[Short Stay] A Serene Retreat at the Foot of an Ancient Nara Barrow: Step Back through Time at Cofunia

The Heartland of Kofun Period Culture, Where Nature Meets History

The region stretching from Nara Prefecture’s Tenri City to neighboring Sakurai City is home to one of the largest concentrations of ancient kofun barrows in Japan. These ancient earthen mounds were constructed between the 3rd and 7th centuries as tombs for royalty and other powerful people of the times. The Oyamato kofuns in particular, stretching from the neighborhoods of Kayo-cho to Nakayama-cho, is an area of great archaeological importance including such large keyhole-shaped mounds as the prominent Nishitonozuka. Touring these kofun is a fascinating window into ancient times.

Cofunia sits at the foot of a keyhole-shaped kofun tomb monument known as the Nishiyamazuka Kofun

In this rich historical milieu, Cofunia is situated on the Yamanobe Road, said to be the oldest surviving ancient roadway in Japan. Its existence was recorded in the ancient chronicles of the Nihon Shoki and the Kojiki, and today its path is still dotted with the historic ruins of ancient tombs, shrines, and temples. Surrounded by verdant nature, it is also popular today as a walking course where ramblers can take in the atmosphere of ancient Japan at their leisure.

The gently undulating trail of the Yamanobe Road unfolds tranquil rice field and village scenery over an easy stroll

A Stay in Step with Nature’s Rhythm, Five Senses Deep in the Five Elements

Sitting at the foot of an ancient kofun tomb, Cofunia is a traditional Japanese house transformed into a unique stay facility themed around the five senses and the five elements. Here, guests can feel at one with nature through the verdant views, the sounds of birds, the scents of the plants, the touch of the soil, and the flavors of the seasonal local fare. This serene sensuality is grounding, awakening and sharpening the forgotten depths of the senses, and it elicits a fuller presence in and appreciation for Nara’s history and culture.

The Fire Wing is a place where travelers can gather to enjoy a meal – and share their joys of the journey – around a cozy fire

Rooted in ancient Chinese and broader East Asian beliefs, the ancient cosmology of Japan holds that all of creation is made up of the interplay between the dualistic forces of Yin and Yang, and the five material elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. This cosmology is pervasive in traditional institutions and practices, from the calendar to holidays and from feng shui to urban planning. The design of the Cofunia structure draws on this rich history and culture in its layout. Four guest wings – Kogane (Metal), Mizu (Water), Tsuchi (Earth), and Ki (Wood) – plus a dining wing called Hi (Fire) follow more than mere thematic naming conventions: the walls of the Earth Wing, for example, are a cast plaster of local soil to create a stirring cave-like environment. 

The Earth Wing is a place of grounding and connection – and just up the stairs lies a view of the nearby kofun

A Historic Inn on a Historic Site, with Historic Charm in the Very Walls

The Cofunia structure is a renovated century-old traditional house. Sitting vacant for many years, it was transformed into a unique modern stay facility thanks to the efforts of local residents and some one hundred volunteers from Nara Prefecture and beyond, all seeking to reinvigorate this precious historic structure at the foot of the ancient kofun.

Made of local soil plaster, the Earth Wing has a refreshingly cool, cave-like atmosphere even in the heat of summer – and a keyhole-shaped bathtub alluding to the archetypical silhouette of the kofun mounds

Cofunia’s unique interior is dotted with playful design motifs alluding to the kofun monuments for which it is named. Its eco-friendly bedding and other amenities are high quality, chosen for maximum comfort. Nutrition and care are the theme of the cuisine on offer, harnessing Japan’s traditional fermented food culture and combining it with the wisdom of Eastern herbal medicine. Seasonal ingredients from Nara soil prepared according to the traditional philosophy of the five elements yield meals that are nutritious, delicious, and soothing to the soul.

With a high degree of artistry, the dining fare and interior decor alike are soothingly all-natural

This plan also includes a choice between two experiences.

Pick Wild Herbs to Brew a Tea Blend Yourself, in an Outdoor Tea Ceremony

Through this exclusive Wabunka plan, experience an outdoor tea ceremony on a scenic foothill overlooking the ancient Yamanobe Road and the blossoms of the season. Here, you will pick wild herbs, mix and roast them with tea leaf yourself, and brew the blend with your own hand to delight in the unique aroma and soothing effects. Experience also the joy of crafting simple traditional sweet treats from seasonal ingredients.

Unwind in a tranquil tea time outdoors, under cover of traditional mosquito netting

Under the protection of a traditional Nara craft mosquito net, admire nature while savoring handbrewed tea and sweets. Unlike traditional tea ceremonies, this modern outdoor version is rooted in the principle of everyday accessibility to all, and strives to present a deep experience of Japanese seasonality and Nara culture.

There is a distinct pleasure in gathering your own tea leaf and herbs by hand

Discover the Hallowed Role of Seasonality in Japan’s Rich Food Culture by Preparing Your Own Bento

In this special cooking experience, discover not just the basics of Japanese cuisine, but also the richness of Nara’s local fare: fermented foods, herbal traditions, and precious seasonality. This exclusive Wabunka plan offers the opportunity to gather wild seasonal plants yourself and use them in preparation of a luxurious “mountain village”-style bento of traditional local ingredients and culinary methods. Your lunch, beautifully boxed in Yoshino cedar, can then be enjoyed in harmony with nature in a partially-enclosed open air dining space.

Natural ingredients and traditional wisdom make for delightful dishes

Ancient Countryside Enlivens and Enriches the Senses

Cofunia is a place for deep personal time. A place of peace and presence of close contact with nature. A place of rare and unique opportunity: to stay at the foot of an ancient archaeological site. A place of wonder and romance, of letting your imagination soar in historic environs.

Amble through the local countryside, taking in the seasonal atmosphere

Let time stop for a moment, and with it the thoughts and feelings of the busy day-to-day, as you gently give yourself over to the instinctive joy and healing of oneness with nature. Relax and let the depth of your five senses expand – seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting the present moment as you return to deep, shared human roots – and tap a deep wellspring of energy to take back with you.

Tranquility deepens as night falls on Cofunia