NaraExplorer
Up-to-date and essential English tourist information about Nara for international visitors
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.
- Special feature
- Event
- Essential Sightseeing
- NE Recommendations
Out of Central Nara Recommended Autumn Hiking in Muro
Muro is a village blessed with a rich natural environment nestled in the mountains of northeast Nara prefecture, near the border of Mie prefecture. An abundance of historically important religious locations and tourist attractions lay scattered amongst this vast mountain region. Muro is one of the best autumn hiking destinations in Nara!
Access to Muro: Take Kintetsu train from Nara Sta. to Yamato Yagi Sta. (change at Yamato Saidaiji Sta.), then change trains again to one bound for Aoyamacho, and get off at Muroguchi Ono Sta..>
- Muro-ji Temple
Muro-ji Temple (National Treasure) is the most popular site in the area. While Kongobu-ji Temple on Koyasan (Wakayama Prefecture) prohibited the entrance of women until 1872, this Shingon temple permitted women to worship there. For this reason, it is also called "Nyonin Koya" (Koya for Women).- At the end of the Nara period (710-794), Emperor Kanmu's health improved when people prayed for his recovery in the locale where Muro Temple now stands. Later the temple was built at the request of this same emperor.
- The temple hosts a number of halls and a five-story pagoda. The Kon-do Hall was built in the Heian period (794-1185) and other halls along with the pagoda were built in the Kamak- ura period (1192-1333). The five-story pagoda is 16 meters tall and is the smallest five-story pagoda constructed outdoors in Japan. It was badly damaged by a typhoon in 1998, but has been completely reconstructed and visitors can once again see it in its original form.
- Because the temple buildings are all located on the mountainside, visitors have to walk up some stone steps. There are many other National Treasures and important cultural assets among the Bud- dhist images. Muro-ji Temple is also great location for autumn colored leaves.
- Access : From Muroguchi Ono, take the local bus to Muro-ji Temple and get off at the last stop; Open: 8:00-17:00 (seasonally changed); Entry: 600 yen; Tel: 0745-93-2003; http://www.murouji.or.jp/
- Other recommended places in Muro
- Murou Art Forest
- This vast park is located on a tall hill ris- ing above Muro-ji Temple. Set amongst the beautiful natural surroundings of Muro, visitors will feel as if they have entered a different world. An Israeli artist, Dani Karavan, is a world fa- mous pioneer of environmental formative art and his monuments focusing on "Fusion with nature" are located in the park. Rice terraces have been impressively recreated to offer a glimpse of nostalgic Japanese scenery and visitors can immerse their senses in a fusion of nature and art.
- Access : From Muroguchi Ono Sta., take the local bus to Muro-ji Temple and get off at the last stop and walk about 20 min; Open: 10:00-17:00 (closed 16:00 in Nov.); Closed Tues.; Entry: 400 yen; Tel: 0745-93-4730; http://www.city.uda.nara.jp/sanzyoukouen/index.html
- Yomogi-mochi Honpo Morimoto
- An old yomogi-mochi shop in front of Muro-ji Temple. Yomogi-mochi is a deep green dumpling (dough uses Japanese tansy herb) containing sweet red bean paste inside. All handmade and using natural tansy herb (6 pieces: 550 yen); Open: 10:00-16:30.
- Hashimotoya Inn & Restaurant
- Hashimotoya is a classical style Japanese inn just across from Muro-ji Temple. Using seasonal veg- etables and edible plants, traditional local dishes are served (lunch from 2,000 yen). Their grated yam tempura is one of the must-try. Overnight stay: from 15,000 yen/person/night; Tel: 0745-93-2056; Open: 10:00-16:00.
- Shimazu
- This fine Japanese restaurant and souvenir shop is located about 200 meters to the west along the road in front of Muro-ji Temple. The 1st floor is a café and souvenir shop and the 2nd floor is a Japanese restaurant which offers authentic Japanese cuisine in a traditional Japanese setting. Monthly mini kaiseki course is 3,675 yen, full course from 6,300 yen. Open: 11:00-20:00; Closed Tues.; Tel: 0745-93-2700.
Join Fun and Up-to-date Art & Culture Events in Nara!
- Nara International Film Festival PRE FIESTA 2011 (Sept. 17-19)
One year ago, Nara hosted its first film festival, the Nara International Film Festival. The founder is Naomi Kawase, a Nara-born film director who has chosen Nara for her film setting many times (her films have joined the Cannes Film Festival and she won the Palme d'Or for one of her films). The first Nara International Film Festival was a great success and it will be held every two years. Though the next main festival will be in 2012, the Pre Festa will be held this year. For these three days, fun events for everyone are always on. Check out the schedule and enjoy this festival with Nara's local people! - Film showing: films for both adults and children will be shown (500 yen/film); at Naramachi Cen- ter; map A, C-3, pg 6
- Retrospective for the Nara International Film Festival 2010: Some of the highly praised films that joined last year's film festival will be shown again; at Naramachi Center; map A, C-3, pg 6
- Food booth: Food stalls such as an Italian café will be open during the event. Enjoy delicious food and drink if you feel hungry!; at Naramachi Center; map A, C-3, pg 6
- Think on HOME: A filmmaker Naomi Kawase and Riten Tanaka from Kimpsen-ji Temple in Yoshino will discuss "HOME", followed by the screening of "3.11 A Sense of Home Films" that are directed by filmmakers around the world in dedication to the victims of the earthquake oc- curred on Mar. 11th; from 18:30; at Naramachi Cetner; map A, C-3, pg 6
- Many films are in English, French or Spanish (with Japanese subtitles); Tel: 0742-95-5780; http://www. nara-iff.jp/prefiesta2011/en/
- NaraVisualKotenpandantenExhibition2011inNaramachi (Sept.17-19)
Nara Visual Cotenpandan Exhibition is a totally new and unique art event featuring visual art. Visual art works created by young contemporary artists will be shown at about 20 locations in the historical Naramachi area. As you walk around the quiet and mysterious old Narama- chi area, you will come across these leading-edge art works. This is such a curious combination of tradition and modernism.- Event venues: Mochii-do Hall (map A, C-2, pg 6), Gallery Out of Place (map A, B-1, pg 6), Sankaku Café (map A, C-2, pg 6), Masaki House (Nara Women's University Seminar House; map A, D-3, pg 6), Tsubai Elementary School map A, C-2, pg 6 and other shops, café and galleries; http://nara-art-prom.com/en/
- MachiyaTownhouseArtFestivalHANARART (Oct.8-30)
Nara still preserves many old and historical townscapes throughout the prefecture. In October, a new art event which integrates these historical assets and contemporary art will be held. In the 7 areas, from north to central Nara prefecture, contemporary artists use old houses and towns to present their artistic creativity based on the theme "flower".- Event venues: Oct. 8-16: Imai-cho Town and Yagi Town in Kashihara City (5-10 min. walk from Kintetsu Yagi Nishiguchi Sta.), Gojo Shinmachi Town in Gojo City (10-min. walk to the southwest from JR Gojo Sta.); Oct. 15-23: Miwa Town in Sakurai City (west of JR Miwa Sta.), Uda Matsuyama Town in Uda City (take Nara Kotsu Bus bound for Ouda (15 min.) from Kintetsu Haibara Sta.); Oct. 22-30: Naramachi in Nara City, Koriyama Castle Town in Yamato Koriyama City; http://hanarart.web.fc2.com/
- AsukaArtProject2011:AsukaTimeTravel (Nov.23-Dec.25)
Asuka is an idyllic rural area of Nara. As the Asuka area was once the capital of Japan in the 6-7th century, there are numerous stone monuments and tombs and many of them still remain mysterious. Using Asuka's abundant natural resources and historical assets, contemporary art works will be displayed both inside and in the open air. Experience "Time Travel" by visiting Asuka's ancient sites and viewing avant-garde art objects in Japan's ancient capital.- Event venues: Asuka Historical National Government Park (map D, pg 7), Takamatsuzuka Tomb (map D, pg 7) and other locations in the Asuka village; see pg 12 for access details to the Asuka area; http://www.asuka-artproject.com/
