q. Are there any good restaurants near-by the house?
    Yes, there are various restaurants that serve delicious food.
    We have Japanese home-cooking restaurant, Sushi restaurant, several izakaya (Mixture of a bar and a restaurant that serves dishes with your drink; families are welcome too), Udon-noodle restaurant and a Ramen restaurant. You can get the route details at Carpe Diem, all the restaurants mentioned above are about 5 min. walking distance.
    Please refer to the “Detailed plan around Carpe Diem (stores, restaurants, convenience store, etc.)” map for directions.

    Q. How much would a Taxi cost from the house to the center of Osaka (Umeda, Shinsaibashi, Doutonbori, Namba)
    Approximately ￥2,000.

    Q. How far is the Osaka castle from the house?
    It takes about 10 minutes on foot to the Osaka castle.

    Q. May I use the kitchen of the house?
    It will be ￥1,000 per group for 90 minutes. You are free to use all the utensils, plates, cups, and cooking equipment including the burners, oven and microwave during this time.
    Ask for more details.




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    E-Mail:carpeosaka@gmail.com
    (C) CARPE DIEM ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.