5 Unique and Stylish Hotels and Accommodations in Kansai! Recommended for Girls’ Trips and Families

When choosing a hotel, it’s important to consider not only the price and accessibility but also whether it’s a place where you can disconnect from your daily routine and refresh your mind and body. In this article, we introduce five stylish hotels in the Kansai region that you’ll want to stay at on your next trip.

These hotels are perfect for solo travelers, couples, and female travelers alike.

* The budget for each is the lowest rate when booking one room for two people for one night (as of March 2023).

1. CONTEXTED Osaka

CONTEXTED, operated by us, is located in Terada-cho, where one in every five houses is a traditional Japanese longhouse, preserving the old-fashioned streetscape. CONTEXTED Osaka is a fully renovated longhouse built about 100 years ago, offering an artful, fully-rented accommodation experience. Within walking distance, you’ll find shopping streets and public baths, and a little further, you can explore the East Central Wholesale Market and Osaka Ikuno Koreatown. CONTEXTED Osaka consists of three independent longhouses: “宙 SORA,” “天 TEN,” and “玄 GEN,” each accommodating a maximum of 7-8 people. When you rent all three, you can accommodate up to 23 people. It’s perfect for graduation trips, group training, home parties, and more. Plus, it’s equipped with a kitchen and washing machine, making it ideal for workations and long-term stays.

Basic Information Budget: ¥17,000〜 per room per night Address: 1-6-3 Ikuno Higashi, Ikuno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 544-0025 Access: About a 10-minute walk from Terada-cho Station on the Osaka Loop Line Official Website: https://contexted.osaka.jp/

2. HOTEL ANTEROOM KYOTO (Kyoto)

HOTEL ANTEROOM KYOTO is an art hotel with the concept of “Art & Culture.” It’s located in a renovated building that was originally a student dormitory and features a total of 128 guest rooms and 50 apartments.

Some of the guest rooms are concept rooms created by famous artists. Each room has a unique conceptual interior, such as rooms surrounded by the vibrant photography of Mika Ninagawa or rooms in deep black by the art space “KYOTO ART HOSTEL kumagusuku.”

In addition, the gallery connected to the hotel’s entrance hosts various exhibitions and events, mainly featuring artists active in Kyoto.

This hotel allows art enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the latest art in the gallery and enjoy the meticulously crafted spaces in their rooms.

Basic Information Budget: ¥9,500〜 per room per night Address: 7 Higashi Kujo Akemadacho, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 601-8044 Access: About a 15-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station, about an 8-minute walk from Kyobashi Station on the Karasuma Line of the Kyoto City Subway Official Website: https://www.uds-hotels.com/anteroom/kyoto/

3. hotel it. Osaka shinmachi (Osaka)

hotel it. Osaka shinmachi is a hotel with the concept of “spinning the era,” as reflected in its name, “it＝糸” (thread).

Operating company Toki Building Enterprise Co., Ltd. has a background in textile trading, and this is evident in the one-of-a-kind original tartan check pattern “it. tartan” and original lamps created exclusively for this hotel by embroidery artists.

Especially, “it. tartan” has become an important icon of the hotel and is used throughout the building, from elevator wallpapers to bed linens and cushions.

The rooms have an open atmosphere, making them suitable for friends or couples staying together. However, please note that amenities such as toothbrushes are available for an additional fee due to environmental considerations.

Basic Information Budget: ¥13,774〜 per room per night Address: 4-6-20 Shinmachi, Nishi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 550-0013 Access: About a 2-minute walk from Nishi-Nagahori Station on the Tanimachi Line and Sennichimae Line of the Osaka City Subway, about a 6-minute walk from Awaza Station on the Sennichimae Line of the Osaka City Subway Official Website: https://hotelit.jp/

4. MIROKU Nara by THE SHARE HOTELS (Nara)

This is a hotel opened by “THE SHARE HOTELS,” a hotel brand aiming for “coexistence with the community,” in Nara.

The interior is adorned with lighting fixtures from the Nara-based brand “NEW LIGHT POTTERY,” as well as products using Yoshino cedar and Uda washi, allowing you to feel the culture and craftsmanship of Nara.

There are a total of 44 rooms in 7 different types. The contrast between the gray walls and Yoshino cedar is beautiful, making you feel like you are in a quiet forest.

Nearby, there is Nara Park and Kasugayama Primeval Forest, and depending on the room, you can enjoy views of the lush trees from the window. Additionally, from the hotel’s cafe bar’s open terrace, you can get up close to the deer.

Recommended for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and spend a peaceful time.

Basic Information Price Range: ¥14,760 and up per room per night Address: 1116-6 Takahatacho, Nara, Nara 630-8301, Japan Access: Approximately 10 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Line Nara Station Official Website: https://www.thesharehotels.com/miroku/

5. TOKI NO YADO (Shiga)

TOKI NO YADO is located in a mountain village in the remote areas of Lake Biwa. This traditional Japanese inn, which is over 130 years old, was opened in 2022 after renovating an old farmhouse. The town of Yogocho, where the inn is located, has a traditional house style known as “Yogogata,” and this inn is one of them. The region is known for heavy snowfall in winter, which is why the steeply sloped roofs are a distinctive feature.

Inside, the old pillars, beams, and earthen floor remain intact, making it feel like time has stood still for over a century. With a kitchen equipped with three IH stoves, you can even cook dishes using local ingredients right in the inn.

There are many enjoyable points, such as being able to have a barbecue in the backyard and allowing your beloved dog to stay with you.

Basic Information Price Range: ¥32,000 and up per building per night Address: 2563 Kami-Tanu, Yogocho, Nagahama, Shiga 529-0512, Japan Access: Approximately 15 minutes by taxi or bus from JR Hokuriku Main Line Yogo Station Official Website: https://toki-no-yado.com/

Conclusion

If you stay in a hotel that emphasizes creating a unique atmosphere, you are sure to have a fresh and different experience. Visiting with close friends, sharing memories within the hotel, and taking photos can also become cherished memories.

When traveling to Kansai, be sure to check out the stylish hotels we introduced this time.