Kankaso (also written Kankasou) is a Japanese inn on the edge of Nara Park, close to the gate of Todaiji. Its building began life as Sojiin, a sub-temple of Todaiji, and was moved to its present spot in 1922. Before you book, three things matter: every plan is dinner and breakfast, from 24,200 yen per person; there is no parking, so come by bus, taxi or on foot; and the inn’s own website is in Japanese only.
Kankaso in Nara at a glance
| Question | What the official pages say |
|---|---|
| Where is it? | 10 Kasugano-cho, Nara 630-8212, near Todaiji |
| What kind of building? | A relocated Todaiji sub-temple building; an inn since October 1954 |
| Which plans? | Standard kaiseki or Upgrade kaiseki, both with dinner and breakfast |
| From how much? | 24,200 yen per person, tax and service included |
| Smoking? | The whole inn is non-smoking |
| Parking? | None; guests are asked not to come by car |
| Nearest bus stop? | Daibutsu-mae, about 1 minute on foot |
| English website? | No |
From the official site and booking page, read October 21, 2026.
The history of the Kankaso building in Nara
Where did the building come from?
The inn says it was once Sojiin, a sub-temple attached to Todaiji’s Zuto. In 1922 the old Sojiin building was sold off; Tamai Daikando, an antique dealer of the time, bought it and moved it to the present site. After the war ended in August 1945, it was used for five years by senior officers of the US Army, and in October 1954 it opened as the inn Kankaso. It is also known by another name, Kyukaso.
What is inside?
The inn calls itself an “inn of gardens” and a purely Japanese-style inn whose rooms carry fine old craftsmanship. It names the Tenpyo room, built with pillars it describes as 1,200 years old, and the Daigo room, an 8-mat room in shoin style whose staggered shelves copy the national-treasure Daigo shelves. The Kojika room is a detached room reached by a corridor from the main building. The rooms page does not say whether the Tenpyo room is offered for stays.
What is the view?
The inn describes its setting with the Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji and Nara Park in front, Mount Wakakusa behind, and the five-story pagoda of Kofukuji in view. For the temple itself, see our Todaiji guide.
Getting to Kankaso without a car
Can I drive?
No, in practice. The booking page says the inn has no parking and asks guests not to come by car, because there is no nearby parking for overnight stays. Plan on public transport or a taxi.
How do I get there by bus?
Take the city loop bus from Kintetsu Nara Station, about 6 minutes, and get off at Daibutsu-mae; the inn is about 1 minute on foot from the stop. By road, the access page lists about 3 minutes from Kintetsu Nara Station and about 6 minutes from JR Nara Station. Coming from Tokyo? Our Tokyo to Nara guide covers the train options.
Can I walk from the station?
Yes. The access page lists about 15 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station. The official pages do not mention a pickup service.
Meals and prices at Kankaso
What is on the menu?
Every plan on the booking page includes dinner and breakfast, served as kaiseki. The Standard kaiseki and the Upgrade kaiseki plans are the two choices. The official pages do not describe the dishes, where meals are served, or whether the inn can handle allergies or a vegetarian diet, so ask before you book.
How much does each room type cost?
| Room on the booking page | Standard kaiseki | Upgrade kaiseki |
|---|---|---|
| 6-mat room | from 24,200 yen | from 26,400 yen |
| 10-mat room | from 25,300 yen | from 27,500 yen |
| 16-mat two-room suite (2nd floor) | from 27,500 yen | from 30,800 yen |
Per person per night, dinner and breakfast, tax and service included. Plans on sale until April 30, 2027. Official booking page, read October 21, 2026.
The rooms page on the inn’s own site shows other figures, without a year. Treat the booking page as the place to confirm the price for your date.
Baths, children and the booking rules at Kankaso
Is there a bath, and can I use it with a tattoo?
The official pages do not describe the baths, their hours, or a tattoo rule. Ask the inn. Nara City charges a bathing tax of 150 yen per person per night only for bathing in a mineral-spring bath, with children under 12 exempt; the official pages do not say whether the inn has one, so ask whether it applies.
What do children cost?
The booking page lists child rates on its plans. Check the amount on the plan you choose.
What about cancellation and payment?
The official pages read for this guide do not give a cancellation policy or payment methods. Check the plan page before you confirm, or ask the inn. Our hotel cancellation guide explains what to look for.
What foreign guests should know before staying at Kankaso
- The official site is in Japanese only, and we did not find an English booking page; a translation tool helps.
- Do not plan to drive or rent a car for this night; there is no parking.
- The whole inn is non-smoking; see our guide to smoking rules in Japanese hotels.
- Arrival time, checkout and the bath are not on the official pages; ask by phone (+81-742-26-1128) or the contact form.
- Dinner is part of every plan, so tell the inn early about allergies or diets.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive to Kankaso?
How much does a night at Kankaso cost?
Does Kankaso have a hot-spring bath?
Does Kankaso have an English website?
Can children stay at Kankaso?
Bottom line (2026): Kankaso is an inn by Todaiji, built from a relocated Todaiji sub-temple building, with kaiseki dinner and breakfast from 24,200 yen per person. Arrive by bus, taxi or on foot, since there is no parking, and ask the inn about the bath, arrival time and cancellation before you book.
Sources
Every fact on this page is from Kankaso’s official pages: home (Japanese), about, rooms, guide, access, contact and the official booking page, and from Nara City’s bathing tax page. All were read on October 21, 2026. Prices and rules change; check the official site before you book.
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