Tsukihitei Ryokan

A hidden gem right in the heart of Nara Park, tucked away on a small hill, surrounded by verdant greens. Purely magical, a sanctuary that stands in stark contrast the frenzy of the deer feeding tourists and the bustle of Osaka! There are 3 western style rooms (useful for those who can’t sleep on tatami floors), underfloor heating, air conditioning and private dining rooms with personalised service! We felt so pampered. Service was top notch with one of the best kaiseki dinners and breakfast we’ve ever had. Recommend room with half board. Found the traditional mattresses a tad thin for me but truly no complaints! Would recommend 2 nights to fully unwind and explore surrounds. Well maintained, beautiful rooms with minibar stocked - all inclusive!

We stayed for two nights in one of the traditional rooms with kaiseki and it was one of the best experiences we have had anywhere in the world. The food was amazing and the staff were very polite and professional. Walking through the park from the front door or into town is also great! The private baths were super relaxing. I also recommend having the staff order you a massage and you will not be disappointed!

Our stay at this ryokan was truly the most relaxing and beautiful experience we’ve ever had. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with such genuine hospitality that we felt like cherished guests. The traditional tatami rooms were impeccably clean and serene, with a breathtaking view of the surrounding nature that felt like a scene from a postcard. The onsen was an absolute highlight—soaking in the soothing hot spring waters under the open sky was pure bliss. Every detail, from the carefully arranged yukata to the thoughtfully prepared tea set in our room, reflected the ryokan’s dedication to providing an authentic and peaceful escape. The kaiseki dinner was an unforgettable culinary journey, with each dish meticulously crafted and presented like a work of art. Breakfast the next morning was equally exquisite, featuring fresh, local ingredients that perfectly complemented the tranquil ambiance. We left feeling completely rejuvenated and already dreaming of our return. This ryokan is not just a place to stay—it’s an experience of Japanese culture, hospitality, and relaxation at its finest. Highly recommended to anyone seeking a haven of peace and beauty.

This is a truly unique property. Our room was stunning as was the hotel property and surrounding forest.

Fue la mejor experiencia de mi vida !!!! La comida deliciosa, el servicio excelente, hermoso lugar en la naturaleza.

Location, service, food and tranquility were all amazing. You won’t regret your stay here (ask for the Sakura Room).

This is a 10 out of 10. The location at the edge of the forest is spectacular. The service is impeccable. We are vegan and they accommodated us with absolutely delicious meals. It is located just on the outskirts of the Nara Deer Park where you are surrounded by a lovely forest ambience and yet you are just a short hike from the Park and its bustling surrounds. The trail just outside the Ryoken takes you up the mountain.It is simply an awesome place!

I loved the suite we had with 2 twins. The beds are more like full size and are together in the huge bedroom. The suite is similar to a large apartment. We were greeted by the most amazing and friendly staff. They come out personally to greet you at arrival and to say good bye when checking out. The dinner was in our personal suite and consisted of 10 courses that were delicious. There are free drinks and beers in the refrigerator and we purchased sake for dinner. The breakfast was served in our personal suite and was traditional Japanese breakfast. Our attendants were so sweet for dinner and breakfast. They made me feel so welcome and special. I would say this was probably one of the best parts of my trip to Japan. If I return to Nara Park in the future I would definitely stay here again.

Tucked in the hills of Nara this four room Inn is super private. The ladies dressed in their kimonos provide 5 star customer service. With the kaiseki meals you get a throwback to traditional Japanese customs during your stay here. This is the most traditional Japanese stay you can experience, a true ryokan. Here are a couple things I did not see in other reviews I read. The room has a traditional bathtub and shower setup but there are also two much larger, nicer setups you can “book by time”. Seeing that there are only a handful of rooms these are easily, readily available and private. I would highly recommend this. Lastly, you are in the mountains of an old traditional ryokan. There are spiders, critters of all sorts that make their way into your room and around your meals. This is the only downside we experienced but I’m not sure how you can avoid it being nestled into the forest. This is not the 100 story mandarin oriental. This is a portal back in time so just go into your stay with that in mind.

An excellent choice to stay in this 200-year old property. Staff are extremely friendly and helpful. Enjoyed the dinner set which is beautiful and delicious.

Totally lovecthe ryokan and its location. Just 2 3 km walk to the top of the mountain. Stunning food and hinoki bath. Worth every cents.

For all the traveling I've done in my life, Tsukihitei Ryokan will remain close to my heart as one of the most memorable stays I've had. It is everything you will want in a Ryokan experience. I believe we experienced the most traditional Ryokan in Japan. We really did step back into time for two days and loved every aspect of it. We decided to stay two nights to really immerse ourselves in the experience. Upon arrival, we were given a tour and then shown our accommodations, which overlooked the woods of the Mt. Kasuga Primeval Forest. We were greeted with ceremonial matcha green tea. Our dinners and breakfast were absolutely incredible. The presentation was artwork. We were served in a private dining room that was connected to our sleeping room, which made it all feel very personal and private. All the meals were distinctive in their flavors and tastes. Walking the line between thoughtfulness and artwork, the food was just another extension of all the other wonderful elements we experienced while staying at Tsukihitei. The two bathing houses were gorgeous and luxurious, lit up by stained glass windows. The aesthetic felt like it belonged in an ancient forest. The customer service was top notch. Everyone was so kind to any need we had during our time there. From our first greeting to our last, we felt very taken care of. I will never forget how magical the experience was. I hope to go back there one day and stay with them again.

We spent a couple weeks in Japan, and our stay at Tsukihi-tei was one of the hightlights! The location in the forest is amazing. The staff was fantastic - from greeting you on arrival they make every effort to make you feel welcome. The food is the best we had while we were in Japan. If you want a wonderful ryokan experience, I would highly recommend Tsukihi!

Absolutely amazing experience! The inn is in a magnificent forest very near Kasuga Shrine and Nara Park. The comfort, food, and hospitality are second to none. Be sure to use the private cedar baths! The staff were extremely kind and gracious and we appreciated their patience in guiding us through a relaxing stay. Stay here! You will never forget it!

I had stayed at and liked this ryokan so much that this time I brought my whole family and unmistakably had a good time. They are located at the heart of Nara park forest, and feature one of the best kaiseki courses in the nation. All in all, one of the best traditional Japanese ryokan experiences.

And absolutely fabulous and exceptional experience. The dinner was gourmet down to every detail. They asked our preferences before we got there and met all of our requests. The breakfast was out standing. I now know that eight Tatami mats is a measurement of how big the room is. The public baths are amazing. When you come in you choose your time for meals, and then you choose your time to use the public bath area. This was a fantastic place in a gorgeous setting.

This was really a wonderful way to end our trip to Japan. This is a beautiful, clean, ryokan, nestled deep into the woods, away from the temples and crowds. The kaiseki meals were excellent -- dinner rivaled the meal we had at a 3-Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto a couple days earlier (breakfast is pictured). Unlike other ryokans, the meals are served in a private dining room, rather than in the bedroom. The baths were excellent. And everyone on the hotel staff was extraordinarily polite and helpful -- a common refrain in Japan, but still a great thing every time. Highly recommended.

What an absolutely lovely experience. The staff were extremely friendly, helpful, as well as very welcoming and playful to our 9 month old daughter. The stay was the first stop on our visit, and a beautiful introduction to Japan. The location and setting is also very good, being just a short walk to the main park area and temple. I also should mention the food, which was excellent. I can't recommend Tsukihitei Ryokan enough.

Our first time in a Ryokan and my first time in Japan. Now at the end of our journey, I think we started at the best of traditional Ryokans. Beautiful location, in the forest and deer all around. Very welcoming staff and we were looked after so well by our hostess, who was lovely and helped us with everything..she even spoke some English! Quite a personal experience. The meals were exquisite to look at and eat (breakfast and dinner). The rooms were very large and the views so restful, all windows looked directly into the lush forest. Easy access to local sites, 5-10 minute walk to the park, shrines and temples. Taxi can be called if you prefer. Plenty of deer along the way. Very modern facilities, own toilet, bath, shower, wifi, despite its location in the forest. The futons were very comfortable and there was air-conditioning if you wanted it on. (Summer for us). The hostess was just lovely, so helpful and humorous. Even managed to encourage my husband to wear his Yukata for dinner. We hope we showed our appreciation properly for all her help. I think the standard was exceptional. Highly recommend.

This place seems to be well hidden since I was the only person staying on the night I was there. However, this is probably the best ryokan you could ask for. The location is perfect if you are planning to spend a day exploring Nara park, temples and museums. Check-in is at 4pm and you will be turned away if you arrive early, but they are happy to hold your bags until you return. The hosts are very polite and helpful. I was shown to my room which was spotless and had green tea with a sweet treat waiting for me. The rooms are heated by radiant floor heating which makes the tatami smell amazing. Dinner is a 2 hour event with several courses that are all beautifully presented and delicious. The room has a bathroom with a shower and deep tub, but you should definitely use the main bath. It is prepared for the time you specify and the entire room is made of wood, including the bathtub. The window in the bath is stained glass with a scene of trees and a deer. It was so relaxing that I didn't want to leave. In the morning, you are served breakfast at the time you request and it is equally as delicious as the dinner. All of the food is traditional Japanese. The only downside is you have to be very careful if you are tall. I had to duck before going through every doorway, but I had expected it to be that way so it wasn't really a problem. As long as you know what what expect from a traditional ryokan, this place offers the most amazing experience that you could ask for.