Business Hotel Kirakuso Nara

Too expensive for an uncomfortable stay. There’s no wifi in the rooms either.

It’s very clean, and the location and price are appealing, but staying here calls for some flexibility. The ground floor is a caregiving station, which wasn’t obvious to me at first; the entrance is right beside it, and a friendly cat greets you when you come in. Check-in is in the lobby, where there’s a sofa and a table with four seats. I was on the second floor, where men and women share the bathrooms and toilets. The concrete hallway and iron doors are dark and felt a little unsettling at first. There’s a microwave in the corridor for guests staying without meals. My room had a refrigerator, TV, and tissues, but no drinking water, kettle, cups, or place to hang clothes. I struggled to find somewhere for my rain-soaked jacket. There wasn’t an outlet by the sink, either, so I had to dry my hair in the middle of the room using a tabletop mirror. The travel site listed free mineral water and coffee, but I couldn’t find them or any explanation. I only noticed after I’d got home and wondered, “Huh?” The landlady was cheerful, so maybe I should’ve rung the bell and asked. The inn faces the street, which is handy, though delivery trucks were passing noisily from very early in the morning during my weekday stay. At checkout I saw breakfast set out for other guests on the same four-seat table used for check-in. There’s a shoe rack nearby and no partition, so I had to take care not to hit the table with my luggage as I walked past. I was glad I’d chosen a room-only stay. Maybe it’s best to be grateful for what’s there and accept it like a stay at a relative’s home.

I booked this inexpensive inn on the day I arrived, with no plan for the trip. The location worked out well, with plenty of restaurants nearby. It’s a three-story building without an elevator, and the curfew was midnight. There wasn’t a curfew for the rooms, given the price. I slept comfortably under the fresh sheets and covers. The toilet was shared by men and women, and the smell bothered me. My room was the farthest away, but I noticed it as soon as I opened the door. The bathroom had only a shower. There was a bathtub, but it was a big, old-fashioned tiled bath. I wondered if a family runs the place. The mother was very nice and had a lovely smile. If you just need somewhere to sleep, it’s good value.

For a room-only stay, the price is reasonable, and the landlady is great with guests. Still, the building is old and the bathroom and toilet are shared, which could feel a bit scary at night if you’re a woman traveling alone.