Shikitei

We miss Shikitei and Nara already. This place was truly authentic Japanese. Japanese rooms, with futon beds on the floor and grounding sheets. Best sleep we ever had with our 1 year old and 4 year old. Several different rooms which make it easy to move around after kids are asleep and there is so much space to play. The staff is incredible, super friendly and attentive. The meals were prepared with much thought and love. We booked half board and every night was different. They tried to cater to the kids palette as well and made special meals for them for both breakfast and dinner. Super fresh and delicious. You can book a 60 min massage for around $40 for 60 minutes and we did so for both of us 2 nights in a row. They call someone from outside and they will come to your room. The onsen/ryoken/private bath is wonderful, they allow you to share with the kids and even with tattoos without having to cover them. The bathrooms in the room itself is already an experience with deep onsen bathtub, bucket and shower. Separate toilets from shower and tub. Air conditioning is also provided and the staff was just so helpful and kind and loving. We want to go back there and really enjoyed this unique experience. It's worth every penny and especially if you book the food option too. The walk from the train station is only slightly uphill and manageable and you immediately see deer everywhere. From the little family hotel you walk into the main town of Nara in 10 min with shops and food and you can also find the entrance to walk to the shrine den in the woods as well. we were also greeted with an awesome tea ceremony upon arrival and everyday were served tea and something Japanese in the afternoons in the room. There were set meal times for breakfast and dinner and the dinner does last quite some time. We enjoyed it and really liked it but the kids were struggling a bit with the traditions. regardless the staff were always smiling and helping and trying to cater to our different needs.

Traditional Japanese style room, neat and clean with great view from the window. The staff are very friendly.

Remarkable stay in a very historic Ryokan. Nothing

It was so peaceful, the food was incredible and very authentic and the hot spring was bliss.

Everything you’d expect from an exquisite authentic traditional 100-year old Japanese inn. Hospitality galore, beauty around every corner, welcome tea ceremony, Onsen bath, multi course dinner, floor futons in a room with several sections. Take the in-room shiatsu massage option! Food is adventurous, not made for kids.

Location is the best the service and the very spacious room superb the hotel is boutique style and offers authentic Japanese experience. The hotel itself is a beauty of Japanese architecture and garden. Nothing

It’s a very beautiful place, with the view of the park, and the deer. Nothing

I loved our stay at Shikitei with its timeless beautiful, excellent service and scrumptious food. I will definitely have to come back! Excellent location - Ryokan is situated right at Nara Park! This traditional ryokan has kept it timeless beauty with breathtaking views. It is well maintained with lots of care. Excellent service from the staff. They were always tucked away but quietly waiting to see if you needed anything. The staff were local and so English wasn’t fluent but there were no communication issues. The welcome tea ceremony was a traditional one. The matcha tea was frothy and slightly bitter served with a small red bean cake sweet. We wouldn’t want to try it anywhere else such a great experience! After this we were brought to our room where there was yet another yummy plum salty tea with small sweet! The room was beautiful with excellent view! The futon sleep with the stiff pillow was so comfy! The Onsen at the ryokan opens early and closed later. The facilities were great with all bath amenities provided. Our stay had half board with kaiseki dinner and then traditional Japanese breakfast. Both meals you will be enjoying a work of visual art and scrumptious melodies of flavours. Beside us were all Japan nationals so you know you are at the right place of their own resident visit for short vacays! Such a magnificent stay! I will definitely return!!!

The location is wonderful The lodge is a bit run down and the food was not very good and quite expensive. I wouldn’t order the dinner again.

The staff was so polite and accommodating. We speak zero Japanese, and there was never an issue. Even though dinner takes 5 days' advance notice, they were willing to accommodate with 4 days' notice. When we checked out, there was an extra charge (for the dinner we had requested), and we left without paying by accident. They found us down the street to let us know, which I really appreciated! SO happy to pay for the service. Thank you!

Delightful stay at Shikitei, a hard to find traditional ryokan well located near Nara Park.

It’s a very traditional Japanese style, startup at 1899 which has over 125 years history. The interior was revamped, we enjoy the peaceful and friendly service from the staffs. Hotel’s location is excellent, next to the entrance of the Nara Park. They also offer a traditional Japanese Mocha Tea, in a tea room as a welcome drink, we love it very much. You can request in room massage service, there are 40mins / 60mins two options. The price is reasonable. The hotel offer 2000JPY F&B credit for each adult, so that we tried to use the credit for drinks in the dinner. However, the 2000JPY F&B credit was deducted by the welcomes tea. We don’t expect the welcome tea needs to paid extra money. I think the 2000JPY F&B credit better the change the wording to “Traditional Japanese Mocha Tea offered as welcome drink” should be much more better

Highly recommended. None

This is very intimate experience and lovely place to stay, the location are amazing and staff warm, nice. The food incredible. Nothing

Location, ambiance, staff, service, room Slight smell

We liked the authentic property and attention to detail. Liked it all!

We very much enjoyed our stay at Shikitei. The service was exceptional from the time we were greeted at arrival until the time we departed. It is in an excellent location and right at Nara Park where we can see deer from our room. Staying at Shikitei made our Nara visit more memorable! Really nothing.

Absolutely incredible place to stay. The staff were impeccable in every way and the tea ceremony was beautiful. The Shikitei is a must stay when visiting Nara.

Everything! The atmosphere was magical — peaceful, authentic, and deeply connected to the history of Nara. The staff were incredibly kind and attentive. The traditional dinner and breakfast were exquisite, beautifully presented and full of flavor. The location is perfect — walking distance to Nara Park and temples, yet quiet and serene. The room was spacious, elegant, and very comfortable

Everything was great since the moment that we arrived. The service was extraordinary and the facilities were great. The ryokan is beautiful!