Fufu Nara

The sutra writing service was a lovely touch, and I appreciated how zen it felt. The hotel’s design impressed me in both the rooms and public areas, and I loved the scents, especially the subtle wood smell in the room. Our private semi-outdoor area let in sunlight and greenery. The staff were generally super friendly and polite. Still, when we arrived and left with three heavy suitcases, no one helped unload them or carry them to the car. A couple of practical things could improve too: bath towel hooks would be convenient, and the TV wasn't user-friendly. It didn't have Netflix, and we had to ask staff to come fix it just to return to the main page.

Breakfast and dinner were memorable, and the bamboo garden made the walk to each meal feel special. The staff were warm and friendly, and we had fun talking with them in Japanese, Mandarin, and English. The room was stunning and incredibly comfortable. I loved the thoughtful details and the design products in the room, especially how the lighting brought out the beauty of the space. One of the best stays I've had. I'll definitely stay at Fufu again!

As a foreign guest without a reservation, I left this restaurant feeling disappointed and unwelcome. I arrived before some local customers, but they were seated ahead of me. It felt like Japanese customers were being prioritized, and that foreign guests without reservations weren't being treated fairly. The staff smiled politely, but it seemed forced rather than warm. This wasn't about language or cultural misunderstandings. The service came across as courteous on the surface, without a sense of equality. I wasn't looking for special treatment, just basic fairness. If you're not Japanese and don't have a reservation, I'd choose somewhere with more balanced, inclusive service.

After a great first stay at Fufu Hakone, we decided to try Fufu Nara and had another splendid visit. We booked a Stylish Room with half board. For dinner, we chose Kaiseki one night and Teppanyaki the next. The meals were exquisite, probably the best food we had in 2025.