13 Best Hotels in The Kansai Region, Japan

One of the tallest buildings in Kobe, this hotel stands out at night when its brightly lighted tower points heavenward. The entire hotel is sumptuous, spacious, and chic. Rooms are sleek and modern, done up in restful shades of chocolate and cream. Corner rooms on higher floors have superb views over Kobe. Beneath the lobby are five floors of shops and restaurants, including Wakkoku. The hotel is a five-minute walk from Kitano-cho; the Shin-Kobe Ropeway is just outside, and several hiking trails, including one to Nunobiki Falls, pass very close to the hotel. It's three minutes from downtown by subway.

Built in 1909, this hotel is a beautiful synthesis of Japanese and Western architecture. The high ceilings, wide hallways, and sumptuous beds are fit for, well, an emperor. The filigree-patterned light shades and silver-painted room heaters are all original. The lounge shows bits of the hotel's history, including the piano played by Albert Einstein during his visit. Although most rooms have a good view of the gardens or the temples, those in the new wing are not as grand as the traditional rooms in the old wing. Dinner is a special event in the old-fashioned Edwardian-style dining room, where excellent French food is served.

One of Osaka's most venerable deluxe hotels, the Crowne Plaza overlooks Naka-no-shima Park. The 24-story building is a handsome white-tile structure with some unusual architectural features like great fluted columns in the lobby and an enclosed courtyard dotted with trees. The main bar is a throwback to a 1950s English gentlemen's club. Guest rooms feature shades of chocolate, tan, and cream, while the cups are traditional Japanese ceramics.

One of Osaka's most stylishly modern and hip hotels, Cross is perfectly located for exploring the south side of Osaka. The bold, red glass–fronted exterior and spacious, design-focused rooms have the feeling of being at a boutique hotel—albeit one with over 200 rooms. The amenity-filled, spacious bathrooms—a rarity in Osaka—are another highlight.

Indoor and outdoor pools, a rooftop garden, tennis courts, and a sparkling marble atrium make this hotel a popular choice for both Japanese and Western travelers. The modern rooms, large by Japanese standards, afford handsome views of Osaka Castle and the Neya River. Rooms have pale color schemes accented with geometric patterns and Japan-inspired prints. There's a lot here—it's like a city within Osaka Business Park. Spend an evening in the teppanyaki restaurant on the 18th floor enjoying Osaka-jo in all its floodlit glory.

The city's largest hotel provides plenty of creature comforts in rooms with thick carpets and large windows that let in lots of light. Given its location next to Nara JR Station, the rooms are remarkably quiet. All have private baths, and there's a communal bath as well. Close to downtown restaurants, the hotel sits atop a popular shopping arcade. The lobby is on the third floor, where you can also find a lounge offering free drinks including wine and sake.

A striking white tower in the colorful Shin-sai-bashi district, the Nikko is within easy reach of shopping meccas like Amerika-mura. What you pay depends on the amenities, as the twin and double rooms are all the same size. For a little more comfort, opt for a room on one of the L floors for a couple of thousand yen extra. Black-and-white photographs of Mido-suji-dori ornament the walls. 

Rising 35 stories over Meriken Park, this is one of the city's best lodgings. Beautifully furnished, the hotel lives up to the Okura chain's reputation for excellence. Rooms were designed by David Hicks, who has also done interiors for the British royal family. The hotel has a well-equipped health club and stunning views of the bay from the beautiful Sazanka Teppanyaki Restaurant on the 35th floor.

A huge hotel with every imaginable amenity, the sleek Portopia Hotel rises high above the city. The restaurants and lounges on the top floors have panoramic views of Rokko-san and Osaka Bay. Ask for a room in the south wing if you want a balcony and ocean view. It's a bit isolated on man-made Port Island, but it has complimentary shuttle buses to and from Shin-Kobe Station throughout the day. The location is somewhat countered by the fact that everything from food—Chinese, Japanese, and French—to clothing is available inside the hotel.

Built in the 1930s, the well-established RIGHA Royal is where the royal family stays when visiting Osaka, and it received a major makeover before reopening in March 2025 as part of IHG's new Vignette Collection of individually managed luxury hotels. The hotel contains more than 20 restaurants, bars, and karaoke rooms, and no fewer than 60 shops—in addition to more than 1,000 rooms and suites. The West Wing has standard rooms for business travelers, the Tower Wing standard and executive floors. A stay in the VIP tower means free access to the swimming club's two rooftop pools and gym (other guests pay ¥6,600). A shuttle bus drops you off at Umeda and Yodoya-bashi stations.

Get a real taste of Japanese living in the comfortable and homely surroundings of this small ryokan. Room sizes are measured by the number of tatami mats, guests sleep on futons, and there is a bath for each of the two rooms, one of which is large enough to accommodate a group of 6 (it's possible to rent the entire ryokan for group of 8 people). The wonderfully friendly owners provide a great Japanese-style breakfast, and even offer calligraphy sessions for those with an interest. Excellent location within walking distance of the two train stations, the city's main shopping areas, and Nara Koen.

The quietest ryokan on the city side of Nara Park, the Nanto has airy tatami rooms with a simplicity fit for a Zen retreat. Interior rock gardens are placed throughout the mazelike collection of rooms, which makes finding the communal bath an adventure. There are large rooms that are perfect for families; most rooms have toilets, some have tubs. A Japanese breakfast is included. Ryokan Nanto is halfway between Kintetsu Nara Station and JR Nara Station.

Friendly service and delicious meals, which are included in the basic rates, make for a relaxed stay in this quiet mix of old and new. The newer wing has suites with private baths, whereas rooms in the old wing share a communal bath. A green tea porridge breakfast is served in the dining room overlooking the interior garden. Prices include a kaiseki dinner and breakfast, and there are reduced prices for stays of three nights or more. Tsubakiso is down a quiet side street in central Nara, about a 10-minute walk from either of the main train stations.