20 Lodgings in Kansai

A modern atmosphere infused with traditional Japanese beauty

Handmade cuisine prepared by the proprietress. Reservations are required for the highly popular Kodo Bento lunch boxes

Enjoy the perfect blend of thrill and tranquility at LIBER HOTEL AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN, an official hotel, adored by LIVE JAPAN readers. Located a stone's throw from the celebrated Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, it's an ideal retreat after a day filled with adventure. Indulge in a blissful spa experience, complete with a natural hot spring and sauna, set within the hotel's serene confines.

The Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, a five-star accommodation, is situated in the vicinity of Namba Station, a prime tourist hotspot in Osaka. It is guaranteed to charm our LIVE JAPAN readers! On the top floor, there's a rooftop eatery where you can savor delectable dishes while admiring the impressive panorama. The combination of gourmet food and mesmerizing views is bound to turn your stay into an extraordinary experience. It is an ideal destination for those looking to indulge in a lavish getaway with family or friends. By choosing to stay here, you're on track to creating remarkable memories.

Featuring an open-air bath and views of quiet street, Ryokan Asukasou at the entrancne of Nara park is a recently renovated ryokan located in Nara, 1.8 km from Nara Station. It is set 20 km from Iwafune Shrine and provides a lift. There is a terrace and guests can make use of free WiFi, free private parking and an electric vehicle charging station. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. There is also a well-fitted kitchenette in some of the units equipped with a microwave. The units are equipped with heating facilities. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium is 23 km from the ryokan, while Nippon Christ Kyodan Shijonawate Church is 24 km away. Itami Airport is 54 km from the property.

Yuzuya Ryokan is a luxurious 5-star hotel located in the famous Gion of Kyoto, steps from the Yasaka Shrine. It features Japanese-style accommodation with traditional multi-course meals and free WiFi. Guestrooms at Ryokan Yuzuya feature antique furnishings and seasonal wildflowers arrangements. All rooms include tatami (woven straw) floors and traditional futon bedding. Guests can relax to the scent of Japanese citron as they soak in the warm public baths. English-speaking staff will be able to assist with sightseeing arrangements. Isshinkyo Restaurant serves lunch and traditional Japanese dinners. Yuzuya Ryokan is a 10-minute walk from the Chion-in Temple and Chorakuji Temple. It is a 10-minute walk from Gion Shijo Train Station and a 5-minute drive from Kennin-ji Temple.

Only a 15-minute ride on the free shuttle from JR Osaka Train Station, RIHGA Royal Hotel offers modern accommodations with free WiFi. It boasts a dazzling 20 dining options, ranging from French courses to traditional Japanese cuisine. Simply furnished rooms with a contemporary decor await guests at Hotel RIHGA Royal. All are air conditioned and include a desk, a fridge and an electric kettle with green tea bags. A power adapter and a flat-screen satellite TV are on offer in each room. The hotel features direct access to Osaka International Convention Centre and Keihan Nakanoshima Train Station, which offers direct train access to Kyoto in 1-hour. Universal Studios Japan is a 25-minute train ride away, while Namba and Shinsaibashi areas are within a 10-minute taxi ride away. Kansai International Airport is a 90-minute limousine bus ride from Herbis Osaka Bus Stop. The Herbis Bus Stop is a 5-minute walk away from the hotel's free shuttle bus stop. A fitness centre and indoor pool with whirlpool can be used for an extra fee. You can relax with a massage, sing karaoke or shop at the connected mall. Royal Ryuho serves Chinese dishes, and Naniwa has Teppanyaki grills. A breakfast buffet is served at Remone restaurant and Japanese dishes are an offer at Nakanoshima. Several bars and cafes are also on site.

Boasting sea views, Kurhouse Shirahama provides accommodation with a spa and wellness centre, a fitness centre and an open-air bath, around 1.7 km from Saki-no-Yu Onsen Spa. Offering free private parking, the 2-star ryokan is 600 metres from Shirarahama Beach. The accommodation offers a sauna, hot spring bath, family-friendly restaurant and free WiFi. There is a private bathroom with hot tub in some units, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. Guests at the ryokan can enjoy an Asian breakfast. There is a coffee shop, and a minimarket is also available. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Kurhouse Shirahama also features an indoor pool and a hot tub for guests to relax in. A car rental service is available at the accommodation. Kishu Museum of Art is 1.9 km from Kurhouse Shirahama, while Heisogen Park is 2.4 km from the property. Nanki–Shirahama Airport is 2 km away.

Located in Koyasan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 高野山 宿坊 常喜院 -Koyasan Shukubo Jokiin- offers free private parking. All rooms include a flat-screen TV. Certain rooms have a seating area where you can relax. Rooms have a shared bathroom. 高野山 宿坊 常喜院 -Koyasan Shukubo Jokiin- features free WiFi throughout the property. There is luggage storage space at the property. Guests can participate in the morning prayers upon request. The property is a minute's walk from Kongobu-ji Temple. The temple building is also situated nearby.

Just a 7-minute walk from Higashiyama Subway Station and Heian Shrine, the completely non-smoking Kyoto Travellers Inn offers bicycle rental, a restaurant and rooms with a flat-screen TV and free internet. The cosy rooms at Travellers Inn Kyoto include a refrigerator and private bathroom. Guests can choose a classical Western room with sofa or traditional Japanese room with futon bedding and tatami floor. Kyoto Municipal Zoo is just a 3-minute walk from the hotel, and Nanzen-ji Temple is only a 10-minute walk. Yasaka Shrine and the Gion area are about a 15-minute walk away. Guests can unwind with a massage or soak in the hot public bath. The friendly English-speaking staff offer luggage storage and laundry services. Free WiFi is available in public areas. A designated smoking area is also available for smokers. The hotel’s restaurant is open for all meals and serves Japanese and Western dishes.

Offering sea views, Plaza Awajishima in Minamiawaji features accommodation, a spa and wellness centre, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, massage services and a bar. This ryokan provides free private parking and a 24-hour front desk. The accommodation offers a sauna, hot spring bath, family-friendly restaurant and free WiFi. The units in the ryokan are equipped with a kettle. Complete with a private bathroom fitted with a bath and slippers, all units at the ryokan have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and selected rooms also feature a terrace. The units are equipped with heating facilities. The ryokan offers a buffet or à la carte breakfast. Tokushima Awaodori Airport is 37 km from the property.

Located in the Nanki Katsuura hot-spring area, guests at Hotel Urashima can enjoy natural Bokido cave hot-spring baths. The hotel offers 4 other public hot-spring baths. The property offers free shuttle service by car or ferry for limited hours per day, both a 10-minute ride from JR Kii Katsuura Station. Free WiFi is available in the public areas. The air-conditioned rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. A TV, fridge and an electric kettle with green tea bags are included in each. Rooms come with a private toilet but bathrooms are shared. An outdoor swimming pool is open during the summer and a coin launderette is provided for guests to use. Local gifts can be purchased at the souvenir shop and a karaoke room is available as well. A breakfast and dinner buffet are served at the hotel’s dining room. Urashima Hotel is a 15-minute walk from Katsuura Fishing Port and a 20-minute drive from Taiji Whale Museum.

KKR Hotel Osaka is approximately a 20-minute walk from both Osaka Castle and Osaka-jo Hall. There is a 24-hour front desk at the property. The rooms have a flat-screen TV. Rooms are fitted with a private bathroom with a bath and bidet, with slippers provided. Guests can enjoy views of Osaka Castle while dining at the on-site restaurant. There are also drinks vending machines on site. Kyocera Dome is a 30-minute train ride away from the property, including walking time. Guests can also visit Universal Studios Japan which is 40-minutes away from the hotel by train. Glico Man Sign is 2.7 km from KKR Hotel Osaka, while Namba CITY shopping mall is 3 km away. Osaka Itami Airport is 14 km from the property.

1.2 km from Ura Shrine in Toba, Ryouri no yado Ginrin features accommodation with access to a public bath and open-air bath. Featuring free private parking, the 3-star ryokan is 24 km from Ise Grand Shrine. The property is non-smoking and is situated 23 km from Oharai-machi. The ryokan features a flat-screen TV. Towels and bed linen are available in the ryokan. The accommodation offers an air conditioning, a heating and a private bathroom. Toba Sea-Folk Museum is 3.6 km from the ryokan, while Ijika Lighthouse is 5 km from the property. Nagoya Airport is 165 km away.

Hotel Kirinosato Takahara features outdoor and indoor hot spring baths, only a 2-minute walk from the World Heritage Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Routes. It offers free Wi-Fi throughout the property, a terrace and rooms with a Japanese interior and Western beds. Guests can go hiking through mountain paths or unwind in one of the hotel’s public hot spring baths. Kirinosato Takahara organizes charged activities such as walking the Kumano Kodo, dressing in Heian-era clothes or experience farming. Facilities include drinks vending machines, a shop and free parking. There are Spanish and Chinese speaking staff. Kirinosato Takahara is a 3-minute walk from both the Takijiri Oji Temple and the Kirinosato Takahara Kumano Jinja Shrine. JR Kii Tanabe Station is a 45-minute bus ride away. Upon reservation, the hotel offers a free shuttle to/from Gyubadoji Michinoeki Station, Takijiri and the Arisugawa bus stop. Air-conditioned rooms have a tatami (woven-straw) floor, an LCD TV and a small fridge. Guests sleep in Western beds. All rooms come with an attached private toilet, while bathrooms are shared. A Japanese breakfast and dinner with local dishes are served at the dining room.

Kyoto Ryokan SAKANOUE offers Japanese Modern Room with Twin bed and Double bed. The Wi-Fi is available in the all areas. The Kyoto Ryokan SAKANOUE is in close proximity of Gion’s historical spots. It is a 5-minute walk to the Yasaka Shrine or Kodaiji Temple, and a 15-minute walk to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Rooms are air-conditioned and fitted with a TV and electric kettle . They come with a private bathroom including a shower and bathtub. Spacious baths are available on site, upon request. The Kyoto-Style Inn provides luggage storage.

Seikoro Ryokan is located in Kyoto, a 7-minute drive from JR Kyoto Station. Featuring traditional Japanese-style accommodation, it offers a public bath and massage services. Free Wi-Fi access is available at the entire property. All guestrooms come with ironing facilities and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The en suite bathroom comes with toiletries and a bathtub. The public bath area features spa facilities and wooden bathtubs. The hotel also provides luggage storage and has a gift shop. Japanese or Western breakfast is served at Ryokan Seikoro. Authentic local dishes are served for dinner in a traditional Japanese setting. The Ryokan is a 5-minute drive from Sanjusangen-do Temple and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Kyoto National Museum and Shichijo Train Station are about a 10-minute walk away. Free parking is provided.

Built in the Meiji era and registered as a cultural asset, Toshiharu Ryokan offers traditional accommodation just a 3-minute walk from Gojo Station and 1 subway stop from JR Kyoto Train Station. Massages are available. Guests at Ryokan Toshiharu sleep in Japanese futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor, and have air conditioning. Green tea and a Yukata robe are provided, and some rooms look out on a small garden. The ryokan is 1 km from Higashi Hongan-ji Temple and about a 15-minute walk from Gojo-Ohashi Bridge and the Kamogawa River. Daimaru Department Store is 900 metres away. Although shared, baths are reserved and then used privately in turns. For breakfast, guests can choose to savour a Japanese served at an additional charge.

Located right in front of Shirahama Beach, Shiraraso Grand Hotel offers both Japanese-style accommodations and Western rooms with a tatami area. Rooms come with ocean views and Japanese Yukata robes. Guest can relax in the indoor/outdoor hot-spring baths and request relaxing massages for an extra charge. The hotel is a 10-minute drive or bus ride from JR Shirahama Train Station. Free WiFi is available in all areas. In the room, guests can sit by the seating area with low tables and enjoy watching the TV. The en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer. An outdoor swimming pool is open during the summer season and guests can purchase local products at the souvenir shop. Private reservable hot-spring baths can be requested and a game room is available as well. Free Wi-Fi is available in the public areas. Guests can enjoy diving in the area throughout the year, and beach illumination lights attract tourists from December to February. A traditional multi-course dinner and a Japanese breakfast set are served at the dining room. Fresh local seafood dishes are offered at Isokaze restaurant. Hotel Grand Shiraraso is a 15-minute drive from Adventure World. The Sandanbeki Caves and Toretore Market are located a 10-minute drive away. Nanki Shirahama Airport is a 15-minute drive away.

Ako Onsen Shokichi has sea views, free WiFi and free private parking, situated in Ako, 2.6 km from Karafuneyama Beach. It is set 37 km from Hachimangu Shrine and features a lift. The wellness area includes a hot spring bath, a hot tub, a public bath and an open-air bath. At the ryokan, the units come with a tatami. At the ryokan, units have air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. A selection of options including local specialities and juice is available for the Asian breakfast. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Guests can enjoy the indoor pool at the ryokan. Bizen Fukuoka Folk Museum is 37 km from Ako Onsen Shokichi, while Nakazaki Residence is 37 km from the property. Okayama Airport is 65 km away.