A lovely choice in inexpensive Japanese-style accommodations, this former geisha house boasts a beautiful garden, complete with azalea bushes and manicured trees—the kind of garden usually found only at ryokan costing twice as much. Located in quaint Naramachi about a 10-minute walk south of Nara Park, the traditional Japanese building dates from 1916 and wraps around the inner garden. Although the simple tatami rooms are showing their age, all is forgiven if you can reserve one of the five rooms facing the garden (those facing streetside are usually for single use). Note that there’s an 11pm curfew.