Around Kaijūsan-ji Temple × Nature Experience AccommodationHighly 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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Arriving drenched in sweat, I was able to take a breather right away in the lounge with the complimentary shaved ice service. It felt like the best kind of hospitality. The Room felt smaller than I expected, but everything was pleasantly well kept and I had a comfortable stay. Joining the morning walk was also worthwhile—I learned things for the first time thanks to the guide’s explanations, making it a meaningful experience. All of the staff were friendly and courteous. With Kofuku-ji Temple, Nara Park, and the station all nearby, it’s an ideal location for sightseeing, so I’d definitely like to stay here again when I visit Nara.

The hospitality is outstanding. This was my first stay, and the staff’s service was excellent! Dinner featuring creative cuisine while enjoying Nara’s night view feels truly extraordinary. The complimentary private open-air bath was also amazing.

During this stay, I also tried the optional “Earth Sauna,” and it exceeded all expectations. The gentle heat felt like being wrapped in soil—soft on the skin, yet warming you thoroughly from the core. It was clearly different from a typical sauna, with a deep warmth that lingered long after. During the outdoor cool-down, I felt at one with the quiet natural air and experienced such complete relaxation that I couldn’t think of anything else. And then there was the tea sauna. With each löyly, the refined aroma of Asamiya tea filled the space, soothing with every breath. The heat was mild, and the balance of fragrance and humidity was perfect—it felt relaxing even to the mind. There is also a Shigaraki ware gallery inside, and being able to purchase pieces is another highlight. It wasn’t just about saunas—it was a stay where you can truly experience Shigaraki culture. Being able to enjoy two completely different sauna experiences within the same Facility is pure luxury. This wasn’t just about sweating—it was an “experience sauna.” I will definitely be back again.

We stayed with our 2-year-old child. As I was pregnant, we chose this Hotel because it seemed conveniently located near Nara Park, and we booked a stay with meals included. Dinner was delicious and so generous that we couldn’t finish it. For our 2-year-old, they brought plain rice and furikake first, which made it easy to feed our child. Breakfast was a bit lighter and didn’t quite leave us completely full, but if you plan to eat while sightseeing, it felt just right. It may be a little too light for men. The complimentary water was very helpful. However, it was a large bottle (1.5L? 2L?), so we finished it at the Hotel. There is a 700-yen parking subsidy. Parking near the Hotel often costs over 1,000 yen, but we found a parking lot a little farther away where we could park for 700 yen and used that instead. The Hotel itself is somewhat old, but it was kept very clean, and the staff were kind and helpful.

I had a comfortable stay. It’s not luxurious, but it feels like a compact and smart Hotel. The Simmons bed made for a great night’s sleep.