Picture this: wandering deer, a hint of ancient tales, and a touch of tranquility in Japan’s Nara. Amidst this historic charm, there’s something extra special – traditional ryokans with private onsens. These inns offer a blend of history and relaxation, adding a dash of magic to your Nara visit. In this guide, we’ll show you our top picks for an authentic Japanese stay in this remarkable city.
Best Ryokan For Couples
- Shisui – Shisui is set on the edge of Nara Park in a restored historical house. The Open Air Deluxe King Room has private onsens and views over the gardens.
- Tsukihitei – This ryokan is located in the Kasugayama Primeval Forest and is perfect for nature walks. They have two private onsens, and the Deluxe Twin Rooms have private baths.
Best Ryokan For Families
- Kotonoyado Musashino – This is a boutique hotel, set inside Nara Park. It’s a great location to see deer. They have some Japanese-Style Superior Rooms with private baths that can sleep up to 5 guests.
- Asukasou – This hotel is at the edge of the park, next to the Kofuku Temple. You can see the temple’s pagoda from the hotel’s rooftop private onsen. If you book the Suite, you’ll get pagoda views from its private onsen bath too.
Most Affordable Nara Ryokan
- Hotel New Wakasa – The Japanese-Style Triple Room features a private bath and can be sometimes booked for just $200 USD per night.
- Kasuga Hotel – Kasuga Hotel has authentic Japanese rooms on the doorstep of Nara Park. Some of their rooms with private onsen can drop to $300 USD per night in some months.
Other Things to Consider
- Location – The Kasuga Hotel is set in an excellent location. It’s right on the edge of Nara Park and is also close to JR Nara Station. Tsukihitei and Kotonoyado Musashino are both located inside Nara Park and are a great choice for early morning walks with deer.
- Private Onsen Views – The Ando Hotel Nara Wakakusayama has great views of the city from the rooms. The view from the private onsen in the Presidential Suite takes some beating.
- Shared Onsen Facilities – The public onsen at the Kasuga Hotel is one of the best in Nara. The baths are spacious and feature a relaxing waterfall.
- Kaiseki (Food) – Shisui is a good choice for foodies. It has two excellent on-site restaurants – Restaurant Suiyou and Sushi & Bar Shousou. There is a also Michelin-starred restaurant across the street.
- Most Luxurious – If you’re looking for a luxurious stay, we can highly recommend the Presidential Suite at the Ando Hotel Nara Wakakusayama. The views are amazing, especially from the private onsen. The Deluxe King Room at Shisui is another luxurious option.
1. Tsukihitei
Tsukihitei is located in the Kasugayama Primeval Forest and is perfect for nature lovers. Kintetsu Nara Train Station and JR Nara Train Station are both less than a 10-minute drive away. The rooms have Japanese-style decor, including traditional tatami floors and paper screens. The Deluxe Twin Room has a private bathroom with both a bath and a shower. From the hotel, you can hike to the top of Mt. Wakakusa and recover in the private onsens. There are two private onsens that are big enough for two people at a time, and afterwards, you can enjoy private dining.
- Guest Reviews: We loved the large tatami room and the meals were fabulous.
- Star Rating: 5 stars
- Best Rooms: Deluxe Twin Room
- Address: 630-8212 Nara, Nara, Kasugano-cho 158, Japan
2. Fufu Nara
This 4-star hotel is in a very good location close to Nara Park. The Fufu Luxury Premium Suite has two floors and features both open-air and indoor hot-spring baths. There is also a modern tatami living room, where you can enjoy teppanyaki and kaiseki meals. Alternatively, dine at their onsite restaurant for lunch and afternoon tea. While the staff are very friendly, communication can be tricky with their limited English.
- Guest Reviews: We had an amazing room with an onsen overlooking the garden. The kaiseki dinner was excellent.
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Best Rooms: Fufu Luxury Premium Suite
- Address: 630-8301 Nara, Nara, Takabatakecho 1184-1, Japan
3. Hotel New Wakasa
Located on the edge of Nara Park, Hotel New Wakasa offers Japanese-style rooms with private baths. For families, have a look at the Deluxe Room with Private Garden. You’ll have the most authentic experience during your stay. Guests can also enjoy the spacious public onsen or book a small private one if they’re not keen on public nudity. They also have a restaurant serving Japanese dinner and a hearty breakfast. Most guests mention its roof-top terrace which has a beautiful view of Mount Wakakusa and the Todaiji Temple.
- Guest Reviews: The Cypress room private onsen was incredible. It was close to Nara Park and lots of food shops.
- Star Rating: 3 stars
- Best Rooms: Deluxe Room with Private Garden
- Address: 630-8274 Nara, Nara, Kitahanda Higashimachi 1, Japan
4. Mikasa
Set in the foothills of Mount Wakakusa, this relaxed inn is a 10-minute drive from Kintetsu Nara Train Station on the hotel’s free shuttle. The ryokan is located on the slopes of Mt. Wakakusa. You’ll have the best views of Nara and Kasugayama Primeval Forest. Their Japanese-Style Maisonette Room sleeps six and has a private balcony. Keep in mind, their onsens are not natural and minerals are added. However, guests agree their rooms with private onsen still offer a great bathing experience.
- Guest Reviews: Our room with the open bath was fantastic. The food was amazing.
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Best Rooms: Japanese-Style Maisonette Room
- Address: 630-8202 Nara, Nara, Kawakami-cho 728 , Japan
5. Nipponia Hotel Nara Naramachi
Nipponia Hotel Nara Naramachi is located in the city and is a fifteen-minute walk to Nara Park. The spacious, Japanese-style rooms are very clean and well-designed. However, some rooms require you to climb a steep ladder to get to the sleeping loft. The rooms are generally well-designed and very clean though. Their Deluxe Twin Room has tatami flooring, a terrace with garden views, as well as a hot tub. Delicious Japanese breakfasts are available and the Japanese-French fusion dinner is very good.
- Guest Reviews: Excellent Japanese breakfast and the room was very comfortable.
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Best Rooms: Deluxe Twin Room (VMG Premier)
- Address: 630-8345 Nara, Nara, Nishijyodo-cho 4, Japan
6. Kasuga Hotel
A two-minute walk from Kintetsu-Nara Station, Kasuga Hotel offers authentic Japanese rooms and is next to Nara Park. The hotel is also close to JR Nara Train Station and within walking distance of Kofuku-ji Temple. After enjoying the public onsen, you can also enjoy Kaiseki Cuisine in the dining room or in your own room. If you want a private onsen, the Quadruple Rooms are the best options. While prices are on the higher side, the exceptional staff service makes it worthwhile.
- Guest Reviews: We tried the traditional Japanese room and it was so comfortable. We loved the public bath too.
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Best Rooms: Quadruple Rooms
- Address: 630-8213 Nara, Nara, Noborioji-cho 40, Japan
7. Ando Hotel Nara Wakakusayama
Just 10 minutes from JR Nara Train Station on the free shuttle, this hotel has stunning views across the city. They have amazing staff, wonderful amenities, and lovely private onsens on the rooftop. Rooms are spacious and very clean, and the Presidential Suite perhaps has the best views of all. It also has a private hot tub so you can enjoy the views here too. The restaurant serves incredible dinners and there is a good wine selection. However, communication can be tricky, and you will need to take a taxi to visit the city.
- Guest Reviews: The room was elegant and spacious and the view was very nice. The dinners were outstanding.
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Best Rooms: Presidential Suite
- Address: 630-8202 Nara, Nara, Kawakami-cho 728, Japan
8. Kotonoyado Musashino
The Kotonoyado Musashino is a 10-minute drive from Nara Station and is set inside Nara Park. It’s a superb location! The hotel can arrange a morning tour with Bento box breakfasts to see the deer before the crowds arrive. You can also take advantage of the hotel’s free-use bicycles to explore the park. Their Japanese-Style Superior Room is perfect for families, but only some of them have open-air baths. A lot of guests also commented on the delicious cuisines on offer each season.
- Guest Reviews: We had a fabulous Ryokan experience. The room, the onsen, and the meals were exceptional.
- Star Rating: 4 stars
- Best Rooms: Japanese-Style Superior Room
- Address: 630-8212 Nara, Nara, Kasugano-cho 90, Japan
9. Shisui, a Luxury Collection Hotel
This Shisui is a 5-star Marriott hotel set in the restored historical house of Nara’s former governors. The location is superb, with Nara Park and many tourist sites all close by. They have several rooms with private onsens, with the pick being the Open Air Deluxe King Room. You can also choose a Deluxe Room or Suite if you would like an onsen. The restaurant serves great dinners and breakfasts, and there is a Michelin restaurant across the street. During peak seasons though, there can be long check-ins.
- Guest Reviews: Our room with the private bath was absolutely lovely. The breakfast was very good as well.
- Star Rating: 5 stars
- Best Rooms: Open Air Deluxe King Room
- Address: 630-8213 Nara, Nara, Noborioji-cho 62, Japan
10. Asukasou
Asukasou is just a 3-minute walk from Nara’s Kofuku Temple, at the western edge of Nara Park. You’re bound to see deer roaming around too. They have a reservable family onsen for an extra fee. From the onsen, you can see the five-story pagoda at Kofukuji Temple, which is especially impressive at night. But if you prefer more privacy, book the Suite which has its own onsen tub and views. After your bath, enjoy a kaiseki dinner in the on-site restaurant or in your room.
- Guest Reviews: We loved the tatami room with the futon beds. It’s so comfortable. The onsen was magical.
- Star Rating: 3 stars
- Best Rooms: Suite
- Address: 630-8301 Nara, Nara, Takabatake-cho 1113-3 , Japan
Nara Ryokan Map
Best Onsen Suites
| Nara Ryokan | Best Rooms |
| Tsukihitei | Deluxe Twin Room |
| Fufu Nara | Fufu Luxury Premium Suite |
| Hotel New Wakasa | Deluxe Room with Private Garden |
| Mikasa | Japanese-Style Maisonette Room |
| Nipponia Hotel Nara Naramachi | Deluxe Twin Room |
| Kasuga Hotel | Quadruple Rooms |
| Ando Hotel Nara Wakakusayama | Presidential Suite |
| Kotonoyado Musashino | Japanese-Style Superior Room |
| Shisui | Open Air Deluxe King Room |
| Asukasou | Suite |
