가쿠엔마에역 (나라현) × 마라톤 대회 참가·관전에 편리한 숙소만족도 평가가 높은 호텔·료칸

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.

I made a Reservation for a smoking Room, and since there are so few Rooms where smoking is allowed, it was truly helpful for smokers. The bathroom and toilet were separate, and the bed was large. Because of that, the Room felt a bit small, but it was still comfortable enough with no issues. If I had to ask for one thing, it would be great if you offered rental hair irons. It’s a Hotel I definitely want to stay at again when I visit Nara.

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.

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.

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.

The staff are wonderful. Guidance and help with any issues were handled smoothly, and everyone was full of kindness. I could really feel their pride in their work. The property was clean, and the breakfast was excellent! I’ve come to love Nara!! Next time, I’d like to stay a little longer. Thank you very much.

My spouse and I stayed from Sunday to Monday. The front desk staff were pleasant, and while the baths are not brand-new, we were very satisfied with the sauna and walking pool. I also joined a löyly event in the sauna for the first time. We chose the dinner buffet, which offered a good variety of dishes, all tasty, and my wife especially enjoyed the desserts. The parking fee was reasonable, and on Monday we were able to leave our car parked while we took a walk around the nearby Heijō Palace Site. We would love to stay again if we have the chance.

Conveniently located about a 3-minute walk from the station, I stayed for one night at a very reasonable price. I was able to use the parking lot, and there were also nearby parking options if you arrived early (they were full by evening). This time I wanted to eat at the nearby Matsuya (since there isn’t one near where I live), so I didn’t use the breakfast service. Overall, everything was clean, it wasn’t noisy, and I had a comfortable stay. However, the only disappointing point was that the entrance vestibule didn’t seem to be well cleaned. Since the entrance is the face of the Hotel, it’s a shame when cleaning isn’t thorough there.

I planned to go to Nara for a meal, and since I was there anyway, I stayed one night. The high ceiling and the curved vanity area made it feel more spacious than it actually was. It seemed almost fully booked and there were many families with children, but the Room was quiet and comfortable. The bathtub was also roomy. The staff were friendly and pleasant, and I’d like to come back again for a relaxing stay. Breakfast was delicious too, with a clean and well-kept buffet.

The front desk staff were kind, there was a welcome drink, a large public bath, and breakfast—especially the curry—was delicious. When I checked in, the front desk staff said, “It was hot outside, wasn’t it? Please enjoy plenty of cold drinks,” which made me very happy. I went ahead and made my next Reservation right away. I’m looking forward to staying again.

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.

The parking lot was spacious and easy to park in. The breakfast bread was freshly baked, and even during a Multiple Night Stay, we were happy to have several different types of bread each day. If sparkling water had been available with the evening welcome drink, it might have been even more enjoyable. Since the room access uses a PIN code, it was convenient not having to carry a card or key around.

Neither particularly good nor bad. It’s a bit of a walk from Nara Station and Kintetsu-Nara Station. There was a family restaurant right outside on the first floor, and it would have been more comfortable if they could offer some kind of service, such as a half-price coupon, if possible.

I stayed during the rainy season. The parking lot is a bit far, and the entrance is narrow, so I had to be careful. However, depending on the parking space, it was convenient for loading and unloading luggage. The first floor serves as an entrance area with a convenience store attached, which was very helpful for any last-minute needs. The reception counter is on the second floor, where breakfast is also served. Welcome drinks are available at certain times with a wide variety to choose from. Although I accidentally spilled some in the elevator while deciding what to pick, the staff quickly provided cleaning supplies and assisted me promptly. The breakfast area is small, so securing seats was challenging for families. However, it was great to enjoy local specialties like Nara's famous persimmon leaf sushi and Narazuke pickles. Even with small children in tow, we found the room very clean and comfortable. We stayed in a Room with a loft bed that allowed our family to relax comfortably. The location is very close to the station. We were able to park slightly earlier (with an additional fee) and go sightseeing by train conveniently. There are izakayas and stylish restaurants within walking distance of the hotel, so finding dinner options wasn’t an issue at all. Umbrella rentals were available as well; we borrowed one for dinner outings at night without worrying about dealing with wet umbrellas upon returning to our Room. Overall, staying here was an excellent experience! Thank you so much for your hospitality!

It was a shared shower room rather than a bath, but since it was midsummer, it was comfortable. In winter, I might prefer to soak in a bathtub. The bedroom felt like a secret hideout, which I liked—though people who dislike small spaces might not. I stayed for three nights and had no inconveniences.

It was a very clean and beautiful Hotel. It felt new, had no odors, and was cleaned with great care. There were not many guests on the day we stayed, but it was very quiet with no noise, so we could relax peacefully. It is conveniently located close to the station and sightseeing spots. The Japanese-made toothbrush provided was easy to use and very nice. Small touches like this show how much they care about their guests. I would love to stay here again when I travel to Nara. Thank you very much for your hospitality. We truly appreciate being able to make wonderful memories of our trip to Nara.

Both the front entrance key and the Room key are electronic locks, so I was able to complete everything from check-in to check-out without face-to-face contact, making my stay very comfortable—just like being at home. All the essentials were provided, and I appreciated the great value for money. Since it’s a loft, I think this Accommodation is ideal for guests who don’t mind going up and down stairs.

I think this Accommodation offers excellent value. I expected the Facilities to be old, but that wasn’t the case—they were very well maintained and clean. If I visit Nara City again, I will stay here again.

Everything was impeccable, from the cleanliness of the Facility and the staff’s service to the breakfast. One minor issue: a few long hairs were stuck to the bathroom ceiling. I assume they became airborne while drying and remained there.