Around Joruri Temple × Highly rated Hotel·Ryokan

I caused you a great deal of trouble, but everyone spoke to me so kindly that it truly helped me. The price is almost too low! The in-room lotion was my favorite brand, there were two sinks, and both dinner and breakfast were outstanding. It was a shame there was no view from the open-air bath, but I found myself hoping—thinking from the owner’s perspective—that your service will continue just as it is so you won’t lose guests until the construction is finished. Even without a view from the window, this is a wonderful Ryokan. Thank you very much for everything.

This was my second stay, and once again I chose the Plan with dinner and breakfast. As before, the meals were simply outstanding. With a full-course meal these days, I sometimes feel full before reaching the main dish, but here I was able to enjoy everything through dessert. There are many dishes, yet it all feels wonderfully light. Not only is the food delicious, but it also leaves you feeling comfortable afterward, allowing you to make the most of your evening—an extremely satisfying course. Breakfast was just as great as ever, and I was happy to have the freshly baked croissants again. Thank you very much.

It had been a while since we last gathered—this time, all our children and grandchildren came together to celebrate my wife’s and my birthdays. We chose a long-established Ryokan located at the gateway to beautiful Nara Park, just a 2-minute walk from Kintetsu-Nara Station—an ideal meeting point for our family coming from both the Kanto and Kansai regions. The Shosoin-inspired building we had often admired on the way to Nara Park turned out to be Kasuga Hotel. It was our first stay, and it proved to be a wonderful Accommodation that stands at the entrance to historic Nara Park. Here are a few memorable moments from our visit. With its major restoration now underway—the first in about 120 years since FY2022—Kofuku-ji Temple’s National Treasure Five-Story Pagoda will be something we look forward to enjoying again from our Room once the work is completed.

A trip to Nara in the heat. But staying at this wonderful Accommodation helped me recover from the fatigue. I had written a birthday message for my friend, and they even surprised us by celebrating at breakfast. All of the staff were kind. This has become one of the Accommodations I’d like to stay at again.

The Room had a private open-air bath, and it was wonderful. We also enjoyed the delicious drinks and snacks. The meals were generous in portion, and the Yamato beef shabu-shabu was especially excellent. The children were thrilled with the table tennis and board games as well!

We stayed at this Hotel in late June, right after two major typhoons made landfall back-to-back. There were times when the rain was quite heavy due to the storms, but we could still easily walk to Nara Park and Kofuku-ji Temple. We also hopped between cafés around Nakatanidō and Sarusawa Pond and stopped by shops—everything was truly convenient. We had a dinner Reservation at a restaurant in Higashimuki Shopping Street, and that was close by as well, which made things easy. The comfort of being able to return to the Hotel quickly whether it’s raining or hot is reason enough to make it a great base for sightseeing in Nara. It’s not a large-scale Hotel, and because the front entrance is set back due to the building layout, it doesn’t stand out much from outside. However, once you step into the lobby, it’s very clean and calm—an stylish Hotel that incorporates Japanese elements beautifully. This time we stayed as three adults in our family, so we made a Reservation for a larger Deluxe Room. Based on the listed square meter size of the Room, I didn’t expect it to feel very spacious—but perhaps thanks to smart design, it felt roomy, and even with three adults there was no stress at all. I had no complaints about the in-room amenities or Facility features. The bathroom and toilet are completely separate. With three people, one person uses a sofa bed, but the layout is excellent—I was impressed by how thoughtfully everything is arranged so guests can use limited space efficiently and comfortably. Above all else, what stood out most was how clean this Hotel is. Travel is my hobby and I stay at various Accommodations both in Japan and abroad almost every month, but it’s rare to find an Accommodation kept this spotless throughout—from water areas to every corner of the Room. Even when I used the shared restroom in the lobby area (common area), it was sparkling clean; I felt this is a highly conscientious Hotel. Not only are the facilities great—the staff also provided wonderful hospitality across the board, making our stay genuinely comfortable. There are several other Accommodations in Nara that interest me as well, but considering how good this place is in terms of location plus facilities plus service for its value for money (cost performance), I feel like we’ll end up choosing this one again next time (laugh). Just one thing: breakfast buffet felt a bit limited…in terms of both variety and content. That said, because of how convenient the location is there are plenty of places nearby where you can eat anyway—so maybe that part is difficult for them. Overall we were extremely satisfied with our stay and would love to use this place again. Thank you very much.

I have stayed here several times, and I am always completely satisfied. The staff are kind and provide courteous service. This time, my Room was upgraded. The meals were as luxurious as could be, and after dining I was able to fully enjoy the open-air bath in my Room. It’s nearby, so I will come again for a change of pace.

I used it because it has a natural Onsen. It is a relaxing bath. The bathing area is not too bright, but not too dark either, so you can unwind. Even older guests can feel at ease. Right in front of the station, with parking available (parking is charged separately). For this price, the quality felt like a great value.

I had dinner at the luxury auberge VILLA COMMUNICO in Nara. The location is at the foot (or maybe halfway up?) Mt. Wakakusa; it’s doable on foot, but a car is recommended. From the restaurant, Mt. Wakakusa is directly across the road, with deer here and there—an unmistakably Nara-like view. The Hotel as a whole is a renovated traditional Japanese house, creating a stylish space that still feels steeped in history. With only five rooms in total, it has a wonderfully secluded, hideaway atmosphere. Dinner starts all at once at 18:30. Guests gather in the second-floor lounge at 18:00 and relax with pre-meal tea while enjoying views of Mt. Wakakusa. When it’s time, you move down to the first floor. On entering, there’s an iconic fireplace and counter on the left. The first course is eaten standing while listening to the chef’s explanation—an unexpectedly unique experience. Cucumber, elderflower / Yamato jidori chicken, nasturtium Freshly made mozzarella, caviar Bonito, molokhia (jute mallow), okra Oyster, pine nuts, chives Japanese duck (Yamato-gamo), pumpkin, truffle Flounder, Manganji chili pepper, red-legged shrimp Sakaeya aged sirloin of culled Japanese Black wagyu Fig, blueberry, juniper berry Both the presentation and flavors were excellent. In particular, the dish combining bonito with molokhia and okra was outstanding. Courses are basically served simultaneously for everyone and paced to match slower diners overall, so dinner progresses at a leisurely speed. If you eat quickly, be aware there may be some downtime between courses.

This was my 8th stop on a classic Hotel tour. The atmosphere was wonderful, and I ended up extending my stay—spending three nights and four days in two rooms in the main building: Premium Classic and Premium Panorama Corner. Both Rooms were excellent, but personally I especially loved the ambiance of the Premium Classic. The Premium Panorama Corner has a sofa, so it’s great for relaxing. And since we were on the first floor this time, we could see deer up close outside the window in the morning and evening—they were adorable. The entire building has a charming design that truly conveys its history, and I found myself forgetting how time was passing just by looking around. With such a beautiful building, delicious food, and friendly staff, I was completely satisfied—three nights and four days still didn’t feel like enough. Now that the West Wing has reopened after renovation, I’d love to stay there next time. Nara Park is also within walking distance, making it an ideal base for sightseeing. The deer are cute and everyone is kind—Nara was amazing.

The location near Nara Station was very convenient. The Room was spacious and clean. The late-night soba was delicious. As for the Onsen, it would have been perfect if the changing area were a bit larger. I really liked being able to take off my shoes at the entrance, step onto the tatami, and go straight to my Room. I was able to relax and enjoy my stay. I would like to stay here again when visiting Nara.

The location is close to Sarusawa Pond, making it convenient for sightseeing. Naramachi is also nearby, so you can enjoy dining and shopping as well. The Hotel itself is not new, but it has everything you need, and the Room size feels just right. The staff were kind and courteous, and they also helped with recommendations for places to eat. I chose the plan with breakfast included. It was buffet-style, and everything was carefully prepared—delicious and enjoyable. I looked forward to breakfast every morning. I arrived by rental car, but there is no dedicated Hotel parking lot. You can park at a flat rate in the adjacent (Mitsui) coin parking lot, but if it’s full you’ll need to find another option yourself. I spent the mornings exploring within walking distance and drove farther out in the afternoon, then returned in the evening to park again. At that time of day, it seemed like day-trippers were leaving, so it worked out well for me. This is a Hotel I’d like to stay at again when I visit Nara.

This was my first time staying here. Because it is near an intersection, it was difficult to enter the Hotel parking lot. The facilities were comfortable. I thought the shaved ice ticket included in the Plan would be just a small sample, but it exceeded my expectations and was a great value.

We had been looking forward to our stay even before arriving. We stayed in a Room with a slide, and the kids were thrilled (an early elementary schooler and a 3-year-old). The Facility offerings were also excellent, so we had no trouble at all even with children (including a space where kids can play). They also organized a festival event inside the Hotel during our visit, and we joined that as well. All the staff were kind, and we felt their hospitality everywhere. The view from the rooftop terrace was wonderful (morning is recommended). During dinner, there was live music, and they included songs that children would enjoy, so it never got boring. Highly recommended for families with children. Of course, I think it would be a very satisfying stay for adults only as well. We will definitely return. Thank you very much for everything.

A Hotel I’ve stayed at many times. The rates are affordable, and the service exceeds expectations. I’ll definitely be back again. Thank you always.

It was a hot stay in Nara, but the property is close to Nara Station, with convenience stores and shopping facilities nearby, so we didn’t have to walk around much in the heat. The Room was clean, and it was great that the toilet and bathroom were separate. It was also helpful that we could store our luggage after check-out. We would like to stay again. Thank you for your hospitality.

An Accommodation nestled in the Kasugayama Primeval Forest, about a 10-minute walk from Kasuga Taisha Shrine. This is an even older Accommodation than Nara Hotel, originally established as a venue to host the Governor of Nara Prefecture. I had a wonderful stay at this Accommodation. The building shows its age, but everything—from the floors to the private hinoki bath—was beautifully polished, whether waxed or wiped with rice bran, and it felt spotless and very pleasant. You can really see the steady care and effort of the staff. The highlight is the food. Every dish had an elegant, gentle flavor, and the pacing was calm and unhurried. The simmered dishes in particular were outstanding—I was truly impressed by their depth of flavor. We often hear about Kyoto kaiseki; perhaps this could be called Nara kaiseki. All staff members were attentive without being intrusive, thoughtful about small details, and consistently pleasant. Their teamwork also seemed excellent. A deer even greeted us near the entrance. If you don’t require full barrier-free access or a Room that looks brand-new above all else, this is an Accommodation I highly recommend.

I had a comfortable stay from check-in to check-out. The Room (single room) was clean. I was also able to relax in the shared cafe area. Everyone working at the Hotel was kind and courteous, so I felt at ease throughout my stay. On my way out, I met one of the housekeeping staff members, who saw me off with a smile—another happy memory added. I would be glad to stay again in the future.

This Accommodation is in an excellent location for sightseeing in Nara, so this was our second stay, this time to visit the Nara National Museum. From the moment we arrived, the parking guidance was very courteous, and the Room was spotless. The large public bath was also clean. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast and had a very pleasant stay. After checking out, the staff member who first assisted us even came out of their way to see us off, which made both my husband and me truly happy. I think this is a wonderful Accommodation filled with warm hospitality and thoughtful care.

The Room was small, but it was more than enough for one person. It was my first solo trip in a while, and I had a very pleasant stay. The Room was thoroughly cleaned and felt very comfortable. Check-in went smoothly, and the staff explained everything carefully. They had a memory foam pillow at the exact same height as the one I use at home, so I slept very well. Breakfast was also delicious. Thank you very much for your hospitality.