Nara is a relatively small town but has a good selection of budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodation. When choosing your hotel you should also consider whether you will be using the JR Nara Station or Kintetsu Nara Station and which hotels are most convenient for that station’s location. Below are our ten top hotel recommendations for Nara based on comfort, convenience, and service.
Hotel Nikko Nara
Hotel Nikko Nara is located directly outside the West exit of JR Nara Station
Hotel Nikko Nara is an upscale hotel connected directly to JR Nara Station by an elevated walkway. Guest rooms are simply furnished, spacious and supplied with a refrigerator, a TV with satellite channels, an electric kettle, a writing desk and free Wi-Fi internet access. Breakfast is served in a buffet restaurant, and there is also a tea lounge, a Chinese restaurant, a Japanese restaurant, and a teppanyaki grill restaurant. This hotel also has a public bathhouse, a massage room, a gift shop, and a karaoke room. Bicycles can also be rented to explore the town.
Hotel Nikko Nara is a 2 minute walk from JR Nara Station, a 15 minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, and a 20 minute walk from Nara Park.
Super Hotel Lohas JR Nara Eki
Super Hotel Lohas JR Nara Eki is located directly outside the East Exit of JR Nara Station
Super Hotel Lohas is located right outside JR Nara Station, and offers reasonably priced accommodation in compact but modern rooms. Multilingual staff go out of their way to be welcoming and courteous. Aside from its very convenient location, the highlights of this hotel are its onsen hot-spring baths including outdoor bathing areas, a room off the lobby with complimentary pillows (fillings such as foam, plastic beads, and buckwheat husks) for guests to choose from, coin-operated laundry machines, and a free buffet breakfast with Japanese and Western offerings. Another distinguishing feature is guests can borrow from a small collection of coffee-table books in the lobby on subjects such as Nara temples and art. Guest rooms are supplied with free Wi-Fi internet access, a TV, a refrigerator, an electric kettle and tea-making facilities. The bathrooms have tubs and showers, and complimentary toiletries.
Super Hotel Lohas is a 1 minute walk from the East Exit of JR Nara Station, a 15 minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, and a 20 minute walk from Nara Park.
Sarusawaike Yoshidaya
The Yoshidaya ryokan overlooks Sarusawaike Pond in Nara Park
Yoshidaya is a historic ryokan, or Japanese-style inn, that was founded in the first year of the Meiji era: 1868. Today however, the guest rooms are furnished in a seamless blend of traditional Japanese style and modern comforts. The rooms are air-conditioned, spacious, and are supplied with refrigerators, TVs with satellite channels, and private bathrooms. Generous set breakfasts and kaiseki multi-course meals are served in the hotel’s Japanese restaurant. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated if you inform the hotel in advance. The hotel also has public baths overlooking the interior Japanese gardens. Family-sized private bathing facilities are also available.
Yoshidaya is a 2 minute walk from Nara Park and Kofukuji Temple, an 8 minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, and a 15 minute walk from JR Nara Station.
Noborioji Hotel
Luxurious accommodation and top-rated facilities at Noborioji Hotel
Noborioji Hotel is a premium luxury hotel set in an elegant contemporary building close to Nara Park and Kintetsu Nara station. The spacious guest rooms are stocked with a refrigerator, minibar, TV, Nespresso machine, Simmonds bedding, and private bathrooms with bathtubs and showers. The hotel’s facilities include a French restaurant, a cigar bar, a fitness center, and spa. Breakfast is either Japanese or American-style depending on your choice. This hotel also has 24 hour room service, a concierge service, and a porter service to Kintetsu Nara Station. Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the building.
Noborioji Hotel is a 4 minute walk from Nara Park, a 3 minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, and a 15 minute walk from JR Nara Station.
Kasuga Hotel
Kasuga Hotel’s modern exterior hides a world of tradition
Although Kasuga Hotel has a contemporary exterior, this is a very traditional ryokan-style Japanese inn. There are some semi-Western style guest rooms with beds, but most rooms are completely Japanese with tatami matting, futons, and shoji screens. All rooms have a TV, free Wi-Fi internet access, and are supplied with yukata robes and green tea. The hotel also has typical Japanese public baths, separated by gender, with indoor and outdoor bathing areas overlooking a beautifully landscaped garden. Guest rooms all have their own private bathrooms, and some higher grade rooms have open-air tubs too. Breakfast is a traditional Japanese set meal, and dinner is high grade multi-course kaiseki cuisine. This hotel is recommended for a taste of old-style Japanese service and hospitality.
The hotel has immediate access to Nara Park, is a 2 minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, and a 15 minute walk from JR Nara Station.
Asukasou
Asukasou: great local food and ryokan-style comfort
Asukasou is a ryokan-style Japanese inn, with excellent service, comfortable rooms, and relaxing public bathing facilities. Guests can enjoy a view of Kofukuji Temple’s five story pagoda while soaking in the open-air mineral baths. Both Japanese-style guest rooms with tatami mats and futons, and western-style rooms with beds are available. All rooms have a TV, refrigerator, private bath, and free Wi-Fi internet access. Complimentary amenities include towels, toiletries, yukata robes, and green tea. Breakfast is Japanese style and dinner is a multi-course kaiseki feast. Both meals can be enjoyed either in the hotel restaurant or in your room. This hotel also has its own karaoke room.
This hotel is a 4 minute walk from Kofukuji Temple and Nara Park, a 10 minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, and a 16 minute walk from JR Nara Station.
Nara Hotel
A Meiji era hotel with beautiful traditional Japanese architecture
Nara Hotel is a historic Meiji era hotel and since it first opened in 1909 it has hosted three emperors, and princes, premiers, and presidents from across the world. Among the many notable guests who have stayed here are Albert Einstein, Charlie Chaplin, Hellen Keller, Audrey Hepburn and the Dalai Lama. Despite this prestigious history, room rates at the Nara Hotel are surprisingly affordable. Guests can choose from Japanese or Western-style guest rooms with views either over Nara Park and the surrounding mountains, or of the picture perfect inner garden. All rooms are elegantly furnished, and are stocked with a refrigerator and minibar, a TV with satellite channels, and have private baths with a full set of complimentary bathroom amenities. Free Wi-Fi internet access is available in all guest rooms and public areas. The hotel has both a Japanese and a French-style restaurant, a bar, and tea lounge. Rental bicycles are available to explore the surrounding area, and in-room massages are available for a fee.
Nara Hotel is a 5 minute walk from Nara Park, 14 minutes from Kintetsu Nara Station, and 20 minutes from JR Nara Station.
Sun Hotel Nara
Sun Hotel Nara is cheap hotel by JR Nara Station
Sun Hotel Nara is a cheap business hotel which is ideal for short stays whether on business or for sightseeing. The compact guest rooms are supplied with free Wi-Fi internet access, a TV, a refrigerator, an electric kettle, a writing desk, and green tea. Bathrooms have fitted bathtubs and shower attachments. Breakfast is an all-you-can-eat buffet with eggs, sausage, bread and salad. This hotel has a laundromat with coin-operated machines. In the hotel lobby there are computers which guests can use freely to access the internet. Staff at the 24 hour front desk have a good reputation for friendly and professional service.
Sun Hotel Nara is a 2 minute walk from the East Exit of JR Nara Station, a 15 minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, and a 16 minute walk from Nara Park.
Hotel Fujita
Hotel Fujita is located on the Sanjo Dori shopping street that runs between JR Nara Station and Nara Park
Hotel Fujita is an inexpensive hotel in a convenient location with simple décor and helpful staff. All guest rooms have free Wi-Fi internet access, a refrigerator, a TV with satellite channels, an electric kettle, and a writing desk. Bathrooms have bathtubs and showers, washlet style bidets, and are supplied with a full set of towels and complimentary toiletries. Junior Suites have a separate living area. This hotel has a lounge area, a bar, a French restaurant, and a Japanese restaurant. Breakfast is a Japanese buffet with some Western options.
Hotel Fujita is a 10 minute walk from Nara Park, a 5 minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, and a 7 minute walk from JR Nara Station.
Hotel Sunroute Nara
Hotel Sunroute Nara offers simple, no frills accommodation at great prices
Hotel Sunroute Nara is a reasonably priced hotel with friendly staff and simple, no-frills facilities. Guest rooms are compact, but comfortable and clean, and are supplied with a refrigerator, TV, and electric kettle. Bathrooms are supplied with towels and a full set of complimentary toiletries. All guest rooms have free Wi-Fi internet access. Breakfast is a Japanese and Western style buffet served in the hotel’s Japanese restaurant. This hotel has a laundromat and rental laptop computers are also available.
Hotel Sunroute Nara is a 5 minute walk from Nara Park, an 11 minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, and a 16 minute walk from JR Nara Station.
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Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
