Gyokuzoin

9.3

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.3/10, based on 693 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 Current ryokan	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	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

Mountain Setting Forest Surroundings Temple District Quiet Village Kaiseki Cuisine

Location

636-0923 Nara, Heguri, Shigisan 2280, Japan

Staff 9,6/10

Facilities 9,3/10

Cleanliness 9,4/10

Comfort 9,3/10

Value for money 8,8/10

Location 9,2/10

Temple StayA rare shukubo stay inside the Shigisan temple grounds with a distinctly spiritual atmosphere.

Mount Shigi SettingSet on wooded Mount Shigi, giving the property a calm, scenic hillside feel.

Quiet RetreatReview patterns consistently emphasize peaceful surroundings and a restorative break from busy city itineraries.

Hands-On CultureKnown for temple experiences such as prayer, zazen guidance, and other Buddhist activities.

Bus-Friendly AccessReachable from Shigisanguchi Station by local bus, useful despite the mountain temple location.

Nearby OnsenShigisan Onsen is within walking distance, adding an easy bath option to the stay.

Recommended stay1 nightDining and temple-stay rhythm are the main drivers here: arrive in the afternoon, settle in before dinner, enjoy the quiet mountain setting, and join the very early morning services before moving on. A second night only makes sense if you want an unhurried temple-focused stay with walks around Shigisan.

Trip-planning verdict: Best as a 1-night temple stay on Mount Shigi for travelers who want a quiet spiritual setting and traditional meals, not a full sightseeing base.

Know before booking

Very early morning rhythmThis stay suits travelers comfortable with temple timing and optional predawn religious services.

Limited town lifeDo not choose it for nightlife, cafe-hopping, or many nearby restaurant choices.

Not an onsen-led stayChoose cautiously if your main goal is an in-house hot spring ryokan experience.

Dining Room (on-site)

on-site

Temple-stay meals with shojin vegetarian or kaiseki by reservation.

Shigisan Kanko Eye Center (nearby)

nearbynear the ryokan

Casual cafe stop in the Shigisan area for drinks and light bites.

Jyusouya (nearby)

nearbyabout 10 min walk

Refined Japanese ryotei near Mount Shigi, known for kaiseki.

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 Oji Station or Shigisanshita Station, then continue by Nara Kotsu bus toward the Shigisan area or take a short taxi ride uphill with luggage. Kansai International Airport is the most useful international airport, while Itami is a practical domestic option if you prefer a shorter ground transfer.

Motosanjo-guchi Stationstation
1.4 kmHeguri, Ikoma District, Nara, Japanabout 20 min walkabout 10–20 min by taxibest checked locally; bus options may be less straightforward than from Oji
A nearby Kintetsu station that can work as an alternative access point, though it is usually less straightforward for first-time visitors than Oji or Shigisanshita.
Shigisanshita Stationstation
2.5 kmSango, Ikoma District, Nara, Japanabout 35 min walkabout 10–15 min by taxiabout 10–20 min by local bus toward Shigisan, then a short walk
Usually the closest useful railway station for the mountain approach; a good choice if you prefer minimizing the final road transfer.
Oji Stationstation
3.5 kmOji, Kitakatsuragi District, Nara, Japanabout 45 min walkabout 20–30 min by taxi depending on trafficabout 20–30 min by bus to the Shigisan area plus a short uphill walk
Best main rail gateway for many visitors coming from Osaka, Nara, or JR lines; especially practical if you want the broadest train connections before transferring to bus or taxi.
Shigi-Ohashi Bus Stopbus
260 mShigisan area, Sango/Heguri border area, Nara, Japanabout 5–10 min on foot depending on the exact temple path and luggageabout 3–5 min by taxi
One of the most useful bus drop-off points for temple stays on Mt. Shigi; practical if you want to avoid an extra taxi for the final approach.
Shigisan Bus Stopbus
510 mShigisan area, Nara, Japanabout 10 min on foot, possibly longer on sloped temple roadsabout 5–10 min by taxi
Useful local bus stop for visitors already on the mountain bus route, but confirm locally which stop is best for Gyokuzoin because several temple access stops are close together.
Osaka International Airport (Itami)airport
29 kmItami/Toyonaka/Ikeda, Osaka, Japanroughly 60–90 min by car depending on trafficoften around 70–110 min via Osaka-area transfer points, then rail toward Oji and onward by bus or taxi
A sensible airport for domestic flights and some regional itineraries; convenient if your overall route already passes through Osaka.
Kansai International Airportairport
44 kmIzumisano/Sennan, Osaka, Japanroughly 70–100 min by car depending on trafficoften around 90–120 min via rail to the Oji/Nara side, then bus or taxi
Best airport for most international arrivals; usually the most practical fly-in option for overseas travelers heading to this ryokan.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Authentic temple-stay atmosphereThis is a real shukubo at Shigisan, not a themed inn, so the experience feels rooted in daily Buddhist life rather than staged for tourists. It is a strong fit if you want a meaningful overnight stay with temple character.
Morning prayers and cultural activitiesGuests can join morning prayers, and the property is known for experiences such as sutra copying, meditation, and Buddhist-image tracing. That adds substance to the stay beyond simply sleeping in a traditional room.
Scenic Mount Shigi settingThe temple sits in the hills of Mount Shigi, giving the stay a calm mountain feel and attractive seasonal scenery. The setting is especially appealing for travelers who value quiet surroundings over city convenience.
Shojin ryori meals includedTemple stays here typically include two mostly vegetarian shojin ryori meals, which makes the experience feel cohesive and distinctly Japanese. It is a good choice for travelers interested in Buddhist cuisine and a lighter, more mindful style of dining.
Large temple grounds to exploreStaying here also gives you time to enjoy the wider Shigisan temple area in the evening and early morning, when day visitors are fewer. That can make the visit feel more immersive than a quick daytime stop.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Not a standard ryokan luxury stayIf you expect polished hotel-style service, plush amenities, or a pampering kaiseki ryokan experience, this temple lodging may feel too simple and functional. The appeal here is spiritual atmosphere, not indulgence.
Access is less convenientThe property is in the Mount Shigi area rather than near a major station, so getting there is less effortless than staying in central Nara or Osaka. It works best for travelers comfortable with taxis, buses, or a more planned arrival.
Cash-only can be inconvenientPayment information indicates cash only, which can catch international travelers off guard. That is a practical downside if you prefer cards or digital payment while moving around Japan.
Limited fit for younger childrenThe stay is oriented toward quiet temple lodging, and children are generally required to be older. Families with small kids may find the rules and atmosphere restrictive.
Comfort and privacy may be modestAs a temple stay, the rooms and overall setup can feel more traditional and communal than many travelers expect from a conventional inn. If you are sensitive to simple bedding, strict routines, or less private facilities, this may not be the best match.

Current position: 4th out of 37 ryokans in Nara.

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 Current ryokan	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