20 Ryokan in Kansai

A well-established ryokan where people of culture would gather for traditional performance art during the Taisho period

A historical ryokan designated as a tangible cultural property where every room offers a view of the garden

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

A modern atmosphere infused with traditional Japanese beauty

Great seafood, great hot springs, and invigorating views

Enjoy good food with high-quality, spacious rooms and hot springs

Introducing Ekoin, a popular shukubo (temple lodging) at Mt. Koya (Koyasan) that has gained great popularity among LIVE JAPAN readers. Due to its high demand, it is recommended to make reservations about 4 months in advance. Staying here provides an opportunity to enjoy quiet time and traditional cultural experiences, and is sure to refresh both mind and body.

This veteran inn boasts traditions carried on from the Genroku era

Admire the early-blooming cherry trees at Kimii-dera Temple and enjoy an onsen that contains highly concentrated mineral

An oceanside hot springs resort with beautiful sunset views of Wakanoura

Located in a town famous for its tuna, this hotel specializes in preparing some of the country’s best tuna

A bath and inn for adults looking to relax in style

Exuding an Edo-period ambiance, this traditional inn offers the best of the Ryujin hot springs

A beautiful Japanese inn that has maintained its traditional appearance and hospitality

Offering public baths, OYO旅館 奈良白鹿荘 Nara is just a 2-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Train Station. The air-conditioned rooms feature free Wi-Fi and a full private bathroom. The Japanese rooms at OYO旅館 奈良白鹿荘 Nara Ryokan have tatami (woven-straw) floors, shoji paper screens and traditional futon beds. Each comes with a fridge and satellite TV. Kofuku-ji Temple and Nara National Museum are both a 10-minute walk. Todaiji Temple is 1.2 km away and OYO旅館 奈良白鹿荘 Nara is a 10-minute walk from Isuien. Bicycle rental is offered, allowing for fun and easy exploration. Kansai Airport is a 100-minute bus ride away. A Japanese breakfast is served in the banquet hall. Dinner is served in guests’ rooms.

From its hilltop location, Ijika Daiichi Hotel Kagura features beautiful sunrise and ocean views, hot spring baths and karaoke. It serves Japanese cuisine, and offers a free shuttle to/from Kintetsu Toba Station upon advance reservation. Massage treatments can be arranged. Guests at Kagura Ijika Daiichi Hotel can unwind in public indoor and outdoor hot spring baths, which are separate for men and women. They can play table tennis or experience feeding wild hawks. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk, free parking and vending machines for drinks and snacks. The property offers rooms with a Japanese-style area, some boasting a private open-air hot spring bath. They are fitted with beds or traditional futon bedding, and include an LCD TV, a fridge and yukata robes. An air humidifier and toiletries are provided. A breakfast buffet with Japanese and Western food is catered daily at the dining room. A kaiseki traditional multi-course dinner is served at the dining room, while some rooms include private dining in the guest room. Ijika Daiichi Hotel Kagura is a 25-minute drive from Mikimoto Pearl Island or Kintetsu Toba Train Station. The Ise Jingu Shrine or historical theme park Azuchi Momoyama Era Village (Ise Azuchi Momoyama Bunka Mura) can be visited a 1-hour drive away.

Hotel Sanrakuso features Japanese-style rooms with beautiful ocean views. Guests can soak in the hot-spring baths or request for relaxing massages during their stay. A free shuttle runs between the hotel and JR Shirahama Train Station, which is a 30-minute drive. The air-conditioned rooms feature a flat-screen TV, a fridge, and an electric kettle with green tea. Each has tatami (woven-straw) flooring and Japanese futon bedding. The en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer. Guests can enjoy singing at the hotel’s karaoke room or purchase local products at the gift shop. The lobby features beautiful views of Shirahama Beach and provides free WiFi access. A vending machine is available for drinks and ice cream. The on-site restaurant, Wakuwaku offers a breakfast buffet of Japanese dishes. Sanrakuso Hotel is about a 10-minute drive from Nanki Shirahama Airport. Senjojiki Plateau and Sandanbeki Cliff are both a 10-minute drive away.

Kyoto Ryokan SAKANOUE offers Japanese-style accommodation with tatami (woven-straw) flooring with traditional futon bedding and Japanese Modern Room with Twin 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.

Featuring relaxing massages and public baths, Ryokan Asukasou at the entrancne of Nara park is just a 3-minute walk from Nara’s Kofuku Temple. Rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) flooring, a flat-screen TV and private bathroom. Guests can choose a room with Western beds or a room with Japanese futons. All rooms are air-conditioned and feature pleasant woodwork. Fresh green tea and cable TV are on offer. The hotel is about a 10-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Train Station and 1.5 km from JR Nara Train Station. Todai-ji Temple is a 20-minute walk. Bicycles can be rented. A reservable family bath is available for a fee, and guests can enjoy singing karaoke. Free Wi-Fi is provided in the lobby. A Japanese multi-course (kaiseki) dinner is served at Kachomon Restaurant, or in the Japanese-style guest rooms. Guests in the Western-style rooms can choose to upgrade their dinner to include tempra and charcoal grill dishes at an extra charge. The hotel has a coffee lounge on the first floor.