Ryokan Kosen

The bath is just an ordinary bath, and the communal one felt a little small. The location is ideal, though, and the place is very quiet. Breakfast was very good. We didn’t book dinner.

Breakfast was brought to our room, and it was delicious! From the windows facing the pond, you can watch deer. Kofuku-Ji is right next door, and our room was clean and well kept. We expected sleeping on futons to be difficult, but they were surprisingly comfortable.

The staff made us feel welcome and gave us useful tips about things to see and places to eat. I’d happily stay here again if I return to Nara. This is a traditional style ryokan in a great spot, beside a quiet end of Nara park and the three storied pagoda in the Kohfukuji temple precincts. You can head straight into the park, see temples, or feed the deer. There’s a pretty pond with terrapins beside the hotel, and shops, coffee, and food places are only a couple of minutes away. The rooms are basic but clean, with tatami mats, a futon mattress, and grain type hard pillows that I found surprisingly comfortable. Our room had tea making facilities and a toilet and sink. Some rooms have their own bath or shower. There are also shared bathing facilities/onsen, separated by sex, with the women’s on floor 1 and the men’s on floor two. The onsen has body wash, shampoo, and conditioner, and the hotel provides each guest with a kimono, towel, and toothbrush pack. There are laundry facilities and a lounge area, too. For me, the onsen was a relaxing part of the experience.

The rooms were great, and the park and deer are right outside. We stayed for a few days and had a really good time, but what stood out most was the help from the staff. I was ill when we arrived, and they found a doctor and came with me to the appointment because the doctor and nurses didn’t speak English. I couldn’t have managed the visit without them. They helped me get the medicine I needed, and I recovered a few days later. Thank you for saving my first trip to Japan!