Ryokan Asukasou at the entrancne of Nara park
Tatami-floored twin room with low table, shoji doors and wooden ceiling at Ryokan Asukasou Nara
Assorted Japanese breakfast dishes on lacquer tray at Ryokan Asukasou near Nara Park
Traditional tatami room with low table, shoji screens and pagoda visible through window at Ryokan Asukasou, Nara
Spacious tatami room with twin beds, shoji screens and seating area at Ryokan Asukasou, Nara Park entrance
Lacquer tray with assorted bites including ikura and shrimp at Ryokan Asukasou near Nara Park
Two guests in yukata viewing a mossy stone garden with lanterns at Ryokan Asukasou, Nara
Wooden dining table with chairs, patterned blue wall panels and tea set at Ryokan Asukasou near Nara park

Ryokan Asukasou at the entrancne of Nara park

9.2
This Ryokan has an overall rating of 9.2/10, based on 1,089 reviews. ? Our score combines two signals: 50% based on traveler sentiment and guest feedback found online, and 50% based on our internal on-site evaluation plus ratings from verified travelers on our platform, who must provide proof of stay.
? This ranking compares properties in the same region. It is based on the overall rating and the number of reviews, using a weighted score so properties with more review data are ranked more fairly.
Check-in from 3:00 PM / Check-out until 10:00 AM
City Center Old Town Temple District Station Access Public Onsen Open-Air Bath
Staff 9,4/10
Facilities 8,9/10
Cleanliness 9,0/10
Comfort 9,0/10
Value for money 8,9/10
Location 9,4/10

Ryokan highlights

Traditional Nara ryokan by Sarusawa Pond with standout sightseeing access and a rooftop bath view.

Nara Park GatewayAt the entrance to Nara Park, near Sarusawa Pond and major historic sights.
Pagoda View BathRooftop open-air bath faces the Kofukuji pagoda, a rare scenic perk in Nara.
Walkable Sightseeing BaseConvenient for exploring Kofukuji, Naramachi, the museum area, and park walks.
Seasonal Kaiseki MealsServes traditional seasonal kaiseki highlighting local Yamato flavors and presentation.
Classic Ryokan FeelCombines tatami-room stays with a distinctly traditional old-capital Nara atmosphere.
Easy Kintetsu AccessAbout a 10-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station for simple arrivals.

Who is this ryokan best for?

Recommended stay1-2 nightsLocation is the main stay driver: check in after Nara sightseeing, have kaiseki dinner, bathe at night, walk Nara Park and Naramachi, then depart easily the next day. A second night works if you want a slower temple-and-museum pace without changing hotels.
Trip-planning verdict: Best used as a 1-night or light 2-night Nara sightseeing stay: traditional ryokan feel, strong walkable location, but not a remote onsen retreat.

Know before booking

Not a hot spring resortIt offers communal and open-air baths, but verified listings do not clearly show a natural onsen town setting.
Can feel too shortA rushed day trip misses the evening bath-and-dinner rhythm that makes this property more worthwhile than a standard city hotel.
Can feel too longBeyond two nights, many travelers will run out of dense walkable sights unless they deliberately add regional day trips.

Food & drinks

Verified as Asukasou in Takabatake-cho near Sarusawa Pond, with a named on-site Japanese dining room, a terrace lounge, and useful nearby local dining.

Kachoumon (on-site)
on-site

Private-style Japanese dining room for seasonal kaiseki and breakfast.

  • Seasonal kaisekifoodMulti-course Japanese dinner.
  • Yamato chagayuspecialtyRoasted-tea rice porridge.
  • Dashimaki eggfoodFresh rolled omelet at breakfast.
  • Japanese breakfastfoodBalanced morning set.
Shirakumo (on-site)
on-site

Rooftop terrace lounge with included drinks and snacks for eligible guests or add-on use.

  • Alcoholic drinksdrinkSelf-serve lounge drinks.
  • Soft drinksdrinkLight refreshments.
  • SnacksfoodSmall bites in the lounge.
Yanagi Chaya (nearby)
nearbyabout 3 min walk

Classic tea house by Sarusawa Pond for local rice dishes and sweets.

  • Nara chameshispecialtyLocal tea rice dish.
  • Japanese sweetsfoodTraditional sweet treats.
  • TeadrinkGood match with sweets.

Access, transport and nearby sights

This ryokan is in the Naramachi/Nara Park gateway area and is most conveniently reached from Kintetsu Nara Station, with JR Nara Station and Kansai-area airports as secondary access points.

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

Should you choose this ryokan?

Asukasou is a well-located traditional ryokan in Nara City, right by the Nara Park and Sarusawa Pond area, making sightseeing especially easy on foot. It is most appealing for travelers who want classic ryokan atmosphere and landmark views, but less ideal if you want modern luxury or the fastest station access.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points
  • Excellent base for Nara sightseeingThe ryokan sits in Takabatake-cho near Sarusawa Pond, with Kofuku-ji and the entrance area of Nara Park just nearby. It is a very convenient choice if you want to explore Nara’s main heritage sights mostly on foot.
  • Rooftop bath with a landmark viewOne of its standout features is the rooftop open-air bath facing the Kofuku-ji area and the Nara cityscape. That gives the stay a memorable sense of place rather than just a generic hotel bath.
  • Strong traditional ryokan feelAsukasou is geared toward travelers who want tatami rooms, Japanese-style hospitality, and a more classic Kyoto-Nara atmosphere than a business hotel. It suits guests who want their accommodation to feel like part of the trip.
  • Rooms can feel scenic and atmosphericSome room categories emphasize views toward the historic surroundings, including the Kofuku-ji side. If getting a sense of old Nara from your room matters, this property has a stronger setting than many standard city hotels.
  • Good option for a relaxed in-house dinnerThe ryokan highlights seasonal kaiseki-style dining and a Japanese breakfast, which can be a real plus after a day walking through temples and park grounds. It is convenient for travelers who want a more complete ryokan evening instead of going back out to hunt for dinner.
5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs
  • Not the easiest pick for train-focused tripsIt is convenient for Nara Park, but not right on top of JR Nara Station. If you plan frequent rail transfers or want the simplest luggage movement, a station-area hotel may feel easier.
  • Bath access includes a few stepsThe rooftop open-air bath area requires a small stair approach at the entrance. That can be inconvenient for guests with reduced mobility or anyone wanting fully barrier-free bath access.
  • View expectations may vary right nowThe ryokan is known for views toward Kofuku-ji, but major preservation work around the famous five-story pagoda can affect the exact visual experience. Travelers booking mainly for that iconic view should keep expectations flexible.
  • Traditional style may feel dated to some guestsIf you prefer sleek modern design, large Western-style rooms, or a contemporary luxury-hotel finish, Asukasou may feel more classic than polished. Its appeal is atmosphere and location rather than ultra-modern style.
  • Less suited to travelers who stay out lateThis kind of ryokan rhythm usually works best for guests who enjoy coming back earlier for baths, dinner, and a quieter evening. If you mainly want nightlife and late-night city energy, the experience may feel a bit restrained.

Ranking around this ryokan in Nara

Showing 5 above and 5 below the current ryokan. The full ranking loads only when you click or hover over this block.

Current position: 6th 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 9.3/10 693
5th Misenkan 9.4/10 55
6th Ryokan Asukasou at the entrancne of Nara park Current ryokan 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
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Traveler routes

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This ryokan is included in 1 public itinerary.

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1

2 days – Shizuoka > Nara

2 stops
Sakura Yamamoto Updated 20 May 2026 1 matching ryokan
City Center 33% Station Access 33% Old Town 17% Temple District 17%
1. Kappo Ryokan Uoichi 2. Ryokan Asukasou at the entrancne of Nara park

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