The main building of Nara Hotel (1096 Takabatake-cho, Nara City), which opened in 1909, is set to be designated an Important Cultural Property (Building). The decision follows a report issued on October 16, 2026 by the Council for Cultural Affairs, established by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Since it opened on October 17, 1909, the main building has welcomed many guests, including royalty and distinguished visitors from Japan and abroad. It was designed by the Tatsuno Kataoka Architectural Office (辰野片岡建築事務所), which was founded by Kingo Tatsuno and Yasushi Kataoka. Its blend of Japanese and Western design harmonizes with the historic scenery of the ancient capital of Nara, and more than a century after opening, it continues to operate as a working hotel.
A heavy tiled roof, a long exterior created by the staggered arrangement of the building, a great hall with an atrium, a grand staircase, a coffered ceiling and a fireplace each quietly tell of the time the hotel has accumulated.
In its report, the Council for Cultural Affairs recognized the building's value as a full-fledged hotel built in the late Meiji period, as well as its design and historical value, which resonate with the landscape of the ancient capital of Nara. Nara Hotel says it will treat the report as a new starting point, working to preserve and pass on its historical value while continuing to offer memorable stays as a working hotel.
Designation Overview
- Designated property: Nara Hotel Main Building
- Location: 1096-14 Takabatake-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
- Opened: October 17, 1909
- Designer: Tatsuno Kataoka Architectural Office
- Structure: Wooden, partly brick
Architecture and History of the Main Building
Since opening in 1909, the main building has preserved its appearance as a wooden building blending Japanese and Western styles in harmony with the landscape of the ancient capital of Nara.
The building is made of wood with partial brick construction. It has two stories, with a partly single-story section and one basement level, and stretches approximately 141 meters from east to west. The entrance, with its porte-cochere, stands in the center, and the dining and guest room wings are arranged in a staggered formation on both sides. The overlapping roofs draw a rhythmic skyline and form a distinctive landscape that blends into the scenery of the ancient capital.
Inside, the building offers spaces that skillfully combine Japanese and Western elements, including a great hall with an atrium and a grand staircase, a coffered ceiling, a fireplace, and a dining room with shoin-style design. While adopting the composition of Western architecture, the structural frame and interior design draw on traditional wooden architecture, and the high degree of refinement with which Japanese and Western designs are brought together is a major appeal of the main building.
After opening, the hotel carried out renovations over the years to meet the facility, safety and comfort needs of each era while protecting its historical design. Steam heating for the entire building was introduced in 1914. In 1922, a wastewater purification system was newly installed and lighting fixtures were updated for the stay of Edward, Prince of Wales of the United Kingdom. After the war, following a period in which the hotel was requisitioned as a recreation facility for the occupation forces, work to develop it as a modern accommodation facility moved forward, including the installation of private bathrooms in each guest room and the renewal of air-conditioning equipment. From 1956 to 1970, facility renovations continued, such as turning part of the dining room and veranda into indoor space and converting shared baths and toilets into guest rooms. In 1995, earthquake recovery work and the re-laying of roof tiles were carried out, and from 2017 to 2020, seismic retrofitting of the main building was carried out, increasing safety while protecting its historical value.
By inheriting its original design and dignity while renovating with the times, the main building continues to serve as a working hotel today.
A New Starting Point
The report is not an end point for Nara Hotel. It is a new starting point for passing on to the next era the building and design inherited since the 1909 opening, together with the memories accumulated there.
The hotel says it will continue appropriate preservation and maintenance so that the value of the building as historic architecture is not diminished. At the same time, as a working hotel, it will work to create an environment where guests can stay comfortably and with peace of mind.
The appeal of Nara Hotel lies not in architecture that is only to be looked at, but in actually staying overnight, walking through the building, enjoying meals, and spending time with the view of Nara beyond the windows. Climbing the grand staircase, sitting down in the lobby, and enjoying a dish in the dining room all connect to the story of more than 100 years that Nara Hotel has woven.
The hotel also plans to continue internal learning opportunities so that each staff member understands the hotel's history and architectural appeal and can share it with guests in their own words. Through these efforts, it aims to pass on to the future not only the value of the building but also the hospitality and memories that live within it.
The West Wing, which reopened after renovation in September 2026, will also continue to add to the value of a stay at Nara Hotel alongside the main building. The hotel plans to share its appeal by drawing on the atmosphere and dignity that the main building has protected and passed down, together with the new value of a stay that the West Wing offers.
Favorite Places Chosen by Nara Hotel Staff
The architectural beauty, spaces and time that have been passed down through the hotel's long history are special not only to guests but also to the staff who work there every day. Here are the staff's favorite places in the main building, offering a closer look at its appeal through the eyes of those who spend their days in these spaces.
Public Relations Staff: Main Building Lobby "Sakura-no-Ma" (桜の間)
"Sakura-no-Ma" is a place that every guest staying in the hotel visits at least once. Sinking into one of the large sofas, time flows slowly, and it makes you realize, "I'm really at Nara Hotel now."
Restaurant Staff: Main Dining Room "Mikasa" (三笠)
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the main dining room "Mikasa" is the true grand dining hall of Nara Hotel. The seats by the windows on the terrace side are popular, but this staff member recommends the seats on the inner side, where the Japanese-Western design is overwhelming. "I have always loved Mikasa, where you can enjoy the atmosphere of the hotel's founding days and its traditional cuisine."
Front Desk Staff: The Chandelier
This staff member's favorite is the Japanese-Western chandelier, modeled on the hanging lanterns of Kasuga Taisha Shrine. An anecdote remains that Audrey Hepburn kept exclaiming "wonderful" when she visited and saw this chandelier. It can be seen up close by climbing the grand staircase of the main building and is also recommended as a photo spot.
Sales Staff: Banquet Hall "Kiri-no-Ma" (桐の間)
With its coffered ceiling, mantelpiece and classic window frames, this banquet hall is full of what makes Nara Hotel what it is. It has been well received by guests and is a space with a character all its own. "When I propose Kiri-no-Ma to guests, it is the moment I realize I am working at Nara Hotel, and I stand up straighter."
Renewal Promotion "Register: Recording the Present for the Future"
In 2024, to mark the 115th anniversary of its founding, Nara Hotel restored the only guest register that remains in the hotel. This register, which marks the beginning of the hotel's story, can be seen as a symbol of recording time and connecting it to the future. Taking its cue from the guest register as a messenger to the future, the hotel will hold a variety of promotions during the renewal period under the theme "Register: Recording the Present for the Future."
Restaurant Availability Now Viewable Online
Seat availability at the hotel's restaurants can now be checked online, and same-day online reservations are available.
