WORLD ASIA JAPAN NARA


Nara

Understand

Along with the development of Heijyōkyō (平城京), the capital of Japan between 710-784 AD, Nara flourished under the influence of Buddhism, leading to the creation of an enormous number of cultural assets, buildings and books, many of which are preserved today. Nara has the largest number of buildings designated National Treasures in Japan.

While the Heijyōkyū Palace (平城宮) site turned into plain fields after the capital was moved to Kyoto, the shrines and temples were left on the east side of the palace (called Gekyo (外京)), and Buddhism remained influential throughout the following centuries. Another part of the area developed as a merchant town, notably in the Edo period, known as Naramachi (ならまち) today.

Eat

A local specialty is kaki-no-hazushi (柿の葉ずし), or sushi (usually mackerel
and/or salmon) wrapped persimmon leaves, which actually originates from nearby Yoshino.
:Wikipedia:Kudzu|Kudzu from Yoshino too is a very renowned product of Nara, which is used for making various food ranging from kudzu noodles (葛切り kuzu-kiri) to Japanese sweets (和菓子 wagashi). The thin wheat noodles (:Wikipedia:Somen|somen) from Miwa region (三輪そうめん Miwa sōmen) has a long history as old as Nara; the noodles are served either hot or cold.
  • Sanshū-tei (三秀亭) (in the Isui-en Garden, 依水園) is worth a visit more for the attractive old house and garden than the menu, which consists of two very traditional dishes: mugi tororo (plain rice with ground yam, ¥1200), and unagi tororo (the same with grilled eel, ¥2500). Open 11:30AM-1:30PM only, daily except Tuesday.

  • Hiraso (平宗), 30-1 Imamikadocho (south of Sarusawa Pond), 0742-22-3900 10AM-8PM Closed on M. (Japanese only) A nice sampling of local foods such as kakinohazushi and chagayu ("tea gruel", but it tastes better than it sounds) are included in dinner sets miyoshino and heijou, around ¥2500. English picture menu available.

  • Udon-tei (うどん亭), 6 Higashimuki-Nakamachi (inside Higashimuki Shopping Street arcade), 0742-23-5471 Daily 11AM-8:30PM. Served udon (thick wheat noodles) in various ways, hot or cold, plain or with tempura, etc, mostly less than ¥1000. Always fully packed with local people at lunch times. Suitable for time-savers and relatively small appetites. Sample display at front of entrance.

  • Okaru (おかる), 13 Higashimuki-Minamimachi (inside Higashimuki Shopping Street arcade), 0742-24-3686 11AM-9PM Closed on W except if Holiday. A restaurant specialized in :Wikipedia:Okonomiyaki|okonomiyaki (お好み焼き), the pan-fried cabbage cake with selection of meat. Okonomiyaki is definitely shortlisted on Kansai people's most beloved dishes. ¥530-1400. English menu available. Samples displayed at front.

  • Yatagarasu (やたがらす), 13-1 Hayashi-kōji-cho, 0742-20-0808. Daily 5PM-0AM. Fresh poultry from local farms cooked and served in many different ways (eg. grilled, fried, even raw) with a variety of either local or other regional sake available. Budget around ¥2500 depending on your appetite.

  • Nara Shōya (奈良庄屋), 48-5 Takama-cho (Keiwa building B1F), 0742-24-2151. Daily 11:30AM-2PM, 4:30PM-11PM. A branch of large chain pub restaurant with traditional food like raw fish (さしみ sashimi), sushi, tempura, yakitori available. Though little (except for sake) is Nara local, quality of food is excellent for a chain type of restaurant. The restaurant is always filled with a dynamic, yet agreeable mood.


  • Take-out
    Alternatively, you can take out kaki-no-hazushi, which is actually very...



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    Hotels in Nara
     Hotel Halftime Score 7.825 from 8 reviews
    2-11-1 Shibatsuji-cho 7.83/10
    Parking : 37 parking spaces (free) Check out over charge : Until 12:00, 20% / Until 15:00, 50% / After 15:00, 100% ... more
     
    Marks W Hotel Nara Score 0 from 0 reviews
    Takadacho92-15,Kouriyama city,Yamato gun 0/10
    During your stay you can explore Nara' s UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is made up of 8 temples, shrines and ruins - Tōdai-ji, Saidai-ji, Kōfuku-ji, Kasuga Shrine, Gangō-ji, Yakushi-ji, Tōshōdai-ji and Heijō Palace Remains - together with Kasugayama Primeval Forest. To enjoy nature, you can visit Nara Park, which has free-roaming deers. ... more
     
    More hotels in Nara

    Kyoto temples and shrines

    Kyoto temples and shrines


    Kyoto is full of historical temples and shrines because it was the old capital of Japan. The best way to travel around Kyoto is by foot and bus. At the main train station in Kyoto, one can easily find a map and information on the bus routes including many of the historical buildings and tourist attractions. The bus station is right outside of the train station and all that needs to be done is buy a day pass and use the bus to get around following the map. A lot of the sites are close together so it is easy to walk around from one to the other.

    Kiyomizu Dera is one of the more popular temples to visit. Before you leave this temple that is on a hill, it is tradition to drink the water that comes from the mountain tops. You will notice this exiting at the bottom (different from the main entrance). It is best to go when the weather is moderately warm and the sun is out especially to see the Golden Temple.

    type:Hotspots


    Nihon Sankei

    The Three Views of Japan: they are Miyajima, Amanohashidate and Matsushima. Don't expect majestic scenery, for the beauty is much more subtle.

    Miyajima is famous for the floating red torii gate. Of course, depending on the timeeee you visit, you might find it lodged in the mud. You get to the island by taking a ferry from Miyajima-guchi, which is on the local line from Hiroshima.

    Amanohashidate is the pine tree-lined sand-spit. You are meant to see it, by bending over, and seeing it framed by your legs. The "bridge to heaven" then floats, as you try to achieve some stability. You can get there by train from Kyoto station. JR Rail Pass holders will note that there is an additional supplement for the private leg of the train journey.

    Matsushima is a collection of pine laden islets, sitting on a bay. You get there by taking the local train from Sendai to Matsuhima Kaigan station.

    type:Hotspots


    A Night in Roppongi 3.5 hours

    Dine on a typical Japanese style meal, selecting one from "Sukiyaki, Tempura, Sashimi" at the restaurant Ginza located in New Pier Takeshiba.

    After dinner be entertained at Kaguwa. Experience an unforgettable evening of authentic Meiji-era Stage entertainment, the most exciting venue in the heart of Tokyo! Enjoy electrifying dance and dazziling new Kabuki performances on the constantly changing stage!

    Click here for more information and Booking Details


    Arashiyama and Sagano Walking Tour 4 hours

    Sagano Bamboo Grove

    Sagano is located northwest of the Kyoto Basin and covers an area of 16 acres. Start with a walk through Sagano Bamboo Grove which sits in a basin surrounded by mountains in the greater area of Arashiyama

    Then onto Jojakkoji Temple located halfway up a mountain, this temple has a 12-meter-high pagoda in its precinct and is graced with many Japanese maples. Jojakkoji was the final home of Empress Dowager Kenrei-mon-in, a principal character in the "Tale of the Heike" one of the most important works of classical Japanese literature. It is said to be built as a nunnery and has a history streching back to the 6th century. The temple?s principal treasure is a statue of the Jizo, which has been desiganted an important cultural property.

    Later visit Tenryuji Temple which is one of the head temples of the Rinzai Zen School and was established in 1339 by Takauji the first shogun of Ashikaga shogunate, in memory of the Emperor Godaigo. It is famous for its landscape garden, which unlike the temple buildings has survived in its original form.

    Finally walk through Togetsukyo Bridge, literally meaning "Crossing Moon Bridge". The present bridge was rebuilt in 1934 using steel but faithfully copying the structure of the original bridge.

    Click here for more information and Booking Details




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