This is the best place you can stay at for the price, I can assure you. The rooms are clean and comfortable. So is the bathroom, shower, etc. The location is fantastic, you can walk everywhere in Nara: The Park and Temples, the Naramachi district, the train station... The staff is amazingly nice and kind, you can tell they like their job and they enjoy dealing with travellers. I had the chance to meet Mrs Gao in the Reception Desk, and she was absolutely marvellous!!! I want to thank her again and again for her attention and kindness. I will 100% stay here again if I am back in Nara.

Everything was fantastic and exceeded my expectations!

The Nara Visitor Center & Inn, located in the heart of Nara, is a truly unique establishment that seamlessly combines the functions of a tourist information center and a charming hotel, and as such, its not comparable to standard hotel-like accommodations. Do not expect communal areas or rooms to be adorned with fresh and fancy designs, but if you're looking for value for your money, you'll have to look far and wide to find something even close. Nestled just a stone's throw from the serene Sarusawa Pond and within walking distance of Nara's most revered temples and shrines, the Nara Visitor Center & Inn offers an unparalleled experience for those seeking to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Japanese culture. But what really stood out to me was the consistently exceptional customer service I received from the Nara Visitor Center & Inn staff throughout my stay. Their attentiveness, friendliness, and genuine passion for Japanese culture were evident in every interaction. They went above and beyond to ensure that my stay was nothing short of exceptional, answering my questions with patience and providing valuable insights into Nara's rich history and traditions. My six-night stay at the Nara Visitor Center & Inn was an unforgettable journey into the heart of Japanese culture. It was a place where I could truly slow down, appreciate the beauty of simplicity, and reconnect with myself. If you seek an authentic and transformative cultural experience, I wholeheartedly recommend the Nara Visitor Center & Inn. It is a place where you can truly embrace the essence of Japanese hospitality and create memories that will last a lifetime.

I loved my stay in Nara and at the Visitor Inn. This place was perfect, close to the train station and the room has a beautiful view of the pond and you can walk to all the major sightseeing spots. The room is really spacious, clean and has a big beautiful window overlooking a great view. There is a convenience store on the ground floor, washing machine and kitchen facilities and a small Onsen you can use. The place has some great activities, like calligraphy and origami which I really enjoyed. The staff are also really friendly and helpful and can speak multiple languages. I am so glad I stayed here, it was perfect.

Everything exceeded my expectations. The hotel is located not too far from Kintetsu Nara Station and it was very close to Nara Park. The atmosphere was lovely, as it is located in front of a beautiful pond. The staff was sweet and friendly, they really do male you feel welcome! They are happy to help if you have any question and they can speak English perfectly. The room was super spacious and clean. A set of pyjamas (traditional samue) was provided to make you live the Japanese culture fully. It was super comfy and I really appreciated it! I wish I had stayed longer, I didn’t feel this welcome and comfortable anywhere else? And the price was super convenient!!

So far, this has been the highlight of our trip to Japan! The hotel is amazing — beautifully located with stunning views, and full of charm. There are plenty of free activities to enjoy, and the staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming. We absolutely loved our stay in the traditional Japanese room; it was such a special experience and we honestly regret not booking more nights. The onsen was a wonderful bonus, and having a konbini attached to the hotel was super convenient. Nara itself is a magical place, and staying here made it even better. Highly recommended!

-traditional Japanese room had lots of space for 3 futon mattresses and a separate seating area. 2 adults and 2 younger primary school aged kids. -we used the bath on the lower level for bathing - there was no one else using it whilst we were there so it was nice. Water is clean and good temperature. -towels and bedding very clean -close to temples and undercover shopping street -big pond/lake in front where you will find a few deer's. Very picturesque when you take a photo from this spot with the lake, deers and temple in the background -Jinbei provided (kind of traditional loungewear) to use during your stay -activities in the visitor centre in the same building on ground floor included free activities like cosplay (Yukata, kimono, sumo wrestler, ninja, deer), Japanese name writing, origami of a deer -free WiFi. -convenience store on lower level. Not the biggest selection but handy to have. Can get the deer crackers here for 200yen (standard price all around nara). -coin laundry on the lower level. -We stayed on level 4 - they had a common area which had a 2 seat table, microwave, cooktop. Cooking utensils and pots can be borrowed from front desk if you want them - we didn't cook, plenty to eat around the area even with the typhoon Lan hitting us right in the middle of the obon holiday -shutting down the rail network everywhere for most of the day.

Everything was great

This place was wonderful! The room was large and quite comfortable with a lovely view over the lake. The bathroom was as good as always in a Japanese hotel. The location was very convenient. Within easy walking distance of Kintetsu station and Nara Park. There were many restaurants close by and a small convenience store in the basement. The public rooms were lovely with extremely helpful staff. They bent over backwards to help us find a gluten free restaurant on the 2 nights we were there. There were lots of activities for kids and adults such as origami folding. There was a large kitchen with tables and chairs - a great place to eat a simple meal. I would really highly recommend staying there.

Nothing.

i would give this place an 11 if i could. It’s an absolute enjoyable place. The staff….is….. wonderful. english speaking but even if they didn’t they are involved. pPre authentic friendliness. The building radiates joy, professionalism and friendliness. It’s a visitorscentre slash hotel, right along the pond in the middle of town. The building has a swedish, blank wood-touch to it, clean, a common kitchen, washing machines, onsen, a konbini in the basement believe it or not and all kind of restaurants around the corner. Next time I only want to stay here!

nothing.

This place exceeded my expectations. Every single staff member I encountered was exceptionally friendly. Even though I don't know much Japanese, they still made me feel welcomed and were so helpful. They provide you with so many helpful resources, including maps, and give you so many helpful recommendations. They also let you make origami! The room was beautiful, and the view was incredible. I opted for a Japanese style room, and even though the mattress was thin, it was soooo comfortable. I will be recommending this place to everyone I talk to about my trip, and I will absolutely be back!

Wonderful stay! The rooms are within the visitor centre is a fantastic location for Nara park and the train station. The room itself was beautiful - a traditional style room with tatami mats, futons and a balcony looking over a small lake, temples where we could watch the deer wandering about. The staff were so friendly and welcoming. The visitor centre offers lots of cultural activities and we were able to try out origami, try on kimonos and a lovely lady wrote our names in Kanji for us which we play to display in our home when we get back. Each floor has a kitchenette for any cooking you'd like to do. There's a convenience store downstairs and it is also very close to a lot of places to eat and shop. Lovely onsen bath available on the basement level for hotel guests. Highly recommend!

No negatives :)