Makimuku Station × Accommodation With Healthy MealsHighly rated for customer service and hospitality at 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 visited on a scorching midsummer day, and the Room—created by renovating a mandarin farmer’s home and barn—was incredibly cozy. You can also climb the ancient burial mound next to the Room; from there you get a panoramic view over Nara, and with no one around (except for the frogs in the pond), it was wonderfully quiet. I was able to fully enjoy a beautiful sunset. It was a fantastic space to take in Nara’s scenery from afar. The bath was spacious and comfortable, and the meals were unbelievably delicious and healthy. I’d love to stay again in autumn or spring!