VILLA COMMUNICO

Set along the road connecting two UNESCO World Heritage sites—Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine—this property enjoys a wonderful location with Mount Wakakusa right in front of you.The beautifully renovated traditional Japanese house offers a stylish, thoughtfully designed space that truly feels like an escape from everyday life.The restaurant, themed around “wood fire,” is crafted with attention not only to flavor but also to the ancient Nara tradition of fire as a form of prayer to deities and Buddhas. The storytelling woven into the menu and presentation, alongside the delicious food, was outstanding.I also woke up early and took a walk to Nigatsudo Hall at Todaiji. With no tourists in the early morning, it felt as if I had slipped back in time to ancient Nara.And when I returned from my walk, I was able to enjoy a carefully prepared breakfast—making for an extremely satisfying stay.I believe VILLA COMMUNICO has the potential to become a hub for gastronomic tourism—a journey that lets you experience Nara’s climate, history, and culture through food.I would love to visit again in another season.

I had dinner at the luxury auberge VILLA COMMUNICO in Nara. The location is at the foot (or maybe halfway up?) Mt. Wakakusa; it’s doable on foot, but a car is recommended. From the restaurant, Mt. Wakakusa is directly across the road, with deer here and there—an unmistakably Nara-like view.The Hotel as a whole is a renovated traditional Japanese house, creating a stylish space that still feels steeped in history. With only five rooms in total, it has a wonderfully secluded, hideaway atmosphere.Dinner starts all at once at 18:30. Guests gather in the second-floor lounge at 18:00 and relax with pre-meal tea while enjoying views of Mt. Wakakusa.When it’s time, you move down to the first floor. On entering, there’s an iconic fireplace and counter on the left. The first course is eaten standing while listening to the chef’s explanation—an unexpectedly unique experience.Cucumber, elderflower / Yamato jidori chicken, nasturtiumFreshly made mozzarella, caviarBonito, molokhia (jute mallow), okraOyster, pine nuts, chivesJapanese duck (Yamato-gamo), pumpkin, truffleFlounder, Manganji chili pepper, red-legged shrimpSakaeya aged sirloin of culled Japanese Black wagyuFig, blueberry, juniper berryBoth the presentation and flavors were excellent. In particular, the dish combining bonito with molokhia and okra was outstanding.Courses are basically served simultaneously for everyone and paced to match slower diners overall, so dinner progresses at a leisurely speed. If you eat quickly, be aware there may be some downtime between courses.