Gakuen-mae Station (Nara Prefecture) × Accommodation With Fresh Greenery ViewsHighly 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.

Located just a short distance from Horyu-ji Temple, the building was new and very clean. As there were few guests on the day of our stay, we were upgraded to the West Wing. The bath was at a perfect temperature, and breakfast the next morning was delicious—this was our favorite Accommodation of the trip. On the Horyu-ji tour, the guide’s explanations were excellent, and the two hours flew by. This is an Accommodation we definitely want to visit again. It truly became a valuable and memorable journey.

Because it was close to the station, it was very convenient to leave our luggage and easily head out by bus or train to sightseeing spots a little farther away. Since the Room had a private bath, we could relax without worrying about others, and the in-room foot massager was also provided, which helped relieve travel fatigue and was great.

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.

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

I stayed for two nights with my son on my birthday. Every detail of the property showed great care, and the staff were warm and attentive, making our stay truly comfortable. The dinner course was far beyond simply “delicious”—it felt like a series of surprises and discoveries. Enjoying local ingredients in their place of origin. It wasn’t just the produce; it felt as if Nara itself was part of the cuisine. Rather than just feeling full, all five senses were satisfied, and for the first time in a while, dining itself felt like an “experience.” In the morning, Kasuga Taisha Shrine was wonderfully quiet and made for a perfect walk. We also climbed Mt. Wakakusa and took our time enjoying the views of Nara. Staying two nights allowed us to fully take it all in. I would love to visit again in a different season.

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.

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.

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.

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.

All of the staff were wonderful, and I had a very comfortable stay. The front desk staff in particular were extremely kind. They guided me through the Go To Pass app, and although I thought I wasn’t a member, they confirmed that I was already registered and even took the time to contact my room to let me know. I truly appreciated their thoughtful attention. Also, after check-out I asked about the brand of dog food provided at the breakfast buffet. They went out of their way to look it up and explained it in detail over the phone. Thank you very much for your courteous support until the very end. Not only at the front desk, but all staff greeted me with a smile, and I felt a warm atmosphere throughout the property. The bath facilities also included an open-air bath, which was very relaxing, and I was able to unwind at my own pace. With such excellent hospitality from everyone, this is an inn I would love to visit again. Thank you very much.

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.

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.

We stayed here with our children while sightseeing in Nara. There were kid-friendly events such as a festival plaza, so we could enjoy the Ryokan rather than just spending time in our Room. The Onsen was simple but wonderfully warming, and we were very satisfied with the breakfast buffet, including the variety of dishes as well as drinks and desserts. The staff’s hospitality was also pleasant. Thank you very much.

Thank you for having me for one night. I had made a Reservation for a standard Room, but since rain was forecast, I changed to a Room with an open-air Onsen bath on the day. Choosing to soak at a slightly cooler temperature while listening to the rain turned out to be exactly right. The Room was well designed and functional, and I didn’t feel any particular inconvenience. If I had to name one thing I personally wished for, it would be a Bluetooth speaker—I wanted to play a little music, though that may be asking too much. I arrived before noon, left my luggage, and had lunch at “Saryo Sese” on the property (I had requested seats in advance). It’s not cheap, but it was relaxed and enjoyable. After that, I spent some time walking around the city and then checked in properly. The evening champagne free-flow was also wonderfully unhurried, and the rice crackers served as snacks were delicious. For dinner we ate at one of the Hotel restaurants as well; each dish had its own character, and it paired nicely with drinks. If anything, I only wished there were a bar in the Hotel—this is an Accommodation with an atmosphere where having somewhere for “one more drink” would fit perfectly. The area around the Hotel is very quiet too, so even a small bar could really change how you spend your time here. That said, given the location, waking up early to stroll toward Todai-ji in the calm morning is also lovely—and perhaps that kind of stay suits this Accommodation and setting better than staying up late. The concierge team helped me greatly throughout my stay. Overall it was an excellent Accommodation, and I’d love to return when I visit Nara again.

Although it was a No Meals Included stay, we stayed for two nights as a parent and child on the Standard Japanese-Style Room Plan. It is located on a hill with great views. The Japanese-style room was very spacious, clean, and comfortable, with all the amenities we needed. However, the only downside was that we couldn’t adjust the shower temperature well in the bathroom—it would sometimes get too hot or too lukewarm. Perhaps because there were few guests, it was very quiet from night until morning, and we were able to relax. The parking lot was also large and easy to use. If we have a chance to stay in the Ikoma area again, we would like to try it with meals included next time. Thank you very much.

We stayed with our dog. Even though he must have been tired from the long trip, as soon as we arrived at the traditional house he happily ran around the hallway and quickly made himself at home. Being able to sleep in the same space as our dog was very reassuring for us as owners. They also provided food bowls and even additive-free treats, and we really appreciated the thoughtful attention for guests traveling with dogs. Our dog doesn’t usually eat many treats, but he seemed to love these and happily munched them up! There was also a dedicated waste bin for pets, so disposing of trash was never an issue. The traditional Japanese atmosphere unique to an old house was wonderful, and the living room was a very relaxing space. Watching our dog stretch out and enjoy himself, we were able to slowly recover from travel fatigue as well. It was a very comfortable Accommodation where you can stay with your dog with peace of mind.

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.