NaraExplorer

Enjoy Nara’s great food selection

magazine

Nara Explorer is Nara's first and only English tourist magazine.

Our inaugual first issue will be published in June.

For further information,click here.

Traditional Japanese
Unique&Original
International
Cafe
Bar

Harishin: (Central Nara/Japanese dish); A variety of hearty and healthy dishes for your complete contentment

<Overview>: Harishin’s classical Japanese building is about 230 years old. The first generation owner of Harishin started the restaurant 130 years ago in a different area of Nara and it was moved to the present location about 100 years ago. Today, the 6th generation owner has taken over the business. The interior is separated into two sections, both offering a truly Japanese atmosphere. One is a large Japanese room with low tables and the other features a large sunken floor table with a hearth. The reasonably priced Kamitsumichi Bento set and tempura set using many of Nara’s local products are both popular.

<Recommended Items>: Kamitsumichi Bento set: 2,900 yen / Tempura Gozen set: 1,500 yen / Kaiseki course: 4,000 yen, 6,000 yen, 8,000 yen (reservation required 2 days before)

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-22-2669; About 12-min. walk from Kintetsu Nara Sta., west of Gango-ji Temple; Open:11:30-14:30 (L.O.), 18:00-22:00 (L.O.) / Closed:Mon.

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Sakura Suisan: (Central Nara/Izakaya Japanese style bar); Fully enjoy fresh sushi and sashimi at low prices!

<Overview>: Sakura Suisan is a Japanese style bar which is proud of their fresh seafood. Seafood for the day is brought straight away and served as sushi and sashimi. Assorted sushi of the day (9 pieces) includes popular tuna, salmon and other special choices. Assorted sashimi of the day includes 6 kinds of sashimi. Many other menu options are available at a very low price. On weekdays, their reasonably priced lunch set is especially popular. The set is only 500 yen including either grilled or fried fish with rice and miso soup. The sashimi lunch set (650 yen) is also recommended.

<Recommended Items>: Sashimi of the day (6 kinds): 950 yen / Hand-shaped sushi (5 piece): 380 yen / Sakura seafood pizza: 504 yen / Draft beer (middle size): 440 yen / Lunch set (grilled fish or fried fish): 500 yen

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-20-7551; A 3-min. walk from JR Nara Sta., on the north side of Sanjo; Open:11:00-14:00 (weekday only), 16:00-23:30 (L.O.: 22:45)

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Fukutoku: (Central Nara/Udon & soba noodle dishes); Stir well and enjoy the taste of broth and udon noodles

<Overview>: Udon is a popular Japanese noodle dish and Fukutoku’s “Kakimaze Nara Udon” is filled with the owner’s pride. Regular udon is made of flour, water and salt but Fukutoku omits the salt so the noodles have a special texture and taste. Another secret of Fukutoku’s udon is how they make the broth. Shredded bonito flakes and soy sauce is put at the bottom of the bowl and boiled noodle are placed on top. Then hot water is added along with a super thin tangle of shaved kelp. Stir the contents well from the bottom of the bowl before eating for a perfect combination of broth and noodles! Try Fukutoku’s udon and savor its original taste.

<Recommended Items>: Tokusen udon (with assorted tempura): 1,100 yen / Udon set (with three side dishes, rice, pickles): 1,100 yen / Udon topped with shrimp tempura and seaweed: 890 yen / Udon topped with thin tangle of shaved kelp and seaweed: 740 yen

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-26-2900; On the east side of Sarusawa Pond; Open:11:00-15:00, 17:00-21:00 (closes when noodles are sold out) / Closed:Mon. (open on national holidays)

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Naraya: (Central Nara/Meals & souvenirs of Nara); Try hot kama-meshi while taking in the superb view of Todai-ji Temple and Mt. Wakakusa!

<Overview>: Naraya is one of the restaurants located in Yume-Kaze Plaza. The second floor is a café/restaurant space where diners can enjoy a superb view of Todai-ji Temple and Mt. Wakakusa. Naraya’s most recommended dish is their kama-meshi, a rice dish cooked in a small iron pot with various toppings. Another recommendation is Yamato-cha udon noodles, cooked with locally grown green tea powder which turns the noodles bright green. There is a souvenir shop on the first floor where an array of Nara’s goods and souvenirs are available.

<Recommended Items>: Special kama-meshi with miso soup: 980 yen, with udon noodle: 1,180 yen / Mushroom kama-meshi with miso soup: 780 yen, with udon noodle: 980 yen / Yamato-cha matcha udon noodle (chilled or hot): 650 yen

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-23-5233; Across from Nara National Museum, a 15-min. walk from Kintetsu Nara Sta. (in the Yume-Kaze Plaza); Open everyday: 11:00-17:00 (shop: 10:00-18:00)

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PARCO: (Central Nara/Okonomi-yaki); Hot and tasty, original & unique Okonomi-yaki

<Overview>: Okonomi-yaki is a popular dish of Japan, particularly in the Kansai region. It can best be described as a thin, flat pancake with chopped cabbage cooked on a hot plate with bits of meat, seafood and other toppings. Located on the main tourist route, a few-minute walk from Sarusawa Pond, there is a pretty Okonomi-yaki restaurant named PARCO. They offer a wide range of Okonomi-yaki, from typical to original. A popular selection among foreign visitors is the one using fine quality, extra thin beef used for shabu-shabu. PARCO’s original “Italian” and “American” style (using cheese and bacon) are also very popular. During the winter months, oyster & negi (green onion) Okonomi-yaki is worth trying as a seasonal specialty.

<Recommended Items>: Okonomi-yaki: with shabu-shabu beef: 950 yen, Italian: 850 yen, American: 850 yen, Gyu suji (simmered beef) & negi (green onion): 830 yen / fried noodle: chow-mein (Chinese-style soy sauce flavor): 600 yen, with pork: 650 yen / tomato salad: 450 yen; pork omelet: 550 yen

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-26-8885; About 2-min. walk to the south from Sarusawa Pond, across from Hotel Sunroute Nara; Open:11:30-14:30, 17:00-21:00 / Closed:Mon.

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Irori Dining Tanaka: (Central Nara/charcoal grilled Nara beef, seafood); Savor the finest quality Japanese beef and fresh seafood in relaxing Japanese atmosphere

<Overview>: Just next to Gango-ji Temple, one of the World Heritage temples in Nara, in the nostalgic Naramachi area, stands an excellent restaurant: Tanaka. Here you can enjoy Nara’s local beef and other finest quality Japanese beef as well as fresh seafood brought directly from the port and Nara’s locally grown vegetables. Each table is equipped with an open hearth and customers can grill their own ingredients. The dinner course includes grilled Japanese beef as the main dish and appetizer, seafood, salad and dessert. You will be amazed by the rich taste and tenderness of their beef. The one plate lunch (beef with some Japanese dishes) is very popular. Enjoy both the luxury taste and atmosphere at Tanaka.

<Recommended Items>: Tanaka’s special dinner course: 5,000-12,000 yen / Lunch plate: 2,000 yen (dessert set: plus 800 yen) / Nara beef lunch course: 5000 yen / Meat, seafood, vegetables and other a la carte menus are available.

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-23-0541; About 10 min. walk from Kintetsu Nara Sta., across from Gango-ji Temple; Open:12:00-14:00, 17:00-22:00 / Closed:Tues.; http://irori-tanaka.hp.infoseek.co.jp/

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Naramachi Ashibi no Sato: (Central Nara/Nara’s pickles, Japanese meals & café); Enjoy the taste of Nara in a traditional Japanese setting with spacious garden

<Overview>: This restaurant used to be a Japanese pickle production shop and factory. Here you can enjoy typical Japanese meals including their special pickles. You won’t believe you are in just one restaurant as they have seats in a traditional Japanese room, a renovated massive storage area, a spacious salon room with fine views and a garden terrace. A recommended selection is the Otsukemono Gozen set which includes about 10 different kinds of pickles from typical Nara pickles to unique seasonal ones. Other set menus including sushi and udon noodles, matcha green tea with sweets or beer and locally brewed sake are also available. On a sunny day, have a tea or drink on their bright garden terrace and enjoy a relaxing break during your exploration of Nara.

<Recommended Items>: Otsukemono gozen pickle set: 1,400 yen / Ashibi gozen set: 1,500 yen / Udon noodle set: 1,000 yen / Matcha green tea & Japanese sweet: 800 yen / Nara’s locally brewed sake: from 700 yen

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-26-6662; A 15-min. walk from Kintetsu Nara Sta., walk through the Mochiidono Shopping Arcade and enter Namachi area; Open:10:00-sunset / Closed:irregularly; http://www4.kcn.ne.jp/~ashibi/

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Totogin: (Central Nara / Conveyor-belt Sushi); Cheap, delicious and fun! Enjoy “Conveyor-belt sushi” in Nara

<Overview>: Fresh seafood is delivered directly from the port everyday and become delicious sushi under the skilled hands of experienced sushi chefs. Not only standard toppings (tuna, yellow tail, shrimp, squid, rolled sushi) but also extra special toppings and original sushi are popular. There are always 100 kinds of sushi waiting for you! Most of the sushi on the conveyor-belt are priced at just 126 yen. If you feel like trying some with a gorgeous and outstanding taste, try the special orders for extra taste!

<Recommended Menus>: Sushi: from 126 yen/plate; Special sushi: from 320 yen/plate; Draft beer: from 340 yen

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-20-1010; In the Higashimuki Shopping Arcade, on the East side (1-min. from Kintetsu Nara Sta.); Open everyday: 11:00-22:00 (L.O.: 21:30); http://www.totogin.com/

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Hiyori: (Central Nara /Restaurant); Original hearty cuisine using full of Mother nature blessing

<Overview>: The main feature of Hiyori’s dishes is vegetables. However, Hiyori’s vegetables go far beyond your expectation. Everyone who has experienced Hiyori’s vegetable dishes can’t help being amazed with the deep, rich taste of vegetables which were grown in their local and exclusive farm. In addition to the vegetables, the owner traveled around Japan and has strictly selected the finest quality of meat and fish. From a full volume course menu to à la carte menus (vegetables, meat, fish, etc.), you can decide how you will enjoy Hiyori.

<Recommended Menus>: Yamato-yasai (Nara’s local vegetables) Kaiseki course Kakashi: 3,675 yen (about 7 vegetable dishes with 1 main: river fish/chicken/shrimp) Mogura: 4,305 yen (about 7 vegetable dishes with 2 mains: river fish/chicken/shrimp) Ubutuchi: 8,400 yen (about 7 vegetable dishes, Japanese beef fillet steak with 1 main: river fish/chicken/shrimp); Lunch Yasai-biyori: 1,575 yen (about 7 vegetable dishes, rice, miso soup, pickles, dessert) Hidamari: 2,625 yen (several vegetable dishes, grilled river fish, rice, miso soup, pickles, dessert)

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-24-1470; A 15-min. walk from JR or Kintetsu Nara Sta., northwest of Gango-ji Temple; Open:11:30-14:30 (L.O.: 14:00), 17:00-22:00 (L.O.: 21:00); Closed: Tues.; http://www.narakko.com/hiyori/

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trattoria piano: (Central Nara/ Italian restaurant); Real taste of Napoli style pizza, fresh seafood, deep aroma of illy’s coffee

<Overview>: Trattoria piano is really conveniently located on the corner of Sanjo Street and Higashimuki Shopping Arcade. You can try real Napoli style pizza here. All pizzas served at piano are prepared carefully one by one after the order, and heated in a stone oven. From popular menus like Margherita to Quattro Formagi (a pizza of 4 kinds of cheese), some are unique to Japanese ingredients. Other recommended menus are pasta or fish dishes using fresh seafood sent directly every morning from the port. Illy’s espresso and coffee is very popular with foreign tourists. Enjoy your afternoon break at piano with a tasty coffee and piano’s original cakes. English menu available.

<Recommended Menus>: Pizza Margherita: 1,680 yen; Pizza Quattro Formagi: 1,890 yen; Pasta: from 1,160yen; Fish dish: from 1,480 yen; Illy espresso: 300 yen (single); Cakes: from 380 yen

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-24-1837; On the northeast corner of Sanjo Street and Higashimuki Shopping Arcade; Open:11:00-23:00 (L.O.: 22:00), until 24:00 on Fri., Sat., night before holiday (L.O. 23:00); http://www.syncronicity.co.jp/

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Icho in Hotel Nikko Nara: (Central Nara/ teppan-yaki grill cuisine); Superb teppan-yaki cuisine in a luxurious atmosphere

<Overview>: There are two large counter tables (6 seats each) in front of the iron plate where Icho’s chef cooks your meal. At Icho, they don’t use rich flavored sauce but instead offer fine pepper, salt, grated wasabi (hot horse radish) and miso (fermented salty soy beans paste) to enhance the taste of the natural flavor of the food. Their seasonal special course is recommended.

<Recommended Menus>: Lunch: beef fillet steak set: 2,000 yen; Japanese black beef bento lunch box: 3,000 yen; Courses: from 5,000 yen; Dinner: courses: from 8,000 yen; Drinks: from 750 yen

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-35-5819; Directly connected to the west exit of JR Nara Sta.; Open: everyday: 11:30-14:30, 17:30-22:00 (L.O. 21:30); http://www.nikkonara.jp/

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Tou no Chaya: (Central Nara/ Cha-gayu Japanese tea porridge); Enjoy Nara’s specialty, Cha-gayu in historical setting

<Overview>: Located close to the five-story pagoda of Kofuku-ji Temple, you can fully enjoy Nara’s traditional atmosphere and taste at Tou no Chaya. It was the first restaurant in Nara to offer Cha-gayu Japanese tea porridge about 40 years ago. Cha-ga-yu is very simple rice porridge cooked with fine Japanese tea. Tou no Chaya’s original souvenirs are also available (accessories, take-away instant Cha-gayu, etc.).

<Recommended Menus>: Cha-gayu lunch box: 3,150 yen (11:30-16:00); Cha-gayu kaiseki courses: lunch: from 6,000 yen; dinner: from 8,000 yen; Cha-gayu for take-out: 500 yen (instant), 900 yen (recipe and a set of ingredients)

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-22-4348; About 50 meters to the east from the five-story pagoda of Kofuku-ji Temple; Open: everyday: 11:30-21:00; Closed:Tues.

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Kama-meshi Shizuka: (Central Nara/ Kama-meshi rice); Nara 7-topping Kama-meshi is must-try

<Overview>: Shizuka has offered Kama-meshi, a traditional Japanese rice dish since 1959. An individual portion of rice is cooked in a small iron pot with a variety of toppings. The Nara 7-topping Kama-meshi with shrimp, conger eel, chicken, burdock, etc. is highly recommended. Special seasonal Kama-meshi menus are also available.

<Recommended Menus>: Nara 7-topping Kama-meshi: 1155 yen; Shizuka set: 2,310 yen (Nara 7 kinds Kama-meshi, appetizer, side dish, miso soup, pickles, fruit)

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-27-8030; Across from the Nara National Museum; Open: 11:00-20:00; Closed: Tues; http://www.kamameshi-shizuka.jp/

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Yume-Kaze Plaza: (Central Nara/ Dining and shopping complex facility); Nara’s first dining and shopping complex opened near Nara Park

<Overview>: Yume-Kaze Plaza is a newly constructed large scale shopping and dining complex site which opened this year near Todai-ji Temple. There are 12 shops and restaurants and each one has their own unique attraction and specialty (kudzu starch dishes of Yoshino, Kakinoha sushi, Japanese sweets, Japanese noodles SOBA, hand-woven hemp products, Nara’s local sake, local fresh vegetables and fruits, okonomi-yaki, tako-yaki, railroad diorama buffet, Italian restaurant, café and more!). Visit Yume-Kaze Plaza and enjoy your Nara stay even more.

<Shops>: Shunka Manyo Tenpyoan (Japanese sweets and café), Warabe Yorokobi An (home made Japanese noodles SOBA), Yoshino Honkudzu Kurokawa Honke (new and traditional Japanese confections & café dining), Shimazu (seasonal Japanese cuisine), Yamato café BAN INOUE (Japanese hemp products/crafts and café), Silk Road (railroad diorama/buffet/bar), Monzen Ichiba (Nara’s fresh vegetables, fruits and products), Nara Mahoroba Daibutsu Purin Honpo (caramel custard and sweets), Izasa (traditional Nara sushi & restaurant), Ristorante i-lunga (Italian cuisine restaurant), Yumefusha (café & terrace), Naraya (Nara’s specialties & souvenirs), Ezuya (Nara character goods)

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-25-0870; Across from the Nara National Museum; Open everyday: 9:30-22:00 (opening hour and closing day is different at each shop); http://www.yume-kaze.com/

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Restaurant Kasuga: (Central Nara / Traditional Japanese); Taste Kasuga’s original dishes using local Nara beef and chicken

<Overview>: Restaurant Kasuga is located in the Kasuga Hotel. Their dishes are quite simple, yet allow you to enjoy the real taste of natural ingredients in a traditional Japanese way. Many of their dishes are cooked with local Nara produce. One of the most popular and highly recommended set meals is the Nara-zen set which is full of the taste of Nara: local Yamato chicken, Kakinoha sushi (a piece of vinegar rice with a fillet of mackerel wrapped in a persimmon leaf), Yamato green tea noodle, and much more.

<Recommended Menus>: Nara-zen set: 2,100 yen; Manyo set (grilled Yamato beef and more): 2,100 yen; Manyo bento set: 2,100 yen

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-22-4031; 100-meters to the east of Kintetsu Nara Sta. (on the right side); Open: 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00; Closed: irregularly; http://www.kasuga-hotel.co.jp/

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Obana: (Central Nara / Traditional Japanese); Taste Nara’s seasonal and fresh vegetables in traditional Japanese cuisine

<Overview>: Located in the Hotel Sun Route Nara, Obana offers traditional Japanese fine cuisine using seasonal vegetables and ingredients from Nara. The menu changes monthly. Obana lunch sets are very popular for their price and of course, tasty dishes. Try their special buffet-style breakfast including the cha-gayu (rice porridge cooked with Japanese tea) and other Japanese dishes, and the kaiseki course for dinner. The restaurant is of course open for visitors too. Visit Obana and try the tastes of the season.

<Recommended Menus>: Buffet-style (breakfast): 1,260 yen; Obana set (lunch): 2,800 yen; Other lunch menus: from 1,800 yen; Kaiseki course (dinner): from 5,000 yen

<Shop Data>: On the southeast of Sarusawa Pond, about 200 meters on the left; Open: 7:00-9:30,11:30-14:00,17:30-20:00; Tel: 0742-22-2108; http://www.sunroute-nara.co.jp/index.html

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Kagariya in Hotel Asyl Nara: (Central Nara/original Japanese cuisine); Original Japanese dishes using full of Nara ingredients

<Overview>: Kagariya specializes in original Japanese dishes using local Nara ingredients. The traditional Japanese style interior has a warm atmosphere. From reasonable, yet satisfying, lunch menus using Nara’s local chicken to more authentic course menus cooked by their chef with more than 30 years experience, Kagariya offers a wide range of choices. For dinner, course menus are recommended in order to enjoy each dish slowly and tastefully. Once you are here, you can’t leave Nara without visiting Kagariya at least once for an unforgettable dining experience in the ancient capital.

<Recommended menus>: Rice bowl topped with teriyaki Yamato local chicken (lunch): 1,000 yen; Kama-meshi gozen (lunch): 1,500 yen; Kagariya gozen (lunch): 2,500 yen; Chef’s recommended kaiseki course: Uneme: 4,000 yen (10 dishes), Kagaribi: 5,500 yen (11 dishes)

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-22-2577; A 5-min. walk to the west from Kintetsu Nara Sta., or a 5-min. walk to the north from JR Nara Sta.; Open: 11:00-14:00,17:30-23:00; http://www.worldheritage.co.jp/kagariya/index.html

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Shizuka-tei: (Yoshino area/ Kuzu dishes, kakinoha sushi, seasonal local cuisine); Experience exquisite seasonal flavours in a hidden spot in Yoshino

<Overview>: Yoshino is famous for being one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. However, the appeal of Yoshino is not only cherry blossoms in spring. At Shizuka-tei, you can enjoy tasteful dishes which reflect the seasonal beauty of Yoshino. In summer, natural grown ayu (sweet fish) or iwana (mountain trout) are must-try. What is more, udon noodles in thick kuzu (arrowroot starch) broth, kakinoha sushi (pieces of sushi rice with salted mackerel wrapped in a persimmon leaf) are specialties of Yoshino. If you are lucky to get a seat on the veranda, it will be an unforgettable day for you as you enjoy a fine meal and a grand view of Yoshino.

<Recommended menus>: Kuzu udon noodle and tempura set: 1,200 yen; Kakinoha sushi (7 pieces): 1,050 yen; Other seasonal dishes are available

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0746-32-3157; Across from Katte Shrine; 952 Yoshinoyama, Yoshino-cho, Yoshino-gun; Open: 9:00-18:00 (open from 8:00 on Sat. & Sun.); To get to Yoshino, see the access information on pg 12.

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Traditional Japanese