Located at a hard-to-find address in a modest neighborhood of Nara, this private residence offers one traditional Japanese room (not the several implied by its Web site, which shows pictures of the same room from different angles and alternate furnishings) at the top of narrow stairs, with a balcony used for storing cleaning and laundry supplies overlooking a parking lot. Clean toilet and bath located in adjoining hall, shared with another even more modest room. Bring your own sandals, arrange your own futons and maybe horse your bags up the stairs. The owner (only "staff" we encountered) tries mightily, providing tea, dinner and breakfast. No other facilities and no alcohol available aside from homemade sake unless the owner is asked to go shopping. This is not a hotel but a room on the second floor of a private residence, a B&B in European or American terms.