Nara Hotel
Grand historic classic. Meiji-era architecture, coffered ceilings, Shosoin-pattern carpets, steam heaters from the Taisho period, and Japanese paintings throughout. The Main Building feels like a museum you can sleep in. The 1984 New Building is more functional and modern — comfortable but without the drama.
Request a Main Building parkside room for the best views — townside rooms lose the magic
Why It Matters
One of Japan's oldest and most storied Western-style hotels. Designed by the architect of Tokyo Station. Countless heads of state, royals, and cultural icons have stayed here. Sits on the same grounds as the Former Daijoin Temple Garden, founded in 1087. Member of the Japan Classic Hotel Association.
Opened on October 17, 1909, the Nara Hotel is one of Japan's most historically significant hotels. Designed by architect Tatsuno Kingo — the same mind behind Tokyo Station and the Bank of Japan — the Main Building is a Meiji-era masterpiece built in hinoki cypress in the Momoyama Goten style. The guest list over the decades reads like a who's who of the 20th century: Albert Einstein played the lobby piano in 1922, Charlie Chaplin stayed in 1936, Audrey Hepburn in 1983, Pope Paul VI and the Dalai Lama both passed through. Look, this is not a boutique hotel with a clever concept — it's a living piece of Japanese history.
Where You'll Stay
15 room types available
Crown Suite
65.5㎡ suite on the 3rd floor of the New Building with calming textures and a plush, relaxed atmosphere. Two beds (140×200cm). BALMAIN toiletries, hinoki bath cubes, bathrobe, coffee machine, minibar.
Twin · 65.5 sqm
Deluxe Classic
43.7㎡ room in the Main Building retaining the original hotel charm — coffered ceiling blinds and Shosoin-style flower-pattern carpets. 2nd floor, parkside. Two rooms available. BALMAIN toiletries, bathrobe, coffee machine.
Twin · 43.7 sqmDeluxe Comfort Wide
Bright 39㎡ deluxe twin in the Main Building, 2nd floor parkside. Sleeps up to 4 with extra beds. BALMAIN toiletries, bathrobe, coffee machine.
Twin · 39 sqmDeluxe Gardenview
39㎡ signature new room on the 1st floor of the Main Building. Olive green floors, rich wooden furniture, gold upholstery — the color palette evokes classic hotel splendor. Seasonal garden views. Sleeps up to 3. BALMAIN toiletries, bathrobe, coffee machine.
Twin · 39 sqmDeluxe Modern
34㎡ modern-classic twin in the Main Building, townside. Combines functionality with old-hotel nostalgia. 4 rooms available, 1st/2nd floor. BALMAIN toiletries, bathrobe, coffee machine.
Twin · 34 sqmDeluxe Parkside
51.2㎡ deluxe room with windows on three sides, designed as a fusion of hotel history and Nara culture. The bed uses an airweave mattress trusted by elite athletes. Parkside on the 1st or 2nd floor of the Main Building. Sleeps up to 4 with extra beds. BALMAIN toiletries, bathrobe, coffee machine.
Twin · 51.2 sqmDeluxe Tradition
31.9㎡ twin blending tradition and contemporary comfort in the Main Building. Parkside, 1st/2nd floor, 4 rooms. Sleeps up to 3. BALMAIN toiletries, bathrobe, coffee machine.
Twin · 31.9 sqmImperial Suite
The hotel's most prestigious room in the Main Building, adorned with chandelier butterfly-wing lights, coffered ceilings with blinds, Shosoin-pattern carpets, and original paintings. One room only, parkside, 2nd floor. For royalty, dignitaries, and anyone who wants the full 1909 experience. Amenities include BALMAIN toiletries, Mikimoto Cosmetics hand soap, hinoki bath cubes, Yamato tea set, bathrobe, coffee machine, and minibar.
Twin · 87 sqmJapanese Room 47.4㎡
Traditional tatami room in the New Building with 8 tatami mats plus a 2-mat adjoining room (total 47.4㎡). Quiet and calm. Townside on the 2nd floor. Sleeps up to 4. BALMAIN toiletries, coffee machine.
47.4 sqmJapanese Room 58㎡
The larger traditional tatami option at 58㎡ — 8 tatami mat room plus 4.5-mat adjoining space. Quiet, calm, and generously sized. Townside on the 2nd floor of the New Building. Sleeps up to 4.
58 sqmRoyal Suite
The largest room in the hotel at 127.3㎡, located on the 3rd floor of the New Building. Large windows letting in natural greenery make it the most spacious and relaxing option. Two beds (140×200cm each). BALMAIN toiletries, hinoki bath cubes, bathrobe, coffee machine, minibar.
Twin · 127.3 sqmStandard Twin (New Building)
33㎡ twin rooms in the New Building (built 1984, Yoshino architectural style). All face the inner garden for a bright, lush view. Subtle touches of Yamato culture in the decor. 35 non-smoking and 18 smoking rooms across 3 floors. Sleeps up to 3. More functional feel than the Main Building.
Twin · 33 sqmStandard Twin Parkside 25.5㎡
25.5㎡ Main Building twin with the same classic character — coffered ceilings, Taisho-era steam heater, Japanese paintings, original mantelpiece. Parkside. 8 rooms available. For 1–2 guests.
Twin · 25.5 sqmStandard Twin Parkside 27.3㎡
The classic Main Building experience at 27.3㎡ — tall coffered ceilings, original steam heater from the Taisho period, Japanese paintings, and mantelpiece dating to the hotel's founding. Most rooms have parkside views. 6 rooms on 1st/2nd floors. Sleeps up to 3.
Twin · 27.3 sqmStandard Twin Townside 21.8㎡
The most affordable entry into the Main Building at 21.8㎡. Same historic character — coffered ceilings, classic fixtures, original mantelpiece in most rooms — but townside aspect and compact footprint. 25 rooms on 1st/2nd floors. Honest value for a piece of history.
Twin · 21.8 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
4 venues on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Rent a bicycle from the front desk to explore the surrounding Takabatake neighborhood, Naramachi, Nara Park, and nearby temples and shrines. The hotel has comprehensive bicycle insurance. Supplies are limited — inquire at the front desk. Perfect for getting to Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Todaiji without walking the full 25 minutes.
Overnight guests can enjoy complimentary coffee and other beverages in the Sakura-no-ma (Main Building Lobby) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. each evening.
The hotel grounds include the Former Daijoin Temple Garden, a nationally designated scenic site founded in 1087. It served as a monzeki temple (where head priests were from the imperial family) through the Edo Period. Visitors can access the garden with an admission fee. One of the more unusual things about staying here — a 1,000-year-old temple garden is effectively in your hotel garden.
The Main Building lobby and corridors display a large collection of Japanese paintings and historic furnishings. A free 'Arts & Furnishings Tour' pamphlet is available at the front desk for a self-guided walk through the hotel's cultural collection. Guided tours are currently suspended but the self-guided option is always available.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Wheelchair rental available. The hotel also offers accessible toilets, elderly-friendly meals, and allergy-friendly meals.
Six event venues of varying sizes plus a Terrace Garden for meetings, seminars, corporate events, and weddings. Includes the grand Banquet Hall KONGO (Main Building), Banquet Hall YAMATO, Banquet Hall WAKAKUSA, and smaller rooms MATSU/TAKE, KIKU, and KIRI.
Free Wi-Fi available in all guest rooms and most areas of the hotel.
Foreign currency exchange available at the front desk.
Baggage can be stored before check-in and after check-out at the cloakroom near the front desk.
Accepts mobile payments via QR code: PayPal, LINE Pay, Merpay, auPay, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and others. Credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners, Amex.
On-site gift shop on the 1st floor of the Main Building selling Nara Hotel merchandise and regional gifts.
Complimentary shuttle bus connecting the hotel to JR Nara Station and Kintetsu Nara Station. Check the timetable before use — service is suspended during major local events.
On-site parking for approximately 100 vehicles. First night is free for overnight guests. The hotel may direct guests to a nearby paid lot when full. Parking reservations not accepted.
On-site Shinto ceremony hall in the Main Building for weddings and other ceremonies.
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