and smiles hostel

The house is cozy, clean, and lovely, with beautiful wood and tatami mats. I slept really well on the futon and could do my washing easily. Miki made me feel welcome in her home and culture, and her generosity with her time, knowledge, and resources made this the kind of homestay I'd always hoped to find. Being able to speak English together also meant we could have deeper conversations. She listened to what I wanted to see and gave me great suggestions. Miki is an excellent guide, and the location makes it easy to walk to Nara's main sights. Nara itself is peaceful, with special deer, spectacular nature surrounded by mountains, and heaps of good restaurants. It's also easy to get to Uji, Yoshino, Osaka, and Kyoto. And the Matcha Crepe at Mikuriya was the best EVER.

I've gone back twice this year, after several solo trips to Nara, and the women-only guesthouse has been a really comfortable place to stay. It's very clean, the beds are comfortable, and they even rent towels, which you don't always expect at a guesthouse. The owner is warm and kind, speaks fluent English, and loves temples and Buddhist statues. She's cheerful and welcoming, but not pushy, so I think she'll give you quiet time if that's what you prefer. It's about a ten-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, past the shopping street and Nara Women's University. Tsuru Curry, which has been popular lately, could help you find the way, and Todai-ji Temple is nearby too. On one visit, the owner happened to have free time and asked if I wanted to go out for dinner since I hadn't made plans. She took me to some really delicious Nara restaurants and to Nigatsu-do Temple at night, which made my solo trip much more fun. With inbound tourists decreasing, it's tough, and I hope visitors come back from around the world.

They prepare information in advance to suit each guest, which is a thoughtful touch. The people running the hostel are friendly and flexible about hours, and their effort to make guests feel at home shows in the little details. Finding the place may take a bit of effort, but it's worth it. Todaiji Temple is easy to reach, and the Imakoji bus stop is convenient if you have a free bus pass.

I spent three nights in the dorm, and the owner's warmth and thoughtfulness were what stayed with me most. Somehow I had a New Year's-like time here that felt even more homely than being at home, and I was very satisfied. The other guests happened to all be from overseas, and we had a lot of fun chatting. I'd recommend it to women traveling alone because it feels safe. I'd definitely like to come back.