The Best Hotels In Nara
- Ollie Toth
- 2 days ago
- 10 min read
An expert analysis based on customer reviews and knowledge of Nara
Overview
Nara is an amazing old city easily accessible from both Kyoto and Osaka, famous for its deer, temples, and traditional handmade mochi. It was the capital city before Kyoto and has its own unique vibe, history, and attractions. It's well worth spending a couple of nights in Nara to escape the hustle and bustle of Japan and feel closer to nature. But how do you know you're choosing the best accommodation for a trip to Nara? Which location should you choose? And how much should you spend?
I decided to compile this list based on my expert knowledge combined with a thorough analysis of customer reviews to determine an accurate list of the best hotels in Nara. Unlike other websites, this is not a generic article with a top ten list, instead of providing a subjective opinion full of sponsored content and Google Ads, this article gives you measurable data and metrics.
The only filters I've personally applied are:
- a minimum average review rating of 8.5 out of 10
- the location must be convenient for sightseeing
- a minimum of 50 reviews
- must have decent photos (visuals are key)
Our listing for each place has a convenient summary including the:
Gallery
Description
Highlights
Average Price (incl. peak and offpeak)
Location
Review Score
Review Example
The Best Hotels In Nara
High End
$250 - $800
Mid-Range
$150 - $400
The Nara Hotel — 8.9
The Tenpyo — 8.8
The Miroku — 8.6
Best Value
$30 - $100
The Visitor Centre Inn — 9.4
The Yuzan Hostel — 9.2
The Iroha Grand — 8.9
The Best Luxury Hotels In Nara
1. The Nipponia Hotel
Nara is the birthplace of sake - Japanese rice wine - and the Nipponia Hotel has embraced this history by renovating an old sake brewery and turning it into a charming boutique hotel. The rooms are exquisite, the atmosphere is incredible, and the architecture is one-of-a-kind. The location is perfect - peaceful, convenient, and within walking distance to all of Nara's famous attractions.
• Highlights:
─ A beautiful old sake brewery that's been turned into a luxurious hotel.
─ An exclusive restaurant serving world-class Japanese and French fusion cuisine, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. ─ Stunning rooms and unique architecture, providing a rare and traditional, Japanese experience.
• Price Range: $400 - $800 per night
• Google Review Score: 9.2 ★ (100+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"This is a great little find, only 10 mins from the station and within walking distance to the beautiful Nara Park and temples. The rooms are lovely in the old sake brewery, you will be greeted by the nicest staff all ready to assist with anything. We had dinner and breakfast at the hotel, which was delightful and delicious. If you want to be transported in time this place is for you, a truly special experience."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
2. The Setre Naramachi
The Setre Naramachi is a gorgeous property that has a strong emphasis on the natural world, focusing on a variety of wooden elements and aesthetic design features. The result is a charming luxury hotel with beautiful rooms, facilities, and amenities. The hotel houses its own museum, an amazing onsite restaurant, and incorporates ideals centred around environmental awareness.
• Highlights:
─ A gorgeous property with a strong emphasis on nature and the environment.
─ Beautiful views looking over the Sarusawa pond, Kofuku-ji temple, and a 3-story pagoda.
─ An amazing restaurant specialising in fine dining Japanese cuisine, using locally sourced organic ingredients.
• Price Range: $300 - $500 per night
• Review Score: 9.0 ★ (400+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"Location next to Nara Park was excellent. The whole vibe of the property was chill and zen. Beautifully designed hotel with a tasteful accent of Japanese wood. Lovely facilities with spacious rooms and a lovely restaurant that serves breakfast, dinner and has also a small self serving bar for an aperitif. The best thing about this hotel is the staff, absolutely lovely, really helpful, and professional."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
3. The Ando Hotel
The Ando Hotel offers up perhaps the best views in Nara, with panoramic vistas including mountains, temples and the entire city of Nara. This is the perfect choice if you want to escape the crowds and feel close to nature. The rooftop features outdoor baths that can be reserved for an amazing way to relax at the end of the day. Since opening, their restaurant has become famous, offering incredible Japanese cuisine complemented by the beautiful mountain views. A free shuttle bus from Nara station makes transport seamless and ensures you're taken away from the crowds for an authentic and immersive experience.
• Highlights:
─ Rooftop baths offering a luxurious way to relax after a day of sightseeing.
─ An exclusive onsite restaurant famous for its amazing Japanese cuisine. ─ Located on the mountainside with stunning views over Nara city, perfect for escaping the crowds and feeling close to nature.
• Price Range: $400 - $800 per night
• Review Score: 9.0 ★ (100+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"This hotel is worth every penny. We treated ourselves to a night here in the middle of our Japan trip. Was a fantastic choice. The rooms are AMAZING! The views from the rooftop baths are wonderful. The 7-course dinner was delicious and breakfast was huge! Our children, 10 and 14, were very well catered for. The staff were terrific, everything was perfect."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
The Best Mid-Range Hotels In Nara
1. The Nara Hotel
The Nara Hotel is a historic property originally constructed in 1909. Despite its age, it's in immaculate condition, retaining its old-world charm without feeling dated. The result is an immersive historical experience that feels like you've been transported to a different era, they even feature a piano that was played by Albert Einstein during his stay in 1922. The two restaurants here are very popular so early bookings are recommended, and specialise in modern and traditional Japanese cuisine. They also offer an international-style breakfast to help you start the day.
• Highlights:
─ Perfect location within walking distance to the station and all of Nara's main attractions.
─ Two very popular restaurants that often get booked out, serving an amazing selection of modern and traditional Japanese cuisine. ─ A historical and well-preserved grand hotel, featuring a piano that was used by Albert Einstein during his stay in 1922.
• Price Range: $200 - $600 per night
• Review Score: 8.9 ★ (800+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"This is an amazing hotel, and staying here gives you insight into Nara's charming history. The location is great - a lovely easy walk to Nara Park. The room had a grand old-school feel to it, and was very comfortable, with a lovely view. The staff were excellent - extremely helpful and very friendly. We enjoyed looking at some of the features of the grand public rooms, and one of the staff noticed and brought us an English-language guide to what we were seeing, which was lovely. They even have a piano that was played by Albert Einstein when he stayed here in 1922! We had a lovely time here, highly recommended."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
2. The Tenpyo Hotel
The Tenpyo is a brand-new calligraphy-themed hotel nicely situated next to Nara Park, offering lovely views overlooking the Sarusawa pond and Kofuku-ji temple. It has a variety of spacious rooms suitable for singles, couples or families. They have a nice modern onsen which is always clean and a lovely way to relax after a full day of exploring Nara. There are some nice communal spaces including a lounge, drinks area, and a terrace where you can enjoy views of the temple and pond.
• Highlights:
─ Japan's first calligraphy-themed hotel with beautiful Japanese decor.
─ Features a terrace with views overlooking the Sarusawa pond and Kofuku-ji temple.
─ Includes a stylish modern onsen and a gallery space for exhibitions.
• Price Range: $150 - $450 per night
• Review Score: 8.8 ★ (70+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"This is a charming hotel next to a small lake and within minutes of shops and restaurants. The staff were extremely helpful, polite and kind. Room was impeccable, the most spacious room I have stayed in Japan. There is a small but very comfortable and clean onsen on site. There is a Starbucks next to the hotel that opens at 8. Within 10 minutes of Nara park, and 15 minutes to Todaiji temple. Also 7 minutes to Nara station, very convenient. Loved staying here."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
3. The Miroku Nara
The Miroku is a beautiful hotel perfectly located right on the edge of Nara Park, in between the Sarusawa Pond and Ara Pond. It's the perfect escape for feeling close to nature, with deer often grazing just outside your window. The hotel's design is truly stunning, integrating modern architecture with Japanese aesthetics. The rooms are gorgeous, with views over the park and the Kofuku-ji temple pagoda. The offpeak prices are unbelievable, this feels like a luxury hotel without the luxury price tag, they have cozy rooms for budget travellers or large rooms to suit the whole family. There's also a trendy bar and a lovely cafe that offers a nice breakfast to help start your day.
• Highlights: ─ Beautiful spacious rooms featuring charming decor, shoji screen doors, and views overlooking Nara Park and Kofuku-ji temple.
─ Features a trendy bar and a lovely cafe offering a really nice breakfast. ─ An amazing modern hotel with incredible value for money, has a luxury feel without the luxury price tag.
• Price Range: $100 - $350 per night
• Review Score: 8.6 ★ (2500+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"The location of this property is exceptional. It is tucked away yet so close to all the sites. The check in was via a self-service kiosk which was a new experience. There were staff there to assist if needed. The decor is incredibly unique and very well thought out. The most perfect and calming room, with amazing views from our hotel room. The breakfast was incredible and we really enjoyed an evening drink on the terrace. We loved Nara and this hotel was the perfect place to stay."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
The Best Affordable Hotels In Nara
1. The Nara Visitor Center & Inn
Imagine if a full-service visitor centre - offering tours, sightseeing information, and cultural experiences - decided to turn itself into a super nice hotel with an amazing location... this describes the Nara Visitor Center & Inn. These astonishingly high review scores are thanks to the incredibly low price they charge for such an awesome level of service that happens to offer everything you need for sightseeing and cultural experiences in Nara. You have a great location for exploring the parks and temples, nice rooms and views, friendly and helpful staff, and a range of activities provided onsite at the hotel which include tea ceremonies, origami sessions, calligraphy workshops, and more. It's easy to see why this place is so popular.
• Highlights:
─ Amazing value for money, lovely rooms, convenient location, and super helpful staff.
─ A visitor centre combined with a hotel, with knowledgeable staff to help you plan your days exploring Nara. ─ A wide range of cultural activities are offered onsite including origami, calligraphy, and tea ceremonies.
• Price Range: $50 - $100 per night
• Review Score: 9.4 ★ (2000+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"This place is lovely and just ridiculously cheap. Stayed in one of the Japanese style rooms which had the first wardrobe I found in Japan! Spacious, lovely ambience, and a stunning sunset over The Sarasuwa pond. It's also right next to Nara Park, and around a 10 minute walk from the train station. Special mention for the staff in here. They were just so nice and helpful."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
2. The Yuzan Guesthouse & Hostel
The Yuzan Guesthouse is hands down the best hostel in Nara. It's a charming and comfortable hostel offering male and female dorm rooms, plus some large private rooms for couples or friend groups. The whole place gives a traditional Japanese vibe complete with tatami mats, shoji screen doors, and kind and friendly staff. There's a nice communal space for hanging out and meeting fellow travellers, and a kitchen if you prefer to cook your own meals. The location is really convenient too, only a 5-minute walk from Nara station.
• Highlights:
─ Awesome hostel with a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
─ Nice and convenient location only a 5-minute walk from Nara station.
─ A traditional Japanese-style property providing a charming and culturally immersive experience.
• Price Range: $30 - $90 per night
• Review Score: 9.2 ★ (1000+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"I loved staying here! This guesthouse is so charming and classically Japanese, you'll want to sit in the garden all morning if the weather is nice. The living room and kitchen feel like what you'd find at home, and the breakfast was yummy and excellent value! Special mention to the owners, who were absolutely lovely. It's the kind of place where you feel so warm and welcome. Also, the shower was perfect, and the location was really convenient."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
3. The Iroha Grand Hotel Nara
The Iroha Gran Hotel offers nice modern rooms in a stylish new property that's located between the train station and Nara Park. It's situated on a lovely pedestrian-only street which makes for a peaceful stay and encourages you to walk around to explore all the shops, cafes, and restaurants in the area. The Yamaot Komachi onsite restaurant provides a nice international breakfast buffet, plus lunch and dinner menus at a great price.
• Highlights:
─ Amazing price for a clean, convenient, and modern hotel with an upmarket vibe.
─ Lovely location on a pedestrian-only street between the station and Nara Park. ─ Onsite restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all for a great price.
• Price Range: $80 - $250 per night
• Review Score: 8.9 ★ (1900+ reviews)
• Review Quote:
"Located very close to the Nara station and walkable to all the major attractions. It is also on a peaceful street that is pedestrian-only, so I enjoyed seeing all the nearby shops and restaurants at a leisurely pace. The staff were all friendly and willing to help give recommendations for sightseeing. The room itself was comfortable for two people and everything was clean and tidy. Room is huge with a bathtub. They have bath bombs for you too. Everything is very nice."
Rooms often sell out fast, you'll find the best prices on Booking.com
