Private Rental Accommodations Special Feature – Kansai Edition. Enjoy an Extraordinary Experience in a Villa-like Atmosphere! [Top 7 Recommendations]

Getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city and spending leisurely time in an open private inn is truly special. Private inns offer the charm of enjoying privacy with a villa-like feel. Some inns come with amenities like BBQ and hot springs. Besides the quality of the accommodations, pay attention to their unique features that make the most of the surrounding nature. In this article, we will introduce seven popular private inns in the Kansai area.

*The lowest price when booking one room for two people for one night is mentioned.

1. CONTEXTED Osaka (Osaka, Teradacho)

CONTEXTED, operated by us, is located in Teradacho, where one out of every five houses is a traditional row house, preserving the old-fashioned streetscape. CONTEXTED Osaka is an artistic fully renovated inn built about 100 years ago from these row houses. Within walking distance, you’ll find supermarkets, shopping streets, and public baths. If you venture a bit further, you can explore attractions like the Eastern Central Wholesale Market and Osaka Ikuno Korean Town.

CONTEXTED Osaka consists of three independent row houses: “宙 SORA,” “天 TEN,” and “玄 GEN,” each accommodating 7 to 8 people. You can book all three row houses, allowing up to 23 people to stay. This makes it perfect for graduation trips, group seminars, home parties, and more. Each row house is equipped with a kitchen and a washing machine, making it ideal for workations and long-term stays as well.

Overview Basic Information Price Range: 17,000 yen and up per room per night Address: 1-6-3 Ikuno Higashi, Ikuno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka 544-0025 Access: About 10 minutes on foot from Osaka Loop Line Teradacho Station Official Website: https://contexted.osaka.jp/

2. Amanohashidate MEZZO ALL SUITE VILLAS (Kyoto, Amanohashidate)

This private inn is located in Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture. Amazingly, it offers an ocean view from all rooms, allowing you to enjoy ocean views. In addition, there is a private pool and an outdoor hot spring bath (onsen) with a jacuzzi in the garden. The interior is designed in a luxurious Western style, suitable for the name “MEZZO ALL SUITE VILLAS.” If you want to relax to the fullest without worrying about crowds and public spaces, this inn is perfect for you.

Overview Basic Information Price Range: 40,040 yen and up per room per night Address: 1058-13 Mannen, Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture 626-0008 Access: About 15 minutes on foot from Kyoto Tango Railway Amanohashidate Station Official Website: https://www.mezzo-allsuite.jp/

3. Tabiyado Yanaseya (Nara, Gojo City)

This private inn accommodates only one group per day. They have renovated traditional wooden houses, preserving the atmosphere of that time, and offer stays in the “separate” and “kura” (storehouse) buildings that still retain their original appearance. The area where Yanaseya is located, Gojo Shinmachi, was designated as an important traditional building preservation district by the Japanese government in 2010. It has a streetscape that allows you to feel the atmosphere of the Edo period. The living room on the first floor of the “kura” building, with a ceiling height of 3 meters, is spacious and perfect for relaxing. The “separate” building features an old-fashioned cypress bath. If you have a car, you can visit various tourist destinations such as Mount Koya Kongobuji Temple, Dorogawa Onsen, and Mount Yoshino with ease.

Overview Basic Information Price Range: “Kura” from 24,000 yen and up, “Separate” from 30,000 yen and up per room per night Address: 2-7-3 Honmachi, Gojo City, Nara Prefecture 637-0041 Access: About 15 minutes on foot from JR Wakayama Line Gojo Station, About 15 minutes on foot from Yamato Futami Station Official Website: https://yanaseya.info/

4. Sunset Terrace Mie (Mie, Ise Shima)

From the terrace facing Gokasho Bay, you can enjoy views of the sea stretching from Ise Bay. The inn can accommodate up to 20 people, and its interior features a Western-style design that suits the name “Sunset Terrace.” It has a tea room, a spacious garden, a kitchen, and a large jacuzzi that can accommodate up to 5 people, among other amenities. Additionally, the main terrace has a BBQ grill, making it convenient for lively parties with friends.

Overview Basic Information Price Range: 76,000 yen and up per room per night Address: 627-175 Kiyotani, Minamiise-cho, Watarai-gun, Mie Prefecture 516-0106 Access: About 20 minutes by car from Kintetsu Shima Line Shima Isobe Station Official Website: https://www.sunset-terrace-mie.com/

5. AWAJI OCEAN BASE (Hyogo, Awaji Island)

What’s appealing about AWAJI OCEAN BASE are the high-ceilinged living room and large windows that offer a panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea. On clear days, you can even see Shodoshima Island directly in front. Outside the windows, there is an open wooden deck balcony. You can either enjoy cooking in the kitchen filled with sunlight or savor local ingredients at the outdoor BBQ space. This inn is recommended for those who want to fully enjoy island living.

Overview Basic Information Price Range: 46,530 yen and up per room per night Address: 898-23 Fukakusa, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture 656-1554 Access: About 20 minutes by car from Kita-Awaji IC Official Website: https://renoand.com/

6. Taraichi-tei (Shiga, Makino)

Taraichi-tei is a private inn located in Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, with the concept of “rural experience.” They have renovated a traditional farmhouse that is over 150 years old in the Kamita settlement. This premium private inn accommodates only one group per day and provides rooms with layouts of 4.5 tatami mats, 6 tatami mats, and 8 tatami mats. In the accommodation plan with meals, you can enjoy dishes made with locally sourced vegetables and game meat around the hearth. It’s perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and experience traditional Japanese culture.

Overview Basic Information Price Range: 24,200 yen and up per room per night Address: 145-1 Kamita, Makino-cho, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture 520-1831 Access: About 6 minutes by car from Kosei Line Makino Station Official Website: https://taraichi.com/

7. Kumano Shikitei (Wakayama, Kumano)

Kumano Shikitei is quietly nestled in a location with breathtaking mountain views. It is a 2-story building with a total of 4 rooms. You can view the Shigurimigawa River from the windows in each room. The inn features hinoki (Japanese cypress) barrel-style baths that can accommodate 2 to 3 people, and you can also enjoy a splash bath from the ceiling.

In the surrounding area, you can find the “Kumano Kodo,” a World Heritage-listed pilgrimage route, and the “Yunomine Onsen.” There are plenty of tourist resources to explore. Additionally, for a fee, you can rent BBQ sets, flowing somen (thin wheat noodles) sets, hammocks, kayaks, and more. It’s recommended for those who want to enjoy activities while spending a relaxing private time.

Overview Basic Information Price Range: 28,000 yen and up per room per night Address: 162 Koikomori, Hongu-cho, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture 647-1722 Access: About 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from JR Kisei Tanabe Station Official Website: https://kumano.shikitei.info/

Conclusion

In the Kansai region, there are private inns located in various settings, such as historic downtown areas where you can feel the traditional atmosphere, oceanfront locations with ocean views, and tranquil mountainside locations with dappled sunlight. Why not explore the culture and history of a different place and experience an “extraordinary” time?