Best around Kansai Spot List

One of the largest outlet malls in Japan with about 300 shops.The food court offers ”Nagoya meshi” (Nagoya food).

A castle that is deeply rooted in the history of the Tokugawa Clan and became an important historic site during the Meiji Restoration when power was returned to Japan's Imperial Family.

Introducing life in Osaka during the Edo period, the museum makes it fun to learn about the history and culture of housing and living.

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.

Directly connected to Kyoto Station, this major complex facility contains hotels, department stores, specialized stores, restaurants, and theaters, offering various kinds of recreation.

Eki Marche Osaka

Kansai International Airport: the gateway to the skies of Kansai

Founded in 1929, it is one of the largest department stores in Japan that leads in fashion and lifestyle trends.

An esteemed department store adored by locals. The busy underground food zone is a must-see!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hotel New Awaji offers spacious rooms with beautiful sea views, some with a private outdoor bath. It features public hot spring baths, an outdoor sea-side pool and 5 dining options. Rooms at Hotel New Awaji have tatami-mat flooring and traditional futon bedding. They are fitted with an LCD TV and a fridge. Some rooms have a terrace and a private open-air bath. Guests can relax with various types of massages including Thai, Hawaiian and Thalassotherapy. Hotel New Awaji has a playground and offers bicycle rentals. Guests with a dinner-inclusive rate can enjoy traditional Japanese meals, prepared with fresh seafood and Awaji beef, in the room. Home-made pastry can be enjoyed in tea lounge Seagull, while night lounge Hibiscus offers karaoke and Bar Awaji features jazz music. Hotel New Awaji is a 10-minute ride from the Sumoto Express Bus Centre, with the hotel’s complimentary shuttle. Sumoto-jo Castle is a 10-minute drive away.

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.

Boasting a spacious garden overlooking the Kumano-Nada Sea and the gentle mountains along the coast, Yado Kayuu features hot-spring baths, a summertime outdoor pool, tennis courts and Japanese rooms with sea views. Traditional Kaiseki Japanese cuisine is available for dinner. Guests at Hana Irodori no Yado Kayuu sleep in futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor. Each air-conditioned room has an en suite bathroom and an electric kettle. Slippers are also provided. The hotel is a 15-minute drive from JR Kii-Katsuura Train Station on the Kisei Line, and a free shuttle is offered. It is a 10-minute walk to the Taijicho Whale Museum and Taiji Kujirahama Park.