Slow House Nara

Both the Western-style room and the tatami room were great value, and sleeping in either a bed or a futon was very comfortable. The bathrooms in both rooms were spotless and had no problems. We spent six days at Slow House Nara, four in the Western-style room and the last two in the tatami room. The staff were incredibly friendly, kind, and helpful. The location is within walking distance of the sights, station, shops, and restaurants, while still being tucked away enough for a quiet, restful night.

The rooms were nicely furnished, but what happened to us showed a complete lack of basic human decency. We were two adults with a booked and paid-for triple room, yet on arrival the apparent owner told us our baby daughter couldn’t stay because she might disturb other guests. The guidelines did say children were only allowed from age 10, and I had missed that point. But the host cancelled our booking and told us to leave, even after we explained that no rooms were available in Nara or nearby cities that night. The booking.com hotline was also made aware, but couldn’t help, and offering to pay an extra fee changed nothing. We were left homeless with our baby and asked to spend the night on the street. I’ve never experienced anything remotely like that in Japan or elsewhere. Huge thanks to the staff at the Nara train station, who selflessly supported us that night. I don’t wish anything bad on the host, but readers can decide whether they want to do business with that person.

The owner personally brought an item I’d left in the room to Kyoto, where I was staying. So kind, and such a great end to a stay in clean, comfortable rooms with a friendly reception. The accommodation is amazing, right beside the train station and the park. Highly recommend, and thanks for a great stay.

The owner and staff speak English well and have lots of sightseeing tips. The guesthouse is just off the main shopping street, with easy access to Nara’s busy tourist spots. Neighboring buildings shield it from the noise, so the rooms are still peaceful and quiet. It’s a beautiful little place with a calm, very aesthetic feel. Rooms are either traditional tatami with Futons or Western style, and each is private with its own little shower room. The kitchen is small but functional, with complimentary drip coffee that coffee lovers will appreciate. Nara’s a beautiful city, and this guesthouse would be my number one choice for a stay. Have a look at the homepage for a more accurate impression of the rooms.