KIND TO THE SOUL
in Yamazoe Village, Nara.
Once the home of the village mayor, it now welcomes guests from around the world, all seeking the same thing: serenity.
From this mountaintop, you can watch nature reveal its many faces, shifting with the seasons, the days, and the hours.
Here, you are reminded that the greatest pleasures in life are often the simplest and most unexpected.
Whether you are sitting in the sauna warmed by gently burning firewood,
sharing stories with the village residents, or taking a short walk through the nearby mountains,
we hope your heart feels warmed and fulfilled by the end of your stay.
”ume," has been lovingly nurtured with this hope in mind.
Though our location may be removed from convenience, with no cellular reception or nearby stores,
it offers everything you need to experience true, gentle peace.
Perhaps one day you will look back
on your time at ”ume,"
and it will still bring warmth to your heart. A small, lasting serenity
that we strive to offer every guest.
The house features magnificent wooden beams rarely seen in
modern architecture with intricately carved transoms and symbolic plum trees
all of which have been carefully preserved
In those days, houses were constructed with hard earned money, heartfelt care, and countless hours of craftsmanship.
You may notice small cracks and openings in the old design that allow air, and sometimes tiny visitors from nature, to pass through.
We have chosen to leave these details untouched, as they reflect the spirit of this home, which has quietly watched over the surrounding land for generations.
While embracing modern life, this region still cherishes its old customs and traditions.
Even today, traveling vendors of fish and tofu still make their rounds, bringing not only their goods but a sense of connection, safety, and something for the villagers to look forward to.
In Japan, Washoku means “Japanese cuisine”. It is made up by two characters: 和 (wa), meaning harmony or peace, and 食 (shoku), meaning food or to eat. Together, they express the tradition and deeper meaning of food in Japan.
It is said that Washoku is built upon five elements: unity, harmony, calmness, softness, and peacefulness. Each containing the same character - 和 (wa), reflecting balance in both heart and taste.
Your meal is made up of locally grown ingredients and we hope that through the flavours, you will enjoy the beauty of the present moment in time and place.
May you find peace of mind and a sense of connection through washoku.
To us, kindness is not simply about always offering help, it is also about creating space for others to contribute in their own way.
Here, we work together with people from all walks of life, including those with disabilities, illnesses, or from the older generations in our community.
We believe that a truly kind society is one where everyone, regardless of their circumstances, can play a meaningful role.
To be kind is to accept others with an open heart and to recognize the value in our differences.
When we step into the vastness of nature, we’re reminded of how big and beautiful our planet truly is. In spring, picking vegetables reveals that the small plants at our feet each have their own names with some even being edible. In summer, a look into our rivers unveils a hidden world of fish and shimmering life we might not have typically paid much notice to from the surface.
At "ume," and in Yamazoe Village, the seasons bring countless ways to experience and connect with nature.
**For details about our seasonal activities and events, please visit our Instagram.
Please note that participation may be limited depending on timing and availability. **
and daily photos of beautiful nature. We upload content regularly.
（MEDIA/CORPORATE CONTACT）
please contact our official LINE account.
