11 Best Hotels in Nara, The Kansai Region

At once exquisitely refined and delightfully friendly, Kankaso exemplifies the best of Japanese hospitality, and a delicious kaiseki dinner is included, as is breakfast. Beautiful gardens surround this peaceful ryokan near Todai Temple, and inside, elegant ikebana arrangements adorn the alcove. Each room is decorated with scrolls and pottery. Although the building has been renovated over the centuries, its 1,200-year-old central beam testifies to its longevity. The communal baths look out onto the gardens. 

Built in 1909, this hotel is a beautiful synthesis of Japanese and Western architecture. The high ceilings, wide hallways, and sumptuous beds are fit for, well, an emperor. The filigree-patterned light shades and silver-painted room heaters are all original. The lounge shows bits of the hotel's history, including the piano played by Albert Einstein during his visit. Although most rooms have a good view of the gardens or the temples, those in the new wing are not as grand as the traditional rooms in the old wing. Dinner is a special event in the old-fashioned Edwardian-style dining room, where excellent French food is served.

This affordable hotel is within a few minutes’ walk of JR Nara and Kintetsu-Nara stations. Rooms may be basic, but they are more stylish and spacious than most hotels within a similar price range. Beds are super comfortable, and the area is quiet at night, despite the central location. The morning breakfast buffet will set you up for a day of sightseeing.

Individual cottages, some with thatched roofs in the greenery of Nara Park, make Edosan one of Nara's most peaceful and unique lodgings. Indulge in a traditional kaiseki dinner served in your cottage while you gaze through a large round window out into the lush landscape. One cottage has a private bath, and there's also a communal bath for other guests.

Centrally situated between JR Nara Station and Nara Park, what this simple hotel may lacking charm and ambience, it more than makes up for in location and price. The pink wave-shaped lighting in the atrium harks back to the 1980s economic bubble. There are two restaurants, one of which, Hanakagami, serves Japanese cuisine.

The city's largest hotel provides plenty of creature comforts in rooms with thick carpets and large windows that let in lots of light. Given its location next to Nara JR Station, the rooms are remarkably quiet. All have private baths, and there's a communal bath as well. Close to downtown restaurants, the hotel sits atop a popular shopping arcade. The lobby is on the third floor, where you can also find a lounge offering free drinks including wine and sake.

Of all the traditional-style guesthouses in Naramachi, this refurbished property is one of the most stylish and authentic. Accommodations are simple but give you an idea of what living in a 100-year old town house would be like, the peaceful atmosphere accentuated by the soft tatami floors, wooden fittings, and a charming inner courtyard. The lattice-fronted building also functions as a café during the day, and staying guests receive a ticket for free use of the neighborhood bathhouse. Bookings are done via the website, so you may need to translate some Japanese to make a reservation.

Get a real taste of Japanese living in the comfortable and homely surroundings of this small ryokan. Room sizes are measured by the number of tatami mats, guests sleep on futons, and there is a bath for each of the two rooms, one of which is large enough to accommodate a group of 6 (it's possible to rent the entire ryokan for group of 8 people). The wonderfully friendly owners provide a great Japanese-style breakfast, and even offer calligraphy sessions for those with an interest. Excellent location within walking distance of the two train stations, the city's main shopping areas, and Nara Koen.

The quietest ryokan on the city side of Nara Park, the Nanto has airy tatami rooms with a simplicity fit for a Zen retreat. Interior rock gardens are placed throughout the mazelike collection of rooms, which makes finding the communal bath an adventure. There are large rooms that are perfect for families; most rooms have toilets, some have tubs. A Japanese breakfast is included. Ryokan Nanto is halfway between Kintetsu Nara Station and JR Nara Station.

Of the many inexpensive, small ryokan in Nara-machi, this family-run establishment is the best pick for its spotless rooms and attentive service. The quiet neighborhood contributes to the inn's relaxed atmosphere. Simple accommodations overlook a large central garden. For those interested in local history, sit down for a chat with Mr. Shigeki whose family has owned the building for three generations. This place is very popular, so it's best to book far in advance.

Friendly service and delicious meals, which are included in the basic rates, make for a relaxed stay in this quiet mix of old and new. The newer wing has suites with private baths, whereas rooms in the old wing share a communal bath. A green tea porridge breakfast is served in the dining room overlooking the interior garden. Prices include a kaiseki dinner and breakfast, and there are reduced prices for stays of three nights or more. Tsubakiso is down a quiet side street in central Nara, about a 10-minute walk from either of the main train stations.