Hotel Nara Sakurai No Sato

Set on a quiet little hill, away from busy Japan, the hotel was a special and relaxing place. The food was great and the staff were nice. You can see how much effort has gone into all the little details to make the experience special.

There was no hot water in the room. Breakfast is available only by reservation, but they didn’t tell me that.

The location is remote, so plan to drive out for food or preorder dinner from the hotel. I rented a car, so getting around wasn’t a problem. The hotel sits on Sakurai’s quiet hillside, with fresh air and a lovely sunset view, surrounded by vineyards and fields. It’s a modern eco hotel. Our room was spacious, with good-sized twin beds by Japanese standards, and the bathroom and toilet were separate. It was well heated, so we didn’t feel the winter cold.

The dinner was good quality and generous, especially the thick, juicy steak. Breakfast was good too, with unlimited drinks and bread. My plan included both meals. The building is fairly new and sits on a plateau outside the city, with an open view over the Nara area. I had a twin room with a rollaway bed, spacious by Japanese hotel standards. I wish the room had USB outlets. The coin laundry is in the connected block. Staff were polite and helpful, though not everyone spoke English. You can rent a bicycle or e-bike to explore. There’s a small souvenir corner, but the place suits people who like food and nature more than those focused on shopping in town.