AUBERGE de SENVIE
Refined country auberge — French technique meets deep Japanese terroir. Interiors use Yoshino cedar ceilings and Yoshino cypress lighting throughout, combining warmth with real understatement. European structural logic, unmistakably Nara in spirit. Quiet. No pool, no spa. The point is the food and the surrounding ancient landscape.
Hotel guests get the Menu DÉGUSTATION (¥25,300) for dinner — the most elaborate course, not available to walk-in diners
Why It Matters
Opened April 2025 and earned Michelin Guide selection within its first year. Chef Urabe was a Bocuse d'Or 2023 Japan finalist and Pâté-Croûte World Championship Asia finalist. The property is operated by Hirakawa Trading Co. (also behind sankara hotel & spa Yakushima) as designated manager for Nara Prefecture, directly adjacent to the Nara International University food and agriculture institute.
AUBERGE de SENVIE opened in April 2025 in Sakurai, Nara — one of Japan's most historically loaded corners, home to the country's oldest shrine and oldest road. The name is French for 'senses' plus 'life,' and that's exactly the throughline: every room, every plate, every detail is shaped by Nara's landscape and heritage. Chef Dai Urabe, a former Imperial Hotel Osaka cook and Bocuse d'Or 2023 finalist, builds French-technique menus around heirloom Yamato vegetables, river fish, and foraged mountain produce sourced directly from local farmers — all filtered through the Japanese principle of 'ishoku dogen,' food as medicine. Nine rooms, 24 dining seats, and Michelin Guide Nara 2026-selected in its very first year.
Where You'll Stay
3 room types available
Executive Suite
The standout room at Senvie. Separate living room and bedroom, with big windows framing the rural Yamato Plain. Yoshino cedar covers the ceiling, Yoshino cypress lights hang from it — the effect is warm and quietly beautiful. The terrace runs 24–29 sqm, so there's real space to sit and listen to the birds. Amenities are thorough: coffee machine, sofa couch, arm chair, writing desk, safety box. Fits up to three guests.
2 semi-double beds · 87 sqm
Twin Room
Six of the nine rooms are twins. Compact but well-composed at 30 sqm, with Yoshino cedar ceilings and cypress-glow lighting giving warmth to what is otherwise a clean, simple layout. Two single beds, arm chair, writing desk. Each has a small private terrace (4 sqm) — enough for a chair and a morning coffee overlooking the countryside. Maximum two guests.
2 single beds · 30 sqmUniversal Twin
One accessible room in the property, 5 sqm larger than the standard twins at 35 sqm. Same Yoshino cedar and cypress aesthetic, same terrace-and-countryside setup, but configured for ease of movement. Two single beds, shared amenities package. The only accessible room on the property, so it books out.
2 single beds · 35 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
About 20 minutes from the hotel. Includes Ishibutai Kofun (an exposed burial chamber), mysterious carved stones, Asuka-dera (Japan's first Buddhist temple), and Amakashi hill with panoramic views. Ideal for cycling or walking.
Hase-dera ('Temple of Flowers') is famous for peonies in spring and cherries; Murou-ji is known as the 'women's Koya-san' and for autumn maple color. Both are within 35 minutes of the hotel and featured in the property's seasonal guide.
Japan's oldest shrine sits at the base of Mt. Miwa, whose peak serves as the divine body itself — no built structures at the top. The hotel recommends this as a core nearby attraction. Also the claimed birthplace of sake.
Japan's oldest road, running from Tenri to Sakurai along the Yamato Plain foothills. The hotel provides sightseeing guidance for this ancient path, which passes imperial tombs and traditional shrines. About 25 minutes by car from the property.
About 50 minutes by car, Yoshino is a UNESCO World Heritage mountain famous for its layered cherry blossoms in spring and atmospheric temples including Kinpusen-ji. The hotel includes it in its curated seasonal activities guide.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Available throughout the entire property in all rooms and common areas.
All rooms are air-conditioned.
All rooms include nightwear, full bath amenities, slippers, hair dryer, electric kettle, multi-charging cord, mineral water, and Nara-sourced coffee and tea bags. Executive Suites also include a coffee machine.
Available in rooms; charged separately. Wine list also available for room service.
Iron, ironing board, and hair iron available on request.
A landscaped garden surrounding the property. All 9 rooms have private terraces; an outdoor terrace is also available for restaurant guests.
Concierge and luggage storage available for guests. Staff speak English, Japanese, and Korean. Check-in from 15:00, check-out by 11:00. Late checkout available for a fee.
12 parking spaces available on site, free of charge for guests. No valet service.
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