Nara Hidden Gems
Japan's first permanent capital — giant bronze Buddhas, the oldest wooden buildings on earth, and free-roaming deer in the middle of town.
6 spots
Climate & Best Season
A hot, humid basin in summer and cold in winter; the Yoshino mountains are cooler and see snow. Blossoms in April, foliage in November.
Famous For (Food)
- Kakinoha-zushi
- Miwa somen
- Narazuke pickles
- Kudzu sweets
Signature Sights
- Todaiji & Nara Park
- Kasuga Taisha
- Horyuji (UNESCO)
- Mt. Yoshino cherry blossoms
Naramachi — Edo-Period Merchant District
Naramachi (奈良町) is Nara's preserved merchant quarter with narrow lanes lined with traditional machiya townhouses dating…
Kakinoha-zushi — Persimmon-Leaf Wrapped Sushi
Kakinoha-zushi (柿の葉寿司) is Nara's signature pressed sushi: vinegared rice topped with mackerel, salmon, or sea bream, wra…
Narazuke Pickles — Sake Lees-Pickled Vegetables
Narazuke (奈良漬) are vegetables pickled in sake kasu (酒粕, sake lees — the fermented rice solids left after sake brewing),…
Nara Sake — Birthplace of Clear Sake Brewing
Nara is the birthplace of sake brewing's key innovations — monks at Shoryakuji Temple (菩提山正暦寺) invented the bodaimoto me…
Yoshino Kuzu Mochi — Translucent Arrowroot Starch Sweets
Yoshino is Japan's premier producer of kuzu (葛, arrowroot starch), a plant-based starch extracted from kudzu vine roots…
Nara Hotel — Historic Meiji-Era Luxury & Afternoon Tea
The Nara Hotel opened in 1909 when the Meiji government decided Japan needed Western-style luxury hotels to host foreign…