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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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Getting there was challenging because we had to transfer between the Shinkansen and Kintetsu lines, but it was a Hotel well worth the trip. The menu featured local vegetables, eggs, fish, and meat, and we enjoyed a feast you can only experience here. The sauna was also great. We could truly feel the sincere hospitality of everyone working there, which warmed our hearts. It’s a Hotel we would love to visit again.

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.

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

A year ago, due to heavy rain, we had to cancel our stay. Amid the lingering summer heat, we revisited after a year. This time, we had the pleasure of staying at a wonderful accommodation for one day. Renting an entire house with a view of Nara's mountains as the backdrop to the dry landscape garden, enjoying an evening beer was the perfect way to conclude summer. For dinner, there was a variety of alcoholic beverages available, and the shabu-shabu by the hearth was absolutely delicious. At night, gazing at a sky full of stars marked the end of our day. Knowing that this accommodation is run by your family made it feel very warm and welcoming during our stay. It was such happiness to spend a day doing nothing but relaxing peacefully— a truly special experience at Sasayuri-an. Thank you so much! We will definitely return again!

I had the pleasure of revisiting the enchanting Sasayuri-an. After an unforgettable experience at "Kozuno," this time I stayed in another building, "Zao." About a month ago, I was fortunate to connect with Sasayuri-an and was deeply touched by the warmth of the owners. Since then, I eagerly anticipated my return. My expectations were high due to my previous wonderful stay, but this visit exceeded them in every way. The moment we stepped inside, everyone let out a gasp of awe—it felt like stepping into another world. This 150-year-old traditional thatched-roof house is a perfect blend of historical beauty and modern comfort, truly a hidden gem. The stunning terraced rice fields visible through the windows and the star-filled night sky created an extraordinary atmosphere. The space is both majestic and refined yet evokes a nostalgic sense of comfort. Above all, the exceptional hospitality from the owners provided deep relaxation. The owner's passion for detail is evident everywhere—from beams relocated from a 400-year-old structure to speakers once used by Ryuichi Sakamoto—making every conversation with him fascinating and inspiring. Despite visiting in February's cold weather, thoughtful touches like fireplaces, discreetly placed air conditioners that preserve aesthetic harmony, and oil heaters along hallways ensured warmth throughout this spacious accommodation. The owner also practices as a Yamabushi (mountain ascetic) alongside managing his business. During our stay, we had rare opportunities to experience waterfall meditation and fire rituals under his guidance while enjoying stories about Shugendo around an irori hearth—a truly memorable experience! Evenings were spent chatting by irori flames or soaking in herbal baths within cypress tubs to unwind completely; mornings began with delicious coffee paired with breathtaking views of Japan’s timeless rural landscape—a blissful retreat indeed. Sasayuri-an offers an unparalleled escape from urban chaos where both mind and body can rejuvenate fully—a genuinely special place worth cherishing forever! Although we rarely revisit accommodations multiple times ourselves here feels different; it’s somewhere precious enough always wanting return alongside loved ones again someday soon! With facilities such as pizza ovens BBQ setups campfire areas ready springtime glamping plans already excite us looking forward next visit ahead!

Both the town and the Accommodation were pleasantly quiet. Rather than a place to “enjoy the Accommodation,” it felt like a place where, through your stay, you become part of Nara. If you’re looking for an Accommodation for sightseeing in Nara, the location is convenient, so I’d like to stay here again next time. There’s nothing particularly notable about the amenities, but there was neither shortage nor excess, which I think is good.

We stayed for one night as a family of four after returning from USJ. First, we checked in around 9 PM, and the floor heating was on, making it warm and very appreciated. The abundance of complimentary welcome sweets, drinks, and amenities made us feel the hospitality, which was delightful. The building is a well-renovated old house, so you can feel traces of the past here and there, but the simple and tasteful design and interior allowed us to have a very pleasant stay. The highlight is the location, about a 5-minute walk to Todai-ji Temple, and you can also see the Great Buddha Hall of Todai-ji from the second floor. The luxury of being able to take a leisurely walk to Todai-ji during the early morning when there are fewer tourists is unique to this place. Overall, we were satisfied, but I would like to mention two points we noticed. The barrel sauna, which we were looking forward to, was quite good, but there was only one wooden bench in the relaxation space, and there were no chairs with backrests or infinity chairs, which seemed like a missed opportunity. Also, we added firewood to the fireplace and lit it with the provided gas burner, but only large logs were available, and since the lid had to remain open while lighting with the burner, smoke filled the room, causing a family member with weak respiratory health to start coughing, so we closed the lid early, and the fire went out midway. It would be nice if kindling-sized wood could also be provided. If these two points could be improved, I believe it would become an even more wonderful Facility.

The price is affordable, so I understand, but I was a bit disappointed that there was no bidet. I stayed in the city because I wanted to drink a large beer at my favorite shop and didn't feel like going home. Sarusawa Pond is very close, making it perfect for a pleasant walk. The hotel staff were friendly, and I would love to stay here again.