9 Luxury Auberges in Kansai for Gourmet Couples' Trips

Many couples are both busy and don't have time to relax together. When you get tired, you start to feel like ``I'd rather spend time relaxing with you than having fun being active.'' For these two grown-up couples, a trip surrounded by a sense of luxury is recommended. The carefully selected gourmet food and the spectacular view that will make you feel like you are the only two in the world. Don't you feel satisfied just by being surrounded by good things, even if it's not a special activity?

Auberge, a restaurant where you can stay overnight, makes such a high-quality trip a reality. Focusing on carefully selected cuisine, the restaurant is packed with attractions that will satisfy the souls of adults, such as beautiful scenery and onsen. Kansai, which has many tourist attractions such as beautiful ports, nature, and quiet cityscapes, has many wonderful facilities. This time, we will introduce nine auberges that are perfect for couples who want to enjoy a luxurious stay-at-home trip.

Kobe Kitano Hotel stands in the exotic city of Kobe. It's about a 15-minute walk from Sannomiya Station, and its classic British-style exterior will catch your eye. The space, carefully selected cuisine, and hospitable service will make you feel like you're in a foreign country, and it's like magic that will make you forget your everyday life in an instant.

Dinner is French cuisine that appeals to the five senses, inheriting the spirit of Bernard Loiseau, who brought a new style to French cuisine. French cuisine, which avoids butter and cream and makes the most of the natural flavors of Japan's fresh and delicate ingredients, will leave you surprised and impressed with every bite. Among the wide variety of wines, there are some gems that have not yet arrived in Japan, so don't miss this opportunity to try them out.

The guest rooms are classically decorated with British furniture. The beautiful furniture and interior will make you feel like you are abroad. Fill your stomach with delicious French cuisine, take a relaxing bath, and then sleep soundly on the fluffy bed.

The next morning, you'll enjoy the long-awaited "world's best breakfast." This breakfast was created by Mr. Loiseau, who is also the mentor of Mr. Yamaguchi, the general manager and executive chef. It is a menu that is praised as the best in the world and has been officially allowed to be reproduced. Homemade confiture, bread, fresh juices, jambon blanc, etc. Blissful time passes slowly in the refreshing sunlight filtering through the trees in the morning.

Auberge Tomioka 1925 is about an 8-minute walk from JR Toyooka Station and has an eye-catching retro appearance. This is an auberge that has been renovated from the Hyogo Prefecture Agricultural and Industrial Bank Toyooka Branch, which is a registered tangible cultural property of the country, to provide a comfortable atmosphere while still retaining the vestiges of its past. As you enter the main entrance, you will find an open atrium that used to be a bank teller, and the entire facility retains a strong atmosphere of the past, including the vault and reception room that were actually used.

In the spacious dining room, you can enjoy French cuisine with plenty of ingredients from the Sea of Japan and the mountains of Tajima. The popular Tajima beef steak is melt-in-your-mouth tender and flavorful, and pairs perfectly with red wine. In addition, Tajima, which is said to be a ``treasure trove of ingredients,'' such as Kasumi crab, Yoka pork, and Tamura trout, will make your trip delicious.

Although the hotel is spacious, there are a total of 6 guest rooms, making for luxurious use of space. When you open the door with a handmade key chain with a cute retro feel, your heart will be excited by the comfortable guest room that has been reborn while retaining the atmosphere of the bank from back in the day. There is an easy-to-use shower room in the room, but we also recommend using Kinosaki onsen for couples who want to enjoy even more relaxation. You can get there in about 25 minutes on the Yumetajima tour bus ``Tajimawaru.''

L'Hotel de Hiei, which is about 20 minutes by car from Otsukyo Station and also has a free shuttle bus from Kyoto Station, is an auberge located on a mountain at an altitude of about 600 meters. This is the only hotel where you can stay on Mt. Hiei, a world heritage site.It is recommended for couples who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and spend a relaxing time in the rich nature.

meal is a French course meal made with plenty of ingredients from Shiga and Kyoto. In addition to the "Casual French Course", there is a "French Full Course" where you can enjoy both meat and fish as the main course. The food is so beautiful that it would be a shame to eat it. Enjoy ♪ it with wines carefully selected by the sommelier

There are three types of guest rooms: standard twin, semi-suite, and suite. All rooms are stylishly decorated with interiors inspired by French cities. The scenery of each season can be seen outside the window, and your heart will feel at ease.

This "Yamatoko Terrace" is a scenic spot overlooking Lake Biwa. Sit at a counter seat reminiscent of Kyoto's riverbed and enjoy the scenery that spreads out in front of you. The fresh mountain air will soothe your soul ♡

About 10 minutes walk from Keihan Gion Shijo Station. Chourakukan, was built in 1909 as a state guest house to entertain guests from Japan and abroad. The buildings, furniture, and furnishings that have been visited by many famous people, including Hirobumi Ito and Shigenobu Okuma, have been designated as tangible cultural properties of Kyoto City. Even though it's located in the middle of the city, when you step inside, you feel like you've been transported to a different, luxurious and high-quality space.

Dinner will be held at Le Chêne, where the Baccarat chandelier shines. You can choose from 3 types of courses. Men should wear a jacket (you can carry your own in the summer), and women should wear a dress. Enjoying dinner in a different atmosphere than usual during a luxurious trip will make you both feel even better. The exquisite French cuisine served in an extraordinary space will be deeply engraved in the couple's memories.

The six guest rooms are a relaxing space for adults, made with plenty of solid wood. The panoramic view type overlooks the beautiful greenery of Higashiyama, and the park view type overlooks Maruyama Park, offering views typical of Kyoto. At night, when you light a fire in the fireplace and watch the flickering flames, you'll be able to have deep conversations that you wouldn't normally have.

Don't miss the afternoon tea, which is synonymous with "Chourakukan". The Rococo-style Guest Room, which was once a reception room, is now used as a room exclusively for afternoon tea. The brightly lined stands of scones, cakes, and sandwiches will tickle your girl's heart. The time limit is 2 hours, so enjoy a leisurely conversation while enjoying an elegant tea time.

Approximately 10 minutes by car from Kintetsu/JR Sakurai Station. Auberge de Présens Sakurai, surrounded by a peaceful rural landscape, is a nine-room auberge where you can enjoy French cuisine made with traditional Nara ingredients. The unobstructed view of nature that changes in each season will free your soul.

Dinner is French cuisine from Nara that combines ingredients grown in Nara's rich climate, including bright Yamato vegetables, with French techniques. The deliciousness cultivated in Nara is concentrated here, such as soft and elastic Yamato beef and odorless and juicy Yamato pork. The quality that comes from the Hiramatsu group, which operates many restaurants, will satisfy gourmet couples.

After filling yourself up with delicious food, relax in your room. The warm interior, which incorporates precious wood from Nara, creates a relaxing space. As you lie down on the comfortably made bed, the sounds of insects coming from the countryside will play as background music, and before you know it, you'll find yourself in a dream. The next morning, you will have a pleasant morning with the light shining through the windows and the chirping of birds.

Each room has a terrace overlooking the countryside, so take a deep breath and freshen your mind. A rich natural setting reminiscent of the original landscape of Japan, unrelated to the hustle and bustle of the city. The beautiful scenery that spreads out in front of you will enhance your precious moments with your loved ones.

ANDO HOTEL Nara Wakakusayama is a new auberge that opened in July 2020 on the hillside of the lush Mt. Wakakusa, about 10 minutes by free shuttle bus from Kintetsu/JR Nara Station. At this auberge, which has a dignified atmosphere, you can enjoy a stay unique to adults, where you can enjoy the goodness of Japan with its elegant space and food.

The meal are a variety of deep and delicious cuisine that combines Japanese cuisine with French techniques and ingredients. Among them, the ``Yamato Beef Sea Urchin Dashi Shabu Shabu'' has a unique flavor that combines melt-in-your-mouth Yamato beef and mellow sea urchin dashi soup. The night view and views of Todaiji Temple that can be seen from the large dining room windows are a luxurious spice for a delicious dinner.

The guest rooms are filled with the scent of wood and have a gentle Japanese feel and an open feel. The beautiful mountains of Nara stretch out outside the window, and just sitting on the sofa by the window and looking at it gives you a refreshing feeling. On the 6th floor, there is also a private open-air bath with a panoramic view of the Nara Basin, where you can enjoy a romantic and relaxing time while admiring the night view that has been selected as one of the New Three Great Night Views of Japan.

There are also experiential programs that take advantage of the rich natural environment. ``Wood chopping and bonfire experience'' and ``Starry sky + night view watching at Mt. Wakakusa'' are perfect for adult couples who want to have a relaxing time. It's nice to just relax in your room, but if there's a program you're interested in, be sure to try it out. It will add another memory to the two of you and make a wonderful souvenir from your trip.

``Auberge Meson'' is located at the foot of Mt. Hira, west of Lake Biwa, which represents Shiga. It is quietly located in the forest, about 5 minutes by shuttle bus from Omimaiko Station. The air that surrounds the entire facility is full of negative ions, so much so that you will forget about the fatigue of everyday life from the moment you set foot on the premises. Recommended for couples who want to spend some time relaxing away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Here you can enjoy "live Italian" cuisine made with seasonal ingredients. The only course available is "TheONE Full Course" with 8 dishes. The main dish can be changed to venison game or Omi beef fillet. As you wait while looking out at the forest outside the window, you can enjoy the aroma of the freshly prepared food.

There are 4 types of guest rooms. Surrounded by a quiet forest, this "Hira Bettei" is a stand-alone cottage where you can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons. In addition, each room has a spacious space where you can relax while feeling nature, such as the ``Log Cottage'' where you can feel the soothing texture of solid wood. It's spacious, so you can enjoy the feeling of living in the forest.

We also have an ``anniversary plan'' that will be great for celebrating anniversaries with your special partner. At dinner, you will receive a chef's original whole cake and one free drink, and you can also add a message card to the cake or order a flower gift. Spend an unforgettable time with this delightful performance, whether it's your anniversary or your partner's birthday.

L'Hotel du Lac located in Lake Biwa Quasi-National Park, is an auberge-style resort hotel with only 15 rooms on a vast site of 40,000 tsubo, offering a luxurious space. Lake Biwa spreads out in front of you, and you will feel as if you are occupying the entire spectacular view. Let's take a relaxing shuttle from Nagahara Station.

meal will be served at the restaurant "SOWER". For dinner, enjoy ``Kohoku Cuisine'' using local seasonal ingredients. For breakfast, enjoy dishes made with plenty of seasonal ingredients. Enjoying breakfast while enjoying the refreshing lakeside air is an elegant time that can only be enjoyed on an adult trip.

There are 15 guest rooms in total. The main building has a spacious "Luxury Suite Room" and a "Lake View Theater Room" with a 65-inch large TV. You can see Lake Biwa from both windows. The separate villas offer different atmospheres depending on the room. All rooms are bright and open, allowing you to enjoy the luxury of doing nothing while surrounded by nature.

There are other facilities that are great for adult couples. A "private pool" can be used here only during the summer. Let's share a luxurious time together while admiring the beautiful scenery.

In July 2019, "Blanchette Nanki Shirahama" was opened approximately 5 minutes by car from JR Shirahama Station. The white building is reminiscent of the beautiful Shirahama beach, and all guest rooms are completely independent. You can enjoy a relaxing stay in a private space and enjoy the onsen and cuisine made with plenty of Wakayama ingredients. Although it is a new facility, it has a reputation for high hospitality, and the comfortable hospitality will further satisfy your heart.

What you can enjoy here is Japanese and Italian fusion cuisine based on French techniques. You can enjoy seasonal flavors that bring out the full deliciousness by determining when the ingredients are in season. In addition, it is a nice style to choose from a variety of small plates so that you can eat one plate at a time or as many as you like. The original dinner that each person enjoys is sure to spark conversation, such as, ``Which one was delicious?''

The spacious and completely independent guest rooms have a refreshing atmosphere reminiscent of the sea of Shirahama. Be sure to take advantage of the private terraces in each room. The beautiful nature of Wakayama will create a wonderful time for the two of you, such as chatting and sunbathing during the day, and admiring the beautiful starry sky while drinking alcohol at night.

Another great feature is that you can enjoy onsen in all rooms. Shirahama onsen, which is counted as one of Japan's three oldest hot springs, is a historic onsen with a history of over 1,350 years. Being able to enjoy these famous hot springs as much as you like is truly a luxury trip for adults. The bathroom is connected to the terrace, so if you open the door you can enjoy the feeling of an open, semi-open-air bath.

Kansai's auberges are filled with a variety of charms, and are waiting for you to enjoy carefully selected cuisine that will satisfy gourmet couples, as well as a relaxing space that will embrace your weary soul. A gastronomic journey that will satisfy your soul will make you forget your daily fatigue and be a journey of discovery and healing to discover true luxury. When you want to go on a special trip with your loved ones, be sure to visit Auberge. It's sure to be an unforgettable trip.