
Best hotels & accommodations in Nara

We loved our one night stay in Nara at the Piazza Hotel. It is conveniently located right besides the JR Nara train station, so it's easy to check in and leave your luggage once you arrive and then explore the city. We rather liked walking to Nara park, which is only 20 minutes away through very nice streets, and there are also busses going through the city that can ge...
We loved our one night stay in Nara at the Piazza Hotel. It is conveniently located right besides the JR Nara train station, so it's easy to check in and leave your luggage once you arrive and then explore the city. We rather liked walking to Nara park, which is only 20 minutes away through very nice streets, and there are also busses going through the city that can get you to and from the Nara station in a pinch. Moreover, room was beautiful, impeccably clean and super modern with really comfortable beds.

Nara Hotel is everything you would expect from one of the old heritage hotels on the oldest capital of Japan. This year, it celebrates its 110 year and it’s looking every bit as good as it did when it first opened! Think teal and mahogany fittings in a period style hotel with grand tea rooms and silver service restaurants. It’s situated just off the Nara parks which ha...
Nara Hotel is everything you would expect from one of the old heritage hotels on the oldest capital of Japan. This year, it celebrates its 110 year and it’s looking every bit as good as it did when it first opened! Think teal and mahogany fittings in a period style hotel with grand tea rooms and silver service restaurants. It’s situated just off the Nara parks which have all the sights within walking distance. The shuttle bus service to the two stations is a nice touch. The hotel shop sells its merchandise and they do have beautiful stuff. Book a room on the old building to get the best experience.

I must really thank all the past reviewers for their past comments. This hotel indeed hold up to its rating as the best nara hotel in 2015. The hotel is connected to the JR nara station to the hotel lift that brings you to the check-in counter. Very convenient for travelling couples or family with big luggages. The staffs can speak English and are very eager to help. N...
I must really thank all the past reviewers for their past comments. This hotel indeed hold up to its rating as the best nara hotel in 2015. The hotel is connected to the JR nara station to the hotel lift that brings you to the check-in counter. Very convenient for travelling couples or family with big luggages. The staffs can speak English and are very eager to help. Not only did they offer complementary good japanese breakfast with 5 types of bread freshly baked every morning, they are free access to onsen (indoor and outdoor) to recupurate your tired body. Little things we appreaciate is that the lift to the rooms are nicely scented too. How not to remember this hotel? The supermart is also just few steps away. For the location, services and price, I will definately stay with Super Lohas hotel in my next Nara trip. 👍👍👍👍👍👍

Great location, 2 minutes walk from JR Nara station. Close to supermarket, bakery, and eateries located in the station. Staff is excellent, courteous and helpful, very typical of Japanese customer service which is the best in the world. Room is larger than a business hotel and the hallways are much wider also. Laundry facilities are located on 2 floors and there is...
Great location, 2 minutes walk from JR Nara station. Close to supermarket, bakery, and eateries located in the station. Staff is excellent, courteous and helpful, very typical of Japanese customer service which is the best in the world. Room is larger than a business hotel and the hallways are much wider also. Laundry facilities are located on 2 floors and there is use of a microwave oven on one floor . Although the hotel is located near the train station it was very quiet. The breakfast (800 yen) was excellent with choices (it's a buffet) of healthy Japanese foods (including natto!) or western food (bread, sausages, egg, etc)

My single room is exactly what you get from a standard business hotel setting and it's newer and cleaner! For 3500 yen it's totally worth the deal. The even better bits: location location location. It's only 2 min from the kintetsu Nara station, the numerous bus stops and at the entrance of the Nara park area. There's also the whole shopping street nearby. The nice li...
My single room is exactly what you get from a standard business hotel setting and it's newer and cleaner! For 3500 yen it's totally worth the deal. The even better bits: location location location. It's only 2 min from the kintetsu Nara station, the numerous bus stops and at the entrance of the Nara park area. There's also the whole shopping street nearby. The nice little izakaya restaurant nearby (Japan, 〒6308266 奈良県奈良市花芝町Hanashibachō, 6番地プラザ花芝101 酒とめし おてんがら) is a recommendation! Nice food and nice owners at cheap price! The staff at oak hostel is very helpful and can speak English well. The 100yen breads breakfast and free coffee are just some minor add ons that make the stay even better! Highly recommended and will definitely stay again when I come back to Nara (which will surely happen sooner rather than later).

This is our 2nd visit after 2 years and it is very very satisfactory. The location is close to Keihan or Kintetsu Line (Sorry could not recall correctly) but it is quite a far distance from JR station. The hotel itself is in a quite area and the surrounding is nice where Kofukuji Temple is just beside the hotel. The staff is very very helpful and speak fluent English j...
This is our 2nd visit after 2 years and it is very very satisfactory. The location is close to Keihan or Kintetsu Line (Sorry could not recall correctly) but it is quite a far distance from JR station. The hotel itself is in a quite area and the surrounding is nice where Kofukuji Temple is just beside the hotel. The staff is very very helpful and speak fluent English just the same as our 1st visit 2 years ago. In future, if there is another trip to Nara. Hotel Pagoda is the only choice i will choose. The room we took was double bed room with Tatami flooring. The best part was the room was the same one as per 2 years ago.

room is awesome, staff are okay (aside from the "we cant microwave your small pizza" issue we had..). Its a very "discreet" hotel, you aren't supposed to leave your room too much, but overall it was definately worth staying. we booked as it was the cheapest room and ended up staying another night. location isnt great but its ok- mcdonalds is nearby and a super cheap s...
room is awesome, staff are okay (aside from the "we cant microwave your small pizza" issue we had..). Its a very "discreet" hotel, you aren't supposed to leave your room too much, but overall it was definately worth staying. we booked as it was the cheapest room and ended up staying another night. location isnt great but its ok- mcdonalds is nearby and a super cheap supermarket near that too (head away from town from the mcdonalds). Nara Park is maybe 2 hours walk or theres a bus stop near mcdonalds. definately recommended.

This was my most favourite hotel in the whole of Japan. The rooms were modern Japanese design and were much more than what we expected with beautiful screened off areas. Staff were amazing, with a great sense of humour and explained all the highlights of Nara. On arrival, we were greeted with hot towels and a bowl of yummy hot lemon refreshment. The traditional bre...
This was my most favourite hotel in the whole of Japan. The rooms were modern Japanese design and were much more than what we expected with beautiful screened off areas. Staff were amazing, with a great sense of humour and explained all the highlights of Nara. On arrival, we were greeted with hot towels and a bowl of yummy hot lemon refreshment. The traditional breakfast was awesome, plentiful, and an artform in it's own right. The hotel is not located very close to public transport, however it is located conveniently close to the main sites for visiting Nara. We loved our stay here and would rate it as our most favourite hotel stay we had whilst in Japan. I have no hesitation in recommending this Hotel as excellent value for money and feel it is deserving of of a higher star rating than it currently is.

It was a really small guesthouse without lift, so if you are carry huge wheeled luggage you have to carry it up. But they do have rooms at the ground level. There is a door that separates the main living space and the shared kitchen. Shared kitchen are really really well equipped, spices, rice cooker, all kitchen wares are available. This is a guesthouse therefore it d...
It was a really small guesthouse without lift, so if you are carry huge wheeled luggage you have to carry it up. But they do have rooms at the ground level. There is a door that separates the main living space and the shared kitchen. Shared kitchen are really really well equipped, spices, rice cooker, all kitchen wares are available. This is a guesthouse therefore it does not operates like hotel so you can't do a 24 hours check in and the main door will be armed after a certain hours, anyway the shops in Nara doesn't operate till late, probably 8pm. if you are coming back late, they would provide you the password. You can also rent bicycle from the guesthouse directly which is more convenient and cheaper. very peaceful surrounding around the neighbourhood. The room is small, but it's japan anyway. but it is sufficient. there are more things that we are happy with than to make noise about the room size. grab on the articles and maps at the living area, those maps show places of interest that travel guidebook doesn't feature. and most importantly, we cycled through the whole of Nara with help of all these extra materials provided and enjoyed Nara to the fullest. Staff are really friendly as well, rest assured you will enjoy your stay.

My wife and I have just stayed for two nights in this fantastic hotel. The service was absolutely flawless with all the staff welcoming, helpful and unwaveringly attentive. They made a special effort to cater for my wife’s allergies, including providing dairy free options at breakfast (without even having to ask). Breakfast was superb, the best we’ve had during our s...
My wife and I have just stayed for two nights in this fantastic hotel. The service was absolutely flawless with all the staff welcoming, helpful and unwaveringly attentive. They made a special effort to cater for my wife’s allergies, including providing dairy free options at breakfast (without even having to ask). Breakfast was superb, the best we’ve had during our stay in Japan. A mixture of western and Japanese options, fresh fruit and good quality tea and coffee options. The extra touches of flowers for my wife’s birthday and snacks/fruit provided in the room upon arrival was greatly appreciated. The hotel is well situated for exploring all of Nara’s main attractions and has nice views of Nara Koen. We would unreservedly recommend this hotel to anyone seeking a comfortable and luxurious stay in Nara.

I always favour Nara over Kyoto & Osaka for lodging because it's a fraction of the price for food & lodging, but most of all it's the peace & quiet away from overcrowded tourist spots. And the local people are enormously charming and thoughtful. I have stayed at over 10 different hotels in Nara over the years and Fujita is the most convenient--smack in the middle of th...
I always favour Nara over Kyoto & Osaka for lodging because it's a fraction of the price for food & lodging, but most of all it's the peace & quiet away from overcrowded tourist spots. And the local people are enormously charming and thoughtful. I have stayed at over 10 different hotels in Nara over the years and Fujita is the most convenient--smack in the middle of the main shopping street and walking distance to top tourist sights and restaurants. It's equal distance between two train stations (which means it's a walk either way, but it's also gives me flexibility from choosing between JR & Kintetsu). Traveling with large luggage is tedious though. Rooms are old and dated. But it's spotlessly clean (I've checked). Staff and cleaning staff is one of the best I've experienced in Kansai area (that's saying a lot). If you want luxury, stay at Nara Hotel. But value for money I'd lick Fujita.

The hotel is next to Nara JR Station. It is very convenient to visit Nara Park which is a few minutes bus ride. Since JR Station is also a bus hub, it is also a good point to start a trip to visit other parts of Nara region. There is also a supermarket at the JR station which closes late. The air conditioner has a full function remote controller which is better than ot...
The hotel is next to Nara JR Station. It is very convenient to visit Nara Park which is a few minutes bus ride. Since JR Station is also a bus hub, it is also a good point to start a trip to visit other parts of Nara region. There is also a supermarket at the JR station which closes late. The air conditioner has a full function remote controller which is better than other centralized system. The breakfast is fair.

Pros: great environment , good for couples and small family (with a kid). They are a very special night event for sightseeing on the peak, very romantic and feel likes we are in the movie scene. Not many people use hotspa which is great and I love seeing the star at night by myself :) our room has a big empty for overviewing the view of nara, we can really spend out ...
Pros: great environment , good for couples and small family (with a kid). They are a very special night event for sightseeing on the peak, very romantic and feel likes we are in the movie scene. Not many people use hotspa which is great and I love seeing the star at night by myself :) our room has a big empty for overviewing the view of nara, we can really spend out time there by doing nothing happily. Oh pillow is very special too. Ladies got to pick their own japanese dress when they check in which is another highlight point for me!! (Tho it would be great if there is a section to teach us how to dreas it or the cutlure) Meals are great but too much! Cons: Wifi needs to improve.

Everything about this hotel was above standard: comfort, cleanliness, size, food, staff, location. We were forced to stay in Nara because Kyoto was booked up (really!!) but we had a rail pass and it was only 40 minutes to Kyoto. Nara itself was far more accessible than Kyoto and we were on the best and most interesting small street leading directly to the World Heritag...
Everything about this hotel was above standard: comfort, cleanliness, size, food, staff, location. We were forced to stay in Nara because Kyoto was booked up (really!!) but we had a rail pass and it was only 40 minutes to Kyoto. Nara itself was far more accessible than Kyoto and we were on the best and most interesting small street leading directly to the World Heritage Sights, which were the equal of anything in Kyoto. We loved the deer and the giant Buddha hall. Superb.

Good: The staff are very friendly and extremely efficient, plus we were given a free drink on our arrival. The room is a good size, comfortable beds and large bathroom with shower. On your arrival you are given tickets to access the sauna and jacuzzi that is well work trying. There is a free shuttle service that takes you to and from the two main train stations and Nar...
Good: The staff are very friendly and extremely efficient, plus we were given a free drink on our arrival. The room is a good size, comfortable beds and large bathroom with shower. On your arrival you are given tickets to access the sauna and jacuzzi that is well work trying. There is a free shuttle service that takes you to and from the two main train stations and Nara Park. For a fee of ¥500 you can hire cycles for the day. Bad: The only negative thing was they didn’t supply coffee sachets, otherwise keep up the good work.

Excellent location with reasonable price. 7-to-10-minute walk to 近鉄奈良駅 and just next to the shopping stree, with many restaurants and gift shops. Go to 興福寺 just need 5 minute and you can get into Nara Park through this way. The host is a young man with good English. He is wellcome for luggage storage if you come early or leave Nara late. And also the common area on ...
Excellent location with reasonable price. 7-to-10-minute walk to 近鉄奈良駅 and just next to the shopping stree, with many restaurants and gift shops. Go to 興福寺 just need 5 minute and you can get into Nara Park through this way. The host is a young man with good English. He is wellcome for luggage storage if you come early or leave Nara late. And also the common area on 1/F is opened for all use. The house has 2 floors, both with shared toliet but bathroom is only on 1/F. The only bad thing is that warm water is just got in the kitchen and bathrooms(I think hot enough for bath). Though these are shared facilities, all are clear and the others seem polite and considerate so no trouble with using those. The rooms are not so noise-proof so you may hear some sounds of chating from other rooms. Yet the neighbours talk quietly and the environment around is so peaceful. We lived in a family room, with 2 double-deck beds. So enough space for 4 people to sleep, place the luggage, and sit.

I have a great time staying at HARUYA Naramachi. I book for a dorm but been given a FREE upgrade to single room by the time I check in. This is so cool and I am very happy with that. The price is cheap. Location is a bit far from subway station but it is near to Nara Park. Room is clean and staff is super nice. Facilities also excellent with free wifi. Have to keep in ...
I have a great time staying at HARUYA Naramachi. I book for a dorm but been given a FREE upgrade to single room by the time I check in. This is so cool and I am very happy with that. The price is cheap. Location is a bit far from subway station but it is near to Nara Park. Room is clean and staff is super nice. Facilities also excellent with free wifi. Have to keep in mind that this is a very old traditional wooden house, you will heard other tourists walking in the house but I still have a great time staying for 2 nights in Nara. =)

Since it's a guesthouse (dormitory style), it's a lot cheaper than hotels. That said, the place is really clean and I would recommend it to solo travellers. The owner was also really helpful and nice with me - he waited until almost 11pm for me to check in, due to a confusion with the address. From here it's easy to go to the train station, and also easy to walk to the...
Since it's a guesthouse (dormitory style), it's a lot cheaper than hotels. That said, the place is really clean and I would recommend it to solo travellers. The owner was also really helpful and nice with me - he waited until almost 11pm for me to check in, due to a confusion with the address. From here it's easy to go to the train station, and also easy to walk to the major attractions in Nara (about 20-30 minutes, depending on how relaxed you go). TIP: When I typed it in Google Maps, I got instantly redirected to Nara Guesthouse. Make sure you select and have Nara Deer Hostel instead, because they're two different places (and the guesthouse is farther from the station).

Everything is fine, except the toilet. The breakfast is excellent. The room is spacious (in Japanese standard) and tidy. The staff is helpful. The location is within 5-min walk from the JR Nara station. But the toilet and its funny smell... Should I close or open the toilet door while I sleep?

Although there were little reviews on Tsukihitei, we were not sure what to expect. It was tricky to find on foot but once we got there, we were warmly welcomed to this establishment on the edge of the forest. It was stunning. The hostess was fantastic and the dinner (you must have if you stay there) was incredible- Compliments to the chef! They made a kids meal (more t...
Although there were little reviews on Tsukihitei, we were not sure what to expect. It was tricky to find on foot but once we got there, we were warmly welcomed to this establishment on the edge of the forest. It was stunning. The hostess was fantastic and the dinner (you must have if you stay there) was incredible- Compliments to the chef! They made a kids meal (more than enough for out little man) and a private bath for the adults after dinner (you can choose which order). Essentially our needs were looked after, but completely left alone. Didn't see other guests, and awoke to the waterfall running nearby in the lush forest. Magical, Japanese style and really a great experience. Highly recommended

This is possibly the most interesting place to stay in Nara! It is located right inside the world heritage grounds of the deer park and is also a stone's throw from the Kasuga shrine, another heritage site. For a reasonable price and a chance to stay in a minsu (inn) with deer greeting you in the morning and a primeval forest walk amongst stone lanterns - what else can...
This is possibly the most interesting place to stay in Nara! It is located right inside the world heritage grounds of the deer park and is also a stone's throw from the Kasuga shrine, another heritage site. For a reasonable price and a chance to stay in a minsu (inn) with deer greeting you in the morning and a primeval forest walk amongst stone lanterns - what else can you ask for in Japan! The inn is actually a converted community hall and has rooms partitioned up. There are double decker beds and double occupancy rooms. The noise insulation is a little weak and the toilets/bathrooms are common. There is a communal dining area with free coffee and tea, and light instant meals at a small charge. One can leave the luggage after the 11 am check out but you are discouraged from remaining in the premises while cleaning is taking place. The park is quiet at night and you should take your meals early before 6 pm or you will need to walk a good 20 minutes to the town centre for meals. Nara is a tranquil place unlike Kyoto - so this place reflects the mood and spirit of this ancient city.

The staff were very welcoming and tried their best to speak in english with us as we didn't understand japanese. We booked the traditional japanese room, so we had to remove our shoes and placed them in a shoe locker before entering the property. The room was clean enough for a traditional tatami mat room; I'm quite allergic to dust, but I didn't have allergy issues du...
The staff were very welcoming and tried their best to speak in english with us as we didn't understand japanese. We booked the traditional japanese room, so we had to remove our shoes and placed them in a shoe locker before entering the property. The room was clean enough for a traditional tatami mat room; I'm quite allergic to dust, but I didn't have allergy issues during my stay in the room. They were also nice enough to serve us hot tea two times during our one-night stay (once during check-in, and one more time at night) and gave us postcards and pretty little bags as souvenirs to bring home. The only downside is probably the location. It's about a 10-15min walk to Nara downtown, so if you did not book the room with dinner meal, you'll have to walk quite a distance to the restaurant areas. We also had zero issues with noise even though there was a group of school children staying at the property during our stay. Well recommended!

My initial reason/s for booking: It was a highly-rated new property that was close to the Shin-Omiya rail station. Duration of stay: 2 nights First impressions: Most of the space inside the double room is taken up by the bunk beds, so I'd recommend that everything you need to bring out once inside the room (electronics, change/s of clothes) should fit in a small back...
My initial reason/s for booking: It was a highly-rated new property that was close to the Shin-Omiya rail station. Duration of stay: 2 nights First impressions: Most of the space inside the double room is taken up by the bunk beds, so I'd recommend that everything you need to bring out once inside the room (electronics, change/s of clothes) should fit in a small backpack. If you're bringing a big backpack or a trolley bag, it's better to ask the reception to store them. Later realizations: Pick the lower bunk bed if you're used to sleeping in chilly temperatures, & pick the upper bunk bed if you're used to sleeping in warmer temps. Most shops in the department store downstairs close at 8 PM so plan accordingly if you want to buy a cheap dinner from the foodcourt. If the distance between the rail station & the hostel is too far for you, the nearest bus stop that takes you to the city center is just a very short distance away, in front of Nara City Hall. Will I recommend it? Yes

The boss runs the hotel alone, he speaks fluent English and lives on 1st floor. The hotel is 800m from Kintetsu Nara station, passing through a Higashimuki shopping street where there are 3 medicine/cosmetics stores and 1 Daiso. From the map there’re several blocks away, but the blocks are small. Across the street of hotel it’s the Nara Library (can navigate the lib...
The boss runs the hotel alone, he speaks fluent English and lives on 1st floor. The hotel is 800m from Kintetsu Nara station, passing through a Higashimuki shopping street where there are 3 medicine/cosmetics stores and 1 Daiso. From the map there’re several blocks away, but the blocks are small. Across the street of hotel it’s the Nara Library (can navigate the library) and a few Mobike shared bicycles, but 33 minutes’ ride costed nearly RMB15. Then we booked 2 bikes from hotel at 500 Yen/day. On 2nd day we found the hotel is only 150 meters from Deer Park and many other attractions, we had to park the bikes downstairs, and never used them until tour end. You could cook in the dining room with eggs and bread from hotel. The room is very spacious for a Japan hotel and smells of grass, only public toilets on each floor and shower rooms on 2nd floor, but the good part is after you check out, you could still take a shower. All in all, The hotel is near to Railway station and sightseeing attractions, it’s definitely worth the price. Will drop by if next trip.
Cheapest hotels in Nara

This is possibly the most interesting place to stay in Nara! It is located right inside the world heritage grounds of the deer park and is also a stone's throw from the Kasuga shrine, another heritage site. For a reasonable price and a chance to stay in a minsu (inn) with deer greeting you in the morning and a primeval forest walk amongst stone lanterns - what else can...
This is possibly the most interesting place to stay in Nara! It is located right inside the world heritage grounds of the deer park and is also a stone's throw from the Kasuga shrine, another heritage site. For a reasonable price and a chance to stay in a minsu (inn) with deer greeting you in the morning and a primeval forest walk amongst stone lanterns - what else can you ask for in Japan! The inn is actually a converted community hall and has rooms partitioned up. There are double decker beds and double occupancy rooms. The noise insulation is a little weak and the toilets/bathrooms are common. There is a communal dining area with free coffee and tea, and light instant meals at a small charge. One can leave the luggage after the 11 am check out but you are discouraged from remaining in the premises while cleaning is taking place. The park is quiet at night and you should take your meals early before 6 pm or you will need to walk a good 20 minutes to the town centre for meals. Nara is a tranquil place unlike Kyoto - so this place reflects the mood and spirit of this ancient city.

Since it's a guesthouse (dormitory style), it's a lot cheaper than hotels. That said, the place is really clean and I would recommend it to solo travellers. The owner was also really helpful and nice with me - he waited until almost 11pm for me to check in, due to a confusion with the address. From here it's easy to go to the train station, and also easy to walk to the...
Since it's a guesthouse (dormitory style), it's a lot cheaper than hotels. That said, the place is really clean and I would recommend it to solo travellers. The owner was also really helpful and nice with me - he waited until almost 11pm for me to check in, due to a confusion with the address. From here it's easy to go to the train station, and also easy to walk to the major attractions in Nara (about 20-30 minutes, depending on how relaxed you go). TIP: When I typed it in Google Maps, I got instantly redirected to Nara Guesthouse. Make sure you select and have Nara Deer Hostel instead, because they're two different places (and the guesthouse is farther from the station).

Locating in the most convenient location (3-min walk to Kintetsu Nara Station and the main bus stop and 8-min walk to JR station), Dear Guesthouse is walking distance to major spots such as the Nara National Museum, Nara Art Museum, Koufukuji, and Toudaiji. The Guesthouse is transformed from the traditional house, so you can imagine inside it's not too spacious, b...
Locating in the most convenient location (3-min walk to Kintetsu Nara Station and the main bus stop and 8-min walk to JR station), Dear Guesthouse is walking distance to major spots such as the Nara National Museum, Nara Art Museum, Koufukuji, and Toudaiji. The Guesthouse is transformed from the traditional house, so you can imagine inside it's not too spacious, but the wooden structure and open kitchen gives the guesthouse a very intimate feeling, and the exquisite Japanese garden in between the front area and the back area is a hidden gem. And the owner (and manager) Yamamoto san is perhaps the biggest reason why the guest feel so much at home. He is funny(a bit of the quirky side), easy-going, generous and helpful and he speaks good English, Chinese, Korean and Spanish (maybe in a lesser extent lol), so no worries about any sort of language barrier.Most of the guests get along pretty well, and the atmosphere is laid back and authentic. I would definitely go back there when I go to Nara again.

This is our 2nd visit after 2 years and it is very very satisfactory. The location is close to Keihan or Kintetsu Line (Sorry could not recall correctly) but it is quite a far distance from JR station. The hotel itself is in a quite area and the surrounding is nice where Kofukuji Temple is just beside the hotel. The staff is very very helpful and speak fluent English j...
This is our 2nd visit after 2 years and it is very very satisfactory. The location is close to Keihan or Kintetsu Line (Sorry could not recall correctly) but it is quite a far distance from JR station. The hotel itself is in a quite area and the surrounding is nice where Kofukuji Temple is just beside the hotel. The staff is very very helpful and speak fluent English just the same as our 1st visit 2 years ago. In future, if there is another trip to Nara. Hotel Pagoda is the only choice i will choose. The room we took was double bed room with Tatami flooring. The best part was the room was the same one as per 2 years ago.

Cheapest hostel in Nara (and half the price of most in Tokyo for that matter). Accomodation has a cosy, homely feel to it. The bedding is very comfortable, many unbroken sleeps. Located close to Nara Station (10 min walk), Nara Deer Park (5 minute bike ride), and many cafes & restaurants. There is spacious common room complete with kitchen, fridge & microwave for thos...
Cheapest hostel in Nara (and half the price of most in Tokyo for that matter). Accomodation has a cosy, homely feel to it. The bedding is very comfortable, many unbroken sleeps. Located close to Nara Station (10 min walk), Nara Deer Park (5 minute bike ride), and many cafes & restaurants. There is spacious common room complete with kitchen, fridge & microwave for those keen to cook. Friendly staff - Takumi was super helpful

I really regret not booking a longer stay here. This guesthouse was by far the best one in Japan that I have stayed in so far. For starters, the location is excellent and located in the beautiful Naramachi area, with lots of art galleries, cafes and izakaya. The cafe owns its own cafe/bar IRO, with reasonably priced drinks and coffee. (Maker's Mark Highball is a solid ...
I really regret not booking a longer stay here. This guesthouse was by far the best one in Japan that I have stayed in so far. For starters, the location is excellent and located in the beautiful Naramachi area, with lots of art galleries, cafes and izakaya. The cafe owns its own cafe/bar IRO, with reasonably priced drinks and coffee. (Maker's Mark Highball is a solid 10 for ¥600!) The staff is extremely polite. They allowed us to check in early (around 11 am) and rest in our rooms, unlike most other guesthouses which have strict check in times. There are personal safety boxes and the beds have sliding Japanese wooden doors that ensure privacy. Even though it was a mixed dorm, I felt very comfortable staying here. The smoking area is right by the entrance and if you're a light sleeper like me you can rent a pair of ear plugs and a sleeping mask for a mere ¥200. FREE towels everyday and FREE slippers. This is my go-to place in Nara and I will never stay anywhere else in Nara!

If you're ever in Nara and need a place to crash, I would reccomend Nara Guesthouse 3F! It was simple, clean, and great location. We decided to leave early in the morning, and they packed us sack breakfasts. Both of the staff members we interacted were very friendly. It was in a central location from both of the major train stations as well as Nara park and its surrou...
If you're ever in Nara and need a place to crash, I would reccomend Nara Guesthouse 3F! It was simple, clean, and great location. We decided to leave early in the morning, and they packed us sack breakfasts. Both of the staff members we interacted were very friendly. It was in a central location from both of the major train stations as well as Nara park and its surrounding temples. If w ever spend a night in Nara we wouldn't hesitate to stay here again!

My single room is exactly what you get from a standard business hotel setting and it's newer and cleaner! For 3500 yen it's totally worth the deal. The even better bits: location location location. It's only 2 min from the kintetsu Nara station, the numerous bus stops and at the entrance of the Nara park area. There's also the whole shopping street nearby. The nice li...
My single room is exactly what you get from a standard business hotel setting and it's newer and cleaner! For 3500 yen it's totally worth the deal. The even better bits: location location location. It's only 2 min from the kintetsu Nara station, the numerous bus stops and at the entrance of the Nara park area. There's also the whole shopping street nearby. The nice little izakaya restaurant nearby (Japan, 〒6308266 奈良県奈良市花芝町Hanashibachō, 6番地プラザ花芝101 酒とめし おてんがら) is a recommendation! Nice food and nice owners at cheap price! The staff at oak hostel is very helpful and can speak English well. The 100yen breads breakfast and free coffee are just some minor add ons that make the stay even better! Highly recommended and will definitely stay again when I come back to Nara (which will surely happen sooner rather than later).

I have a great time staying at HARUYA Naramachi. I book for a dorm but been given a FREE upgrade to single room by the time I check in. This is so cool and I am very happy with that. The price is cheap. Location is a bit far from subway station but it is near to Nara Park. Room is clean and staff is super nice. Facilities also excellent with free wifi. Have to keep in ...
I have a great time staying at HARUYA Naramachi. I book for a dorm but been given a FREE upgrade to single room by the time I check in. This is so cool and I am very happy with that. The price is cheap. Location is a bit far from subway station but it is near to Nara Park. Room is clean and staff is super nice. Facilities also excellent with free wifi. Have to keep in mind that this is a very old traditional wooden house, you will heard other tourists walking in the house but I still have a great time staying for 2 nights in Nara. =)

I absolutely loved my stay at Nara Guesthouse, Akie and the staff are so kind, polite and welcoming. If you're looking for a cosy traditional stay, then look no further. I would definitely come to this hostel if I come back to Nara. They have all the facilities you need, the bathroom style is like a mini 'Sento' great way to relax after a long day of walking. The w...
I absolutely loved my stay at Nara Guesthouse, Akie and the staff are so kind, polite and welcoming. If you're looking for a cosy traditional stay, then look no further. I would definitely come to this hostel if I come back to Nara. They have all the facilities you need, the bathroom style is like a mini 'Sento' great way to relax after a long day of walking. The whole place is decorated tastefully and the ambience is lovely, it is also super clean! It is close to Nara Park the highlight of Nara. Hope I have a chance to see you again Akie, I will bring my friend Kumamon :)

Excellent location with reasonable price. 7-to-10-minute walk to 近鉄奈良駅 and just next to the shopping stree, with many restaurants and gift shops. Go to 興福寺 just need 5 minute and you can get into Nara Park through this way. The host is a young man with good English. He is wellcome for luggage storage if you come early or leave Nara late. And also the common area on ...
Excellent location with reasonable price. 7-to-10-minute walk to 近鉄奈良駅 and just next to the shopping stree, with many restaurants and gift shops. Go to 興福寺 just need 5 minute and you can get into Nara Park through this way. The host is a young man with good English. He is wellcome for luggage storage if you come early or leave Nara late. And also the common area on 1/F is opened for all use. The house has 2 floors, both with shared toliet but bathroom is only on 1/F. The only bad thing is that warm water is just got in the kitchen and bathrooms(I think hot enough for bath). Though these are shared facilities, all are clear and the others seem polite and considerate so no trouble with using those. The rooms are not so noise-proof so you may hear some sounds of chating from other rooms. Yet the neighbours talk quietly and the environment around is so peaceful. We lived in a family room, with 2 double-deck beds. So enough space for 4 people to sleep, place the luggage, and sit.

Great location, 2 minutes walk from JR Nara station. Close to supermarket, bakery, and eateries located in the station. Staff is excellent, courteous and helpful, very typical of Japanese customer service which is the best in the world. Room is larger than a business hotel and the hallways are much wider also. Laundry facilities are located on 2 floors and there is...
Great location, 2 minutes walk from JR Nara station. Close to supermarket, bakery, and eateries located in the station. Staff is excellent, courteous and helpful, very typical of Japanese customer service which is the best in the world. Room is larger than a business hotel and the hallways are much wider also. Laundry facilities are located on 2 floors and there is use of a microwave oven on one floor . Although the hotel is located near the train station it was very quiet. The breakfast (800 yen) was excellent with choices (it's a buffet) of healthy Japanese foods (including natto!) or western food (bread, sausages, egg, etc)

My initial reason/s for booking: It was a highly-rated new property that was close to the Shin-Omiya rail station. Duration of stay: 2 nights First impressions: Most of the space inside the double room is taken up by the bunk beds, so I'd recommend that everything you need to bring out once inside the room (electronics, change/s of clothes) should fit in a small back...
My initial reason/s for booking: It was a highly-rated new property that was close to the Shin-Omiya rail station. Duration of stay: 2 nights First impressions: Most of the space inside the double room is taken up by the bunk beds, so I'd recommend that everything you need to bring out once inside the room (electronics, change/s of clothes) should fit in a small backpack. If you're bringing a big backpack or a trolley bag, it's better to ask the reception to store them. Later realizations: Pick the lower bunk bed if you're used to sleeping in chilly temperatures, & pick the upper bunk bed if you're used to sleeping in warmer temps. Most shops in the department store downstairs close at 8 PM so plan accordingly if you want to buy a cheap dinner from the foodcourt. If the distance between the rail station & the hostel is too far for you, the nearest bus stop that takes you to the city center is just a very short distance away, in front of Nara City Hall. Will I recommend it? Yes

This is one of the best hostel I’ve ever stayed. It’s just next to Nara station. The value for our room was great, including AC in the room, free towels, earplugs. Super clean and tidy. It has a nice common area with kitchen and coaches. Hiloki is a really friendly guy worried about any problem. 100% recomended.

A nice traditional Japanese house that converted to guest house. It is great that you get to see the set up of a Japanese traditional house. The guest house is clean. Staff super helpful and friendly. You can also rent a bicycle from them to explore Nara. It is just 10 minutes walk to Nara Park.

The host is very kind and helpful. She can also speak good English so don't worry if you can't understand Nihongo. The traditional breakfast is vegetarian with various bowls of small serving side dishes together with home grown rice and tea as well as miso soup. The house is clean and toilets as well. The house is located just beside Nara hotel so the park is just near...
The host is very kind and helpful. She can also speak good English so don't worry if you can't understand Nihongo. The traditional breakfast is vegetarian with various bowls of small serving side dishes together with home grown rice and tea as well as miso soup. The house is clean and toilets as well. The house is located just beside Nara hotel so the park is just nearby. I even saw deers as I got out of the house. You will feel an authentic Japanese experience in the house. Sad enough I had to stay only for 1 night because I had to go to Kyoto already. Next time I'll definitely stay longer.

it is indeed a good guesthouse. capsules for privacy. clean toilets and definitely a good place to meet travelers. the staffs are friendly. one of them even did research for me on the attractions on other city and the price. That's the best guesthouse/hostel i have ever stayed. i will stay there again if i ever go back to Nara.

It was a really small guesthouse without lift, so if you are carry huge wheeled luggage you have to carry it up. But they do have rooms at the ground level. There is a door that separates the main living space and the shared kitchen. Shared kitchen are really really well equipped, spices, rice cooker, all kitchen wares are available. This is a guesthouse therefore it d...
It was a really small guesthouse without lift, so if you are carry huge wheeled luggage you have to carry it up. But they do have rooms at the ground level. There is a door that separates the main living space and the shared kitchen. Shared kitchen are really really well equipped, spices, rice cooker, all kitchen wares are available. This is a guesthouse therefore it does not operates like hotel so you can't do a 24 hours check in and the main door will be armed after a certain hours, anyway the shops in Nara doesn't operate till late, probably 8pm. if you are coming back late, they would provide you the password. You can also rent bicycle from the guesthouse directly which is more convenient and cheaper. very peaceful surrounding around the neighbourhood. The room is small, but it's japan anyway. but it is sufficient. there are more things that we are happy with than to make noise about the room size. grab on the articles and maps at the living area, those maps show places of interest that travel guidebook doesn't feature. and most importantly, we cycled through the whole of Nara with help of all these extra materials provided and enjoyed Nara to the fullest. Staff are really friendly as well, rest assured you will enjoy your stay.

I cant describe how perfect my days here in this guesthouse. Shunju-san is the best host ever as well as kind and gentle Kumiko-san. They give lots of tourist information too. The house itself is very clean and tidy, and my room is great, its not too cramped. The neighborhood is also friendly and quite. The guesthouse near Kyobate station, about 3 minutes walk. I have...
I cant describe how perfect my days here in this guesthouse. Shunju-san is the best host ever as well as kind and gentle Kumiko-san. They give lots of tourist information too. The house itself is very clean and tidy, and my room is great, its not too cramped. The neighborhood is also friendly and quite. The guesthouse near Kyobate station, about 3 minutes walk. I have a splendid stay here and if you come to Nara, stay here and you will have a wonderful stay.

The boss runs the hotel alone, he speaks fluent English and lives on 1st floor. The hotel is 800m from Kintetsu Nara station, passing through a Higashimuki shopping street where there are 3 medicine/cosmetics stores and 1 Daiso. From the map there’re several blocks away, but the blocks are small. Across the street of hotel it’s the Nara Library (can navigate the lib...
The boss runs the hotel alone, he speaks fluent English and lives on 1st floor. The hotel is 800m from Kintetsu Nara station, passing through a Higashimuki shopping street where there are 3 medicine/cosmetics stores and 1 Daiso. From the map there’re several blocks away, but the blocks are small. Across the street of hotel it’s the Nara Library (can navigate the library) and a few Mobike shared bicycles, but 33 minutes’ ride costed nearly RMB15. Then we booked 2 bikes from hotel at 500 Yen/day. On 2nd day we found the hotel is only 150 meters from Deer Park and many other attractions, we had to park the bikes downstairs, and never used them until tour end. You could cook in the dining room with eggs and bread from hotel. The room is very spacious for a Japan hotel and smells of grass, only public toilets on each floor and shower rooms on 2nd floor, but the good part is after you check out, you could still take a shower. All in all, The hotel is near to Railway station and sightseeing attractions, it’s definitely worth the price. Will drop by if next trip.

The owner was a sweetheart. She really cared for her guests and the place was immaculate! She offered me tea and cookies when I got there, helped me to find my way around and even offered dinner. I stayed in the Japanese style room which was beautifully decorated with tadional Japanese ink art on the sliding doors and bamboo floors. I definitely recommend this place, ...
The owner was a sweetheart. She really cared for her guests and the place was immaculate! She offered me tea and cookies when I got there, helped me to find my way around and even offered dinner. I stayed in the Japanese style room which was beautifully decorated with tadional Japanese ink art on the sliding doors and bamboo floors. I definitely recommend this place, you won't be disappointed!

We loved our one night stay in Nara at the Piazza Hotel. It is conveniently located right besides the JR Nara train station, so it's easy to check in and leave your luggage once you arrive and then explore the city. We rather liked walking to Nara park, which is only 20 minutes away through very nice streets, and there are also busses going through the city that can ge...
We loved our one night stay in Nara at the Piazza Hotel. It is conveniently located right besides the JR Nara train station, so it's easy to check in and leave your luggage once you arrive and then explore the city. We rather liked walking to Nara park, which is only 20 minutes away through very nice streets, and there are also busses going through the city that can get you to and from the Nara station in a pinch. Moreover, room was beautiful, impeccably clean and super modern with really comfortable beds.

Nice owner speaks some English, and was kind enough to print English versions of all relevant maps of Nara. He let me use a bike for free, but it was late in the day, so that might not be the rule. Futon was very comfortable, but the room can get warm, so I opened the window, and this is where the value slid. The hotel is on the corner of a city street, and the occasio...
Nice owner speaks some English, and was kind enough to print English versions of all relevant maps of Nara. He let me use a bike for free, but it was late in the day, so that might not be the rule. Futon was very comfortable, but the room can get warm, so I opened the window, and this is where the value slid. The hotel is on the corner of a city street, and the occasional big truck passes by, and they are noisy. The hotel is also adjacent to a railroad track, so you may hear those as well. Hotel has more of a homey, lived,in feeling than a business hotel, which I liked, but others might not. Good wifi throughout the hotel. All local sights should either be bicycled or driven to. If you're in Nara for Nara Park this hotel is NOT nearby , you will need to take the local train to reach it (about 15,20 minutes).

Everything about this hotel was above standard: comfort, cleanliness, size, food, staff, location. We were forced to stay in Nara because Kyoto was booked up (really!!) but we had a rail pass and it was only 40 minutes to Kyoto. Nara itself was far more accessible than Kyoto and we were on the best and most interesting small street leading directly to the World Heritag...
Everything about this hotel was above standard: comfort, cleanliness, size, food, staff, location. We were forced to stay in Nara because Kyoto was booked up (really!!) but we had a rail pass and it was only 40 minutes to Kyoto. Nara itself was far more accessible than Kyoto and we were on the best and most interesting small street leading directly to the World Heritage Sights, which were the equal of anything in Kyoto. We loved the deer and the giant Buddha hall. Superb.
4-star hotels in Nara

We loved our one night stay in Nara at the Piazza Hotel. It is conveniently located right besides the JR Nara train station, so it's easy to check in and leave your luggage once you arrive and then explore the city. We rather liked walking to Nara park, which is only 20 minutes away through very nice streets, and there are also busses going through the city that can ge...
We loved our one night stay in Nara at the Piazza Hotel. It is conveniently located right besides the JR Nara train station, so it's easy to check in and leave your luggage once you arrive and then explore the city. We rather liked walking to Nara park, which is only 20 minutes away through very nice streets, and there are also busses going through the city that can get you to and from the Nara station in a pinch. Moreover, room was beautiful, impeccably clean and super modern with really comfortable beds.

My wife and I have just stayed for two nights in this fantastic hotel. The service was absolutely flawless with all the staff welcoming, helpful and unwaveringly attentive. They made a special effort to cater for my wife’s allergies, including providing dairy free options at breakfast (without even having to ask). Breakfast was superb, the best we’ve had during our s...
My wife and I have just stayed for two nights in this fantastic hotel. The service was absolutely flawless with all the staff welcoming, helpful and unwaveringly attentive. They made a special effort to cater for my wife’s allergies, including providing dairy free options at breakfast (without even having to ask). Breakfast was superb, the best we’ve had during our stay in Japan. A mixture of western and Japanese options, fresh fruit and good quality tea and coffee options. The extra touches of flowers for my wife’s birthday and snacks/fruit provided in the room upon arrival was greatly appreciated. The hotel is well situated for exploring all of Nara’s main attractions and has nice views of Nara Koen. We would unreservedly recommend this hotel to anyone seeking a comfortable and luxurious stay in Nara.

I always favour Nara over Kyoto & Osaka for lodging because it's a fraction of the price for food & lodging, but most of all it's the peace & quiet away from overcrowded tourist spots. And the local people are enormously charming and thoughtful. I have stayed at over 10 different hotels in Nara over the years and Fujita is the most convenient--smack in the middle of th...
I always favour Nara over Kyoto & Osaka for lodging because it's a fraction of the price for food & lodging, but most of all it's the peace & quiet away from overcrowded tourist spots. And the local people are enormously charming and thoughtful. I have stayed at over 10 different hotels in Nara over the years and Fujita is the most convenient--smack in the middle of the main shopping street and walking distance to top tourist sights and restaurants. It's equal distance between two train stations (which means it's a walk either way, but it's also gives me flexibility from choosing between JR & Kintetsu). Traveling with large luggage is tedious though. Rooms are old and dated. But it's spotlessly clean (I've checked). Staff and cleaning staff is one of the best I've experienced in Kansai area (that's saying a lot). If you want luxury, stay at Nara Hotel. But value for money I'd lick Fujita.

Good: The staff are very friendly and extremely efficient, plus we were given a free drink on our arrival. The room is a good size, comfortable beds and large bathroom with shower. On your arrival you are given tickets to access the sauna and jacuzzi that is well work trying. There is a free shuttle service that takes you to and from the two main train stations and Nar...
Good: The staff are very friendly and extremely efficient, plus we were given a free drink on our arrival. The room is a good size, comfortable beds and large bathroom with shower. On your arrival you are given tickets to access the sauna and jacuzzi that is well work trying. There is a free shuttle service that takes you to and from the two main train stations and Nara Park. For a fee of ¥500 you can hire cycles for the day. Bad: The only negative thing was they didn’t supply coffee sachets, otherwise keep up the good work.

The staff were very welcoming and tried their best to speak in english with us as we didn't understand japanese. We booked the traditional japanese room, so we had to remove our shoes and placed them in a shoe locker before entering the property. The room was clean enough for a traditional tatami mat room; I'm quite allergic to dust, but I didn't have allergy issues du...
The staff were very welcoming and tried their best to speak in english with us as we didn't understand japanese. We booked the traditional japanese room, so we had to remove our shoes and placed them in a shoe locker before entering the property. The room was clean enough for a traditional tatami mat room; I'm quite allergic to dust, but I didn't have allergy issues during my stay in the room. They were also nice enough to serve us hot tea two times during our one-night stay (once during check-in, and one more time at night) and gave us postcards and pretty little bags as souvenirs to bring home. The only downside is probably the location. It's about a 10-15min walk to Nara downtown, so if you did not book the room with dinner meal, you'll have to walk quite a distance to the restaurant areas. We also had zero issues with noise even though there was a group of school children staying at the property during our stay. Well recommended!

Location is fantastic as it is just a stone throw from the Nara Kintetsu station. Shopping street and 24hr convenience stall is just 3mins walk away. Most Shops closes about 6-7pm though. Ryokan was big and spacious for a family room. Portion for Breakfast and dinner were big and really filled our tummies and were really yummy!! Highly recommend!
5-star hotels in Nara

Nara Hotel is everything you would expect from one of the old heritage hotels on the oldest capital of Japan. This year, it celebrates its 110 year and it’s looking every bit as good as it did when it first opened! Think teal and mahogany fittings in a period style hotel with grand tea rooms and silver service restaurants. It’s situated just off the Nara parks which ha...
Nara Hotel is everything you would expect from one of the old heritage hotels on the oldest capital of Japan. This year, it celebrates its 110 year and it’s looking every bit as good as it did when it first opened! Think teal and mahogany fittings in a period style hotel with grand tea rooms and silver service restaurants. It’s situated just off the Nara parks which have all the sights within walking distance. The shuttle bus service to the two stations is a nice touch. The hotel shop sells its merchandise and they do have beautiful stuff. Book a room on the old building to get the best experience.
Just booked
Just viewed by other Agoda travelers
Traveler impressions of Nara
Nara is actually quite famous for its own local historical/religious buildings with uncountable deer around.
Parks/ small pond can be easily spotted so very nice for relaxing in the nature, or have fun with family. Bus are good for traveling around as most of the main attractions are nearby. Best idea would definitely be a bike. You can enjoy your own plan for on and off easily. There is only one onsen hotel in Nara, if you wish to enjoy onsen after an exciting day, remember to book the one.
Nara is a good place for relaxation. It's really a province so lots of easy walking, sightseeing, and chill time.
Atmosphere is very calm. I didn't encounter much by way of shopping. The most notable thing about Nara are the deer. They can be very cute and photogenic but be sure to keep your food, maps, and any potential grab-able/bite-able thing in check. The deer can be quite aggressive. One even nosed me down and tried to use his tongue to open my bag. The city itself is very small so biking may be the best way to go (I can't bike so...). Buses are not as frequent and easy as it would be in Kyoto or Osaka. Still, travel is easy enough. Don't panic if you suddenly find yourself amidst rice fields, especially near Heijo palace. Most notable attraction: Todaiji - Daibutsuden (don't forget to check the giant guards at the gates) Food and shops: One block west of the Kintetsunara station (across 7 eleven) is a covered street with lots of food and souvenir shops. Walk south along that road and you'll surely find your fix.
Some very nice and historic places. Some of the sightseeing spots are a bit pricy, but still worthwhile
With eight Unesco World Heritage Sites, Nara is second only to Kyoto as a repository of Japan's cultural legacy.
The centrepiece is, of course, the Daibutsu, or Great Buddha, which rivals Mt Fuji and Kyoto's Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) as Japan's single most impressive sight. The Great Buddha is housed in Tōdai-ji, a soaring temple that presides over Nara-kōen, a park filled with other fascinating sights that lends itself to relaxed strolling amid the greenery and tame deer.
There isn't much to do in Nara. Our 1 night stay is sufficient to cover Nara Park - deers roaming freely in the park/street.
Most shops close early and can be quiet at night.
Nara is more like ancient town surround by temples which are worth to visit and learn they history and culture.
The Nara Park is full of fun with lovely deers.
If you love shrines and temples, NARA is the place to visit. Everything you want to see are all close in proximity from each other.
It's highly recommended for nature lovers. You even could pet deers if you want to at the park.
It is a very charming place with quaint shops and restaurants/cafes. And it is extra interesting in April because students from schools are visiting the attractions with you.
You can experience the fun/laughter of the school students and see how different their culture is, compared to back home. I did everything in a rush and yes 2 days for this place will be good.
One of the most interesting heritage sites in Japan with an excellent infrastructure to support cultural tourism.
Nara is a pleasant break from Kyoto, though usually treated as a day trip, the town merits 2 or 3 days at least to do in a leisurely fashion.
Learn to speak a little Japanese. Not too many speak English. Restaurant menus are mostly in Japanese.
Volunteer tour guides are available at the cultural sites. They speak English and they are free of charge. Go to the Tourist information center. They are quite helpful.
If interested in history, Nara is a most because of Todaiji temple and museum as well. And if another permits, worse visiting Horyui temple- oldest wooden temple in the world, with five story pagoda.
Very little foreign turists, but lots of Japanese schools students in Horyui
You may feed deers, visit temples, and enjoy a cozy day here. The restaurants are as good as in Osaka and Kyoto.
Nara is very historical and cultural and definitely worth a visit. It is easily reached by the JR line from neighboring cities like Kyoto and Osaka.
Nara is has a low skyline so it's nice and refreshing if you're coming from the city. There is a lot to offer here and it is a bit of a hidden gem compared to other Japanese cities.
It was not what I expected. It is a bustling city/town. It was once the capital of Japan, so it is not just a park.
I guess I did not know what to expect.
Hasedera,The head temple of Bunzan school of Saigon Buddhism.It make up a few dozen temple buildings situated along a side of the mountain.
It is a wonderful city for culture - sight seeing, but exhausting on foot. You need a car or a bicycle which are easy and inexpensive.
To hire a car you must have an international driving licence (because it has a Japanese translation of your documents) drivers licence and passport. There are wonderful nearby places to visit - like Asuka pronounced ASka. This is the capital of Japan before Nara. There is a primeval forest in Nara where hunting and tree felling was banned in the 3rd century - right up to now - it is untouched.
Just love the slow pace and how friendly the resident were. We were looking for a photo studio, asking one photo developing shop and we were surprised when he ask us to wait while he ran across the street to the tourist information.
He came back with a map in his hand and directed us to where we wanted to go. His action is most immpressive, going out of his way to make sure we don't lose our way. We found a kimono making school instead and they actually let us try on the kimono for a small fee. We were elated as we always like to take back with us a photo in the native costume, in this instance, the kimono. We looked lovely and graceful in the kimono.
beautify, historical, great greenery and idyllic place to relax. great park for strolling and watching deers roam freely.
downside- historic streets are quiet mostly after 5pm, best time to roam around- morning to afternoon nice and well stock supermarket- Parket, for drinks, meals take away and snacks
We were only in Nara for 1 night and had only 1 day to see the sights. What we saw, we really liked.
It is a small city with so much to see - beautiful temples, shrines, and gorgeous gardens. The tourist agency at the station were very helpful and offered us a fabulous volunteer guide, who was delightful and knowledgeable and helped us make the most of our short time in this lovely city. There were many lovely shops and restaurants and we would definitely like to return one day.
Nara is a beautiful small city. You can have a taste of the most original Japanese life and style here through the restaurants, shops, temples, shrines and people here.
Great place for slowing down your busy pace and enjoy your life.
The Heijo Palace site is really interesting, but perhaps the summer is not the best time to visit as the grounds are huge and there is very little shade.
This is pretty much a huge archaeological site with some beautifully reconstrcted buildings and museums giving you a detailed understanding of how the palace site was used when Nara was the capital. It is not a busy as some of the other attractions, but a day on the site is certainly well worth the time.
Small city, everything in walking distance; very friendly people with many restaurants and good food
If you would like to learn Japan's history, culture, and tradition, this is one of the place you should visit.
Discover the neighborhoods of Nara
Find the Perfect Type of Accommodation
More about Nara
If you have only one day in the city, the place to be would be Nara Park. It is here where most of the city’s sights are found. One of its unique features is the mercenary deer, an envoy of the gods in local legend. Temples and shrines are found in abundance here and includes Todai-ji, a temple complex with the famous Daibutsu which is housed in a UNESCO World Heritage site called Daibutsu-den, noted for being the world’s largest wooden building. Buddhism’s deep roots can be explored outside the religious sites in places such the Nara National Museum which houses the world’s best collections of Buddhist art. Outside of the Nara Park area, sites worth a visit would include Heijōkyū Palace and one of ancient Nara’s seven most important temples - Gangō-ji. For picking up some local goods and souvenirs, there are a number of walking streets to visit, including Higashimuki Shopping Street and Sanjō-dōri Avenue.
Be sure to check out the interactive map of Nara for information on hotel locations, attractions, and must-see destinations.
- >
- World(5,902,632)
- >
- Japan Hotels(196,018)
- >
- >
- Nara