Introducing recommended hotels in Kansai for enjoying a “hocance”!
“Hocance” is a way of spending your day off where you enjoy a vacation-like atmosphere at a hotel. Since becoming popular on social media, many people have been enjoying this hocance style of leisure.
In this article, we’ll narrow our focus to the Kansai area and introduce hotels that are ideal for hocance. Check them out to see what kinds of hotels are available!
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[Kansai] What kind of hotels are ideal for “Hocance”? | Introducing 7 recommended picks
What is Hocance (Hotel × Vacation)?
“Hocance” is a coined term that combines “hotel” and “vacance” (vacation). When people think of a vacation, they may imagine a long holiday at a tropical resort. The goal of hocance is to experience a vacation-like atmosphere right in the hotel where you’re staying.
How people spend their hocance varies. A popular way is lounging around in your room all day while enjoying movies and videos on the in-room monitor. You can also take naps in a spacious room or relax while enjoying views like the cityscape—however you like to unwind.
What kind of hotels are suitable for Hocance in Kansai?
Many people who go on a hocance tend to choose hotels that are easy to reach, such as business hotels just a few train stops away, rather than traveling far.
Unlike traditional vacations, the appeal lies in being able to enjoy a vacation easily at a nearby location. Hotels near urban train stations are particularly suitable for hocance.
Of course, facilities also play a key role. If you want to watch movies, a room with a monitor is a must, so it’s best to choose a hotel based on how you want to spend your time.
Below, we’ll introduce our recommended hotels for enjoying a hocance. Please refer to these when selecting a hotel.
① Hotel Hanshin Annex Osaka
First up is “Hotel Hanshin Annex Osaka,” a recommended hotel for hocance. The nearest station is JR “Fukushima Station,” located just a few minutes on foot. It’s just one stop away from Osaka and Umeda Stations, making it highly accessible from the city center.
The concept is “another retreat in Osaka.” With Japanese-inspired colors and materials used throughout the building and guest rooms, it provides a soothing space near the city where you can unwind with ease.
The guest room amenities are excellent. Check-in starts at 3:00 PM, and with a late checkout at 12:00 PM, you can enjoy a long stay even for just one night. VOD is available per room (1,000 yen per day), so you can spend the day relaxing and watching movies or videos.
https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=34.696422,135.485252&z=16&t=m&hl=ja&gl=JP&mapclient=embed&cid=15611443162684131332
② RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka
Next is the “RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka,” another top pick for hocance. Its nearest station is “Nakanoshima Station,” not far from Umeda, offering convenient access from the urban center.
The guest rooms here feature a “European classic” design, creating a stylish Western-style atmosphere. This hotel is particularly recommended for those who want to relax in a Western-style room.
Room types are varied, ranging from simple styles to suites over 50m², and even collaboration rooms with nearby theme parks. Choose a room that suits your preferred style of stay.
First-class restaurants
The “RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka” is also used for weddings, and it boasts a selection of top-class restaurants that are perfect to enjoy during your hocance.
You’ll find buffets, Japanese cuisine, French restaurants, and cafes. Each establishment has a calm interior and an excellent atmosphere. You can enjoy exquisite meals in a quiet, relaxing setting, making your stay even more special.
https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=34.69027,135.487167&z=16&t=m&hl=ja&gl=JP&mapclient=embed&cid=18333630945178146420
③ Hotel WBF Namba Motomachi
Next is also in Osaka—introducing “Hotel WBF Namba Motomachi.” All guest rooms here offer free VOD and YouTube access, making it an ideal choice for a hocance if you’re looking to lounge around watching movies and videos!
The rooms are simple yet clean, creating a comfortable space with elegant tones. All rooms feature Simmons beds, ensuring a high-quality, restful sleep.
The hotel is conveniently located near Namba Station and Osaka-Namba Station, offering easy access from Osaka, Umeda, and nearby areas. Prices are also reasonable, making this an especially great option for those looking to enjoy a hocance on a more casual budget.
https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=34.662092,135.496161&z=16&t=m&hl=ja&gl=JP&mapclient=embed&cid=1318062375059654351
④ Natural Hot Spring Hotel Livemax PREMIUM Himeji-Eki Minami
Next up is “Natural Hot Spring Hotel Livemax PREMIUM Himeji-Eki Minami,” located in the urban area of Hyogo Prefecture near Himeji Station. Hotel Livemax Group operates over 160 locations nationwide. This hotel boasts an excellent location just 2 minutes on foot from Himeji Station, well-equipped guest rooms, and access to a natural hot spring bath called “Kamiyo-no-Yu,” also known as “Beauty Water.”
While the rooms are simple, they come with all the necessary amenities, and VOD (paid TV) is also available. Though it doesn’t have a distinctive concept, it offers sufficient space and facilities for enjoying a light hocance in the city. The relatively large number of rooms also makes it easier to book—one of the hotel's strong points.
https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=34.824648,134.689399&z=14&t=m&hl=ja&gl=JP&mapclient=embed&cid=14780999847681545539
⑤ Oriental Hotel Kyoto Rokujo
Oriental Hotel Kyoto Rokujo is located near Kyoto Station. Its concept is “Exploring the Essential Value of Japan,” and features such as tea gardens and lantern-style lighting offer a warm welcome steeped in traditional Japanese culture, unique to a Kyoto hotel.
Both Western- and Japanese-style rooms are available, providing plenty of appeal for those who want to relax and stretch out during their hocance. The lantern-style lighting creates a soothing atmosphere with its gentle glow. Monitors are placed at an easy viewing angle from the sofa, allowing for relaxation in your own style.
The fixtures and teaware are neatly stored in a table that doubles as a toolbox, reflecting the Japanese aesthetic of “beauty in utility” through simplicity. This setup also helps the room feel more spacious.
Breakfast is served in buffet style, offering a variety of Japanese and Western dishes made with Kyoto ingredients. From the room to the meals, this hotel is recommended for a refreshing getaway. Take your time and unwind.
https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=34.994476,135.753542&z=16&t=m&hl=ja&gl=JP&mapclient=embed&cid=977862254897219335
⑥ ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kobe
Next recommended for a hocance in Kansai is the “ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kobe.” Its nearest station is “Shin-Kobe Station,” and it’s only a few minutes from key stations in the prefecture like Sannomiya. This easily accessible location also makes it an ideal choice for a casual hocance.
Inside the hotel, you’ll find a sauna, bath, fitness facilities, a supermarket, and commercial establishments. It’s great to know that if you feel like shopping, everything you need is within the same building.
Guest rooms come equipped with aromatherapy, humidifiers, and ample amenities. The hotel provides all the essentials for a comfortable stay. Whether you prefer reading, watching movies, or taking a nap, the environment is perfectly suited for relaxation. Feel free to spend your time however you like.
https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=34.704904,135.194957&z=16&t=m&hl=ja&gl=JP&mapclient=embed&cid=11589580759356495741
⑦ Grand Mercure Lake Biwa Resort & Spa
The final hotel recommended for a hocance in Kansai is the “Grand Mercure Lake Biwa Resort & Spa,” located in Shiga Prefecture. It’s a resort hotel nestled in nature, just a 10-minute walk from JR “Nagahama Station,” and easily accessible via public transportation.
Rebranded and reopened in April 2024, the hotel sits along the shores of Lake Biwa and features a spa resort. The concept is “A Hotel Full of Inspiration,” with the design motif centered around “mizuhiki”—a decorative knot that symbolizes connection between people.
Guest rooms range from 14m² to 36m², offering everything from cozy to spacious options. Views from the windows include lake and mountain panoramas, with the ever-changing seasonal and time-of-day scenery around Lake Biwa and nearby mountains providing a captivating atmosphere. The quiet, spacious rooms are ideal whether you want to lose yourself in a book or simply zone out watching a movie.
In addition to hocance enjoyment, guests can indulge in breakfast buffets, spa facilities, and other resort-like amenities. A garden pool is also open for a limited time, letting you enjoy the luxury of “doing nothing” while gazing at nature—a signature experience of this hotel. Enjoy your hocance to the fullest.
https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=35.374316,136.261636&z=16&t=m&hl=ja&gl=JP&mapclient=embed&cid=5164729774471286398