Guest House Oku
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Kintetsu-Nara Station · 5 min walk (Kintetsu Nara Line)
- Hours
- Check-in 16:00–21:00 (curfew 23:00)
Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.
About
Guest House Oku is a highly-rated, family-run guesthouse in Nara that offers a deeply authentic Japanese homestay experience. Guests can expect exceptional hospitality from the warm hosts, spotless traditional tatami rooms, and delicious, home-cooked breakfasts. Located within walking distance of Kintetsu-Nara Station, it serves as a cozy, quiet base for exploring Nara Park and the city's historic temples.
What Japanese guides note
Guest House Oku is located at the inner end of an unpaved narrow alley off Takamaichichō. Because the building is a converted wooden residence in an intimate neighborhood, thin walls require strict quiet hours after 23:00, when outer doors are securely locked. The property is managed with the resident owner living on site rather than operating as an unstaffed rental.
Details from local sources
- The property opened in 2016 inside a renovated traditional Japanese home, operating with an overall capacity of eight guests across three rooms. [source]
- The house enforces a strict 23:00 curfew, locks the entrance overnight, and prohibits 24-hour coming and going. [source]
- The custom-made wooden bunk beds measure 120 cm wide by 210 cm long, offering extra space compared to standard Japanese dormitory bunks. [source]
- Shared sanitation facilities consist solely of one shower booth, one toilet, and one washbasin without a bathtub, and guests must supply their own toothbrushes and nightwear. [source]
Insider Tip
Book the optional home-cooked Japanese breakfast in advance; it is highly praised by guests and a perfect start to your day of sightseeing.
Frequently asked
What are the check-in and shower hours at Guest House Oku?
Check-in is conducted between 16:00 and 21:00, and arrival after 23:00 is not accepted. Shared shower facilities are available until 23:00 at night and reopen around 07:30 in the morning. Guests must observe the 23:00 curfew when building doors are locked.
Does Guest House Oku supply toothbrushes and pajamas?
Face towels, shampoo, conditioner, body soap, hair dryers, and basic toiletries are supplied. However, toothbrushes and sleepwear are not provided, so guests must bring their own pajamas and dental kits. A shared washing machine and compact clothes dryer are also available on-site for travelers doing laundry.
Is there vehicle parking available at the guesthouse?
Guest House Oku does not offer private parking spaces. Travelers arriving by automobile must park in paid coin-operated parking lots located along surrounding streets. The property is most conveniently reached on foot, located approximately a 5-minute walk from Kintetsu-Nara Station or 13 minutes from JR Nara Station.
Can the whole guesthouse be rented out for private groups?
Whole-house charter bookings are available for groups of three or more guests across all three guest rooms. The owner remains resident on site during private charters. Parties are prohibited, quiet hours start at 23:00, and the property retains its standard 23:00 curfew unless negotiated in advance.
Our Nara walking tours
On the same walk
Photos
