My husband and I came to Japan 5 weeks after the tsunami and there were not many guests at any location we stayed. Other than the owners, as far as we could tell there was only one other guest staying in the ryokan. The owners were nice, but were not very involved in our stay and had quarters in part of the ryokan. The building itself is very old, but our room seemed newly renovated, with fresh tatami mats and paint and new bedding. The garden is as lovely as the pictures, and our room on the second floor had large windows overlooking it. There is a large Japanese style tub room that can accommodate a family and be booked privately. Since it is Japanese style, the bath water is only changed once daily and there was no filter. You are supposed to shower before getting in the bath but the other guest used the water before us and it was pretty dirty and gross. There is a common area with a computer and a Japanese style dining room where we had breakfasts and dinners. The food was very good Japanese style! We took one bus from the train station and the ryokan was only a few blocks off the bus route.

We arrived in Nara on a long weekend with nowhere to stay. This was the only place to have any accommodation available. We arrived early and left our bags to walk around town and when we came back at check intime our bags had been taken to our room and or beds made for us. It is a wonderful character filled building. It was previously a Geisha house and the bedrooms are housed in the old rooms. The bathroom facilities are a bit of a walk from the bedrooms and pretty basic, but there is a great traditional bathroom with a big bath that the lady fills each evening. The gardens are also pretty septacluar and it is next down to a beautiful temple. We also had the breakfast each morning which was fabulous and really cheap. If you want a real sense of old Japan this is the place for you. Do not go here if you are looking for luxury, cable television, bar fridges etc. We loved it!

Spent one night here for visit to Nara...easy walk from town centre, through old neighbourhood - happy with the location and interesting to explore the back streets around Seikanso. Although the frontage of this ryokan is fairly unassuming, inside it is all built around a fabulous garden area. Comfortable enough room, clean and tidy, with tea making facilities and separate seating area with views over the beautiful gardens.

Walls are very thin, so you hear every movement up and down the corridor, which can be a bit disturbing, but there is a 11pm "curfew" when they said they close the doors, so folk aren't up that late. Great to experience the old world feel about the place and it's a good option for those not wanting to spend a fortune, yet get to the more authentic side of japanese accommodation. Free internet in the lounge area downstairs.

We loved everything about Seikanso. The courteous proprietors were so kind and accommodating, the smell of the wooden building, delightful garden and wonderfully authentic rooms, meals served in a traditional setting, tiny balconies overlooking the cloistered courtyard . . . all made for the most memorable stay in Nara.

This is the place to stay for a genuinely relaxing taste of Japanese hospitality in a homely and natural environment. Reviewers comparing this beautifully simple and traditional ryokan with others (benefitting from Western ensuites, wifi to all areas and free airport transfers) have missed out on taking the time to breathe in the atmosphere of this historic building, and enjoying the peaceful freedom from commercial chain hotel 'luxuries'.

If you desire to experience this enchanting culture then discovery of the real Japan starts here. Couldn't commend it highly enough.