Higashiyama, Kyoto. The beautiful stone-paved path "Nene no Michi" is adjacent to Kodaiji Temple and Yasaka Pagoda. This heritage hotel, which has been transformed into a modern luxury stay, consists of just three rooms and is located in the area where Nene, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, spent her later years.
The place where Nene's memories and the splendor of Momoyama come to life
The Villa Nene-no-Michi Kazeno Heritage stands on the path named "Nene-no-Michi," which carries the name of Nene, the lawful wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. After Hideyoshi's death, Nene established Kodaiji Temple to mourn him and spent her later years in a relocated ceremonial palace from Fushimi Castle. It is said that many people, including feudal lords, Zen monks, tea masters, poets, painters, and potters who admired Nene, gathered at her residence, which corresponds to the area around the current Entokuin.
The Momoyama culture, filled with strength and splendor, is symbolized by gold-leaf wall paintings, lacquerware, and the aesthetic of tea ceremonies. On the other hand, after the death of Hideyoshi, the figure of Nene, who spent peaceful times in this land, emerges. In Higashiyama, the vibrancy that colored the era and the dignified tranquility of a woman living out her later years still seem to coexist.
What we offer is not just a place to view history from afar. It is a stay where you can immerse yourself in the landscape of Higashiyama, loved by Nene, while listening to the sounds of temple bells and the presence of people walking on stone pavements, spending the night in that lingering atmosphere. Enjoy a moment wrapped in the vibrant breath of Momoyama culture and the tranquility, as you immerse yourself in the timeless stories of Kyoto.
The beautiful original landscape of Higashiyama
depicted by stone pavements and temples
Nene's villa is located in Higashiyama, a place where representative temples and shrines of Kyoto, such as Kiyomizu-dera, Kodaiji, Yasaka Shrine, and Hokanji, are gathered. The stone-paved streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, along with Nene no Michi, are lined with traditional houses, preserving Japan's representative historical landscape.
The path leading to the temples and shrines has long been lined with tea shops, restaurants, and stores selling crafts, welcoming many travelers. Not only does it boast the splendor of a famous site, but the lifestyle of Kyoto, accumulated over many years, also breathes through the details of the streets, such as the lattice doors, stone walls, earthen walls, and the noren curtains swaying at the eaves.
In the morning, I walk along the still sparsely populated cobblestones, listening to the temple bells in the pure air. At dusk, I gaze at the Yasaka Pagoda floating in the crimson sky. The landscape of Higashiyama, which changes its expression with the seasons and times of day, transforms into a personal and tranquil view only through the experience of staying here.
Quiet villa with
only three rooms inherited from a former cooking inn
The stage for Nene's detached residence is a wooden building that once welcomed guests as a traditional inn. While inheriting the elegant exterior facing Nene no Michi, the interior of the building has been transformed into a private space with only three rooms, suitable for modern stays.
In the restoration process, rather than repainting the building to make it look new, we strive to preserve as much as possible the time etched into the pillars, beams, earthen walls, and fittings. The deep luster of wood that has aged over many years and the texture of walls that bear the marks of artisans' hands are cherished. Even slight scratches and color changes are important memories that convey the presence of human activity in this place.
The guest rooms are all spacious, measuring over 61 square meters. On the first floor, there are rooms equipped with a small garden and a cypress bath, while the second floor offers two rooms with views of Kodaiji Temple, Nene's Path, and Yasaka Pagoda. With only three rooms available, you can enjoy a luxurious time in tranquility, monopolizing the historic architecture and the scenery of Higashiyama.
The building breathes life into every corner
Handcrafted by artisans in Kyoto
The space of Nene's Detached Villa is shaped by the warmth of the materials inherent in its historic architecture and the delicate craftsmanship of Kyoto artisans. While it is splendid, it is not overly adorned; the aesthetic sensibility of Kyoto, which values the expressions of the materials themselves and the transitions of light and shadow, is alive throughout the interior.
Reflecting time, the expression of copper
The overarching theme of the entire space is 'copper,' which has long supported craftsmanship in Kyoto. Inside the venue, copper's texture is incorporated into the walls and details, starting with tea canisters from the long-established shop Kaikado. The quiet shine of the polished metal and its deepening expression over time gently connect old architecture with modern design.
Reflecting the splendor of Momoyama, peacock blue
The deep blue that adorns the guest room evokes the green patina that forms on copper and the colors of Kiyomizu pottery, resembling peacock blue. By combining the calm luster of copper with the vivid blue, it quietly reflects the splendor associated with the Momoyama culture into a modern space. The peacock blue, placed among the gentle colors of tatami, wood, and earthen walls, imparts a dignified tension and depth to the space.
Incorporating the scenery of Higashiyama, the "ma" by the window
The rooftops of Kodaiji Temple, the Yasaka Pagoda, and the seasonal hues of Nene's Path, all visible from the guest room window, are important designs that compose the space. Sitting by the window and gazing through the framed opening at the streets below, even the figures of people walking on the stone pavement transform into a picturesque borrowed landscape. Please enjoy a moment of feeling the ever-changing Kyoto within the 'ma' (interval) of Japanese architecture, where the interior and the city gently connect.
Rather than gazing at history,
spend time in its afterglow.
Wrapped in designs that convey the splendor of Momoyama, one surrenders to the streets of Higashiyama. It is the beginning of a rich and untainted time, listening closely to the bells of the temple beloved by Nene, and gazing at the changing seasons beyond the window.
The sound of footsteps echoing on the morning stone pavement, the Yasaka Pagoda rising against the evening sky, and the lingering presence of people in the silence of the night. The gentle flow of time in this place opens up the senses that are often closed off in daily life, awakening a sensitivity to appreciate the beauty of Kyoto more deeply.
Not just a "tourism" experience, but a journey that traces the memories of the land and savors the historical streets as your own landscape. We have prepared a stay where you can encounter the elegance of Kyoto that is uniquely yours, opening your heart to the echoes of Momoyama culture and the serene stillness.
Deep into Higashiyama, where you won't encounter in ordinary travels.
