Nanten-en is a family owned traditional inn that has been run by the Yamasaki family for 70 years. The owner, Yamasaki Kazuhiro is a master of traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony and Ikebana flower arranging and often holds classes with our guests. Several of the front desk staff speak English and are always happy to teach our guests about the ryokan way of life and answer any questions you might have, especially about traditional culture. Dinner is served by our O-Hakobi-san, ladies in Kimono who have a specialist knowledge of the dishes we serve and the way they are supposed to be presented.

The main building of Nanten-en is a registered cultural asset of Japan, designed by the famous architect, Tatsuno Kingo. The 13 guest rooms are all in a traditional style, featuring tatami (woven straw) floors, Shoji paper screens and little details that will transport you back in time to 1920s Japan. The natural public hot springs are rich in radium which helps to reduce blood pressure, ease muscle and joint pain and boost the metabolism. And being open 24 hours makes them the perfect place to relax and soak away the fatigue of a long journey. Nanten-en is surrounded by its own large private garden which guests are welcome to explore. With cherry blossoms in the spring, bright maples in autumn and lush greens in summer, it truly is a place to experience all four seasons.

Nanten-en is located deep in the countryside of southern Osaka, surrounded by wooded hills and quaint farming villages. Such a rustic setting makes it a perfect place to escape the noise of the city and soak yourself in nature. The surroundings are great for taking a stroll and feature many old style houses dotted among terraced fields. While there are no shops or restaurants nearby, we have instead mysterious shrines and unusual local legends which we are happy to share. Despite our very rural location, we are actually conveniently located for Kansai Airport, Namba and Koyasan making Nanten-en popular among people wishing to recover from a long flight in our onsen or for taking a short break before heading off into the sacred mountains of Wakayama Prefecture. The best way to reach Nanten-en from Kansai Airport is by taking the train from the Airport to Tengachaya Station and then changing to the Nankai Koya Line and getting off at Amami Station. The nearby town of Kawachinagano also boasts some interesting places to visit including historical temples, nice parks and plenty of hiking trails. In fact, Kongo-san, the highest mountain in Osaka Prefecture, is easily accessed from Kawachinagano and Nanten-en. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Kobe and Shikoku. Please note that the limousine bus from Kansai Airport to Kawachinagano has a very limited service so it is better to avoid and use the train instead.