가쿠엔마에역 (나라현) × 웰컴 라운지에서 쉴 수 있는 숙소식사의 평가가 높은 호텔·료칸

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.

All staff were exceptionally kind and provided warm, heartfelt service. The French dinner was outstanding, from the presentation to every dish, and breakfast began with freshly baked croissants and freshly squeezed orange juice—both the Japanese set meal and the Western set meal were thoroughly satisfying. Conveniently located, this is a quiet, hidden-gem Hotel.

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.

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!

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.

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.

This was my second stay, and this time I visited with a friend. Compared to last time, the staff seemed more experienced, and everyone assisted us smoothly and courteously. It was very comfortable. The view from the large windows is wonderful no matter how many times you see it. The scenery from the open-air bath was also amazing. Both dinner and breakfast were delicious. I truly enjoyed the creative dinner course, and I appreciate that you accommodated ingredients I don’t eat. The rice porridge with tea at breakfast was outstanding—I ate too much!! It would be nice to have even a small serving of fruit… One thing: the Shuttle Service bus stop is separate from the regular route stop, so we had to search for it. It might help if guests are told that it’s on the opposite side of the road from the station. We arrived around 4:15 p.m., but the welcome sweet (Narazuke cheesecake) was already gone, so we couldn’t try it, which was disappointing. I also appreciated the 11:00 a.m. checkout time. A small detail, but since there’s a step down at the restroom entrance, it’s easy to put slippers on and take them off smoothly—less stress overall. Thank you for taking care of us.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I have stayed here many times, and the staff are always very courteous. The Room was clean, and I had a comfortable stay.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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