Ubusuna no Sato TOMIMOTO Celebrates World Heritage Registration With Ancient Yamato Kaiseki Plan at Human Treasure Tomimoto Kenkichi's Birthplace

Ubusuna no Sato TOMIMOTO, a renovated kominka (traditional Japanese house) hotel operated by World Heritage Co., Ltd. in Nara's Ikaruga–Horyuji area, is introducing a new stay plan to commemorate the World Heritage registration of the Asuka-Fujiwara Imperial Capitals: "[World Heritage Registration Commemorative] Musing on Asuka-Fujiwara and Horyuji — A Special Kaiseki of Ancient Yamato." The hotel occupies the birthplace of Tomimoto Kenkichi, a giant of modern ceramic art and Japan's first-ever Living National Treasure. The plan invites guests to spend an intellectual, indulgent autumn in the place he called his "ubusuna," or spiritual home, reflecting on two of Yamato's World Heritage sites, one ancient and one newly registered.

A Kominka Hotel Carrying On the Birthplace of a Living National Treasure

Ubusuna no Sato TOMIMOTO is a stay-type inn renovated from the birthplace of Tomimoto Kenkichi, Japan's first Living National Treasure and a founder of modern Japanese ceramic art, preserving its wooden architecture and the moat of its historic moated residence. On the land Tomimoto called his "ubusuna" and considered his spiritual origin, guests can feel the long history of Yamato, including nearby Horyuji and the Taishi-do (Prince's Road), alongside the changing beauty of the four seasons. The hotel offers only two room types, "Nisshin" and "Chikurin Tsukiyo," accommodating just two groups per day in a private, indulgent setting built for a quiet stay.

A Seasonal Plan Tasting the Food Culture of Ancient Yamato

Ando Town, where the hotel stands, sits along the Taishi-do, the road Prince Shotoku is said to have traveled on his black horse between Ikaruga Palace and Asuka. It is the heart of a historic Yamato route linking the newly registered Asuka-Fujiwara Imperial Capitals with Horyuji, a temple that carries the essence of Asuka-era Buddhism. The new plan offers a special kaiseki course steeped in the historical romance unique to this land.

Dinner: A Special Kaiseki of Ancient Yamato That Unravels History Through the Five Senses

A special kaiseki course themed on the Asuka-Fujiwara Imperial Capitals features Nara's local dish "Asuka nabe" and "so," a rare dairy product once loved by ancient nobility, both prepared in an "ubusuna style" that draws out the flavor of each ingredient. Served in beautiful tableware alongside Yamato's autumn flavors, the course offers a luxurious chance to taste, through the palate, the grand story cultivated by an ancient capital.

Dinner, "A Special Kaiseki of Ancient Yamato" (partial view), served with a tasting of three sakes from the Asuka-Fujiwara Imperial Capitals area

Breakfast: An "Ancient Rice Set Meal" That Wakes to a Morning in the Old Capital

Guests can enjoy freshly cooked, nourishing ancient rice alongside a gentle Yamato breakfast, while taking in the clear morning air and birdsong.

Breakfast, "Ancient Rice Set Meal" (partial view)

A Plan-Exclusive Perk: A Tasting of Sake From the Asuka-Fujiwara World Heritage Area

Nara Prefecture, regarded as the birthplace of sake brewing, is home to a wealth of distinctive breweries. As an exclusive perk of this plan, guests can enjoy a tasting of three sakes from the Asuka-Fujiwara Imperial Capitals area.

Rooms and Facilities

• Nisshin, a room overlooking the Japanese garden: Twin plus Japanese-style room (2–4 guests / 63 m², with a semi-open-air bath). Keeping Tomimoto's own study intact, the room pairs a traditional Japanese room with a modern Western room in a prime spot facing the Japanese garden. The name "Nisshin" comes from a calligraphy and painting exchange between Tomimoto and a close friend who was a physician.
• Chikurin Tsukiyo, a maisonette-style room renovated from a storehouse: Twin plus semi-double plus Japanese-style room (2–8 guests / 139 m², with a semi-open-air bath). The room looks out on a bamboo grove lit by moonlight, evoking the scenery where Tomimoto passionately discussed art with the world-renowned potter Bernard Leach.
• Restaurant "Gofuu Juuu": Reservation-only, seats up to 22. Named after calligraphy given by the late Horyuji chief priest Ono Genmyo, the restaurant serves fresh Nara ingredients prepared with body-friendly cooking methods.
• Pottery experience and garden: Guests can try experiences such as pottery painting and moss ball making. A Japanese garden by Ueyakato Garden can be viewed from throughout the property.

Plan Overview

Plan name: [World Heritage Registration Commemorative] Musing on Asuka-Fujiwara and Horyuji — A Special Kaiseki of Ancient Yamato

• Sale period: September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027 (one year)
• Price: From ¥57,200 per person (tax included), for one night with two meals, based on double occupancy
• Reservations open: September 1, 2026, by phone or through the official website
• Eligible property: Ubusuna no Sato TOMIMOTO (limited to two groups per day / two room types: Nisshin and Chikurin Tsukiyo)
• Plan includes: Special kaiseki dinner, ancient-rice breakfast, and an exclusive perk (a tasting of sakes from the Asuka-Fujiwara World Heritage area)
• Online reservations: Book via the official website

Notes

• The contents of meals and perks may change depending on ingredient availability.
• World Heritage Co., Ltd. also offers special plans commemorating the World Heritage registration of the Asuka-Fujiwara Imperial Capitals at its other properties, Hotel Asyl Nara and Nara Royal Hotel (both in Nara City); see each hotel's official website for details (Hotel Asyl Nara / Nara Royal Hotel).

Ubusuna no Sato TOMIMOTO — Facility Overview and Access