There are two principal standouts of this place. The first is the staff, who radiate helpfulness and cheer. They let me stay longer in the lounge, working on my laptop, after checking out. Green tea was brought to me, which was nice. They were always very helpful and immensely friendly. The second virtue is location. It is incredibly well-located, and you can walk straight into Nara Park from the entrance. I walked the whole time I stayed in Nara and didn't have to bother with buses, trains or taxis.

To me, the 10pm curfew was restrictive. I think it should have been more openly advertised, as I didn't know at the time of booking that this would be the case. Since I am a solo traveller, I didn't think it would matter too much. Not so, as it turned out. Both nights I stayed I went out and met friendly locals and got talking, but then had to hurry home and cut short some interesting experiences and conversations. The interior is also quite old, dilapidated even. This might add to the charm for some.

The location of Daibutsukan could not be better. We had a view of the Kofukuji Pagoda from our balcony - ask to be on this side - and it is walking distance from Kintetsu Nara Station and all main sites in Nara Park and Naramachi. The staff were delightful and very attentive including bringing hot tea when we returned from sightseeing in the afternoons. Our room was clean and spacious with ensuite , seating area and balcony. The futon were the most comfortable we have had in a week of staying in ryokan! We did not eat in so cannot comment on the food.

The hotel is old-fashioned and the common areas including the ofuro are shabby and in need of redecoration, but the value for money and perfect location more than made up for this.

We did enjoy our stay at the Daibutsukan very much. We booked it due to its perfect location at the Nara park and its very reasonable prices … and since we are usually looking for the non-chain hotels with a local touch. The house has come a bit at age, and so have the installations. But this was very much offset by the super friendly staff, very clean rooms and beds … and a welcome tea on the balcony overlooking the pagoda across the street. Due to its proximity to the Nara park, we got off early (6am) and had a mesmerizing walk across the Nara temple complex. We would book it again.

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Beautiful location across from the park and the tall pagoda; a large balcony with glass sliding door so we could choose to sit outside or, when it was raining, sit and drink tea while watching the deer in the park. Traditional low futons and low table inside; modern table and chairs on balcony (made it easier to deer watch). Very comfortable sleeping, lots of room for baggage storage and us. My favorite stay on this trip. Wonderful, sweet and attentive staff.

The cover set up on the futon made me — American — fearful there might be bedbugs (infestations are in some US cities). But that was my hang up. It was clean, wonderful. Walking up the short hill near the hotel with my wheelie bag was difficult, but again, that was more a me problem. The setting near park and city central made the hill worthwhile. I just needed to be in better shape — or spring for a cab.

Nice ryokan, very weel placed in Nara. The owner and the staff were really nice and helpful. The onsen was a nice plus after a long day. The rooms are rather big and they have balconies.

The cleaning could have been a bit better, we found some dead insects in the room. Apart from the dead insects, it was pretty clean. Also the big shrine in front of the ryokan was under renovation this summer, so we couldn't see it from our balcony :(

We loved this hotel. The location can't be beaten, with views across to the pagoda, and easy walking distance to everything. When we got tired of sightseeing, our balcony was perfect for sitting and watching everyone pass by below us (including deer). The room was big and comfortable and very private, and the baths simple and clean. The staff were very helpful and gave us maps and instructions on sightseeing, as well as free tickets to some sights. We also had breakfast at the hotel, which was fabulous. My husband is vegetarian and they did a vegie breakfast for him and a regular breakkie for me with no problem.

The staff at the hotel were exceptional and made you feel so special. The location was perfect with a lovely view from the balcony (even though the pagoda has scaffolding on it at present). The breakfast was exceptional - delicious food and excellent service.

It would be helpful to have a hotel sign in English. We walked past the hotel at first and had to ask for directions because everything was written in Japanese.

The friendliest most helpful humans on earth greeted us on arrival at the hotel. They always went out their way to provide exceptional service. It was a truly authentic experience with the room, onsen and breakfast we had. Hotel was rustic and simple but very authentic and exactly what we wanted whilst in Japan. Great location to the park and short walk from the station. Wish we could have stayed longer.

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We were amazed by this place, the hospitality of the staff, the position and the room, everything perfect! Our baby was sick, and the manager and one caring member of the staff came with us for a pediatric visit, they took us with the car and stayed with us the hole morning, amazing people, strongly recommended !

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The staff was incredibly helpful and the breakfast was tasty and authentic. The location being so close to the deer park means it's great for walking around in the evening and hanging out with the deers without other tourists around

The hotel was a little old fashioned, but that just added to the flair in our opinion