Property grounds

Reviews of The Deer Park Inn

2 out of 5
The Deer Park Inn
158-5 Kasuganocho, Nara, Nara-ken

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 109 out of 193 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 69 out of 193 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 11 out of 193 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 193 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 193 reviews" "

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

9.2/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

RICO MARIA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

paula

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
What an amazing place to stay in Nara.. if you dont mind the walk is a beautiful area so no need to take buses to the hostel. Lovely receptionist as well.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The facility has thin walls and creaky floors so if you are a light sleeper, this may wake you up.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Mitchell

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Great location.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sasha

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Other than the area around the inn having very few restaurants that all close around 4-5 pm (which is to be expected because it's in the park) which led us to walk a good while to get groceries, we had a very nice stay and even found that to accommodate for the lack of stores nearby, there are some instant ramens and other food to purchase in the common area for dinner past five pm. Thank you for hosting us!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Michael

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Great location deep inside of Nara Park.
First off: the listing says laundry facilities are available, but they are not (yet). This is important because the nearest laundromat is 30 minutes away. Otherwise, it's a wonderful place to stay overnight in Nara. We spent 3 nights enjoying the park. Deer right outside every morning. 2 great restaurants right down the stairs, but everything nearby closes around 16:00. Drink machines abound, but plan to stock up at the 7-11 at the park entrance (15 minutes) to cook dinner or have snacks at the Inn. They offer a small selection of instant ramen and such you can purchase for 200 yen in the kitchen if you forget and are hungry. Very kind staff. Just keep in mind you won't have access to laundry or convenient store hours.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

2/10 Terrible

Randlyn

Traveled with family
Disliked: Staff & service
Very disappointed
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Belen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Felt very welcome and also thankful to the staff who recommended that we get food before everything closed in the area. They sent emails prior, to warn us which was great. The hotel is a little old but clean. I had a very simple room with a double bed and AC unit, shared bathroom and shower. They let us store our luggage a few hours in the morning after check out. Overall loved how close it was to the temples. I would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

John

Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Junko

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This hotel is located right by Wakakusayama, so quiet, deer sitting in front of hotel, super nice morning walk area! Owner was friendly, gave us good information. You can cook your own food at kitchen, so you can stay long. room was just like own bedroom, very comfortable. The bathrooms are not in your room, but very clean! My daughter loved here, so we will go back again!!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good but better air circulation needed
All was as per my expectation. But ventilation in public dining area is bit stuffy. It can be improved if there's vent or window to bring in some fresh air from outside.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Deb

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Friendly staff, great location.
Stayed 1 night in May 2019
Response from Taka on May 30, 2019
Thanks for choosing our hostel. You're a nice guest. We hope to see you again. The Deer Park Inn

8/10 Good

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Roman-Pascal

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2018

6/10 Okay

Peng Cheau Patrick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Close to nature
The motel is located inside the deer park that is close encounter to the deer. Not suitable for family with young children due to the motel condition. Share toilet and shower room only two and three respectively. The hotel should install hot and cold water dispenser direct from drinking water supply instead of using boiling thermo flash. Run out of water during peak hour and had to wait. Check out time too early.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2018

8/10 Good

Leong Howe

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Deer Park Inn
It felt refreshing staying amidst the park together with the deers. The host was very friendly and approachable and prior to arrival, they provide useful information about how to get there.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Phillip

Friendly staff. Excellent location. Not difficult to get taxi to and from train station. Arrived late evening and didn't eat previously. Staff helped us order some takeout; quality of food was excellent and price was cheap. Not as inconvenient as I thought. Would stay again!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018

8/10 Good

Jean, SF

Liked: Staff & service
Nice little serene stay for the deers
The hosts were great and the best part was the deers.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Joseph

Super friendly staff and huge room for Japan standards. Very chill vibe as well in the whole place. It reminds me of a huge wood cabin. The showers and bathrooms are shared but it wasn't an issue despite being fully booked. It's a bit far from the metro but right in the center of the park, which is great to see the night lights etc..
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Susanna, America

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
So much fun to wake up in the park!
It's clear this hostel is still working on being renovated and improved; in the two nights I was there they were getting deliveries to stock the kitchen with and during the day were working on cleaning and improving the hostel. It was a very nice room, very clean and comfortable, and the staff were lovely. I've already told friends they should stay there!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2018

10/10 Excellent

Dominique

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Fabulous, friendly, and great location
We booked one night here initially and ended up staying for one extra, partly due to bad weather the morning after the first night, but also due to the friendly atmosphere, good price and excellent location. We arrived around 7pm after walking from the JR station in town (30 mins) to find that unfortunately the local cafes had shut (we should have checked beforehand but didn't) however the staff were happy to place a take-out order for us from one of the menus they had in the communal area. [If you don't speak or read much Japanese and don't already have it-download google translate and the image translate attachment-it was so handy for translating menus!] The inn was in a great location for early morning deer spotting/feeding and only a short walk from most shrines. There are also buses going from just outside during the daytime which loop from the station up to the inn for only 100¥ (Around 65p/$1) Amenities, though shared, were very clean and pleasant. There was free green tea and coffee in the kitchen area, cooking facilities, and a small 'shop' for pasta, sauces, noodle pots and beers. The sitting and dining area was a nice size with soft jazz playing in the background, and overall the place just had a nice feel to it. Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to sight-see in Nara.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice and clean room, the location is quite far from downtown :)
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2018

10/10 Excellent

Christian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great location
Great location, close to shrines, basic accommodation, very friendly staff
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2017

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice and neat place with incredible staffs
I booked this hotel for my parents' trip in Japan for 1 night. Both of them speak little English and Japanese.While they told me, the staff was extremely patient and helped them find out all the things they want. The hotel was small but cozy. :)
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2017

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Clean and spacious. Location within the park is convenient for sightseeing but not eating.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wonderful hidden gem.
Staff were ver helpful and welcoming. So much to see and do at Deer Park with many shrines and temples as well as a hike up a mountain to a fantastic view. Peaceful.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Relaxing retreat
This is a lovely inn- a perfect retreat from the city. It has a very serene atmosphere and comfortable minimalist design that makes it easy to appreciate the beautiful nature around you. The staff are incredibly welcoming and provided plenty of advice on the best places to visit, as well as tips on making transit easy. The room was very clean. Not much furniture is provided, but this is a part of the zen-like design of the space and feels refreshing with so much nature around you. The view was beautiful and you can see the deer outside. This is a guesthouse, so amenities are shared, but everything is very well kept. We got a bit lost on the way there-- you will want to take the bus or a taxi as far as you can and make sure to print and bring with you the very detailed instructions that the staff will kindly send you. I wish we could have stayed more than one night- it was beautifully relaxing.

10/10 Excellent

amelia , UK

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
highly recommend
Incredible location in the heart of Nara park. Amazing staff helpful and polite. Great room with fantastic view of the park, super value for money

10/10 Excellent

Chung yan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Happy Holidays
I love it so much and will definitely visit it again

10/10 Excellent

Elli

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

8/10 Good

Jade, United Kingdom

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lovely place right in the centre of Nara park
Great place, lovely staff, nice communal area for everyone to gather in the evening. Private double was comfy and shared bathroom was very clean

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

10/10 Excellent

Janine, Sydney, Australia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Amazing staff and location!
We loved our stay here! Expect fairly basic but clean rooms with a communal lounge, kitchen and bathrooms in the most stunning location and you won't be disappointed! The staff were delightful. Just be warned it's nearly impossible to get food after 5pm when we were there in autumn as everything closes so make sure you buy in advance. Otherwise it's magical. Deer everywhere, beautiful temples and scenery.
Less than 10 minutes walk away
Great lunch spot minutes from the inn

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A good stay close to nature
Had enjoyed my stay at Deer Park Inn. What I like most is that it is close to wakakusayama and of course the park itself where you can take a nice walk. The inn itself has all the necessary facility. I would say it is a good value for money.

8/10 Good

lincoln

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
It is great for the money if you want to be inside the park. Get up morning and walk around as you own the park...it is great experience without the crowds. I was able to visit one of the temple late and with the lights on it was beautiful!

10/10 Excellent

Lily, Long Beach, United States of America

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very Close to Deer Park
This was my first hostel experience!! A very short taxi ride from Nara station can get you here. Recommend renting a bike from this hotel to get around. The shared restroom area was very clean and it is very quiet at night. I would definitely come back here next time.

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Right where you want to be in Nara.
Friendly and accommodating staff. It is a very nice hostel. The floor makes noise which could be disturbing to someone with light sleep. Otherwise, i would definitely recommend it to backpackers.

6/10 Okay

Winnie, CA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Great hostel, great price
Staff is super friendly and speaks excellent English and Japanese (as most hostel staff do... they also tend to be college students). They know the area and are happy to recommend things for you to do. Communal kitchen, bathroom, and showers. Food available for sale in kitchen. Bunk beds if you're a bigger party. Reading lights for each bed, toiletries in basket in room. Really great value. Location is a little less than ideal if you want to walk to the bigger attractions in the area (Daibutsu, Kofuku-ji), but it's doable. It's closer to Kasuga-taisha, maybe 15 min? But the scenery outside is really pleasant -- you're basically at the foot of Wakakusa-yama, and you'll spot deer as soon as you head outside. There's a little cafe and a little souvenir shop right outside, and then a secluded street of tourist-y type shops... it's a really pleasant stroll. You can also buy inks and brush pens on this street, if you're into calligraphy. Also, if you have heavy luggage, please beware: the location is right in the middle of a long set of stairs. So you'll either have to drag your luggage down or up.

10/10 Excellent

Katrina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Overall great stay
The Inn is literally located in the deer park, which is where most of the places to go in Nara are, so location-wise it is really perfect. Getting there from the JR-Nara station could be a bit tricky if you're new to Japan, but the staff sends you detailed instructions by email on how to get there so it's not difficult. The staff there are so kind and helpful; they can give you maps and tourist information on places to go, and you can keep your luggage there before/after check out. The room is clean and cozy, and the atmosphere of the Inn is very cabin-like, which is so fitting since you're in the deer park. Overall it was a very enjoyable stay, and if I visited Nara again I would love to stay there.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Amazing location with really friendly staff
We had an absolutely amazing time staying here. The park is deserted at night and in the early morning, so you have the temples and shrines to yourself (they are not open at these times, but they're still very impressive from the outside). The Nigatsudo shrine was especially great at night, as the lanterns were all lit and it's up a hill, so you can see the city...it's beautiful! Most of the temples to see in Nara are in the park, so you really are right in the middle of it. There are also deer everywhere! Which is fantastic, they are very friendly, especially if you have deer crackers! The hotel was great, it is more a hostel, but a really lovely one - it's all made out of wood so has a lovely warming, natural feel. The staff were really friendly and helpful with advice. The showers were really powerful and warm, which I was very happy about. Shared toilets and showers, but I never had to queue and all was fine, shampoo, toilet roll, towels etc all provided. The kitchen is nice and has basics you can buy (like water/noodles etc) and you can put music on in the lounge area. Wrap up if you are going in winter, as the communal areas are chilly, but the room was nice and warm. Would recommend getting bento boxes from the station supermarket and taking them to eat, as we couldn't find a supermarket anywhere near, and the nearest restaurants were a little bit of a walk (not so far though, and park is well lit at night).

8/10 Good

Carla, Redding

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great place to stay!
Very friendly staff. Very homey and relaxing. We loved that it was right in deer park, very charming!

10/10 Excellent

Anthony, Seoul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Charming Rustic Site in a Great Locale
This place is truly charming. It's a bit rustic (sort of a woodsy, hostel feel to it), but it's quite clean and the staff was simply great. The bathrooms and showers were shared, but they are very clean and the water temperature and pressure are great. Considering the price and the fact that you're literally right inside lovely Nara (Deer) Park, I would highly recommend this place.

10/10 Excellent

Edwin , Au

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Would go again
Nice hotel, clean comfortable and nicely soft beds with warm blankets. Friendly staff that will give good tips in where to go. Another bonus of the location is that it is only 10 min walk away from the nigatsudo hall which is beautifully illuminated at night.

6/10 Okay

Choi Keng

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Difficult to find, plenty of deer.
The hotel is difficult to find. Especially when it gets dark. From the front it looks like a cafe, but the entrance to the hotel is on the side, facing towards the stairs and not the street. It is located away from the main streets, but I like that it is. We were able to see deer from our bedroom window which was great.

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Not bad for short stay
A hostel style room. With the kitchen and living room. Not bad. But the service can be improved.

8/10 Good

Sin Yi, Hong Kong

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Good experience and place for relax =)
Room, share place and toilet is very clean and nice! There are always deer outside our window and the view is good =) Staff and roommate are nice. We walk to the hotel from train station but it is quite far. (but will meet many deer in the road <3) Near shop close around 5pm. Great place and good experience to meet different people that visit Nara =)

10/10 Excellent

Marta, Madrid, Spain

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lovely hotel in the best location
The Deer Park Inn was the best decision I could have made when I decided to travel alone to Nara. Right next to all the major temples (and the deers), it's a quite, clean, nice accommodation. The staff was also really helpful, which made the stay even better. I would definitely come back here.