The only thing we didn't like was that we didn't get to stay longer.

Renjoji surpassed our expectations in every way. The guest house is a beautiful traditional Japanese house in the back garden of this small Pure Land temple in the centre of Nara. Our hostesses were extremely attentive, and the breakfast was delicious. We also loved the morning service in the main temple to which we were invited. Far and away our best, most beautiful stay during our holiday in Japan - a truly special place.

Stayed in June 2025

Nothing to say really, if you want to experience a temple stay in Nara, this is highly recommended.

It is such a nice way to spend some time in Nara. The venue has a kitchen, dining area and modern bathroom suite, with a washing machine. So although the bedroom and living space are old japanese style, you still get enough modern Japanese living to make it comfortable. The location is good, not too far away from the action but still quiet enough to actually relax. I walked to Nara park within 30 minutes stopped at some cafes and shops on the way. The hosts are really helpful, freindly and just a nice social family and they live on site, so you get an experience of life running a temple in Nara, which makes it's a really good cultural experience too if you are tired of staying in hotels around Japan. It is a temple, so everyone should be mindful of the location, the grandmother is the priest in the family and she does carry out prayers and rituals on site for local worshippers.

Stayed in June 2025

Everything was beyond perfect. Its a 27 min walk to the center but Noriko allowed me to use her bike which helped a lot.

Exceptionally is an understatement for Renjoji. Trust me, the photos of Renjoji barely does it justice as this was the most geniune, authentic, Japanese experience I’ve had in my two weeks in Japan. The homemade traditional Japanese breakfast was delicious. The living area, bathroom, bedroom (you get a whole house to yourself) was dustless and modern. Just everything about this place felt like a dream and I genuinely felt lucky that I was even able to secure such a spot.

Stayed in June 2025

None.

Everything. The property is a beautifully designed and maintained classic Japanese home with a tranquil garden. It provides the combined benefits of modern living in a traditional setting. The house has been kept neat and tidy. The most amazing part of our stay here was our hostesses, Noriko San and Keiko San. They have been extremely kind, insisted on picking us up from the train station, gave us warm welcome, and prepared home-made plum wine for us. We also were invited to a morning prayer ceremony hosted by Keiko San in this temple, and enjoyed a delicious breakfast by Noriko San afterwards. Our hostesses did everything they could to make us feel home, and also drove us to the rail station when we needed to continue our journey. This is an unforgettable experience and we hope to visit Noriko San and Keiko San in our next trip to Japan.

Stayed in July 2024

We travelled with our 7 and 5 year old sons. Staying in the temple grounds, participating in the morning prayer, and having a beautiful breakfast by the zen garden was wonderful, and our children were welcomed and included throughout the whole experience. Noriko and her mum are joyful, excellent hosts, and all the extra touches, like homemade plum wine and lolly snacks and toys for the kids made this stay one of the highlights of our trip. We hope to come back one day!

Stayed in July 2024

Nothing.

Wonderful stay in a beautiful Japanese house with very kind hosts. The traditional rooms are very atmospheric and the house has great kitchen and bathroom facilities. Convenient to a supermarket and bus stops to the centre- but also a pleasant walk. Breakfast and morning prayer with the hosts was a really special experience.

Stayed in June 2024

Nothing

Beautiful home with all the facilities available, serene experience and wonderful hosts!

Stayed in May 2024

Nothing

A stunning little gem, owned by wonderful people. So many lovely extras that really made it an authentic stay. The owners were so kind and helpful and we really enjoyed attending the service. I’m so glad we stayed there. I’d highly recommend it amd will definitely be back if we are ever in Nara again. Thank you both so much.

Stayed in April 2024

The stay at the temple was amazing, especially joining morning prayers (optional!) with the centuries old statues, and breakfast in the garden room. A real highlight of our Japan trip. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Exceptional.

Stayed in April 2024

All perfect.

Since we arrived we loved the place, it is very calm and the hostess was super nice, it was an unforgettable stay. She took great care of us since we arrived in Nara, if you are looking for a traditional Japanese house to stay this is the perfect option, since more than a stay it is an experience that I am sure you will never forget, the interior of the property is really clean and It has all the facilities you need.

Stayed in April 2024

The welcome of Noriko was so gentle and profesional.

The house belongs to an exceptional human-sized temple dedicated to a female Buddah. The garden is simply marvelous and the house is brand newly renovated but keeping the ancient style.

Stayed in April 2024

This is an amazing place to stay.... to be shown the temple was very special....and the ladies running the place were delightful....collected us from the station....couldn't have been friendlier. Highly highly recommend.

Stayed in April 2024

Great experience with a beautiful garden and traditional house and fantastic Japanese breakfast!!

Stayed in March 2024

What an incredibly special stay, and Noriko and her mother were amazing hosts. They were so welcoming and we appreciated all the special touches they added to this place. The traditional house is perfect - we loved it and were excited when we got home to spend more time in it! The morning prayer and breakfast is a beautiful memory we have, thank you!

Stayed in December 2023

Nothing!

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Renjoji Temple and give it our highest recommendation! Noriko san and her mother were fantasticly accommodating hosts. We were picked up from the train station, offered snacks and drinks on arrival and in the evening sake, plum wine and even more snacks! These were however the least of the culinary delights we were provided, the traditional breakfast that was prepared for us was truly amazing! The temple gardens and morning prayers were beautiful! The accommodation itself was superb, it was very nice to stay in the delightfully renovated traditional house. It has all the modern conveniences you need whilst retaining all of its traditional charm. The accommodation's facilities have been thoughtfully considered and everything we needed was available, including the offer of two bikes which were very useful for getting around Nara. The location is great and major Nara attractions are definitely within walking distance, but the bikes do help! 10 out of 10!

Stayed in February 2024

Nothing

Noriko and her mother were the kindest hosts - we have never felt so welcome in an accomodation. We only regret not staying longer. It was a very traditional experience and we feel lucky to have experienced it. We also loved the breakfast, drinks and snacks. Thank you!

Stayed in January 2024

All wonderful. I can't think of anything wrong.

We had a wonderful stay in this traditional Japanese house within a Buddhist temple. The service was excellent in every respect, the guest contacted us beforehand to make sure everything was ready and also offered to pick us up at the train station. The temple is beautiful, as the pictures on Bookings testify, and is maintained alive by the faith and the passion of the Guests. Living a traditionally furnished house has been an exceptional experience for us, and we could appreciate how rational and intelligently furnished were the Japanese houses. Our kids had a lot of fun in the garden and jumping on the trampolin. We could have spent in Nara, in this nice and peaceful location, more than the 2 days we booked (that's our regret).

Stayed in October 2023

Best stay in Japan! If you are traveling to Nara, take the time to stop here. We really had an incredible stay with Noriko and her mom. The traditional house is beautiful with modern equipment and spatious (can contain easily 4/5 persons) in front of the family temple. We particularly loved the discussion with the host, the homemade delicious breakfast, the morning prayer and all the delicate attentions from Noriko and her mom.

Stayed in October 2023

Beautiful place—serene perfection

Stayed in September 2023

Nothing, it was perfect.

Big, clean, traditional and very confortable. This is the best place I have been in Japan so far, if I come back, I wll definetly come back again

Stayed in July 2023

The warm hospitality and generously The pray in the temple in the morning was a wonderful experience The house was once in a life time It was like a magic to us

Stayed in July 2023

Superb facilities, all of modern appliances

Stayed in July 2023

Nothing

Everything

Stayed in June 2023

Everything

Stayed in May 2023