3-Star Hotels in Nara Prefecture, Japan

The hotel room was incredibly spacious and well-equipped, definitely the largest and most complete I stayed in during my Kansai trip. And all for just about $44 (based on the exchange rate on November 19, 2025)! However, the hotel's location is quite out of the way; it's about a 30-minute walk to the nearest subway station, and the closest bus only comes around after a long wait. Plus, there's a cemetery right next door to the hotel.

The room was comfortable and clean. However, the first room I was given faced the street and was a bit noisy, which affected my sleep. After two nights, I asked the front desk staff to switch rooms. The staff member was very helpful and showed me the new room, for which I'm very grateful. I slept very well on the last night. The hotel is super close to Nara Station, making transportation incredibly convenient. I even walked to Nara Park.

The B&B I stayed in in Japan was beyond my expectations. It was quite fresh. Although I had to climb up and down, the room was well-equipped and I could go shopping right outside. It was very close to Nara Park.

Very clean. Staff speak both English and Japanese and are very friendly and helpful. The guesthouse is within walking distance of both Nara Station about 10 minutes and Nara Park about 10 minutes but in the other direction. Would definitely recommend a stay.

This was my second stay here. Thank you for everything. I particularly enjoyed the morning tea porridge.

It's a well-known fact that accommodations in Japan can be pricey, so for my trip, I opted for several chain budget hotels, and Smile Hotel was one of them. It offers great value for money. The Smile Hotel in Nara is conveniently located right next to Nara JR Station; you can spot their sign as soon as you exit the station. It's the perfect starting point for exploring Nara. Rooms in Japanese budget hotels are generally small, but they are always clean and tidy, with impeccable hygiene standards. And even though the rooms are compact, they still come with a desk and chair, which I found very convenient for writing and organizing. I really appreciate that. Finally, a heads-up: toiletries and pajamas are available on the first floor for guests to pick up as needed. You might want to grab them before heading up to your room.

The location is really remote. The nearest convenience store is two kilometers away. But the room equipment is very new. But unfortunately there is no bathhouse. Breakfast is exquisite

This hotel is super conveniently located right next to JR Nara Station, making transportation a breeze. There's a 7-Eleven and a large supermarket next to JR Nara Station, which is really handy. You can also catch a bus right outside the hotel to Nara Park. The hotel offers many optional services, showing great thoughtfulness. The onsen (hot spring) experience was generally good. They even provided sleep aids like different pillows and sleep supplements. My room was quite spacious for one person, though the facilities were relatively simple. The keyless entry with a password lock on the door was great as it meant I didn't need to carry a room card. The hairdryer was a Refa, and it was fantastic! The best part was definitely the free happy hour at the restaurant in the evenings. There was a wide variety of drinks available, and many guests brought food from the convenience store to enjoy with their drinks.

The room is close to the attractions, clean and tidy, and there are many self-service small things

The hotel is conveniently located near the station in a quiet area. You can walk to Nara Park and the nearest sights. The room had a teapot, tea, plastic glasses (which is uncomfortable), a fan, a lingerie dryer, bathrooms, lots of towels. But on the layer floor where the bed is very dusty. All the windows and curtains are in dust. Appended a photo.