Gakuen-mae Station (Nara Prefecture) × Japanese-Style Resort AccommodationHighly rated Hotel·Ryokan for Onsen and bath

I came to Nara for the first time with my mother because we wanted to see Nara Park and the deer. We chose this Ryokan because it is close to Nara Park and has an in-room Onsen. I love traveling both in Japan and abroad, and when traveling domestically, I enjoy staying at Onsen Ryokan and wonderful Hotels. I have visited many places, but Fufu Nara was truly outstanding. Sightseeing was fun as well—we explored more than just the deer—and I would definitely like to visit Nara again, and return to Fufu Nara too. The staff’s hospitality was excellent; everyone was incredibly kind. The room and the Onsen were very clean and perfect. All of the food was delicious. We will be back.

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.

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.

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!

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 front desk staff were very kind and helpful, and we had a wonderful stay. It was a three-generation trip with my daughter and grandchild, and it became a great memory. We are truly grateful—thank you very much.

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.

I have stayed here many times. Although it is an older Accommodation, the Room and baths are always kept very clean, which makes for a very pleasant stay. The staff are attentive and considerate while maintaining a comfortable sense of distance—truly a wonderful Accommodation. The early-summer dishes this time were also delicious. They looked refreshing and beautifully presented. I would love to visit again in winter. Thank you very much.

This is my third stay this year, and it’s my regular Accommodation in Nara. As always, it was a comfortable space and I had a very fulfilling time. This time, I was also able to visit the art exhibition being held in the Hotel’s social lounge, which made me very satisfied. I’ll visit again at some point later this year. Thank you as always.

Thank you very much for your hospitality the other day. Because sightseeing during the hot summer season can be challenging, this was a trip with my daughter planned to fully enjoy the newly renovated Nara Hotel. We were relieved to find that the classic, dignified interior remains unchanged. At the same time, features in the Room such as the bathtub are modern and made our stay very comfortable. We were able to relax and forget about the heat outside while enjoying afternoon tea at Mikasa and breakfast. Next time, I would like to invite my husband as well and plan a trip simply to unwind. My sincere thanks to all of your staff.

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.

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.

From check-in and being shown to our Room, to the service during meals and through check-out, all staff were kind and welcoming. The meals were also very delicious. The entrance gate is narrow, so getting in and out by car was a bit difficult, but that was the only minor issue.

The space and hospitality are impeccable. If you’re planning to stay in Nara, I highly recommend staying here at least once.

I stayed here during Golden Week! There were a lot of people around Nara Park, but the area around the Hotel felt like a quiet residential neighborhood, so I was able to relax in peace. I was a little disappointed that I had to close the curtain for privacy when using the open-air bath in the Room (though I understand it couldn’t be helped). The Room was spacious and very clean. Personally, I also loved how cute the coffee and tea cups were—it made me happy. I booked a plan with two meals included, and both were beautifully presented, with great taste and satisfying portions! I stopped by before check-in to leave my luggage, and they gave me a map of the area and explained recommended places in detail, including how long it would take from the Hotel. At check-in as well, the staff member who showed me to my Room told me about some famous shops—everyone’s thoughtfulness truly meant a lot to me. Thank you very much!!

We visited with four relatives. We were worried about the weather until the day before, but it cleared up from the evening, and the night view from the Sky Terrace was wonderful. We chose Chinese cuisine, and in a private Room with a round table for four, the dishes were light and refreshing; even though we ate a lot, it didn’t feel heavy, and everything was delicious. The Room had been renovated, and we could smell the fresh tatami mats, which made our stay very comfortable. The bath was a bit far from our Room, but it was very nice. The only disappointing thing was that there was no mirror in the Room, and the toilet, bath/shower area, and sink were all together in one very small space, which was quite inconvenient for four women to use. Everyone—from the front desk staff to the dining staff—was pleasant and very kind. It’s close to central Osaka City, so we were able to relax and enjoy ourselves. Thank you very much.

The open-air bath, Facility, and amenities were excellent! However, the check-in process was a bit confusing, and I still don't know the correct way to check in. It was a Hotel that makes me want to visit again.

Thank you very much for hosting our family of five. The Room was beautifully and tastefully furnished, kept very clean, and truly wonderful. We also enjoyed the fruit—it was delicious. The owner couple were extremely kind. We traveled with children and a grandmother, but we had no trouble at all and had a great time. Thank you so much for taking care of us even after check-out. Thanks to you, we had a wonderful trip to Nara. If you are staying in Nara, this Accommodation is highly recommended. Thank you again!

I used it for the first time. I got a little lost on the way to the Stays. After arriving, I was taken care of by a person with a wonderful smile, and we had a lively conversation. The overall atmosphere is calm. The meals were all delicious, filled with the chef's special touches. They also changed ingredients for allergies and confirmed before serving, which made me feel at ease. It is a Property I would like to visit again.

Thank you very much for your hospitality. We had a wonderful time. We took a morning bath and were able to relax.