Edosan is a small ryokan inside Nara Park, founded in 1907. Its rooms are detached sukiya-style houses scattered among the trees, and deer sometimes wander past, the inn says. Before you book, three things matter: dinner and breakfast are served in your room; the two baths are family baths in a separate building, open at set hours; and there is no shuttle, so you walk or take a taxi into the park.
Edosan at a glance
| Item | Official information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1167 Takabatake-cho, Nara, inside Nara Park |
| Founded | 1907, as a restaurant; an inn since after the war |
| Rooms | Detached Japanese-style houses; only one has its own bath |
| Check-in / out | From 15:00 / 10:00 |
| Curfew | None (you get a key) |
| Meals | Dinner and breakfast in your room |
| Baths | Two family baths, 15:00–23:00 and 7:00–8:30 |
| Shuttle | None |
| Smoking | Non-smoking throughout, no smoking area |
From the official pages, read October 21, 2026.
The rooms and history of Edosan
What are the rooms like?
All rooms are Japanese-style detached houses in wooden, single-story sukiya style, built between the Meiji era and the early Showa era; the most recent renovation was in 2011. Only one house has its own bath, and it cannot be requested. Rooms have a TV, air conditioning, a hair dryer and free Wi-Fi, and the toilets are Western-style with a washlet. The inn sits in the area of the World Heritage site of Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara. For nearby sights, see our Todai-ji guide.
Where does the name come from?
The inn opened as a restaurant on April 3, 1907, and the name comes from Edobori 3-chome in Osaka. Writers and artists such as Naoya Shiga and Tsuguharu Foujita came here. Many rooms are named after drums and gongs, a trace of the days when staff were called with sound.
Can I stay alone?
Regular plans are for two guests or more. The inn offers a solo plan for a limited period; check its terms on the plan page.
Meals at Edosan
What is served for dinner and breakfast?
Room attendants carry both meals to your house. Dinner is kaiseki, or from October to March the inn’s Wakakusa-nabe, a hot pot of about 16 ingredients such as spiny lobster, sea bream and fresh yuba; the name was given by Naoya Shiga. Breakfast is a Japanese set with tea rice porridge. Everyone in one room has the same menu, and dinner starts at 18:00 or 18:30, breakfast at 8:00 or 8:30.
Can the inn handle allergies or a special diet?
The Japanese FAQ says the inn cannot fully remove allergens; it prepares dishes without the specific ingredients you name. Tell the inn when you book, because same-day requests are declined. Changing one dish is possible, but a change that affects many ingredients, such as no raw food at all, is not. For other diets, ask the inn before you book.
The baths at Edosan
When are the baths open?
There are two family baths, Kasuga and Mikasa, in a separate building. They are open from 15:00 to 23:00 and from 7:00 to 8:30 in the morning, for staying guests only. The water is heated artificial hot-spring water made with bakuhanseki stone, not a natural spring.
Can I bathe with a tattoo?
The official pages do not mention tattoos. The baths are used by one group at a time, but ask the inn first; our tattoo and onsen guide explains what to ask.
Prices, children and cancellation at Edosan
How much does a stay cost?
On the Japanese plan page, the regular plan with dinner and breakfast starts at 26,400 yen per person, with the 15 percent service charge included; the rate depends on the season and day. Check whether tax is included on the booking form. Wakakusa-nabe, special-menu, two-night and larger-room plans cost more; see the plan page.
What do children cost?
Children aged 6 to 11 pay 70 percent of the adult rate, ages 3 to 5 pay 50 percent, and ages 0 to 2 pay a facility fee of 2,200 yen. From 12, guests pay the adult rate.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellation fees start in the week before arrival and depend on the size of your group. Read the policy on the English site and confirm it with the inn when it replies to your booking. Our hotel cancellation guide explains the common terms.
How do I book and pay?
Send the plan’s reservation form; the English form says the inn replies within one to two days, and your stay is not booked until the inn confirms it. Phone bookings are in Japanese only. Payment and guarantee details differ between the Japanese and English pages, so confirm them in the inn’s reply.
Getting to Edosan in Nara Park
From Kintetsu Nara Station, it is about 15 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by taxi; from JR Nara Station, about 25 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by taxi. There is no shuttle, and there is no signpost to the inn inside the park, so download the map on the access page. The official pages do not mention parking. Coming from the capital? See our Tokyo to Nara guide.
What foreign guests should know before staying at Edosan
- The phone line is Japanese only; use the English reservation or contact form.
- The Japanese form asks for bookings within three days of arrival to be made by phone.
- The price calendar on the site is not an availability calendar.
- The whole inn is non-smoking, including heated and e-cigarettes.
- The inn posts occasional closing days on its news page; replies to messages can wait until the next open day.
Frequently asked questions
What time is check-in at Edosan?
Does Edosan have a curfew?
Can I bathe with a tattoo at Edosan?
Can Edosan handle food allergies?
How do I get to Edosan?
Bottom line (2026): Edosan is a small 1907 inn of detached sukiya houses inside Nara Park, with meals in your room, Wakakusa-nabe from October to March and two family baths. There is no curfew and no shuttle. Book on the official English plan page and confirm payment and cancellation in the inn’s reply.
Sources
Every fact on this page is from Edosan’s official pages: home (Japanese), about, history, baths, Wakakusa-nabe, stay plans, children, FAQ (Japanese), access, and the English site, English FAQ and English plan page. All were read on October 21, 2026. Prices and rules change; check the official site before you book.
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