BEACH HOUSE WANI boasts one of the best locations, right on the shores of Lake Biwa's beach. Situated along the prefectural road, it's a 13-minute walk south of Horai Station on the JR Kosei Line and a 20-minute walk north of Wani Station. From JR Osaka Station, it's about an hour and a half away by train and on foot.

You'll find the BEACH HOUSE WANI vacation stay inside the WANI BASE complex, which also includes a cafe, an inn, a restaurant, stand-up paddleboarding, and BBQ. It can accommodate up to eight people, so feel free to bring your family and friends!

BEACH HOUSE WANI is a two-story building. You will find a dine-in kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom (with bidet, shower, and bathtub), and toilet on the first floor.

On the second floor are two bedrooms and a toilet. There is also an outside bar (limited time only), a private beach, and an outdoor terrace.

One perk of this place is that you get to enjoy the entire building, all by yourself! Have a meal in your living room, or enjoy a BBQ on your own private terrace!

It's so close to the lake that you can even hear the waves crashing on the shore! Sit and relax on the terrace as you watch the sun rise over Lake Biwa and gaze out over the mountains. Then fall asleep to the sound of the waves in the provided hammock.

The sunrise over Lake Biwa is incredible, and you can watch it rise over the lake from the comfort of your own room.

You may even be able to trace the rising sun's reddish path on Lake Biwa's surface.

Here are some reviews from foreign guests: "All of the rooms were clean, but the kitchen was spotless!" "This place was only a five-minute walk to the lake and had a magnificent view, a hamburger shop, and a BBQ spot. It's the perfect place for a summer vacation!"

Health & Safety Measures
Disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of facilities - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Coin trays used - Plastic partitions installed - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Restricted admission, reservation system in place - Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell - Masks required/temperature check enforced

Next to BEACH HOUSE WANI is the American-style hot dog cafe, Cafe WANI BASE. An original restaurant, Kokoku no Megumi, opened on July 1, 2021, featuring unique local ingredients such as wild fish from Lake Biwa and Omi. The extensive facilities are excellent for long-term stays, with various ways to enjoy your meals, including BBQ and restaurants.

Staff are stationed on the premises of Wani Base in the "SUP Colony" and will gladly assist you during your stay around Lake Biwa. You can also try banana boating, jet skiing, yoga, canoeing, and fishing. (Reservations required.)

It's a five-minute drive to the recreational mountain facility, Biwako Valley and Biwako Terrace, situated at an altitude of 1,100 meters.

You can enjoy various activities from spring to autumn, including hiking and skiing in the winter. Hiratopia, a natural hot spring facility with open-air baths surrounded by trees, is also only a 10-minute drive away!

Awaji Seaside Log House in Goshiki is a private log cabin in Goshiki, Sumoto City that faces the Seto Inland Sea in the southwestern part of Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture.

It takes about 20 minutes from the Sumoto IC on the Kobe Awaji Naruto Expressway to Goshiki and about two hours from JR Osaka Station via connecting trains and buses. This hilltop villa boasts one of the best panoramic views of the sea in Awaji!

The cozy, wooden interior has two floors. There's a living-dining room-kitchen (LDK) and bathroom with a hot tub, bidet, shower, and toilet on the first floor and a bedroom and terrace on the second floor. There's also a flat-screen TV, a fully-equipped kitchen with a microwave, and a washing machine.

The kitchen includes two IH cooktop stoves and a set of cooking utensils, including pots, pans, kitchen knives, and cutting boards. You can also rent a gas stove, earthenware pots, and hot plates. Of course, tableware, glasses, chopsticks, and spoons are also provided. Enjoy cooking your own meals with the fresh fish and vegetables from Awaji Island!

The second-floor bedroom has two double beds and two futons, and the first-floor living room has a sofa bed. Altogether the space can accommodate up to seven guests. There's also a terrace next to the bedroom that overlooks the sea.

The garden also has a barbecue facility, so you can grill while overlooking the sea. All you need is charcoal, ignition equipment, and your food!

Here are some comments from tourists who have stayed here: "Having a BBQ right by the sea was amazing. There was a comfortable breeze blowing at the top of the hill." "The balcony was really spacious. At night, you can hear the sound of the waves throughout the villa. I'm so glad I was able to stay at this mountain villa!"

Health & Safety Measures
Disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of facilities - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell - Guests requested to wear masks

Support for Foreign Guests
English, Chinese, and Korean-speaking staff members available.

There are plenty of tourist attractions nearby. We recommend renting a car for sightseeing around Awaji Island.

By car, it only takes five minutes to Keino-Matsubara Beach, with its beautiful sunsets; 10 minutes to Wellness Park Goshiki, with its hot spring facilities; and 20 minutes to Awaji Farm Park England Hill, an agricultural park that even has koalas!

You can also get to Michi-no-Eki Uzushio in 25 minutes for cooking and shopping. Rent a car and take a self-guided tour of the spectacular scenery!

Awaji Egaosakuie Tonouchi is a rental inn that recently opened in May 2021. It is located in the northwestern part of Awaji Island in Tonouchi, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture, along the coast of Prefectural Road 31. Nicknamed the Awaji Sunset Line, you can usually see a beautiful sunset on the west coast from here.

It's about five minutes by car from the Hokudan IC and about two hours from JR Osaka Station by train and bus.

This 40-year-old folk house is a two-story building, once made up entirely of Japanese-style rooms. However, the first floor has undergone simple renovations to replace the floors and tatami mats, while keeping the original Japanese-style atmosphere.

The kitchen has a refrigerator, microwave, electric kettle, and cooking utensils such as pots and pans, tableware, and glassware.

There are three bedrooms. The former Buddhist altar room on the first floor has been renovated into a bedroom with Ryukyu tatami mats and two single beds for a relaxing sleep. There's also a table set on the porch, just like you'd expect of a high-class hot spring inn.

On the second floor are two more bedrooms. The remodeled, yellow Western-style room has a fun and relaxing atmosphere, with two tatami mats and a hanging chair. The other room is spacious and has two double beds.

In addition, there are three futons and one extra bed, accommodating a maximum of 14 people, so feel free to bring the entire family or get away with friends!

There is a large garden with BBQ facilities. All you need to bring is the charcoal, lighting tools, and of course, your food!

Foreign guests who stayed here comment: "It was a nice house with a fishing spot nearby." "The inside of this big house was immaculate and even had a BBQ. I also liked that it was close to the sea."

Health & Safety Measures
Disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of facilities - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell - Guests requested to wear masks

Support for Foreign Guests
English, Chinese, and Korean-speaking staff available.

There are a number of tourist attractions nearby, including a beach in the immediate vicinity where you can go swimming and fishing, and then unwind at dusk.

About 20 minutes north by car you will find Hyogo Prefectural Park Awaji Hanasajiki, with its unique colorful flowers. About five minutes from there is the Nijigen no Mori (Awaji Island Anime Park).

The Awaji Izanagi Jingu shrine, mentioned in Japan's historical texts, the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, is also only 20 minutes away by car. As you can see, Awaji Island has many great sightseeing spots!

However, public transportation is limited, so we highly recommend renting a car.

Chikubu Yuuan is a fully-renovated, 130-year-old traditional Japanese house located in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture.

Ride the limited express train from JR Osaka Station to Nagahama Station (about an hour and 40 minutes), then take a cab from there (about 10 minutes). The building is located in the moated village of Shimoyagi-cho, where the old-fashioned rural scenery remains. Lake Biwa is only a 10-minute walk away!

While the home retains its old-fashioned charm, the bathroom, toilet, and kitchen come with the latest equipment. The air conditioner and underfloor heating also guarantee a comfortable stay. The space can accommodate up to 12 people - as many as two or three families in a single trip!

On the north side of the building, the Fireplace Room is a comfortable spot to spend your time, no matter the season! Chill out in the summer, or warm up in the winter with its floor heating. The LDK flooring has been remodeled from tatami mats to wood, and the traditional Mizuya kitchen chest completes the atmosphere.

The bedroom is a Japanese-style room with a futon. Any of the four Japanese-style rooms can be used as a bedroom, so pick your favorite!

The central bathtub in the bathroom is a cypress tub, and the small bathtub is a Goemon bath (iron kettle-like tub heated from underneath). These two different tubs offer not one, but two ways to relieve any tiredness from your trip!

You can also see the traditional craftsmanship of the thatched roof from inside the building. Check out the tied bamboo structures, and admire the wisdom and handiwork of the ancestors who constructed this building 130 years ago!

Foreign guests who have stayed here commented: "I liked the smell and feel of the tatami mats." "I enjoyed relaxing in the huge, cypress-scented bathtub."

Health & Safety Measures
Disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of facilities - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Reservation system in place - Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell - Masks required/temperature check enforced

Support for Foreign Guests
Two English-speaking resident staff members on premises; Resident staff with translators also available

Attractions from Japan's Sengoku Period, such as Odani Castle, the former residence of Sengoku Daimyo Asai, and the former battleground of the Battle of Anegawa, are only 15 minutes away by car.

About 12 minutes away is Kurokabe Square, a tourist attraction featuring traditional buildings in the old Nagahama City area.

While renting a car may be more convenient, public transportation also goes to these destinations. Kurokabe Square is near JR Nagahama Station, from which you can also get to the Anegawa Battlefield. Odani Castle is 15 minutes away by rental cycle from Kawake Station, which is one station north of Torahime Station.

Daikyo Engetsuto Villa is a mere ten-minute walk from Shirarahama Beach in Wakayama Prefecture’s Shirahama Town. It can be easily accessed by taking an approximately 15-minute taxi ride from JR Shirahama Station. This villa rental also boasts views of Shirahama’s representative landmark, Engetsu Island.

Daikyo Engetsuto Villa is a two-floor facility. The first floor has a dining room, kitchen, living room, bathing area (with a shower and bathtub), and a bathroom, while two bedrooms can be found on the second floor.

What’s more, in addition to the private pool on the roof, there’s an outdoor terrace where you can enjoy BBQing! Equipped with high chairs and tableware for children, it’s a great space that the whole family can enjoy!

An alluring aspect of this villa is its sweeping view of the ocean upon opening the living room window. Here, time slows as you lounge and read while feeling the ocean breeze.

The two bedrooms both come with a double bed and sofa bed! Moreover, there’s an extra sofa bed available on the first floor. Inside the closet, you’ll find futon mattresses and comforters.

The terrace gives you a breathtaking view of an expansive ocean and Engetsu Island. There are also tables, chairs, sinks, and BBQ grills. We recommend buying some ingredients in advance to enjoy barbecuing easily! Supermarkets can be found nearby, making it easy to go on last-minute shopping runs!

A foreign guest commented: “Although it sprinkled during our stay, we could still enjoy BBQing due to the terrace roof. The kitchen also had all the tools we needed. Overall, the villa was beautiful and clean!”

Daikyo Engetsuto Villa offers incredible views from its private pool! A stay here enables you to have the luxurious experience of enjoying a private pool all to yourself.

Not only is this a great place to stay a mere ten-minute walk from Shirarahama Beach, but it’s also a ten-minute drive from a delicious seafood eatery, Tore Tore Park, and a 12-minute drive to the giant panda-famous Adventure World.

Health & Safety Measures
Disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of shop and facilities - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature – Reservations required - Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell - Guests are asked to wear masks・temperature checks are required

Multilingual Support
Administrative staff offer multilingual support (English, Korean, Cantonese, and Chinese).

Information source: Booking.com

Located in northern Shiga Prefecture facing Lake Biwa, Shikitei is a rental ryokan limited to one group stay per day. It takes approximately an hour and 35 minutes when taking the train from JR Osaka Station to JR Makino Station.

From here, you can access the inn by either taking a ten-minute bike ride with a rental or a five-minute bus or taxi ride. For those driving, it takes approximately two hours from Osaka City (information taken from the inn’s official site).

This is a two-floor rental inn spanning approximately 280 square meters. As the space was created by renovating a 140-year-old traditional Japanese folk house. Inside, you’ll find an irori (traditional Japanese sunken hearth), white-plastered walls, lattice doors, and a cypress bath. A stay here promises enjoyments unique to an architectural space reminiscent of an old Japanese home.

The first floor has two Japanese-style guest rooms, an irori room, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a bathing area. You’ll find a saloon and another Japanese-style guest room on the second floor.

The kitchen has a fridge, microwave, and stovetops. It also has all your basic table and kitchenware needs!

The cypress bath enables you to experience refined Japanese tastes! Your body and soul will be warmed while enveloped in the calming aroma of wood. Although shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and hairdryers are available, don’t forget to bring bath towels, smaller facial towels, and toothbrushes - as guests must arrange these items (information taken from the inn’s official site).

As Shikitei is right on Lake Biwa, you can enjoy various activities such as finishing and swimming! Also, the basement boathouse has a roof, allowing you to enjoy BBQing without worrying about the weather!

Convenience stores, supermarkets, butchers, and hardware stores are all a 15-minute drive away. This makes it very easy to grab anything you need last minute!

The inn offers a luxurious stay in an open space facing Lake Biwa's Kaizu-Osaki peninsula. We recommend visiting in the spring as Kaizu-Osakai has been chosen as one of "Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots"!

Health & Safety Measures
Disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of shop and facilities - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell - Guests are asked to wear masks

Multilingual Support
There are some staff who known basic English.

Information source: Booking.com

Situated along the western coast of Hyogo Prefecture’s Awaji City, Sunset Villa Awaji is a rental villa in the Asano-Minami area. It’s approximately a seven-minute drive from the Hokudan Interchange or about a two-hour trip when taking both the bus and train from JR Osaka Station. As it faces the ocean, you can watch the sunset while enjoying delicious BBQ!

This villa is a one-bedroom facility spanning a spacious 107 square meters. It has a living room, dining room, kitchen, bathing space, bathroom, and bedroom. In the villa's outdoor area are sinks and a terrace where you can enjoy BBQ! You'll even find electric grills that don't require charcoal, making cooking hassle-free by just needing to prepare ingredients.

A small local supermarket can be found three minutes away, while convenience stores, supermarkets, and hardware stores are only a ten-minute drive away! Being able to purchase superb-quality local vegetables, meat, and seafood for cheap is lovely! In addition to this, you can buy fresh seafood at the nearby fishing port as well as Awaji beef directly from local butchers!

The bedroom comes with two double beds! Although there aren’t any cribs available, beds offer enough space for small children to fit easily. Accommodating up to five guests, it’s the perfect space to spend quality time with your family!

The Asano area, situated on the western coast of Awaji Island, is known for its beautiful sunsets. This villa’s terrace promises opportunities to enjoy these endless sunset views for as long as you like!

With the stylish cafe, Happy Pancake Awajishima Terrace and Italian restaurant Garb Costa Orange nearby, this villa lets you enjoy delicious outdoor eats! Additionally, it's conveniently close to some of Awaji Island's famous sightseeing spots! Hokudan Kenmin Sun Beach is a five-minute drive away, whereas Izanagi Shrine is a 20-minute drive away!

Many guests have raved: "A clean and stylish space with stupendous sunsets! I would love to come here again.".

Health & Safety Measures
Disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of shop and facilities - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell - Guests are asked to wear masks

Multilingual Support
Administrative staff offer multilingual (English, Korean, Chinese) services

Information source: Booking.com

Located in Kyoto Prefecture's serene village of Ohara, at the foothills of Mount Hiei, is the rental villa Ohara Sensui. This villa can be accessed by taking an approximately one-hour bus ride from JR Kyoto Station or by driving 40 minutes on the Kyoto-Higashi Interchange (information taken from the inn's official site).

A three-minute walk from the facility are Ohara's famous tourist attractions, including Sanzen-in Temple, Jikko-in Temple, Shorin-in Temple, and Hosen-in Temple.

Ohara Sensui is a single-storied facility that spans around 35 square meters. It has a living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, bathing area, and bathroom. Fitting up to four guests, it’s a cozy space where you can unwind completely!

The kitchen has a fridge, IH cooking range, a microwave, a coffee machine, and a toaster. What’s more, you’ll find kitchenware such as pots and pans readily available. Please note that BBQing out on the lawn is prohibited for safety reasons.

The villa offers breakfast and dinner services if you make a reservation three days in advance. Guests said positive things, such as, “The mountain vegetable bento box served for dinner was absolutely delicious,” and “Dinner was so much more than I expected! I couldn’t help but be impressed by the bento box quality of a traditional cooking inn.”

The bedroom has two double beds, both 140 cm in width. In the bathroom, you’ll find shampoo, conditioner, body wash, towels, and a hair dryer.

Here you can fully enjoy the great outdoors as the terrace is surrounded by verdant greenery. Dining outside on a fine day makes for a relaxing experience.

Sanzen-in Temple offers the many faces of Japan with its seasonal scenery, located a three-minute walk from the villa. Surrounded by mountains, it’s the perfect place to spend a relaxing vacation.

Guests commented: “The perfect location! The villa is closer to Sanzen-in Temple than most of the temple’s parking lots”, and “I enjoyed a comfortable stay as the villa was clean, had spacious beds, and a convenient kitchen. The hospitality was also impeccable.”

Health & Safety Measures
Disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of shop and facilities - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell - Guests are asked to wear masks

Multilingual Support
Administrative staff offer multilingual support (English)

Information source: Booking.com

Located in the village of Fukano in Nara Prefecture’s Uda City, Rice Terrace Villa Sasayuri-ann is a traditional Japanese thatched roof home renovated into a villa. It can be accessed by taking an approximately hour and 30-minute train ride from JR Osaka Station or a 15-minute drive on Meihan Expressway’s Ogura Interchange to Nara Prefectural Highway 242.

Not only can you enjoy views of terraced rice paddies introduced in “100 Selections of Beautiful Japanese Village Landscapes”, but also beautiful Japanese rock gardens just past this greenery! This space allows you to immerse yourself in refined, traditional Japanese sensibilities (information taken from the villa’s official site).

Though it’s a traditional Japanese home turned villa, Rice Terrace Villa Sasayuri-ann still offers the latest facilities for a comfortable stay! On its first floor is a large saloon (dining room/bedroom), a kitchen, a bathroom, and a room with an earthen floor called a doma. The second floor has a room with tatami-mat flooring as well as a loft.

The kitchen is stocked with appliances such as an IH cooking range, a dishwasher, a coffee machine, and a rice cooker. Guests can either choose to bring their own cooking ingredients or reserve a catering service in advance.

On top of the two single beds found in the bedroom, there are also four futon sets. Fitting up to ten guests, it’s a highly recommended place to stay for two to three groups of family or friends.

The bathing area has both a wonderfully scented cypress bath and a shower. Here you’ll also find various amenities, including shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

In the area are countless options for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and canoeing! What’s more, Rice Terrace Villa Sasayuri-ann is known for offering unforgettable stays that overseas celebrities and film industry professionals enjoy! Don’t miss out on this highly-enjoyable experience.

Health & Safety Measures
Disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of shop and facilities - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell - Guests are asked to wear masks

Multilingual Support
Administrative staff offer multilingual support (English)

Information source: Booking.com

Kyotofish·Kamogawa is a rental villa adjacent to the popular Kyoto attraction that is the Kamo River. It’s a six-minute walk from the Keihan Main Line’s Kiyomizu-Gojo Station, a 12-minute walk from the Kyoto Municipal Subway’s Gojo Station, and a 14-minute drive on the Meishin Expressway’s Kyoto-minami Interchange.

This two-storied villa was once a Machiya townhouse, a traditional Japanese wooden townhouse representative of Kyoto, and spans a spacious 180 square meters. Both floors have two bedrooms and one Japanese-style room that showcases the facility’s beautiful courtyard.

Up to nine guests can enjoy a stay here! Since each floor has a kitchenette, a bathing area, and bathrooms, large groups can stay comfortably while maintaining their privacy. Guest rooms are generally Japanese-style with futon mattress bedding, but Western-style rooms come with a double bed.

The kitchenette offers all the appliances you might have at home and more! Inside, you’ll find a fridge, microwave, coffee machine, and toaster.

The bathing area has both a bathtub and a separate shower. Amenities include shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and skin care items such as cleansers, toners, and lotions!

As the terrace has chairs and a patio table with an umbrella, you can relax comfortably while watching the Kamo River flow. Furthermore, this villa is recommended as a sightseeing base due to being only a ten-minute drive from popular tourist attractions such as Toyokuni Shrine, the Kyoto National Museum, Sanjusangendo (Buddhist temple), and Higashi Hongan-ji Temple.

Health & Safety Measures
Disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of shop and facilities - Sanitizer installed - Disinfected after each guest leaves - Ventilation measures in place - Staff wear masks, gargle, wash hands regularly, and monitor body temperature - Entry declined to anyone who is feeling unwell - Guests are asked to wear masks

Multilingual Support
Administrative staff offer multilingual support (English, Chinese)

Information source: Booking.com

The Kansai region has a range of villas showcasing beautiful scenery of Japan’s oceans, lakes, terraced rice paddies, and traditional gardens! We highly recommend enjoying a resort-like experience at one of the facilities introduced in this article.

Villa rentals are not only the perfect option for comfortable stays with family and friends but also a fantastic choice for long-term bookings!

*The information in this article is from June 2022. Due to their being cases where prices or services change, please check each official website for the latest information.