ITADAKI NARA
EAT | DRINK | RELAX
KAISEKI-RYORI JAPANESE FINE DINING
YAKUZEN BENTO
¥3,500 & ¥5,500
DESCRIPTION:
Saryo Hana Yamato is a long‑established yakuzen (Japanese medicinal cuisine) restaurant tucked into a quiet residential pocket of Takatori in southern Nara. From the outside, the white, angular building and clean lines give it the air of a small modern art gallery. Each course weaves together seasonal produce, medicinal herbs, and refined Japanese presentation to nourish both body and spirit. The hostess guides diners through the menu, explaining the role of each herb and ingredient, many of which grown organically by the hostess herself in their nearby field.
MENU:
The entire menu is free from additives, focusing instead on carefully sourced ingredients chosen for both flavor and nutritional benefit. Courses typically bring together items like herbal aperitif, assorted sashimi, grilled dishes, slow‑simmered vegetables, tempura, black sesame tofu, soup with fine wheat noodles, black rice, and a small dessert, all arranged in a visually spectacular way.
​​
ACCESS:
1.1 km from Kintetsu Tsubosakayama Station. Parking available for 5 or 6 cars.
Address: 1064 Shimizutani, Takatori, Takaichi District, Nara 635-0103
Tel: 0744‑52‑2289
Hours:
Mon, Wed–Sat: 11:30–14:30, 17:00–20:00
Sun & Pub Hols :11:30–20:30
Closed: Tuesday
(open on request for groups of four or more)
SARYO HANA YAMATO
Yakuzen - Japanese medicinal cuisine
AZEKURA, JW MARRIOTT
Kaiseki Lunch
¥6,325〜¥14,548
DESCRIPTION:
Azekura is the hotel's flagship restaurant and serves Teppanyaki, Kaiseki, and Sushi in chic surroundings inspired by the architectural style of ancient treasure houses. Their skilled chefs source the finest seasonal ingredients from all over Japan, and carefully craft each dish to showcase their natural flavors and textures, offering a culinary experience steeped in tradition and elegance. celebrates the beauty and diversity of Japanese cuisine.
HEAD CHEF:
Head chef Yoshida Nobukazu has extensive experience in Japanese cuisine, having deepened his skills at several prestigious restaurants including Toda-ke Bettei Inn in Toba and The Ritz-Carlton in Osaka. Mr. Yoshida values expressing the beauty of Japan through his cuisine and is known for his traditional cooking style, using only high-quality seasonal ingredients that he personally procures.
ACCESS:
A 10-minute walk from Shinomiya Station, located in front of Nara Prefecture Convention Center
Chic Japanese restaurant in the 5 star JR Marriott Hotel
Address: 1 Chome-1 Sanjooji, Nara 630-8013, Japan
Tel: 0742-366-000
Hours:
Lunch: 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Dinner: 5:30 - 8:30 PM
Closed: Monday
(Open for National Holidays)
NISHIYAMATO SAEKI
The essence of Nara in culinary form
DESCRIPTION:
Nishiyamato Saeki is a Sukiya-style restaurant where guests enjoy authentic kaiseki cuisine in a refined setting. The 4,000㎡ garden, with its dry landscape and views of Mount Wakakusa, Mt. Ikoma and Horyu-ji Temple creates a tranquil backdrop for dining. Inside, incense, seasonal flowers, and traditional tearooms provide an elegant, tea culture-inspired atmosphere. The restaurant offers private tatami rooms, sunken kotatsu seating, and spaces suited for family gatherings, business dinners, or celebrations. Cultural experiences such as moon-viewing, traditional music on the Noh stage, incense ceremonies, and tea gatherings are also available.
MENU DETAILS:
The cuisine celebrates the flavors of Nara with Yamato vegetables, Yamato beef, and wild-caught fish, presented in the most elegant kaiseki courses imaginable. Seasonal menus blend tradition with artistry. Highlights include Seasonal Kaiseki inspired by the climate and history of Nara, Celebratory Kaiseki for weddings and special
occasions, Tea Kaiseki for authentic tea gatherings and Casual Lunch Sets and children’s meals for family-friendly dining. Served on Akahadayaki pottery and original handcrafted vessels.
ACCESS:
A 6-minute walk from Kintetsu Owada Station or 5 minutes by taxi from JR Oji Station. Ample parking is available, convenient from Kyoto, Osaka or Nara City.
Koto Kaiseki
Tempyo Lunch
¥10,890
Address: 1674-2 Owada, Kawai, Kitakatsuragi District, Nara 636-0093
Tel: 0745-73-3393
Lunch: 11:30–16:00 (L.O. 14:00)
Dinner: 17:00–22:00 (L.O. 20:00)
Closed: Tuesdays & Wednesdays (open on holidays)
DESCRIPTION:
Ryokan Ogawa has been welcoming guests for more than 120 years. This traditional inn and Michelin-starred ryotei offers the perfect combination of refined kaiseki dining and serene Japanese hospitality.
Guests can dine while overlooking an exquisite Japanese garden dotted with seasonal trees, carp-filled ponds, and a rustic tea house. The atmosphere takes you back in time—the building itself is full of history and charm. The ryokan offers both meal-only plans (lunch or dinner) and overnight stays that include two kaiseki meals with access to a hinoki-wood bath. Tea gatherings can also be held in their authentic tearoom.
MENU DETAILS:
The cuisine at Ogawa reflects the very heart of seasonality in Yamato kaiseki. Monthly menus are carefully crafted, highlighting fresh local ingredients such as ayu (sweetfish), hamo (pike conger), and mountain vegetables. It's the ideal place to experience Michelin-starred quality and Yamato’s seasons in full elegance. Reservations in advance are highly recommended.
​
ACCESS:
Located in the historic castle town of Yamatokoriyama, just a short walk from both JR and Kintetsu Koriyama Stations.
Accommodation
with 2 meals
¥22,000〜
Includes hinoki bath & seasonal kaiseki dinner + breakfast
Address: 17 Zakokumachi, Yamatokoriyama, Nara 639-1150
Tel: 0743-52-2162
Lunch: 11:30 〜
Dinner: 17:00 〜
Closed: Irregular
RYOKAN OGAWA
A Historic Ryokan & Michelin-Starred Kaiseki in Yamatokoriyama
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:
The menu at Gofu Juu celebrates the richness of Nara’s seasons through carefully crafted kaiseki meals. At lunchtime, guests can enjoy beautifully arranged bento or elegant multi-course sets featuring seasonal vegetables and locally raised Mahoroba Akaushi beef. Dinner elevates the experience further with refined seasonal kaiseki, from delicate tempura courses to luxurious hot pots. A children’s menu and take-out seasonal bento boxes are also available. Reservations need to be made 3 days in advance.
​​
ACCESS:
A short bus ride from JR Horyu-ji Station. Parking available for 5 cars.
Ubusuna Kaiseki
¥10,000 〜 ¥24,200
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
