Shiroyama Ryokan

8.8

This Ryokan has an overall rating of 8.8/10, based on 150 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 Current 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 Temple District Valley Scenery Private Onsen Indoor Bath Kaiseki Cuisine

Location

630-0266 Nara, Ikoma, Monzencho 15-12, Japan

Staff 9,2/10

Facilities 8,5/10

Cleanliness 8,6/10

Comfort 8,7/10

Value for money 8,4/10

Location 9,0/10

Hozanji Approach SettingSet directly on the approach to Hozanji Temple for an atmospheric stay.

Cable Car AccessAbout a five-minute walk from Hozanji Station on the historic Ikoma cable line.

Wide Basin ViewsViews extend across the Nara Basin and surrounding mountains from the inn.

Private Bath OptionA reservable private bath adds extra comfort for couples or small groups.

Traditional Ryokan FeelTatami rooms and classic inn atmosphere deliver a distinctly Japanese stay.

Pre-Booked Kaiseki MealsAdvance-reserved dinners include kaiseki, hot pot, and even local gibier dishes.

Recommended stay1 nightScenery and dinner are the strongest stay drivers here: arrive mid-afternoon, use the private bath, walk the Hozanji approach, eat dinner with the view, sleep early, then have breakfast and continue to Nara, Osaka, or Kyoto. A second night only makes sense if you want a very slow temple-and-mountain rhythm or to add Mt. Ikoma by cable car.

Trip-planning verdict: A short traditional ryokan stay in Ikoma’s Hozanji temple area, best for 1 night or at most 2 if you want temple walks, night views, and a slower Osaka/Nara break.

Know before booking

Not an onsen townThe bath experience is real, but this is not a hot-spring resort area with multiple public baths or onsen-town strolling.

Limited long-stay areaThe immediate area is atmospheric but small; many travelers risk overstaying if they expect dense sightseeing for several days.

Hilly accessTemple-town lanes and steps can be awkward with heavy luggage or limited mobility, even though the cable station is close.

Dining Room (on-site)

on-site

Ryokan meal venue for reserved breakfast and dinner with scenic views.

Rokkontei (nearby)

nearby2 min walk

Nearby soba spot in Monzencho, handy for a casual meal.

PEACE CAFE & STORE (nearby)

nearby2 min walk

Small nearby cafe with organic and vegetable-focused fare.

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 Ikoma Station, then take a short taxi ride if carrying luggage. If you specifically want the temple-area approach, Torii-mae Station is the nearest rail access point, but the final stretch may feel steep and is less convenient with large bags.

Hozanji Stationstation
700 mabout 10-20 min on foot depending on route choicebest checked locallyuseful via the Ikoma Cable line, though final access may still involve walking
Useful if you want the Mount Ikoma temple area approach, but less straightforward than Ikoma Station for a standard arrival with luggage.
Torii-mae Stationstation
1.0 kmabout 15-20 min on foot, with some uphill sectionsabout 5-10 min by taxivery short rail connection from Ikoma Station via the cable line, then final access best checked locally
Nearest useful station for the temple-side neighborhood; practical for light luggage, but a taxi is usually easier for bags.
Ikoma Stationstation
1.2 km1-1-1 Motomachi, Ikoma, Naraabout 20-30 min on foot depending on route and slopeabout 5-10 min by taximain regional rail hub; onward local access is short
Best all-around arrival point for most guests because it is the main Kintetsu hub with broad connections and easy taxi access.
Ishikiri Stationstation
3.1 kmabout 40 min walkabout 20-30 min by taxi depending on trafficone stop west of Ikoma on the Kintetsu Nara Line; mainly useful as an intermediate approach point from Osaka side
Not the final stop for the ryokan, but relevant for travelers approaching from Osaka on the Kintetsu Nara Line.
Ikoma Station Bus Terminalbus
1.2 kmIkoma Station area, Motomachi, Ikoma, Naraabout 15 min walkabout 5-10 min by taxi to the ryokan areabus availability and stop patterns should be checked locally
A useful fallback for local bus transfers, but many travelers will find a taxi from Ikoma Station simpler.
Osaka International Airport (Itami)airport
26 kmabout 45-70 min by car depending on trafficusually about 1-1.5 hours with train or bus-and-train combinations
Often the most convenient airport for domestic arrivals because it is closer than Kansai International Airport.
Kansai International Airportairport
49 kmabout 70-100 min by car depending on trafficusually about 1.5-2 hours by rail depending on connections
Best for many international arrivals, though the journey is longer; Ikoma Station is the usual rail target before the final transfer.

5 reasons to choose this ryokan best points

Atmospheric temple-side settingThe ryokan faces the approach to Hozanji Temple, giving the stay a distinctly old Ikoma mood rather than a standard city-hotel feel. It works especially well if you enjoy walking through historic temple streets.
Scenic views over the basinThe property highlights wide views toward the Nara Basin and surrounding mountains, and guests repeatedly mention the outlook as a memorable part of the stay. This adds real value if you like waking up to a landscape rather than nearby buildings.
Classic ryokan experience without leaving KansaiYou can stay in a traditional-style inn with private bath access, yukata-style atmosphere, and optional Japanese meals while still being within reach of Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. That makes it attractive for travelers who want a ryokan stay without going deep into the countryside.
Warm, personal hospitalityGuest feedback consistently praises the host and staff for being kind, helpful, and welcoming. This matters at a small ryokan, where the human touch shapes the whole experience.
Useful extras for a quiet retreatThe ryokan offers Wi-Fi, free parking, free bicycles, and meal options by advance reservation, which makes it practical as well as atmospheric. It suits travelers planning a slower stay with light local exploring.

5 reasons not to choose this ryokan watch-outs

Access is not the easiestAlthough it is close to Hozanji cable access, the ryokan is not the most convenient base if you want a flat, station-adjacent stay with easy luggage handling. The hillside temple area can feel awkward after long travel days.
Some rooms use shared bathroomsNot all room categories come with a private bathroom, so comfort depends a lot on the room type you book. Travelers expecting full hotel-style privacy should check this carefully before reserving.
Meals need planning aheadDinner and breakfast require advance reservation, so it is less flexible for spontaneous travelers. If you like deciding meals at the last minute, this setup may feel restrictive.
Limited late-night freedomThe entrance is locked overnight from 23:00 to 6:30, which can be inconvenient if you plan late returns. This makes it better for quiet evenings than for nightlife-focused trips.
More charm than luxuryThis is a small traditional inn with a simple, no-frills feel rather than a polished luxury ryokan. If you want lavish facilities, a large onsen complex, or contemporary design, it may feel modest.

Current position: 23rd out of 37 ryokans in Nara.

Rank	Ryokan	Rating	Reviews
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 Current 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