Tawaramoto, Nara, Japan｜Nipponia Tawaramoto Maruto Soy Source

It was a real delight to stay at Nipponia Tawaramoto Maruto Shoyu. The former family house and brewery workrooms have been sensitively transformed into boutique accommodation while preserving beautifully the property's impressive 300 year heritage and soy sauce making traditions. The stay provided precious insights into the lifestyle of a prosperous brewing family, the refined Edo-style architecture of the property (with its decorated alcoves and transoms and garden setting), and the ancient history of this part of central Nara. The warm, personal hospitality of the 18th generation owner and staff extended from a pick-up and drop-off service, welcoming tea and cake, introduction to the process of making craft soy sauce, and a walking tour of the immediate neighbourhood and local shrine. Breakfast was served in a lovely dining area which successfully integrates modern and traditional design (including comfortable tables and chairs), overlooking a traditional Japanese garden unchanged for centuries. Breakfast was delightful and very filling, using local rice and a variety of organically grown produce and fruit served in delicate portions, finished off with a coffee and sweet. It was also a lovely touch to be able to use the soy sauce prepared the day before on the meal. The comfortable level of heating in the rooms (with the luxurious underfoot feel of heated flooring), the hinoki-wood bath, and thick bedding were also very welcome on a wintry night! The attractive exposed beams and rustic plastered earthen walls of the rooms provide a strong sense of earlier times and cosy feel. Would also recommend that a stay at Maruto Shoyu is combined with a visit to nearby Ohmiwa Shrine, one of Japan’s oldest, and a walk along the ancient Yama-no-be Path, to complete a perfect visit to this part of Nara, the birthplace of so many of Japan’s oldest traditions. Very special.

I learned a lot from the explanation of the soy sauce brewery, the hands-on experience, and the explanation of Nara history during the morning walk. It was tasteful. The room was very clean and very comfortable. The lights aren't too bright and there's no TV, so you can enjoy a quiet night. The beams, which have a history of 300 years, were also a highlight.

I enjoyed the ingredients and history of Nara! It was a tight itinerary for me, but I was grateful for the generous hospitality (walking and experiences).