NEOLD Private House

The Owner/Chef was such good company, generous and easy to talk to. A translator helped us chat, and the whole experience felt professional and made us feel special. The food was honestly the best we had in Japan, even after some impressive meals elsewhere on the trip. We weren't sure what to expect at NEOLD private house, but everyone made us comfortable and it went beyond all our expectations. We'd love to return just for this.

NEOLD Private House is a one-of-a-kind stay for anyone looking for a private, tailored experience and a deep immersion in traditional Japanese culture. There is plenty to choose from, including Geisha/Maiko interactions, tea ceremony, Noh (Japanese Kabuki theater), Kyogen (a comedic form of Noh), Tezuma (Japanese magic), Shaminsen (string instrument), Nihon-buyo (traditional dance), calligraphy, cooking classes, fishing on the Yoshino River followed by a BBQ of the catch, and the chance to become a Shogun or Ninja. You can also skip activities entirely, or stay without taking meals there. We chose the flagship complete Shogun Experience. We were surprised to hear we were the first guests to book it. It costs a lot, but it was memorable. The house was presented as the Shogun's residence from the moment we arrived. My servants and vassals in feudal-era clothes welcomed us at the entrance and held a welcome ceremony. We changed into regular Shogun and Princess outfits for dinner. NEOLD brought in actors and coordinators from the Samurai Cafe in Osaka, and one vassal even took a bite of the first course to check it wasn't poisoned. After dinner, the actors performed a shortened private version of their Samurai Cafe show in the main tatami room. The next day, we put on Shogun and Himesama battle armor, practiced fight sequences on the lawn, then had a professional videographer film the scene. That battle production costs extra on top of the experience. They also made a short film of our whole stay. The property is a fairly large Kominka, an old traditional Japanese home, about a 20-minute drive from central Mt. Yoshino. The owner has carefully restored it, and it hosts just one party at a time. Outside there's a beautiful Noh stage used for private performances and a big lawn for activities, including the Shogun battle filming. The buildings are striking, and the Shogun armor displays in the main tatami room are beautifully made. The replica was crafted by the same artisans who made the armor for the 2024 Shogun TV series. Mr. Ogino, the GM, and the staff are wonderful hosts. Depending on what you book, they bring in specialists too. For our Shogun experience, a large cast joined us. Mr. Ogino is also the chef. Dinner had fewer courses than some elaborate kaiseki meals we've had, but the dishes were lovely to look at and very well prepared. He uses local ingredients including Yamato beef, and grows most vegetables in his own garden. Lunch was tasty Kuzu Soba and Kuzu Udon with Tempura. We had a glorious time at NEOLD. It's definitely a special place.

The staff were fantastic, and I can't wait to come back. We visited during Sakura season, and the experience was so magical that photos and words just don't capture it. I wish we'd stayed longer. I'm already missing the open air bath and the private chef's perfectly planned meals, and the attention to detail was hard to beat. If you can, book more than one night. I'd recommend staying at NEOLD to anyone visiting Japan.

The bed gave us the best night's sleep, and the staff even went out of their way to find me soy sauce from the local factory. Ahmed was a great translator and guide. Between the open air bath, the lovely waterfalls and neighborhood, and the intimate meals Chef Ogino prepared, I couldn't have imagined a more memorable stay. They picked us up at the property, too. We were looking for a place in Yoshino during the busy Sakura season, and the photos and reviews hadn't prepared us for the experience at Neold. This will be a highlight of our trip. Thank you, Neold. You've set a high bar, and I'm not sure the rest of our trip can top it.