Nara is a popular day trip from Osaka or Kyoto, but few travellers stay the night here. I think that’s a mistake! Even though it’s easy to visit Nara for the day, you’ll miss out if you don’t stay overnight.
Not only is Nara deer park and its surroundings a treat to explore in the morning and evening (it’s incredibly quiet before and after the day trippers get here), but staying overnight in Nara also gives you the chance to explore more of the prefecture. And let me tell you, there is SO much to see in Nara Prefecture besides the deer park!
If you want to stay overnight in Nara and you’re not quite sure what hotel or ryokan to book, I’ve broken down the best areas in Nara along with the best accommodation below.
Best Places to Stay in Nara Overview
In a rush and don’t have time to read the full article? Here is a quick overview of my top picks in Nara:
| Type of Accommodation | Accommodation Name | Book Now |
|---|---|---|
| Best Budget Stay | Haruya Naramachi Ryokan | Check Availability |
| Best Mid-range Stay | Onyado Nono Nara Natural Hot Spring | Check Availability |
| Best Luxury Stay | Noborioji Hotel Nara | Check Availability |
| Best Unique Stay | Nipponia Tawaramoto Maruto Shoyu (Soy Sauce brewery) | Check Availability |
| Best Nature Stay | Yoshino Onsen Motoyu Ryokan (Mount Yoshino) | Check Availability |
I’ve got a full article where I dive deeper into why you should stay overnight in Nara. A quick summary is that the busy areas (inside the Deer Park) are much quieter and less stressful to visit early in the morning and later at night.
Compared to Kyoto and Osaka, staying in Nara is also overall much cheaper. Doing so also funds the Prefecture, as overnight stays are where most of the tourism income comes from. According to data from Japan Tourism Statistics, Nara Prefecture only accounts for 0.2% of foreign overnight stays in 2023, yet it’s the 7th most visited prefecture overall. Overtourism is becoming more of a problem when people only visit for the day.
On top of that, other parts of Nara Prefecture are incredibly beautiful and essentially empty of tourists. When visiting Asuka and Horyu-ji Temple, I was one of the few people there.
As Nara has quite an important history as the first permanent capital of Japan, there are some well-preserved traditional areas here where you can stay in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn). If staying in a ryokan is on your Japan bucket list, Nara is a great spot for it. It’s much cheaper than staying in a ryokan in the traditional geisha districts in Kyoto.
So far, I’ve personally stayed at Haruya Naramachi, Noborioji Hotel Nara, Hotobil B&B 潤, Candeo Hotels Nara Kashihara and Nipponia Tawaramoto Maruto Shoyu. All other recommended hotels below are picked after extensive research and experience travelling in and around Nara. As I travel through Japan frequently, I will update this guide according to any new experiences and accommodations I try.
On the maps below, you can see the locations of the hotels in this guide. Blue indicates hotels in the Nara City Centre (Station Areas), red shows accommodation in Naramachi, and green highlights the hotels outside of Nara City.
Click here for the interactive Google Maps
1. Nara City Centre (Station Area)
Best for first-time visitors and convenience
Why Stay in Nara City Centre?
When visiting Nara for the first time, staying in the city centre can be a great option. You’ll have a lot of hotel choices here, and it’s easily accessible when arriving by train. It’ll be easy to quickly drop your luggage off at the hotel when arriving in Nara before you start exploring.
Staying near either of the two main stations in Nara City Centre also gives you easy access to any day trips in Nara Prefecture (for example, Asuka, Kashihara, Hasedera Temple, Mount Yoshino and Tsubosakadera Temple).
Most bars, restaurants and shops are also located in this part of the city. Nara Deer Park is only a short walk away, along with most major sights in the area, including Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
Cons: The main city centre in Nara is a bit more modern than you may want when staying in the ancient capital of Japan. There are fewer ryokans and traditional accommodations available.
Where to Stay in Nara City Centre?
Here are my top hotel picks in Nara City Centre:
Iroha Grand Hotel Kintetsu Nara Ekimae (4*)
- How far from the nearest train station?: 2-minute walk to Kintetsu Nara Station
- Onsen/public bath?: No
- Laundry?: Yes (additional charge)
- On-site restaurant?: Yes
- Luggage storage?: Yes.
This hotel offers comfortable Western-style rooms and is conveniently located next to Kintetsu Nara Station. All sights in Nara are only a short walk from the hotel, plus you’ll be able to find lots of shops, restaurants and cafes nearby too.
Onyado Nono Nara Natural Hot Spring (4*)
- How far from the nearest train station?: 3-minute walk from JR Nara Station
- Onsen/public bath?: Yes
- Laundry?: Yes (additional charge)
- On-site restaurant?: Yes
- Luggage storage?: Yes.
Just a few minutes from JR Nara Station, Onyado Nono Nara Natural Hot Spring is a great pick for staying overnight in Nara. A short walk will take you to all the sights in Nara City Centre, plus you can explore Nara Prefecture further by train.
The rooms have a traditional atmosphere with beautiful tatami mat floors, but comfortable western-style beds. Best of all, the hotel also has on-site hot spring baths that can be used for free during your stay. It’s a great pick if you want a mix of a traditional and modern stay in Nara.
Noborioji Hotel Nara (5*)
- How far from the nearest train station?: 2-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station
- Onsen/public bath?: No
- Laundry?: Yes
- On-site restaurant?: Yes
- Luggage storage?: Yes.
If you’re looking for luxury, Noborioji Hotel Nara is the best pick for you. I got to stay here during one of my most recent trips to Nara, and it was incredible. Located in one of the best spots in Nara, next to Kintetsu Station and on the edge of Nara Deer Park, this Michelin-acclaimed hotel will give you the ultimate comfort.
The staff at Noborioji Hotel will do everything within their power to make you feel at home during your stay. They are out of this world. From the moment I entered this hotel, I was looked after. The room also included a lot of local treats, including coffee and ramen from Nara.
I had the pleasure of staying in one of their suites on one of my previous trips to Nara, which was one of the most comfortable hotel rooms I’ve ever stayed in. A spacious lounge, kitted-out bathroom and a large, comfortable bed – all surrounded by large windows and a balcony to soak up the quiet of Nara in the morning and evening.
Dinner and breakfast at the on-site restaurant consisted of a multi-course set, made with fresh, local ingredients. The entire stay was outstanding. It’s definitely the most expensive hotel on this list, but if you’re looking for a luxury stay in Nara, this is the one to go with. I can’t fault it, it was perfect!
It’s also possible to stay inside Nara Deer Park, but as the options are very limited (and frankly, incredibly expensive), I decided not to include a full section dedicated to it in this guide. However, if you want to stay inside the Deer Park, Kotonoyado Musashino is a good choice. Because it’s so expensive, I would personally pick Nara City Centre or Naramachi over this option.
2. Naramachi (Old Town)
Best for a traditional atmosphere and staying in a ryokan
Why Stay in Naramachi?
Nara, being the first permanent capital of Japan, has a long and rich history. Popular sights like Todai-ji show parts of this history, but there are still some beautifully preserved historic districts, including Naramachi.
A lot of people skip this part of town when taking a day trip to Nara, so staying overnight can be the perfect opportunity to properly experience this side of town. It’s a quiet part of town, even more so in the evenings and mornings when most day trippers go back to Osaka or Kyoto.
The cosy streets of Naramachi are home to tons of wooden traditional houses, many of which date back to the Edo Period. If staying in a ryokan, or traditional Japanese inn, is something you’d like to do in Nara, Naramachi is the best place for this (especially as it’s much cheaper than staying in a ryokan in Kyoto’s geisha districts).
Cons: Depending on where in Naramachi you stay, it can be a 20–30 minute walk to get to Nara Deer Park and other main sights. When bringing luggage, it may be easiest to catch a taxi at the train station to get to your accommodation in Naramachi.
Where to Stay in Naramachi?
Here are my top picks for staying in Naramachi:
Haruya Naramachi (100-Year-Old Ryokan)
- How far from the nearest train station?: 13-minute walk from Kyōbate Station, 15-minute walk from JR Nara Station
- Onsen/public bath?: No
- Laundry?: Yes
- On-site restaurant?: No
- Luggage storage?: Yes.
Hidden in the middle of Naramachi sits this beautiful 100-year-old ryokan. It’s possible to stay in one of the traditional Japanese-style tatami rooms, or you can rent out one of the private garden houses. Both are budget-friendly options for staying in Nara.
I opted for the private garden house, which had a slightly more modern vibe than the rooms in the ryokan. It was also nice to have our own space and bathroom, but it did cost a bit more than the ryokan rooms. Either way, it was a very comfortable stay.
Compared to other accommodations in Naramachi, it’s not too far from the main sights in Nara and the stations. The neighbourhood is very quiet too, making it a perfect spot to stay the night.
Ranjatai (Traditional Townhouse)
- How far from the nearest train station?: 10-minute walk from Kyōbate Station, 27-minute walk from JR Nara Station.
- Onsen/public bath?: No
- Laundry?: Yes
- On-site restaurant?: No
- Luggage storage?: No.
Located in a beautifully preserved traditional Japanese townhouse, this holiday home is one of the best places to stay in Nara when visiting with a small group or family.
As you’ll rent out the whole house, you’ll enjoy a private bathroom along with stunning traditional rooms (bedrooms, living room, kitchen, etc.). It’s a great way to experience an authentic Japanese house and stay overnight!
Even though the house has some rooms with tatami floors, the beds are comfortable Western-style beds. There is a small Japanese-style garden in the courtyard, too.
Hotobil B&B 潤 (Ryokan)
- How far from the nearest train station?: 6-minute walk from Kyōbate Station, 28-minute walk from JR Nara Station
- Onsen/public bath?: No
- Laundry?: Yes (additional charge)
- On-site restaurant?: No, but breakfast is included and dinner can be pre-booked
- Luggage storage?: Yes.
Fitting perfectly with the atmosphere of Naramachi, this beautiful ryokan offers traditional Japanese rooms with tatami floors and thick, fluffy futon beds. It’s one of the best spots to try a traditional ryokan in Nara. The owner welcomed us with homemade cookies during our stay, we felt right at home!
Similar to many ryokans, most of the rooms here come with a shared bathroom. However, since there aren’t too many rooms, this shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
Even though there isn’t an onsen in this ryokan, you can find a public onsen just a few minutes’ walk from here. They also allow people with tattoos to enter the onsen, so that’s a big plus!
Houjuji (Temple Stay)
- How far from the nearest train station?: 8-minute walk from Kyōbate Station, 30-minute walk from JR Nara Station
- Onsen/public bath?: No
- Laundry?: No
- On-site restaurant?: No
- Luggage storage?: No.
Houjuji is one of the most unique places to stay in Nara, as this holiday home is part of a real temple. Parts of the temple have been renovated and turned into this modern guesthouse (also used for events).
The rooms are very large, with big Western-style beds and additional futons on tatami floors. Even though meals aren’t included, there is a kitchen as part of the holiday home that you can use during your stay. The large windows look out over the temple garden (there is also a BBQ set in the courtyard that you’re free to use).
It’s by far one of the most unique places I’ve come across while doing research, and despite the higher price tag, it could be a great story to tell.
If you’d like to stay in an active Buddhist temple and learn more about the day-to-day lives of the monks, you can do this in other places in Japan. Koyasan is one of the best spots for this, as it’s relatively easily accessible and has over 50 temples that offer Shokubo (temple lodging). I’ve got a full review of what it was like staying overnight in one of Koyasan’s temples.
3. Outside Nara City
Best for travelling off the beaten path and exploring quieter areas
Why Stay Outside Nara City?
Nara is much more than just the deer park and surrounding areas. This prefecture is much bigger than most people know, and it has some real gems to discover, most of which haven’t attracted too many tourists yet. Remember, Nara Prefecture may be visited quite a lot by day trippers, but it only accounts for 0.2% of foreign overnight stays!
If you’re planning to explore more of Nara Prefecture (and I highly recommend you do!), staying outside of Nara City for a day or two could add so much to your time here.
Travelling south gives you easier access to some of the main highlights in Nara Prefecture, plus there are some amazing accommodations available. Most of which come at a very reasonable price.
Some of my favourite spots in Nara Prefecture outside of the city centre include Horyu-ji Temple, Omiwa Shrine, Asuka (the first official capital of Japan), Mount Yoshino (one of the best spots for cherry blossoms and autumn foliage), Imaicho historical town, Hasedera Temple and Tsubosakadera Temple.
Visiting most of these can be done from Nara City within 30–90 minutes. Depending on what spots you want to visit, staying outside of Nara City could make it much easier!
Where to Stay Outside Nara City?
Nara is a large Prefecture, but here are some of the spots I would suggest staying outside of Nara City (including what accommodation):
Candeo Hotels Nara Kashihara (Kashihara City)
- How far from the nearest train station?: 5-minute walk from Yamato-Yagi Station.
- Onsen/public bath?: Yes
- Laundry?: Yes (on-site coin laundry facilities)
- On-site restaurant?: Yes, but only for hotel breakfast
- Luggage storage?: Yes.
When exploring more of Nara Prefecture, Kashihara City is a great base. It’s located further south than Nara City, making it a great location for travelling to Asuka, Imaicho, Mount Yoshino and some of the famous temples in the middle and south of Nara Prefecture.
Even though Kashihara City doesn’t have a ton of accommodation available, there is a Candeo Hotel, which I really enjoyed staying at on a recent Nara trip. It’s only a few minutes from the train station, which connects you to the rest of Nara Prefecture.
I’ve stayed in other Candeo Hotels in Tokyo and Kyoto before, and I’ve always had great experiences staying here; the hotel in Kashihara was no exception. The rooms are comfortable and quite big for Japanese standards (large enough to open your suitcase properly).
On top of that, the hotel has an amazing rooftop public bath on the 12th floor (the sky spa), where you can look out over the city and the mountains of the Yamato region. I especially enjoyed it at night, seeing the city sparkle.
The on-site restaurant offers a varied breakfast buffet, with both Western and Japanese food options. As the restaurant sits on the 9th floor, you also get to enjoy a lovely view while eating your breakfast. All in all, a great spot to stay in Nara Prefecture.
Yoshino Onsen Motoyu Ryokan (Mount Yoshino)
- How far from the nearest train station?: 23-minute walk from Yoshino Station, but shuttle bus service is available
- Onsen/public bath?: Yes
- Laundry?: No
- On-site restaurant?: No, but dinner and kaiseki dinner are included with the stay
- Luggage storage?: Yes.
This ryokan is located in a secluded spot with easy access to hiking trails on Mount Yoshino. The traditional Japanese rooms, with tatami floors, look out over the Japanese garden.
As this ryokan sits in the mountains, it’s a short but steep walk to Yoshino village. Luckily, there is a shuttle bus service available for ryokan guests.
Breakfast and a kaiseki dinner are included with the stay, as well as access to the on-site onsen that gets its water straight from Mount Yoshino. If you’re looking for a comfortable, traditional place to stay in nature, this is a great choice!
En Yoshino Holiday Home (Mount Yoshino)
- How far from the nearest train station?: 8-minute walk from Yamato-Kamiichi Station
- Onsen/public bath?: No onsen, but sauna is included
- Laundry?: Yes
- On-site restaurant?: No
- Luggage storage?: No.
If you’re travelling with a family or small group, booking a holiday home in the Mount Yoshino area may be a great idea. As it’s not quite on Mount Yoshino, but near the town, it’s very easy to get to on public transport. Plus, you can easily make your way up Mount Yoshino from the holiday home.
En Yoshino holiday home comes with two bedrooms and a living room, all set in a traditional Japanese house with tatami mats and sliding doors. The views from this holiday home are stunning, especially in spring and autumn, when Mount Yoshino is at peak beauty.
You can also enjoy a sauna that’s included in the holiday home. It’s the perfect authentic stay if you’re looking for something a bit more traditional and self-sufficient.
Nipponia Tawaramoto Maruto Shoyu (Soy Sauce Brewery)
What’s more unique than staying in the oldest soy sauce brewery in Nara Prefecture? Located in Tawaramoto, not too far from the famous Omiwa-jinja, lies Nipponia Tawaramoto Maruto Shoyu. This soy sauce brewery dates back to 1689. Parts of the 130-year-old warehouses have been renovated into beautiful guest rooms.
Staying here is more than just accommodation, as you’ll get a tour of the brewery where you can learn more about how soy sauce is made. I even got to press my own soy sauce during the tour, which was a lot harder than expected!
As Maruto Shoyu also has an on-site restaurant, you can enjoy a multi-course dinner where every dish is created around the Maruto soy sauce. The types of dishes change seasonally, depending on what fresh ingredients are available in the Tawaramoto area. The soy sauce is unlike any other soy sauce I’ve ever tasted. It’s amazing!
I wrote a full review of our stay at Nipponia Tawaramoto Maruto Shoyu if you want to read more about what it was like staying here.
Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Nara
Visiting Nara on a day trip is fun, but staying in Nara for a couple of nights is where the real fun begins. Being able to enjoy Nara Deer Park without the large crowds in the morning and evening offers a vastly different experience from taking a day trip.
Plus, having the opportunity to explore more of Nara Prefecture is something not many people do, but it’s something you won’t regret!
Since accommodation in Nara is often cheaper than that in nearby cities Kyoto and Osaka, on top of the wide range of traditional ryokans, staying in Nara is a great idea.
Even after having spent quite a bit of time in Nara Prefecture, I’ve still got quite a few pins on my map that I’d like to explore in the future. And with so many great places to stay the night, I’m sure I’ll be able to tick those off my list soon! I would highly recommend adding it to your Japan itinerary if you have some free days left to fill.
