KAMENOI HOTEL Nara

8.5

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 8.5/10, based on 186 reviews.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
🥇 1st	Nara Inn Japanese Ryokan	9.9/10	25
🥈 2nd	Nara Kasugaokuyama Tsukihitei	9.4/10	464
🥉 3rd	Ryokan Taishoro	9.4/10	104
4th	Gyokuzoin	9.3/10	693
5th	Misenkan	9.4/10	55
6th	Ryokan Asukasou at the entrancne of Nara park	9.2/10	1,089
7th	Hanaya Tokubei	9.3/10	51
8th	Minshuku Kawarabi-so	9.2/10	197
9th	Kasuga Hotel	9.1/10	1,262
10th	Mikasa	9.1/10	955
11th	Kanko Ryokan Kuboji	10.0/10	5
12th	Hotobil B&B 潤 An inn that enjoys breakfast	9.1/10	295
13th	Kotonoyado Musashino	9.1/10	263
14th	Hôtel touristique Tōnomine	9.1/10	167
15th	Wakasa Annex	9.0/10	418
16th	Yoshinoonsen Motoyu	9.1/10	23
17th	Kanko Ryokan Yamato	9.0/10	153
18th	Nara Ryokan	8.9/10	1,438
19th	Kinokuniya Jinpachi	8.9/10	103
20th	Monzen Okagero	8.9/10	98
21st	Tsubakiso	8.9/10	39
22nd	Ubusuna no Sato TOMIMOTO	9.1/10	1
23rd	Shiroyama Ryokan	8.8/10	150
24th	Ryotei Jyusouya	8.2/10	3
25th	Kakimotoya	8.7/10	69
26th	Hotel New Wakasa	8.7/10	111
27th	Yoshidaya Ryokan よしだや	8.7/10	699
28th	Hotel Nosegawa	8.6/10	121
29th	Hotel Mimatsu	8.4/10	30
30th	Marubun, auberge thermale à Dorogawa Onsen	8.3/10	24
31st	KAMENOI HOTEL Nara Current ryokan	8.5/10	186
32nd	Itaniya	8.4/10	103
33rd	Kanko Hotel Tamaru	8.1/10	41
34th	Tenpyo Ryokan	8.3/10	291
35th	Miharu-en, source thermale pour une peau douce	8.0/10	66
36th	Hotel Asyl Nara	8.1/10	622
37th	Nara Park Hotel	7.6/10	894

Check-in from 3:00 PM

Hot Spring Town Garden Setting Old Town Public Onsen Open-Air Bath Indoor Bath

Location

630-8002 Nara, Nara, Nijyo cho 3-9-1, Japan

Staff 8,8/10

Facilities 8,4/10

Cleanliness 8,5/10

Comfort 8,5/10

Value for money 8,4/10

Location 8,0/10

Heijo Palace SettingRight beside the World Heritage Heijo Palace Site for a uniquely historic stay.

Free Shuttle AccessAbout 15 minutes from Yamato-Saidaiji Station, with a convenient free shuttle available.

Open-Air OnsenNatural hot spring baths include a spacious open-air bath for relaxing soaks.

Nara Scenic RoomsSome west-facing rooms overlook Heijo Palace Site and distant Mount Wakakusa.

Local Seasonal DiningMeals highlight seasonal ingredients and Nara flavors in a more regional style.

Good-Value StayReview patterns point to strong staff service, cleanliness, and overall value.

Recommended stay1 nightAccess and setting drive the stay length: arrive by afternoon shuttle from Yamato-Saidaiji, soak before dinner, sleep quietly, and use the next day for Nara sights or onward travel.

Trip-planning verdict: Best as a 1-night onsen stay or calm Nara overnight near Heijo Palace, not as a long urban base.

Know before booking

Not central NaraIt is outside the main Nara Park and Kintetsu Nara sightseeing zone, so temple-hopping on foot is inefficient.

Can overstay fastThe hotel has good baths and a calm setting, but the immediate area is better for a short stay than a multi-night city base.

Shuttle timing mattersThe station shuttle is useful, but advance coordination helps if you are arriving with luggage or after sightseeing.

Restaurant Hourai (on-site)

on-site

Main dining room with garden views for breakfast, lunch, and seasonal kaiseki dinner.

Breakfast Restaurant (on-site)

on-site

Bright breakfast venue in Restaurant Hourai with buffet-style local Nara dishes.

Night Dandan Noodles (on-site)

on-site

Guest-only late-night noodle service with three sesame-forward styles.

Distances are approximate and calculated from the ryokan coordinates. Travel times may vary depending on route, traffic and schedules.

Useful access points Stations, stops, airports and practical travel advice.

Best way to arrive For most travelers, arrive via Kintetsu Yamato-Saidaiji Station and use the hotel's shuttle if operating, or take a short taxi ride with luggage. From the airports, rail or airport-bus connections into Nara are usually more practical than a direct long taxi.

Kintetsu Yamato-Saidaiji Stationstation
650 mabout 15–20 min on footabout 5–10 min by taxibest checked locally; hotel shuttle may be available
This is the primary rail access point and the most useful station for arrival; best choice for most guests.
Heijo Stationstation
1.5 kmabout 20–30 min on footabout 5–10 min by taxilimited usefulness compared with Yamato-Saidaiji
Closer in area but usually less convenient for most intercity arrivals; consider only if your route already uses this line.
JR Nara Stationstation
3.0 kmabout 40 min walkabout 15–25 min by taxi depending on trafficabout 25–40 min by local rail and/or bus transfer
Practical for JR-based arrivals from Kyoto, Osaka, or airport-bus links into Nara, then continue by taxi or local transfer.
Kintetsu Nara Stationstation
3.7 kmabout 50 min walkabout 15–25 min by taxi depending on trafficabout 25–40 min by train and/or local transfer
Useful if you are already staying or arriving in central Nara, but not the easiest final station for this hotel.
Yamato-Saidaiji Station North Exit Bus Areabus
710 mabout 15–20 min on foot to the hotel areaabout 5–10 min by taxilocal bus times vary; best checked locally
Useful as a local bus pickup point if you prefer not to walk from the station, though taxi is usually simpler with luggage.
Osaka Itami Airportairport
34 kmabout 60–90 min by taxi, usually not idealoften about 70–100 min via airport bus and/or rail
Usually the most convenient airport for domestic arrivals to Nara; continue by airport bus or rail rather than direct taxi.
Kansai International Airportairport
57 kmabout 90–120 min by taxi, generally not recommendedoften about 90–120 min via airport transport and rail
Best suited for international arrivals; expect a longer transfer than from Itami, usually via rail or airport bus into Nara.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Beside the Heijo Palace siteThe hotel sits next to the Heijo Palace ruins area, giving it a more open, historical setting than many central Nara stays. Some west-facing rooms also overlook the World Heritage site and Mt. Wakakusa.
Useful shuttle from Yamato-SaidaijiIt is about a 15-minute walk from Kintetsu Yamato-Saidaiji Station, but the hotel also runs a free shuttle with scheduled departures. That makes arrivals easier even though it is not right beside the station.
Real hot-spring focusThis property is built around natural hot springs, including spacious public baths and open-air bathing. Higher room categories even offer in-room hot spring baths, which is a strong upgrade for travelers wanting a more ryokan-like stay.
Strong room variety for longer or family staysThe room mix is broader than at many Nara properties, from classic tatami rooms to Japanese-Western layouts and larger premium options. Families, groups, and guests wanting more floor space have better choices here than in many compact city hotels.
Nara-style food experienceMeals lean into regional identity with Nara specialties such as Miwa somen, tea porridge, Yamato vegetables, and Yamato beef on some plans. That gives the stay a more local feel than a standard generic hotel buffet.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Not in the Nara Park coreIf your priority is walking straight out to Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji, or the deer area, this location is less convenient than staying near Kintetsu Nara Station. You will likely rely on train, taxi, bus, or car for the classic central sights.
Early checkout cuts the slow-morning feelCheckout is 10:00 a.m., which can feel a bit early for a hot-spring stay. Travelers wanting a very relaxed late breakfast and long onsen morning may find the pace slightly strict.
Station access is not effortless on footEven though a shuttle exists, the hotel is still around a 15-minute walk from Yamato-Saidaiji Station. If you prefer stepping out directly beside shops, restaurants, and trains, this may feel less convenient.
Some transport services are limitedTaxi help depends on availability, and the hotel does not arrange rental cars. That can be mildly inconvenient for travelers building a more flexible regional itinerary.
Less ideal for travelers needing city conveniences on-siteThe nearest convenience store is about 500 meters away, and the hotel does not provide foreign currency exchange. International visitors who want more immediate everyday services may find the setup a little less handy.

Current position: 31st out of 37 ryokans in Nara.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
26th	Hotel New Wakasa	8.7/10	111
27th	Yoshidaya Ryokan よしだや	8.7/10	699
28th	Hotel Nosegawa	8.6/10	121
29th	Hotel Mimatsu	8.4/10	30
30th	Marubun, auberge thermale à Dorogawa Onsen	8.3/10	24
31st	KAMENOI HOTEL Nara Current ryokan	8.5/10	186
32nd	Itaniya	8.4/10	103
33rd	Kanko Hotel Tamaru	8.1/10	41
34th	Tenpyo Ryokan	8.3/10	291
35th	Miharu-en, source thermale pour une peau douce	8.0/10	66
36th	Hotel Asyl Nara	8.1/10	622