Around Shiomakuyama Ancient Tomb × Highly rated Hotel·Ryokan

We planned a three-night trip to Nara. The first two nights were at a Hotel near Nara Station, so for the final night we chose this place a little farther out—especially because it offered the rare experience of staying in a soy sauce brewery. It far exceeded our expectations. Right after arriving, we joined the soy sauce pressing experience and were immediately captivated by the owner’s talk. I was truly impressed by the story of how he revived soy sauce making from scratch after his grandfather had been forced to stop after the war. Dinner dishes made with this deeply meaningful soy sauce highlighted mostly home-grown vegetables and let each ingredient shine—everything was exceptional. Even dessert (I think it was crème brûlée?) used soy sauce, and it was genuinely delicious. The Hatsuse Room was also a comfortable, calming space where we could rest well. Not having a TV was actually great. The wooden bath was wonderful too. Breakfast—rice with raw egg, an egg with a white yolk (?), and fresh fried tofu with soy sauce—was simple but the best kind of feast. The staff kindly answered even my husband’s rather unreasonable (laughing) questions, and I admired their sincere hospitality. Visiting in midsummer was lovely, but next time I’d like to return to this Accommodation in another season.

I stayed for one night. The Hotel and the Room were very clean, with thorough cleaning down to every detail, so I was able to spend my time comfortably. The Room was also spacious and very easy to relax in! All of the staff were warm and courteous, and I was very satisfied. The meals were delicious, and I could take my time enjoying them while chatting with friends. Thank you as well for accommodating ingredients I’m not comfortable with. Overall, it was a wonderful Hotel where I felt at ease and truly refreshed both physically and mentally. I would definitely like to stay here again when I visit Nara.

This was our first trip as a couple, and we made a Reservation to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. Since we’re not very experienced travelers, we were nervous at first, but the Ryokan staff were so kind and friendly that our worries quickly disappeared. I’m not usually comfortable with open-air baths, but I worked up the courage to try—and it was truly relaxing and soothing. The changing area was clean and easy to use as well. And the meals we had been looking forward to exceeded all expectations—I was genuinely satisfied from the bottom of my heart! Everything was delicious. There was venison tataki, which I wasn’t sure about at first, but it had no strong taste at all and was truly wonderful. Our attendant explained each dish carefully, which helped us appreciate the ingredients even more—thank you so much. What made us even happier was that they took photos for our anniversary and gave them to us as a gift when we left. The handwritten letter from the proprietress also deeply moved me. This is the first time my heart has felt this full—just like my stomach! We are filled with gratitude for everyone’s thoughtfulness, kindness, and warm support. We will definitely come back again! Thank you very much for everything.

We stayed in a suite. We were very satisfied with the size of the Room and the terrace, and the peaceful rural view was truly soothing. We could also see the stars clearly at night. We enjoyed the welcome drink and sweets, which raised our expectations for dinner—and they did not disappoint. The course meal served in our Room was wonderful, with the staff kindly explaining each dish, and even the chef came to greet us in person. Everything looked beautiful, but it tasted exactly as amazing as we hoped—perhaps even better. I ate each dish in genuine amazement. It made me wish we could casually enjoy this cuisine nearby whenever we wanted. As for dessert at dinner, we were surprised by both the canelé and the chocolate—the canelé for its delicious flavor, and the chocolate for its unique texture! It’s not hard; there’s something special inside. I truly hope you’ll try it. Breakfast was very filling. The egg dish was so luxurious that I couldn’t help blurting out “Wow!” I felt happy thinking, “I ate so many vegetables!” The bread was homemade and delicious, and they kindly wrapped up what we couldn’t finish to take with us. With meals like this included, we looked at each other as a family and said how unbelievably affordable this Accommodation Fee felt. We were also happy to purchase a lovely wood plate as a souvenir—it made for a wonderful stay overall. Thanks to the warm hospitality of all the staff, it became a trip where we lost track of time, and meeting the chef’s kind personality as well made us deeply grateful for such delicious food and such special moments. Thank you very much for taking such great care of us.

Very convenient, right in front of Sakurai Station. We stayed here to visit Hasedera Temple and Abe Monju-in on our way back from Osaka. We also planned to go to Horyu-ji afterward, so we used Sakurai Station, which is served by both Kintetsu and JR. The Room was more spacious than expected and very practical. The large public bath was also very clean. If I had one request, I would have liked mineral water in the Room.

Conveniently located near Yamato-Yagi Station, making it easy to travel in any direction toward Oku-Yamato. The Room feels a bit dated, but it is simple and clean. The bathroom and toilet were also clean, and I stayed comfortably. Breakfast is available for 500 yen; it’s like a café morning set, but surprisingly good.

This was my second stay. Since it is away from central Nara City, the surroundings are quiet and you can relax. The drinks in the 8th-floor lounge while watching Mt. Unebi at sunset are wonderful. The Room has a unit bath, but I also recommend the spacious public bath nearby. This time, there were dishes from many countries, and everything was delicious. With Asuka and Fujiwara Palace designated as World Heritage sites, I expect more tourists in the future, but this is an Accommodation I would like to stay at again.

All the staff are so kind! The Ishibutai Tumulus is very close by, and if you walk a little further there are more ancient burial mounds—it's amazing! The Room is even nicer than in the photos. 　The Asuka scenery is beautiful, and you can also see Mt. Nijo. Relaxing in the hammock on the balcony was wonderful! 　The BALMUDA kettle and the coffee packs were delicious! There were lots of tasteful books in the stairwell area, and I really enjoyed them. The manga “Tenjo no Niji” was so interesting—I want to read more! 　Breakfast was great too—the white rice was glossy and delicious! Maybe because there are only five rooms, it’s quiet in the morning and you can eat at a relaxed pace. 　They also store your luggage after checkout! When I mentioned we were going for a walk to Asukadera Temple and Iruka’s Kubizuka, they gave us frozen Aquarius sports drink and Ramune candies to help prevent heatstroke. So grateful!

After enjoying rafting nearby, we stayed overnight. The Room was a spacious Japanese-style room, and we were able to relax comfortably. We had a breakfast-only Plan, so we had dinner at the Hotel restaurant. Since we made a Reservation at check-in, even though it was fully booked that day, we were seated smoothly. The baths are in a separate building behind the Hotel, and we also enjoyed the open-air bath. When we go rafting again, we’d like to stay at this Hotel! Thank you very much!

We would be happy to stay here again next time.

I am writing only about the service. At check-in, there were two staff members at the front desk and one was available. I gave my name and said I was checking in, but a male staff member told me to “wait on that sofa, as we are guiding guests in order,” so I waited. It did look busy, but even after no one was at the front desk, no one came to assist me. When I asked a passing staff member whether it was still okay to keep waiting as instructed, a female staff member apologized sincerely and guided me right away. Her manner was very polite, which made me wonder why I had been told to wait in the first place. After entering the Room, when I tried to have tea, the teacup was slightly dirty (which could be washed), but when I emptied the teapot there was leftover tea still inside. When I called about it, the same female staff member came immediately and apologized profusely. She seemed so apologetic that it almost made me feel bad for her—so I couldn’t help thinking this should have been taken care of beforehand. The female staff member who served us at dinner and breakfast was perfect. In particular at breakfast she even showed us around the VIP room we were interested in, which truly impressed us. However, at checkout: I was told that in addition to drinks from dinner there would also be charges for souvenirs. Since we had not purchased any souvenirs, I asked to see an itemized statement. They said they had apparently added another guest’s charges by mistake; after removing those items they processed payment by card. In general, an itemized statement should be shown and confirmed before payment is taken—it is not normal for this to be handled only verbally. Especially since this became a minor dispute where I had to request proof of details first, it should have been presented immediately. Moreover, after payment they handed me only the card slip. Only after I requested it did they give me something like an itemized Receipt as well; normally customers should receive not only the card slip but also an itemized statement—especially when there has been a billing error like this. Because they handled all of this so casually, it felt pointless to continue arguing and I gave up requesting issuance of a Receipt. I am reporting this because there were both excellent aspects of service and aspects that were more than simply disappointing mixed together. I hope improvements will be made.

This was my first time visiting Yoshino. The cherry blossoms had not yet started to bloom, but we were shown to a Room with a wonderful view of the Ryokan’s courtyard. I can imagine how spectacular it must be when the blossoms are in full bloom. The meals (dinner and breakfast) were very delicious. The Onsen was just right, and I could enjoy it as many times as I liked without feeling unwell from the hot water.

While breathing in the fresh air of Asuka, I truly enjoyed the attentive hospitality that was present without being intrusive. Dinner at Da terra was also a wonderful meal that delighted both body and mind. There was nothing to complain about, but if I had to mention something, it would be breakfast. I’m not sure instant noodles are the best choice. Also, the one-size-fits-all sleepwear was a bit small... Just minor details.

Our family of four stayed at RITA Gosho-machi in the Road Linden Room. The calm character of this traditional townhouse and the refined modern design are beautifully balanced, and from the moment we stepped inside, we could forget the rush of everyday life and truly relax. It’s rare to find an Accommodation—and a townscape—that lets you enjoy such a special time. Spending quiet moments in the room with a fountain pen felt wonderfully atmospheric and more calming than I expected. Also, just a short walk away, Gosho Takara-yu was incredibly cool—a retro public bathhouse with great vibes. It was simply the best! The meal (at Western-style restaurant Kemuri) made excellent use of local ingredients and was genuinely delicious. We were deeply impressed by the warm hospitality from all staff, their careful explanations, and outstanding service in every respect—no wonder it has such high ratings. Highly recommended. We’d love to visit again in another season. Thank you very much!

Judging from the exterior photos of the building, I honestly didn’t have high expectations, but I was truly impressed by the attentive service. The view of Tanzan Shrine from the Room was as beautiful as a postcard. On the day of my stay, I was told there would be an illumination at Tanzan Shrine, and I was moved to see the fantastical buildings and cherry blossoms. When I mentioned that I would go for an early-morning walk, they kindly prepared shoes for me even though it was 6:00 a.m., and they were waiting for me when I returned. At breakfast, while enjoying ozoni served with local kinako, I also heard various stories about the area from the staff. After attending morning worship at Tanzan Shrine and strolling around the grounds for a while before returning to the Hotel, they even drove me in their Shuttle Service despite how close the parking lot was. The building does show its history in places, but it’s clear that careful attention has been paid to details such as renovated bathrooms, toilets, and windows. The cleaning is also extremely thorough. It was a wonderful Accommodation.

Thank you for taking care of us during our sightseeing trip. The staff at check-in were polite and wonderful. However, the location of the “RITA Goshomachi” check-in counter was hard to find. This time there were no other guests, so we were able to relax as if we had the place to ourselves. Thanks to that, we could use the living room comfortably like our own home. The brewery for the sake “Kaze no Mori” is very close by, and it was great to buy some at a nearby liquor store and enjoy it slowly in the living room. The Room was very stylish, and everything was thoroughly cleaned and extremely spotless. We could also borrow bicycles for free, which was convenient for getting around Gose town. There was also a public bath just a short walk away—retro with an amazing atmosphere. It’s an Accommodation we would definitely like to use again when we visit Gose City. Thank you very much for your hospitality.

Stayed with the One-Night Stay with Breakfast Plan. The bath in the Room was unexpectedly spacious and allowed me to enjoy the view while relaxing, which was very satisfying. I would love to visit again during cherry blossom or autumn foliage season. The breakfast was also satisfying in both content and taste.

I stayed here in mid-June while visiting ancient tombs with friends during the special exhibition at the Kitora Tumulus. The Room, meals, and the bath and toilet were all very comfortable and relaxing. The rice was delicious, and I was especially happy with how good the sake at dinner and the coffee after breakfast were. The sunset over Komiya Dotan behind the Accommodation was beautiful, as it was just when the rice paddies were filled with water. In the morning, we climbed nearby Amakashi Hill and enjoyed watching the sunrise together. I had wanted to take my time in Asuka to see both sunset and sunrise, so I’m truly glad I chose this Accommodation. When I forgot my phone charger, you contacted me right away, which really helped. Thank you for a wonderful stay—I’d love to visit again to watch another sunset.

Our family of five stayed here and enjoyed the spaciousness of having the entire property to ourselves. There were two sets of bunk beds, designed like a secret hideout, which made our children very happy. The owner was kind and friendly, making us want to stay here again in the future.

My husband chose this place after reading Reviews, saying he preferred it to a Hotel. We didn’t meet the Accommodation staff in person; we communicated only by smartphone. I was surprised by that system, but although we stayed just one night, the Room was simple and clean, spacious and stylish, with a wonderful view outside—perfect for relieving our fatigue. My husband said it was “so relaxing,” and he was very satisfied. I felt the same. We’re glad we chose this place.