5 Recommended Concept Hotels and Accommodations in Kansai | Enjoy Your Stay with Playful Experiences!
Do you know the term “concept hotel”? It refers to hotels that have their own unique worldviews and themes, offering experiences and services that you can only find there.
These hotels offer a different kind of accommodation experience, and they have been gaining attention on social media and through word of mouth. In this article, we will introduce 5 recommended concept hotels in the Kansai area.
* The budget listed for each is the lowest price for a room (2 people, 1 night) when booked (as of May 2023).
1. CONTEXTED Osaka
CONTEXTED, operated by us, is located in Terada-cho, where one out of every five houses is a traditional longhouse that still retains the charm of the old days. CONTEXTED Osaka is an artistic rental accommodation born from the full renovation of a longhouse built about 100 years ago. Within walking distance, you’ll find shopping streets and public baths, and if you venture a bit further, you’ll discover places like the East Central Wholesale Market and Osaka Ikuno Koreatown, making it enjoyable for exploring the surrounding area. CONTEXTED Osaka consists of three independent longhouses, each with a maximum capacity of 7-8 people. When all three longhouses are rented together, it can accommodate up to 23 people. It’s ideal for graduation trips, training camps, home parties, and more. Furthermore, facilities such as kitchens and washing machines are provided, making it suitable for workations and long-term stays.
| Basic Information Budget: Starting from ¥17,000 per room per night Address: 1-6-3 Ikuno Higashi, Ikuno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 544-0025 Access: Approximately 10 minutes on foot from Osaka Loop Line Terada-cho Station Official Website: https://contexted.osaka.jp/ |
2. BnA Alter Museum (Kyoto)
“BnA Alter Museum” is a hotel with the concept of a “stayable art museum.”
Each of the 31 individual rooms features works by 16 different artists. The rooms vary widely in design, including completely white rooms, colorful and psychedelic patterns, and rooms with prominent lighting. The walls and ceilings are covered with artwork, providing an experience where you immerse yourself in art. To encourage guests to fully appreciate the space, TVs are intentionally not installed in the rooms.
Located just a 5-minute walk from Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, which is home to restaurants, department stores, and more, it’s in a prime location. Additionally, it’s within walking distance of famous tourist attractions such as Hanami-koji, Yasaka Shrine, and Kiyomizu Temple.
| Basic Information Budget: Starting from ¥22,950 per room per night Address: 267-1 Tenma-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 600-8024 Access: Approximately 5 minutes on foot from Hankyu Kyoto Line Kyoto Kawaramachi Station Official Website: https://bnaaltermuseum.com/ |
3. ume, yamazoe (Nara)
“ume, yamazoe” is a limited-to-three-parties-a-day accommodation located at the top of the village of Yamazoe in the Oku-Yamato area of Nara Prefecture. It opened in March 2020 after renovating a 100-year-old traditional Japanese house that was once the home of the village head of the former Hatano Village (now Yamazoe Village).
The concept of this accommodation is “a slightly inconvenient hotel.” There are no convenience stores nearby, and the rooms do not have televisions. However, you can enjoy a serene time harmonizing with the mountainous surroundings. Being perched at the top of the village, the view from the windows is exceptional.
Each room has a private bathroom, and one of them even features a semi-open-air bath. Additionally, there is a Finnish-style sauna, which is still relatively rare in Japan, outdoors. There are casual plans that allow you to enjoy the sauna and BBQ on a day trip without staying overnight.
At ume, yamazoe, sharing meals with the people you’re with on that day is highly valued. They also offer Japanese cuisine using local ingredients. Why not enjoy the inconvenience of nature and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life?
| Basic Information Budget: Starting from ¥69,300 per room per night (including 2 meals) Address: 452 Katahira, Yamazoe Village, Yamabe-gun, Nara 630-2356 Access: Approximately 45 minutes by car from Kintetsu Nara Line Nara Station or JR Lines Nara Station Official Website: https://www.ume-yamazoe.com/ |
4. Dot Glamping Ako (Hyogo)
Experience glamping and saunas with ease at “Dot Glamping Ako.” The dome-shaped rooms stand out. The interior features a natural color scheme with beige, creating a calming atmosphere.
Large windows cover one wall, allowing plenty of sunlight to stream in, and you can enjoy views of the Seto Inland Sea and the sky in front of you.
Furthermore, three private saunas are available in the shared area for guests. From the outdoor terrace, you can enjoy the scenic views of the Seto Inland Sea and the sunset. Since you can use them in your swimsuit, it’s recommended not only for families but also for friends and colleagues to relax together. It offers a different experience from saunas in the city center.
| Overview and Basic Information Budget: ¥30,620 and up per room per night Address: 143-1 Misaki, Ako City, Hyogo 678-0215 Access: Approximately 15 minutes by car from JR Ako Line Ako Station Official Website: https://dot.glamping-ako.com/ |
5. Kamikura Shosai (Wakayama)
Located at the base of the Kamikura Shrine, a part of the World Heritage Site “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range” in Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture, is “Kamikura Shosai.” It is themed around “stayable novels” and accommodates only one group per day with a maximum of two guests.
The accommodation was once a study for a geologist and deliberately retains the furniture, appliances, and books that were used at the time, creating a design that allows guests to feel the building’s story. Guests are free to touch and interact with the items inside the building.
While there are shower facilities in the building, the Nachi Katsuura Onsen is about a 20-minute drive away. Additionally, Kamikura Shrine is just a 1-minute walk away, so you can climb 538 stone steps, view the sunrise from the famous “Gotobiki Iwa” (a giant rock known as a power spot), and enjoy the scenery.
| Overview and Basic Information Budget: ¥24,000 and up per room per night Address: 1-3-1 Chiho, Shingu City, Wakayama 647-0015 Access: Approximately 15 minutes on foot from JR Kisei Main Line Shingu Station Official Website: https://www.kamikura-hideaway.art/ |
Conclusion
Exploring interesting tourist destinations and indulging in local cuisine is truly the essence of travel. However, what’s most important is the “place to stay.” Being able to relax comfortably or have a memorable stay experience can make you want to visit that place again.
Instead of deciding your next travel destination based on tourist spots, why not start with concept hotels like the ones introduced today and decide your next travel destination from there?
