Inn features
- Walk from a station
- Solo travel
Only features verified through published information or reporting are shown.
This article is a research guide that has not yet been interviewed, focusing on official information as of 2026-08-11.Please check the official website before making a reservation, as the cat’s behavior and whether the cats currently live at the inn may change.
About the photo: it does not show this inn or its resident cats
This illustration does not document the rooms or cats currently in residence.
Illustrative image (not a photograph of Machiya Guesthouse Miwa’s cat or the guest room) / Photo: Caroline Mourer, Pexels
Machiya Guesthouse Miwa in Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture is a machiya inn near Omiwa Shrine. The official website introduces the resident cat “Nana”, and you can stay in an atmosphere similar to living with a cat.
- Encounter with resident cat Nana
- Machiya inn convenient for visiting Omiwa Shrine
- Breakfast and time spent in the common space
- guest room and facilities
- This accommodation is suitable for people
- Things to check before staying
- Official social media
- Basic information
- Location and Google Maps
- Related video
- Summary
- Share photos of this inn
Encounter with resident cat Nana
Nana is a friendly black cat who came to the inn by chance. The official website states that some guests come back to see Nana. Since he is free to spend time at the inn, he is not a cat who serves customers at set times.
Past secondary information includes an example of a cat visiting the guest room, but the current official website does not guarantee guest-room visits. On the other hand, there are examples of people being able to hug each other in the current guest introductions, and we can confirm that they were able to hug each other inside the inn. Therefore, it is rated B instead of A.
The basic idea is to wait for Nana to approach you in a shared space, and leave her alone while she sleeps or eats. This is suitable for people who want to enjoy staying in an inn with cats.
Machiya inn convenient for visiting Omiwa Shrine
Located at the foot of Omiwa Shrine, about 3 minutes walk from JR Miwa Station. The official website also describes it as a base for early morning worship at Omiwa Shrine, climbing Mt. Miwa, and walking along the mountain trails.
This is a small inn with 4 rooms in total, combining an old townhouse with new facilities, and all guest rooms are private rooms. We have everything from 4 tatami rooms for one person to rooms with a view of Mt. Miwa for families and groups. Although it is not a dormitory, the toilet and cypress bath are shared.
Breakfast and time spent in the common space
The standard plan includes a breakfast made with seasonal ingredients and water. After dinner, there is a guide where you can enjoy a social time called “Yuntaku” in the gathering room, and the atmosphere is such that even if you are traveling alone, you can have a conversation with the innkeepers and other guests.
Dinner is not provided, but you can either be introduced to nearby restaurants or bring your own. Please check your reservation plan for meal requirements, as there are days when the operation changes, such as limited-time meals-only days.
guest room and facilities
There are 4 guest rooms: “Minariyama”, “Unebayama”, “Kakuyama”, and “Miwayama”.Wi-Fi is available in all rooms, and Breath Air mattresses are used. Guests who arrive before 7pm will receive a welcome drink.
Pets are not allowed. Please note that the cats introduced on this site are resident cats of the inn, and not the inn where you can stay with your cat.
This accommodation is suitable for people
- People who want to visit Omiwa Shrine early in the morning or walk along the mountain path
- People who want to enjoy the atmosphere of a townhouse in a private room instead of a dormitory
- People who enjoy chance encounters with resident cats and conversations at the inn.
The conditions may not be suitable for people who do not like shared baths and toilets, or those who expect to stay in a guest room with a cat.
Things to check before staying
- Cats do not necessarily come to the guest room.
- Prioritize Nana’s health and lifestyle, and avoid unreasonable cuddles or chasing.
- Advance notice is required for parking and there is a charge.
- Check the facilities and rules of machiya/guesthouses on the official website.
Basic information
| Item | Contents |
|---|---|
| Facility name | Machiya Guesthouse Miwa |
| Address | 400 Miwa, Sakurai City, Nara 633-0001 (local address: 〒633-0001 奈良県桜井市三輪400) |
| Distance with cats | Resident cat Nana lives freely inside the inn |
| Access | About 3 minutes walk from JR Miwa Station |
| guest room | 4 rooms, all private rooms |
| Shared facilities | Toilet, cypress bath |
| Meals | Regular plans include breakfast. Have dinner at a nearby store or bring your own |
| Official website | Machiya Guesthouse Miwa |
Location and Google Maps
Machiya Guesthouse Miwa (町家ゲストハウス三輪)
〒633-0001 奈良県桜井市三輪400
Related video
resident cat Machiya Guest House Miwa
Channel: 【神社TV】神様大好き 神社の楽しさを伝えるのchannel【神様に呼ばれた人が見れる神社動画】
Summary
Machiya Guesthouse Miwa is an inn where you can enjoy a stay in a townhouse and a natural encounter with a resident cat in front of the gates of Omiwa Shrine. Guest-room visits are not guaranteed, so enjoy the distance the cat chooses.
