ume,yamazoe

Overview

A small luxury hotel for up to 3 groups per day in Yamazoe Village, Nara Prefecture. Guest rooms in a renovated 100-year-old former village chief’s residence are intentionally TV-free, offering a “slightly inconvenient” stay surrounded by the sound of wind, birdsong, and starry skies.

Yamazoe Village in northeastern Nara Prefecture. Away from the city, enjoy the tranquility of four seasons at your own pace.

Under the concept of “a slightly inconvenient hotel,” cherish time with yourself and your travel companions amidst the beauty of simplicity.

Japanese course dining featuring seasonal local ingredients, a Finnish wood-burning sauna, and bathing in fresh mountain air — a special retreat that engages all five senses.

Experience nature’s blessings through food and sauna. A perfect base for exploring the Nara and Oku-Yamato area.

Dinner and Breakfast

The dining experience at ume, yamazoe centers on the theme of “Satoyama Gastronomy,” inviting guests to engage all five senses with the seasonal nature of Yamazoe Village.

Most ingredients used in the kitchen are delivered directly by local farmers from Yamazoe Village and across Nara Prefecture. Every dish thoughtfully highlights regional flavors you can only taste here, including seasonal vegetables, wild mountain plants, local eggs, fresh tofu, soy sauce, and tea. You may be surprised by how deep and vibrant the natural flavors are.

At the core of the inn’s culinary philosophy is the concept of shindo fuji (身土不二).

This traditional Japanese culinary principle teaches that the body (shin) and the earth (do) are inseparable, meaning that eating locally grown food in season fosters health and balance. Rather than simple local consumption, the dishes express the climate, terroir, and daily lifestyle of the land itself.

In this village, almost every household grows its own vegetables. ume, yamazoe purchases surplus produce directly from local families, using it thoughtfully throughout the menu.

Dinner

For dinner, guests are served a seasonal Japanese multi course (kaiseki) meal that reflects the changing times of the year.

The menu highlights the purest seasonal ingredients, such as wild spring herbs, refreshing summer vegetables, autumn mushrooms and harvests, and winter root vegetables and preserves. The cooking methods focus on bringing out the innate flavors of each ingredient, allowing you to enjoy simple, rustic deliciousness without lavish pretense.

Because the operating parent company is Umemori Honten, well known for sharing sushi culture, sushi also makes an appearance during the course menu. This unique style, combining the bounty of the mountain village with traditional sushi culture, offers a rare experience seldom found at other auberges or Japanese inns.

Pairing your meal with Nara sake or local tea elevates the regional dining experience even further.

The dining space itself is equally considered. Meals are served around a U shaped counter designed so guests gathered on the same day can share the seasonal dishes together. Outside the windows, views of the mountain landscape unfold, offering a peaceful space to enjoy warm conversation and fine food as time moves slowly.

Breakfast

Breakfast also offers a delightful taste of Yamazoe Village.

Guests are served a wholesome, body gentle Japanese breakfast prepared with fresh, locally harvested ingredients. Enjoy a classic Japanese morning spread at your own pace, complete with freshly cooked rice, hot miso soup, grilled fish, egg dishes, and small seasonal side dishes. The simple menu honors the natural flavor of every ingredient, making it a perfect start to the day.

After your meal, feel free to spend time as you wish, like strolling around the property or taking in the natural surroundings over a cup of “yamazoe coffee” on the outdoor terrace.

Dietary accommodations for allergies, vegetarian diets, and Halal options are available upon request. Please inquire when making your reservation.

Onsen

At ume, yamazoe, guests can enjoy a quiet bath and sauna experience surrounded by natural scenery.

Every guest room features a private bathroom, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing soak without worrying about others around you. In particular, the standalone villa room, Mebuki, features a private semi open air bath where you can soak while breathing in the clear mountain air. Yamazoe Village changes its scenery with every season, with fresh spring greens, deep summer foliage, vibrant autumn leaves, and crisp winter air, offering a soothing backdrop that calms the mind.

For those seeking an authentic sauna experience, the private guest sauna, ume, sauna, is highly recommended. In this Finnish style wood burning sauna, you can warm your body thoroughly while listening to the crackling firewood and taking in the rich woody aroma. Pouring water over the hot stones (löyly) fills the room with comforting steam that warms you deep to the core. The sauna infuses daily changing natural fragrances unique to Yamazoe Village.

In ancient Finland, saunas were places associated with life’s major milestones, such as birth, mourning, and healing. The sauna at ume, yamazoe carries a similar spirit, offering a space where you can feel deeply connected to life and nature.

After the sauna, step into a large Shigaraki ware pottery cold water bath filled with natural mountain spring water from the village. Afterwards, enjoy open air cooling outdoors, immersed only in natural sounds like gentle wind, birdsong, and the swaying trees.

Room

ume, yamazoe offers just three guest rooms, each with its own distinct personality to suit different group sizes and travel styles.

Housed in a 100 year old former mayor’s residence, the spaces feature original exposed beams, sturdy wooden pillars, and natural warmth, seamlessly blended with modern design into a serene atmosphere. By eliminating unnecessary decoration and highlighting the natural beauty of the materials, the architecture invites a quiet sense of calm.

• Ibuki (approx. 46 m²): A comfortable room ideal for couples, partners, or solo travelers. Windows look out onto mountain vistas and a clear pond, offering a peaceful atmosphere to unwind.
• Tsumugi (approx. 99 m²): A spacious detached villa suitable for families or small groups. It features a wide living space where guests can gather, talk, and relax together.
• Mebuki (approx. 99 m²): A private detached villa complete with its own private open air bath. Soaking in the outdoor bath bathed in early morning sunlight is a luxurious experience unique to this room.

None of the guest rooms feature a television. This reflects the hotel’s philosophy of encouraging guests to disconnect from information and savor moments that can only be experienced right here and right now. Putting away your smartphone, gazing out at the scenery, reading a book, or enjoying slow conversation with someone special restores a sense of richness often forgotten in busy daily lives.

Amenities are selected with equal care. Owner Ms. Umemori personally curates items that resonate with her, including skincare products formulated with botanicals grown locally in the Yamato region.

In the morning, early sunlight rising over the eastern mountains gently fills the rooms as birdsong signals the start of a new day. Waking up naturally to nature’s rhythm rather than an alarm clock is one of this retreat’s simple luxuries.

Special Experience

Located in northeastern Nara Prefecture, Yamazoe Village is a region blessed with rich nature. Away from urban noise, surrendering yourself to the shifting seasons and quiet rhythms creates a refreshing break from normal routine.

True to the hotel’s concept of “a hotel that is a little inconvenient,” the experience centers on finding joy in simplicity. Stepping back from busy everyday schedules lets you focus on yourself and the people traveling with you.

From savoring seasonal, locally grown ingredients at breakfast and dinner to feeling the warmth of crackling firewood and crisp mountain air in the sauna, the stay engages all five senses. The surrounding natural beauty makes the hotel a perfect base for exploring the Oku Yamato area of Nara, whether on scenic drives or quiet walks.

Unlike resort hotels filled with flashy amenities and endless activities, ume, yamazoe invites guests to slow down, live alongside nature, and refresh mind and body. It is an ideal escape for anyone looking to step away from daily life, feel the changing seasons, and enjoy time entirely on their own terms.

Plan List

Access

452 Katahira, Yamazoe Village, Yamabe District, Nara Prefecture 630-2356, Japan

By Car

From the Tokyo area: Take the Tomei Expressway, Isewangan Expressway, and Higashi-Meihan Expressway in succession, then exit at “Yamazoe IC” on the Meihan National Route. Approximately 10 minutes via prefectural road.

From the Kansai area: Take the Hanshin Expressway or Kinki Expressway and Nishi-Meihan Expressway in succession, then exit at “Yamazoe IC” on the Meihan National Route. Approximately 10 minutes via prefectural road.

By Public Transportation

From the Tokyo area: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen to “Kyoto Station,” transfer to the Kintetsu Line, and get off at “Nabari Station” on the Kintetsu Osaka Line. Board a Mie Kotsu bus (bound for Yamazoe) and get off at the nearest bus stop, then walk approximately 10 minutes.

From the Kansai area: Get off at “Nabari Station” on the Kintetsu Osaka Line. Board a Mie Kotsu bus (bound for Yamazoe) and get off at the nearest bus stop, then walk approximately 10 minutes.

Basic Information

Frequently Asked Questions