A small luxury hotel in the heart of Nara, the ancient capital of Japan during the 8th-century, The Noborioji Hotel is located next to Nara Park with sensational views of Kofuku-ji Temple and walking distance to Todai-ji, one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara boasting the world's largest bronze buddha. One of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Noborioji is a warm and welcoming retreat with just 15 rooms, a gourmet restaurant, elegant wood panelled bar and fitness centre. Reflecting the beauty of the surrounding nature, one of the hotel’s most striking design elements is the masterful use of wood. Gleaming wood floors and panelled walls are skilfully crafted to create a sense of warmth and relaxation. Large windows flood the rooms and suites with light and look out onto an expanse of greenery. Home to several World Heritage-listed sites and temples, the other highlight of Nara are the park's resident deer. About 1200 of them live in the city, mostly within the park grounds, although they roam freely. They're not shy and can be fed by hand. Visitors can purchase "deer cookies" from vendors throughout the park for about 150 yen, however our hotel gave us a bag for free, but be warned, many of the deer aggressively pursue you if you have a stack of these biscuits in your hand. The deer also have a tendency to stick their snouts into open handbags and pockets in search of edible goods, which can include paper. One even nibbled on my bottom to get my attention.
Noborioji Lobby
Fresh cut flowers in the Noborioji lounge
The formal lounge adjacent to the hotel lobby with library of Japanese classics,
travel guides and cookbooks
Noborioji restaurant where breakfast is served in the morning and classic French cuisine
in the evening at Le Bois with Executive Chef Koichi Sengoku
Choice of traditional Japanese or Western breakfast
Scallop, shrimp and crab salad
Lobster and foie gras simmered in cream port sauce with caviar
The Noborioji Bar
Crystal bar lamp with selection of whiskeys
Noborioji suite with view over Nara Park
Fresh fruit in our room as we arrived
And cookies too
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