Nara -- where to stay?
 

I would like to go to Nara for one night during their lights/candle festival in August. Any good recommendations? Thanks!

LTD

Budget? Japanese or western style?

I think Japanese style. I've just been on a website for the Asukasou Hotel in Nara. Have you heard of it and would you recommend it? I don't have a set budget.

I haven't been inside, but have seen the outside. Location is fine, from the outside looks like an ordinary, typical concrete block ryokan. For the price I think you can do better, especially if your dates are a bit flexible.

http://www.kasuga-hotel.co.jp

http://www.matsumae.co.jp/english/access.html Great price, clean and nice, caters to foreigners very well, meals optional

http://www.kankaso.jp/access_map/index.html

http://www.shikitei.co.jp/

http://www.nara-yoshidaya.co.jp/index.html

http://www.edosan.jp/

Edosan and Shikitei may well be the most special. Edosan is in Nara Koen, and is a set of cottages. Shikitei is known for it's food.

Some considerations...your choices may well be limited at this time so you likely can't get too picky. A plan without dinner might be best, as you will want to be out and seeing the light up rather than eating dinner, and with dinner being a rather ornate production (wonderful and delicious, just takes time) you may well miss the light up if dinner is included. Many places will allow you to skip the dinner for a slightly reduced rate.

Thanks so much. I will check those out. Such a huge help, KimJapan!

LTD