Treat Yourself To a Stay in Kansai’s Top 2 Luxury Hotels
Because of their convenient locations, hospitable services, and great interior design, a number of luxury hotels are highly rated, attracting even famous celebrities to spend a night or two. Reputed for their exclusivity, these places have also become a go-to for locals seeking to treat themselves after long months of hard work.
But among all the upscale accommodations available in Japan, which of the long-established classic luxury hotels continue to be popular with locals and tourists alike?
We’ve already tackled the best luxury hotels in the Kanto area, but if you’re traveling around Nara and Shiga on your next trip, do consider these top 2 luxury hotels when you decide where to stay in Kansai, Japan.
1）Nara Hotel (Nara)
Nara Hotel opened in October 1909 as a guest house in Nara Park. To this day, many world-famous guests have checked in here. Prince Edward of the United Kingdom, physicist Albert Einstein, and actress Audrey Hepburn once set foot in this hotel in Kansai, Japan.
The main building with a tiled roof was built with high-grade Japanese cypress. The interiors of the building tell a lot about the hotel’s rich history. You’ll find Japanese paintings from the early 1900s displayed all around. Moreover, the fireplace from the time of its founding still remains as a reminder of its glorious past.
The guest rooms are located in both the main and the new buildings. Some of them feature Western styles that create a classical atmosphere. But you’ll also find rooms that embody modernity and others that are designed in line with authentic Japanese styles.
In addition, the restaurant has a French-style main dining hall, a Japanese cuisine restaurant, a cafe lounge, and more.
What makes Nara Hotel popular for travelers is its strategic location at the center of the city. All the must-visit sightseeing spots are within walking distance. There’s the Nara Park next to the hotel, the Former Daijyo-in Temple Garden, the Kofuku-ji Temple, as well as the Great Buddha Hall of Todai-ji Temple.
Facility Information
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Name: Nara Hotel |
Things to do in Nara
What to do in Kansai, Japan? If you’re visiting Nara, then you don’t have to worry about looking for interesting activities to include in your itinerary. The prefecture has an abundance of sightseeing spots such as temples and shrines, museums, parks, and mountains.
In fact, a number of temples and shrines in the prefecture have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. For one, there’s the Todaiji Temple in Nara Park, which is about six minutes on foot from Nara Hotel. Kasuga Taisha’s eye-catching vivid red shrine is also a must-see in the area.
Likewise with Horyuji, one of Japan’s oldest temples and one of the world’s oldest surviving wood structures. Registered as Japan's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, it can be accessed by bus from JR Horyuji Station.
Furthermore, if you go to Nara, be sure to try the famous Kaki no Ha Sushi. It is made by wrapping fish such as salmon and salted mackerel in persimmon leaves. The refreshing flavor of persimmon leaves softens the powerful aroma of the fish, making it very easy to eat.
2) Ryokan Beniayu (Shiga)
Where to stay in Kansai, Japan, if you want to have a calming trip? There’s no better place than Ryokan Beniayu, a Japanese inn that will remind you of the coziness of your own hometown. Located in Onoe Onsen, on the bank of Lake Biwa in the Shiga Prefecture, this luxury hotel is best for travelers looking to immerse themselves in nature.
The ryokan’s lobby lounge features tatami mats, a hearth, and other relaxing spaces with a Japanese-style atmosphere. From there, you can view a vast panorama of Lake Biwa and the mysterious Chikubu Island. Enjoy a stay unique to Japan with a beautiful lake view here in one of the best hotels in Kansai, Japan.
For a rejuvenating time, enjoy a foot bath on the terrace near the lobby. You can also feast on Kyoto-style kaiseki cuisine made with Omi beef, one of the three major wagyu brands. There is also a special service where ladies can select a yukata (light cotton kimono) from a collection of 17 colorful sets to wear around the ryokan.
While exploring the hotel will give you tons to do already, there are also lots of sightseeing spots in the surrounding area worth checking out.
Be sure to drop by the nearby Chikubu Island, known as a spiritual spot with its Shinto shrine and Buddhist temples. There is also Kinomotoshuku, a temple town with more than 470 years of history lined with shops like sake breweries. You can also visit Douganji Kannondo, where you can see the eleven-faced Kannon statue, which is considered a national treasure.
Facility Information
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Name: Ryokan Beniayu |
Things to do in Shiga
There are various places to visit in Shiga Prefecture, such as temples, shrines, museums, and scenic spots.
A particularly famous spot you should check out is the resort park of Biwako Hakodateyama, which takes about 20 minutes to reach by bus from Omi Imazu Station. If you ride a gondola that will take you 630 meters up to the mountain, you get a sprawling view of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. The mountain is also popular for autumn sightseeing when seasonal flowers like petunia or kokia are in bloom.
Similarly, the Metasequoia Namiki Avenue, lined with about 500 metasequoia trees, offers a variety of views in different seasons. Stroll down the street located in Takashima City Agricultural Park Makino Pick Land northwest of Lake Biwa. There, you’ll find cafes where you can enjoy a laid-back afternoon sipping tea.
Finally, don’t miss out on Omi beef, Shiga’s special brand of wagyu. You can enjoy this particularly luxurious meat cooked in many ways, such as steak, sukiyaki, or shabu-shabu.
Refer to the following for more information on the facilities mentioned in this article.
https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/kansai/nara/
https://www.japan.travel/en/travel-directory/Shiga/
Hotels that are listed as more than "Exceedingly Comfortable" in famous rating guidebooks in Japan
https://www.japan.travel/en/my/little-splurge-travel-2/hotels-are-listed-more-exceedingly-comfortable-famous-rating-gui/
Stay in a high-class classic hotel in Kanto as a reward for your usual hardwork
https://www.japan.travel/en/my/little-splurge-travel-2/stay-high-class-classic-hotel-kanto-reward-your-usual-hardwork/
Nara Hotel
https://www.narahotel.co.jp/eng/
Ryokan Beniayu
https://www.beniayu.com/english/
