Toyoko Inn Tenri Ekimae

Breakfast was delicious. The hotel is right opposite JR Tenri station, with access through a pedestrian underpass. My only gripe was that trains from there to Nara station run just once an hour.

I had a great stay here. My room was on the 11th floor, and the view was amazing. The room also had books about the city's history, which I enjoyed reading before bed. The staff were polite and clearly well trained, and breakfast was excellent, especially the Asuka soup. It's conveniently close to Tenri Station and is the tallest building around. I'd happily recommend it.

The staff handled our double booking really generously. Even though it was entirely our mistake, they let us cancel some rooms right there. I also liked seeing their morning staff training ritual. The rooms are clean, a little bigger than a typical business hotel room, and have useful touches like lots of outlets, ceiling showerheads, and fast wifi. As of May 2024, it was the newest and best hotel in Tenri. A few things could be better. Checkout at 10:00 am feels too early, though you can leave your bags at the front desk and spend time in the lobby. Breakfast tastes better than it looks and seems healthy, but it's plain and soft, as if aimed at older guests. Food options near Tenri station have mostly disappeared or are barely hanging on. After the convenience stores at the eki close at 11:00 pm, the area is dead. The nearest place open then is a Lawson a few blocks toward the police station. I'd recommend staying here.

The breakfast is excellent, and the place is spotless, as you'd expect in Japan. The beds feel hard on western backs, though. Parking costs $10 aud per day.