Top 5 Hotels and Inns for a Relaxing Day – Cozy Stays with Loved Ones
If you’re looking to relax your tired body and mind from work, planning a trip to famous tourist spots and restaurants can be enjoyable. However, it’s also a luxury to spend some leisurely time in a hotel, sipping on drinks while gazing at the vast sea from your room or having a slow meal and reading a book in the hotel’s café. This time, we have selected 5 hotels and accommodations in the Kansai area where you can spend a relaxing day.
* The budget mentioned is the lowest price for booking one room (2 people, 1 night) as of April 2023.
1. CONTEXTED Osaka
CONTEXTED Osaka, operated by us, is located in Terada-cho, where every 5 houses out of 1 are traditional townhouses that have remained for many years. CONTEXTED Osaka is an art-themed accommodation that fully renovated townhouses built around 100 years ago. Within walking distance, you’ll find shopping streets and public baths, and if you venture a little further, you can explore places like the East Central Wholesale Market and Osaka Ikuno Koreatown. Moreover, the accommodation provides a kitchen with basic cooking equipment and tableware, allowing you to source ingredients from nearby Korean supermarkets and cook your own meals.
CONTEXTED Osaka consists of three independent townhouses: “宙 SORA,” “天 TEN,” and “玄 GEN,” each accommodating up to 7 to 8 people. If you book all three townhouses, you can accommodate up to 23 people.
| Overview Budget: ¥17,000〜 per room per night Address: 1-6-3 Ikuno Higashi, Osaka, Osaka 544-0025 Access: Approximately 10 minutes on foot from Terada-cho Station on the Osaka Loop Line Official Website: https://contexted.osaka.jp/ |
2. GOOD NATURE HOTEL KYOTO
“GOOD NATURE HOTEL KYOTO” is located in the heart of Shijo Kawaramachi, providing excellent access to famous tourist destinations while offering the serenity of nature. This hotel is designed with a focus on the well-being of both the body and the environment.
This hotel features stylish restaurants, cafes, ramen shops, cosmetics shops, and miscellaneous goods shops. Additionally, there are wellness programs like morning yoga (held only on weekends and Mondays) within the hotel, allowing you to enjoy a leisurely and fulfilling time on the premises.
Unique concept rooms are also available, such as the “Dry Flower Room” adorned with dried flowers, the “Glamping Room” offering a camping atmosphere indoors, the “Terrace Sauna Room” with a private sauna, and the “Meditation (MU) ROOM” for meditation experiences. You can choose a room based on your mood, enhancing the enjoyment of your trip.
| Overview Budget: ¥37,440〜 per room per night Address: 318-6 Inaricho, Shijo-agaru, Kawaramachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8022 Access: Approximately 2 minutes on foot from Hankyu Kyoto Line Kawaramachi Station, approximately 6 minutes on foot from Keihan Main Line Gion-shijo Station, approximately 13 minutes on foot from Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line Shijo Station Official Website: https://goodnaturehotel.jp/ |
3. ANDO HOTEL Nara Wakakusayama
“ANDO HOTEL Nara Wakakusayama” is a hotel that opened in 2020 after renovating the long-standing inn “Yukei no Yado Heijo” that had been in operation for 56 years. As the name “ANDO” suggests, it provides a place of relief in the midst of Nara’s beautiful natural surroundings.
The hotel’s open and expansive location offers breathtaking views of Nara’s ancient cityscape and shimmering night scenery, a unique charm only found in this location. Each room and observation bath allows you to enjoy this panoramic view of Nara while staying in the accommodation. On clear nights, you can also appreciate the starry sky overhead. It’s an ideal choice for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and experience a sense of liberation.
| Overview Budget: ¥54,862〜 per room per night Address: 728 Kawakami-cho, Nara 630-8202 Access: Approximately 15 minutes by car from JR Nara Station and Kintetsu Nara Station Official Website: https://andohotelnara.com/ |
4. Kō Otsu Hyakuchō (Shiga)
The hotel “Kō (Kou)” is a unique accommodation with guest rooms scattered along an arcade shopping street and the old Tokaido road.
The seven guest room buildings are renovated traditional houses that are over 100 years old, and they were meticulously renovated by the architect Yoshiji Takehara. The interior of the historic traditional Japanese rooms is beautifully furnished with furniture from famous designers in Europe, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of being in an art museum. The hotel also received the Good Design Award in 2018.
The reception building, where check-in is conducted, also has a lounge for guests, offering complimentary snacks and beverages. Additionally, you can participate in a guided tour of the shopping street, held daily and lasting about 1 hour (free of charge), to get to know the city of Otsu more deeply and create enjoyable memories.
This accommodation is perfect for those who want to stay in the downtown shopping district and experience life like a local.
| Overview Budget: ¥27,226〜 per room per night Address (Reception Building): 1-2-6 Chuo, Otsu, Shiga 520-0043 Access (Reception Building): Approximately 7 minutes on foot from JR Tokaido Main Line/Biwako Line Otsu Station, approximately 6 minutes on foot from Keihan Kyoto Line/Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line Biwako Hamaotsu Station Official Website: https://hotel-koo.com/ |
5. Cave Villa Banco (Hyogo)
In April 2023, “Cave Villa Banco,” a private rental accommodation limited to one group per day, opened in Ana (Anaga), Minami Awaji City. The concept is “Mini Hotel in a Harbor Town.” It is located within the complex facility “BANCO,” which was renovated from the former Awaji Shinkin Bank Anaga Branch. “BANCO” is an Italian word that is said to be the origin of the word “BANK,” meaning a bank.
On the first floor, there is a cafe called “Cafe Banco,” which is known for its hearty creative toast. It also serves as the hotel’s reception. On the second floor, you’ll find Cave Villa Banco, which used to be the bank’s duty room. The interior features a warm design with beautiful tiles and traditional Japanese-style rooms combined, creating a modern and cozy atmosphere. The room includes two semi-double beds and three sets of futons, accommodating up to five guests.
The guest room’s cave-like design outdoor bath window offers a view of the Harimanada Sea and the Naruto Bridge, providing a special bathing experience.
| Overview Budget: ¥33,000〜 per room per night Address: 1396-3 Anaga, Minami Awaji City, Hyogo 656-0661 Access: Approximately 3 minutes on foot from Nishi Junkan Line Bus (Seita-kun) Koba Station Official Website: http://banco-awaji.com/ |
Conclusion
Instead of crowded tourist destinations, consider blending into the city and living like a local. This way, you may discover new perspectives and find a way to calm your busy mind from work. The hotels and accommodations we’ve introduced here all offer comfortable stays within their facilities. Whether you want to treat yourself to a luxurious getaway or have a memorable trip with family or friends, we recommend staying at these unique places.
