Top Things to do in Nara
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Top 5 Historic Walking Areas in Nara, Kinki
Thirteen hundred years ago, Nara (then Heiju-kyu) was the imperial capital of Japan. "Old Japan" is still easy to spot here, from Great Buddha Hall to traditional ryokans and the serene Isuien garden. Travelers rave about walking tours of Nara, particularly in the historic Naramachi merchant area.
Restaurants in Nara
1. Kikuichi Monju Shiro Kanenaga
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
A cutlery manufacturer with history of more than 750 years. A wide selection of Japanese knives is displayed for sale. Engraving service is available for most of the knives. You can also find various Nara souvenirs.
Reviewed By conifer_doc - Starkville, United States
We literally stumbled into this shop while wandering in Nara Park from the Todaiji temple to the Kasuga shrine on a trip in May 2018. I’ve always admired Japanese blades, but the cost stateside seemed too steep to justify. However, at $250, a personalized right-hand fish prep knife made a unique and beautiful souvenir that is now one of my kitchen favorites. The staff were very friendly and helpful and we had no trouble with our transaction, though it was interesting to work through how they would engrave my name on the knife. We understood that they always try to have an English speaker in the store for those of us who aren’t conversant in Japanese.
2. Nigatsu-do Urasando
3. East Palaca Garden
4. Yagyu Kaido
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Madshus - Canberra, Australia
If you’re templed and touristed out I recommend going on one if the Yagyu Kaido walks. It really is a tranquil journey in the past. We caught the bus from Nara JR station to Ninnikusen near the Enjoji Temple and walked the Takisaka-no-Michi path back to Nara. There were stone Buddhas along the way, a lovely primeval forest and stream, and tricky cobbled paths. A lovely way to spend half a day.
