ITADAKI NARA
EAT | DRINK | RELAX
GASTRONOMIC BOUTIQUE ARTISANAL
VILLA COMMUNICO
DESCRIPTION:
Opened in 2024 at the foot of Mt. Wakakusa, VILLA COMMUNICO showcases Chef Daiki Horita’s fusion of Italian, French, and Japanese techniques. Having trained in Bologna and Kyoto, Horita centers the experience around a wood-fired open kitchen inspired by the traditional Japanese "okudo-san." The minimalist space features furniture and tableware curated by domestic artisans to complement the restaurant's elemental philosophy. Drawing inspiration from the sacred rituals of nearby Kasuga Taisha Shrine, the cuisine is shaped by the shifting nature of the flame—ensuring each meal is a unique, ephemeral event that honors the bond between fire and tradition.
ACCOMMODATION:
Guests stay in one of five rooms, each designed around the five elements: fire (ignis), water (aqua), earth (solo), wind (ventus), and wood (lignum). Each room—sized between 35 and 45 sqm —offers views of Nara Park’s greenery, and the lounge provides a space to experience the seasonal changes of Mt. Wakakusa.
ACCESS:
Located at the foot of Mt. Wakakusa. Guests arriving by train are advised to take a taxi to the property.
Lunch
¥15,000
(Svc & tax excl.)
Address: 486-5 Zoshicho, Nara, 630-8211
Tel: 050-3176-1787
Check-in: 15:00
Check-out: 11:00
Honoring the elements
DESCRIPTION:
Yatakiya is a renovated 300-year-old farmhouse nestled in the mountains of Uda, Nara, a region famed for its medicinal herbs and deep connection to nature. The auberge offers four uniquely designed rooms—kagirohi, koraku, manyou, and mahoroba—each blending comfort, luxury, and living history. Guests are invited to experience traditional Japanese architecture firsthand, surrounded by shrines, forests, and the seasonal rhythms of the countryside. Yatakiya’s cuisine centers on local Nara ingredients prepared in a creative Italian style, with an emphasis on plant-based, seasonal dishes that highlight the flavors and health benefits of organic vegetables and wild herbs.
ACCOMMODATION:
Yatakiya’s rooms are each a unique retreat, blending history, luxury, and nature. Inspired by the dawn glow, medicinal herbs, and traditional architecture, the accommodations feature private baths, handpicked furnishings, and seamless connections to the surrounding landscape, offering a soothing experience steeped in the atmosphere of rural Nara.
ACCESS:
Yatakiya is located in Uda, Nara, surrounded by mountains and shrines. The nearest major transportation hubs require a taxi for the final leg to the property.
Address: 1835 Haibarayataki, Uda, Nara 633-0216
Tel: 0745-85-3650
Check-in time: 15:30
Check-out time: 10:00
YATAKIYA
Medicinal Bath Inn in a renovated 300-year old farmhouse
Dinner
¥13,200〜
Dinner
¥12,000 (inc. tax)
DESCRIPTION:
Nipponia Tawaramoto Maruto Shoyu is a historic accommodation housed in the oldest soy sauce brewery in Nara, originally established in 1689. The property seamlessly blends heritage and modern luxury, offering guests a chance to experience traditional Japanese craftsmanship while enjoying contemporary comforts. The story of Maruto Soy Sauce is deeply tied to the fertile Yamato River region, with ingredients sourced from local farmers and recipes once favored by the Imperial family. The menu is crafted to match the various types of soy sauce on offer.
ACCOMMODATION:
Guests can choose from seven uniquely designed rooms, each inspired by the brewery’s history and original functions. The largest suite, FUKO, offers panoramic views of the Nara countryside. Other rooms, such as USU, KOUJI, MINORI, HASE, and KURABITO, each reflect a different aspect of the brewing process—from the yeast used in fermentation to the river that once transported soy sauce and sake. All rooms feature modern amenities like Hinoki wooden bathtubs, heated toilets, and free Wi-Fi, ensuring a comfortable stay.
ACCESS:
Easily accessible by car. A 17-minute walk from Kintetsu Amagatsuji Station
Address: 170 Iyodo, Tawaramoto-cho, Isogi-gun, Nara 636-0243,
Tel:
Accommodation: 0744-32-2064
Restaurant: 050-3628-8894
Check-in: 15:00
MARUTO SOY SAUCE
Stay at the oldest soy sauce brewery in Nara
Ubusuna Kaiseki
¥10,000 〜 ¥24,200
DESCRIPTION:
Ubusuna-no-Sato TOMIMOTO is the historic birth home of Tomimoto Kenkichi, one of Japan’s and Nara’s most celebrated potters who lived between 1886 and 1963. This former residence houses two luxury guest rooms and a restaurant called Gofu Juu (five winds, ten rains) which comes from an old phrase describing an ideal, steady climate for agriculture. The location is close to the historic Horyu-ji Temple World Heritage Complex and offers its guests not only a meal but a moment of quiet beauty tied closely to Nara’s deep cultural heritage.
MENU:
There are two distinctive guest rooms, “Nisshin” and “Chikurin Getsuya,”each designed to evoke the legacy of renowned ceramicist Kanji Tomimoto. “Nisshin” preserves Tomimoto’s beloved study, where guests can relax amid the tranquil views of a Japanese garden. “Chikurin Getsuya” draws inspiration from the moonlit bamboo grove that Tomimoto and British potter Bernard Leach admired together. The rooms blend traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern comforts, with private baths with views of the garden or a stone courtyard.
ACCESS:
A short bus ride from JR Horyu-ji Station. Parking available for 5 cars.
Address: 1442 Higashiando, Ando-cho, Ikoma-gun, Nara, 39-1061
Tel: 0743-56-3855
Hours:
Lunch: 11:00 - 14:30 (last entry 13:00)
Lunch: 17:00 - Last order 19:00
UBUSUNA-NO-SATO TOMIMOTO
Intimate and serene kaiseki at Gofu Juu
