NOBORIOJI HOTEL NARA

Quality Culture and Quiet Elegance

William Shakespeare once penned the immortal phrase, "If music is the food of love, play on" — a sentiment that feels especially resonant when considering a very special, lesser-known (but no less iconic) hotel far from the playwright's homeland. Like Shakespeare himself, it holds culture very close to its heart. Welcome to Noborioji Hotel.

Words by Leigh Maynard.

Set amidst breathtaking natural beauty in Nara, Japan's first ancient capital — established more than 1,300 years ago — Noborioji is located in a city renowned as a spiritual and cultural centre, home to  eight UNESCO World Heritage sites — the most of any city in Japan. Resting on the edge of Nara Park, the hotel offers prime access to everything the area has to offer, including Todai-ji Temple, which houses Nara Daibutsu (The Great Buddha of Nara). Views of such heritage landmarks are rarely enjoyed from the comfort of one's room — but at Noborioji, they are.

Noborioji welcomes all kinds of travellers: explorers, culture-seekers, and those simply in need of rest and retreat. Among the area’s more natural treasures is Nara’s famously friendly population of deer, who roam the grounds in search of shika senbei (deer crackers) from passers-by. These curious, soft-furred sentinels are protected and cherished, having inhabited the region for over 1,300 years. Long regarded as divine messengers of the Kami of Kasuga Taisha Shrine, they are seen as emissaries from the gods.

Just as Nara offers an escape from the bustle of Kyoto, Noborioji Hotel reflects the spirit of its surroundings: quietly luxurious, deeply cultural, and elegantly understated. Unlike larger chains, Noborioji offers a more intimate experience — just four floors and 13 rooms — creating a sense of exclusivity and calm. But  understatement should never be mistaken for simplicity; every floor unfolds new sensory, aesthetic, and cultural experiences.

Noborioj is, without a doubt, a hotel for connoisseurs of culture. For music lovers — whether classical, jazz, or contemporary — there’s a song for everybody here. The sounds of Chopin drift through the air via live piano performances on a Steinway during dinner. For bibliophiles, the hotel offers an extensive, thoughtfully curated library in the basement: a quiet sanctuary of short stories, photography books, and vinyl records. The owner’s passion for music is evident. Guests can put on a record — perhaps Chet Baker — and let his soft vocals fill the space while leafing through the works of Jane Austen, Shakespeare, or Herman Melville. The classics, quite literally, are at your fingertips.

The attention to detail throughout Noborioji reveals the refined taste of its  owner and team; even the elevators and stairwells are artfully designed. Our suite, wrapped in expansive windows and boasting a sweeping balcony, offered spectacular views.  Inside, plush cream-toned carpets, elegant furnishings, and a writing desk created a peaceful environment. A complimentary minibar was thoughtfully stocked with snacks and a variety of teas. Open a drawer, and you’ll find bowls, chopsticks, and traditional noodles like sōmen and nyūmen from the Miwa area of Nara — perfect for a light in-room meal. The bathroom featured a deep soaking tub and a revitalising rain shower, ideal for beginning or ending the day in total relaxation.

Dining at Noborioji reflects Japan’s reverence for seasonality and regionality. The menu highlights the finest ingredients from Nara and Hokkaido, offering a sensory journey through Japan’s four seasons. Breakfast, pre-ordered the day before, is as rich in variety as the hotel's cultural offerings. Guests may choose a Japanese-style breakfast with fresh fruit and green tea followed by rice porridge, miso, tofu, and pickles — or opt for a Western-style selection featuring  eggs, croissants, fine granola,  freshly squeezed orange juice, and natural yoghurt. Dinner options are equally refined, with dishes such as meunière of flounder, charcoal-grilled Japanese wild boar, marinated  halfbeak (Sayori) with salad, and seasonal desserts like strawberry sorbet or hassaku jelly.

At bedtime, Noborioji surprises again — not with a king-size bed, but something even larger. This is a place where sleep is treated as a luxury in itself. In the morning, a newspaper awaits, keeping you connected to the world before you set out to explore Nara once more.

What truly elevates the experience at Noborioji is its hospitality, carried out with care and sincerity by the hotel’s attentive staff. From the friendly breakfast team to the memorable conversations over dinner, the service here left us feeling not just cared for, but reluctant to leave.

From its prime location by Nara Park to its artful interiors, curated vinyl, and library of literature, every detail at Noborioji reflects a devotion to quality and soul. This is a hotel that understands that memorable hospitality goes beyond dining, rooms, or décor. It honours the deeper things — music, words, stillness, connection — and recognises that they, too, have the power to move us. In the spirit of quiet elegance, cultural richness, and the enduring words of Shakespeare — and melodies of Chet and Chopin —  Noborioji reminds us: - play on.

For more information, visit Noborioji Hotel Nara's website