Nara's Top 10 Luxury Lodgings

With its historic temples, serene shrines, and playful deer, Nara offers a charming alternative to the bustling cities of Kyoto and Osaka. While many visitors explore Nara as a day trip, staying overnight can provide a deeper experience and a quieter environment. Here’s a guide to Nara's top 10 luxury lodgings for those planning an extended stay.

1. Ando Hotel Nara Wakakusayama DLight Life & Hotels

Nestled at the base of Mount Wakakusa, renowned for its spectacular night views, Ando Hotel Nara Wakakusayama DLight Life & Hotels provides a peaceful escape from urban life. Located about a 10-minute drive from Nara Station, the hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service for guests. Perched on a hill, it boasts views of Nara’s major attractions, including Nara Park and Todai-ji Temple. The spacious rooms, ranging from 38 to 110 square meters, offer panoramic vistas of the surrounding forest, mountains, or cityscape. The hotel also organizes activities like stargazing and hiking. 

2. Nara Ryokan Asukaso

Located in downtown Nara, Nara Ryokan Asukaso is a traditional inn just an eight-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station and 18 minutes from JR Nara Station. Adjacent to Kofuku-ji Temple, guests can enjoy views of its iconic five-story pagoda from select rooms and open-air baths, both communal and private. The inn features a mix of Western, Japanese, and hybrid rooms, with Japanese-Western rooms offering charming traditional touches like latticed windows. Note: The pagoda is currently under renovation. 

3. Kasuga Hotel

Situated in central Nara, Kasuga Hotel is only a few minutes’ walk from Kintetsu Nara Station and Kofuku-ji Temple. This ryokan features spacious rooms with views of Nara Park’s greenery. Some rooms have open-air baths, while the communal baths overlook a beautifully landscaped garden. For a unique experience, consider the Japanese room with a private bath and a massage chair, or the Japanese-Western room with a horigotatsu, a heated table with a recessed floor. 

4. Mikasa Ryokan

Perched halfway up Mount Wakakusa, Mikasa Ryokan offers scenic views of nature from its rooms. Guests can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring and vibrant foliage in autumn right from their windows. Some rooms provide views of Todai-ji Temple’s Great Buddha Hall and the cityscape, which lights up beautifully at night. Luxurious rooms come with private open-air baths and terrace seating. Although a short drive from downtown Nara, the ryokan offers a free shuttle service to JR and Kintetsu Nara Stations. 

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5. Iroha Grand Hotel Kintetsu Nara Station

Iroha Grand Hotel Kintetsu Nara Station is a modern business hotel located just two minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station and a 10-minute walk from JR Nara Station. Its 143 rooms feature comfortable Simmons beds and earthy tones for a relaxing atmosphere. The hotel offers a convenient amenity bar on the ground floor and an on-site restaurant with an all-day menu, including a breakfast buffet with local specialties. 

6. Centurion Hotel Classic Nara

Centurion Hotel Classic Nara combines modern Western-style rooms with Japanese-inspired design. A five-minute walk from JR Nara Station (seven minutes from Kintetsu Nara Station), this hotel caters to a variety of travelers. It features a lounge for socializing or working, and its breakfast buffet includes both familiar continental options and local Nara specialties like chagayu (tea porridge) and Miwa somen noodles.

7. An-Grande Hotel Nara

Opened in late 2020, An-Grande Hotel Nara is quickly becoming popular for its proximity to Kintetsu Nara Station (just a minute’s walk from exit 1) and its stylish, spacious rooms. Some rooms offer scenic views of Kofuku-ji Temple, Nara Park, and Mount Wakakusa. The 57-square-meter View Bath Junior Suite is a luxurious option with panoramic views and terrace seating. 

8. Onyado Nono Nara

The Nara branch of the Onyado Nono chain offers a traditional Japanese aesthetic with modern comforts. Just a five-minute walk from JR Nara Station, the hotel features rooms with tatami flooring and wooden furniture. The communal bath, Yoshino Sakura no Yu, uses water from a local hot spring and includes an open-air view bath and indoor cypress bath. The breakfast buffet features local delicacies like sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves and Miwa somen noodles.

9. Daiwa Roynet Hotel Nara

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Nara is a business hotel that provides more than just basic comforts. Located a three-minute walk from JR Nara Station, the rooms are inspired by the Manyoshu, Japan’s oldest anthology of classical poetry. The second floor features a communal bath, Nara Wakakusa no Yu, which uses natural hot spring water and includes traditional Japanese art-inspired LED displays. The breakfast buffet at the on-site restaurant, Asuka, offers local specialties such as tea porridge and somen noodles. 

10. Piazza Hotel Nara

Just a minute’s walk from JR Nara Station, Piazza Hotel Nara offers spacious rooms with a warm, inviting atmosphere. While the rooms are primarily Western in style, some include Japanese elements like tatami flooring and bamboo arrangements. The hotel features a variety of on-site facilities including a gym, convenience store, banquet hall, buffet restaurant, teppan-yaki grill, bar, and live music venue, making it suitable for various types of travelers and events.

Discover Nara's Top 10 Luxury Accommodations for 2024

Prepare to be enchanted by Nara's finest luxury lodgings, where historic charm meets modern sophistication. From serene traditional inns to contemporary retreats, these top 10 hotels offer unmatched comfort and elegance in Japan’s historic heart. Whether you’re looking for tranquil surroundings, exceptional dining, or deluxe amenities, Nara’s premier accommodations promise a truly memorable stay. Book your luxurious getaway today and experience the pinnacle of relaxation and style.

Explore our selection of Nara's top 10 luxury lodgings today, and contact us now to reserve your stay for an extraordinary blend of comfort and cultural charm!

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