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
Yamato Koriyama: A Castle and Goldfish Town
Yamato Koriyama City is located adjacent to Nara City. It was a prosperous and lively town in the 17th century when Koriyama Castle was built and this historical atmosphere can still be found today in its scenery and people’s lives. Temples, shrines, traditional industries and scenic glimpses… Walk around Yamato Koriyama City and experience people’s daily life and culture.
Access: JR Nara Sta. to Koriyama Sta. (10 min.) or Kintetsu Nara Sta. to Koriyama Sta. (change at Saidaiji Sta. to the train bound for Tenri or Kashihara Jingumae; 20 min.).
Rental bicycles are available at the City Community Hall or Hakomotokan Konya: 9:00-17:00; 200 yen/hour, 800 yen/day (over 4 hours).
- Koriyama Castle Site
When the samurai warrior Junkei Tsutsui (1549-1584) unified Nara in the 16th century, he started to construct his castle in the city in 1580. After his death, another samurai took over the castle and the neighboring towns prospered while the people enjoyed tea ceremony, poetry, flower arrangement, etc. Unfortunately, the castle itself no longer remains but there is still some fine buildings left on the large site reflecting the dignified appearance of the time. The site is surrounded by moats and is a nice recreation sites for local people.
- Mar. 27-Apr. 10: Yamato Koriyama Castle Festival
- About 800 cherry trees will be in full bloom from late March. A number of food, games and craft stalls will be set up and many fun events are scheduled. There will also be a parade and historical pageant on the weekends.
- Plum Dwarf Tree Exhibition
The city’s annual plum dwarf tree exhibition is very popular. About 120 trees will be displayed in one of the castle buildings. Until Mar. 12; 9:30-16:30 (until 17:00 on Sat., Sun., holidays); 450 yen.
- Sakasa Upside Down Jizo Statues
The castle master ran out of stones during the castle’s expansion and dared to collect all of the stones from nearby temples to make a base. Even Jizo (representing Buddha) statues were used, upside down.
- Goldfish
- Yamato Koriyama is Japan’s largest goldfish cultivation city. Goldfish were first brought here in 1724 and raising them became a popular side job for the samurai and farmers. There are numerous ponds raising these fish throughout the city. A goldfish show is held every year during the Castle Festival and people come from all over to enjoy viewing various unique and gorgeous species of goldfish.
- WAKIN
Japan’s first goldfish brought from China in 1502. The original of all the varieties of goldfish today.
- RYUKIN
Brought from China via Okinawa in the late 18th century. Very popular for ornamental purposes.
- RANCHU
Wakin was crossbred many times to form the species now known as Ranchu. It is called “King of Goldfish” due to its unique appearance.
- Fun & Delicious Highlights
1) ONISHI RAKUSAI AKAHADAYAKI KILN- Onishi Rakusai is the pottery master who has taken over the tradition of Nara’s Akahada-yaki pottery. A number of pottery works and kilns can be viewed. Tel: 0743-52-3323/8:00-18:00/www.akahadarakusai.ftw.jp
2) Bean Bread APOLLO- Apollo is a small bakery always filled with the enticing aroma of freshly baked bread. Using natural & local ingredients (many of them including beans), Apollo’s original bread is very popular with locals. Tel: 0742-52-8106/Open: 8:00-18:00/closed Wed., 1 & 3 Sun./www.mamepanapollo.com/
3) HAKOMOTOKAN KONYA- A traditional large Japanese house is the city’s oldest residential architecture. It started indigo dyeing business in the Edo period. Visitors can try traditional indigo dyeing and can make original goods. See next page for details.
4) KOCHIKUYA- Onishi Rakusai is the pottery master who has taken over the tradition of Nara’s Akahada-yaki pottery. A number of pottery works and kilns can be viewed. Tel: 0743-52-3323/8:00-18:00/www.akahadarakusai.ftw.jp
5) Japanese Café MORIKA- This 300-year-old rice shop opened a nice café last year offering unique sweets made from fine rice or from an ancient rice variety: Ohagi dumplings, rice flour waffles, etc. (from 300 yen). Enjoy them accompanied by fine quality local green tea! Tel: 0743-52-2059; 9:30-18:00; closed Sun., holidays.
6) HONKE KIKUYA- A long-honored Japanese sweet shop that has been in existence for over 400 years. Kikuya’s sweets are a perfect representative souvenir of this city. The most highly recommended is Shirono-kuchi (a small, very soft rice cake containing sweet red beans inside). Tel: 0743-52-0035; 8:00-19:30; http://www.kikuya.co.jp/
Experience Japan in Nara!
Hands-on classes & experiences for tourists
Seeing and visiting new places is always enjoyable but to make your trip to Japan even more memorable and exciting, why not try directly experiencing Japanese culture? By using your body and senses you can learn more about Japan and also have a great chance to talk and interact with Nara’s local people. Here are some recommended places which will add to your special time in Nara.
- Japanese Calligraphy in Central Nara
- Feel the soul of Japanese culture through ink and brush
Yoko Nishina is a Nara & Kyoto-based calligraphy artist and teacher. She has an international background with experience teaching calligraphy to both Japanese and non-Japanese tourists and exchange students here in Japan as well as overseas during the year she spent living in Germany.- Yoko will teach you how to create your original calligraphy work on special paper using the traditional Japanese brush and ink. After the lesson, you can enjoy conversing over Japanese tea and sweets. Join Yoko’s class and learn more deeply about Japanese culture through practicing calligraphy.
- 3,000 yen/person (all inclusive; all tools provided)
- The lesson will last about 2 hours.
- Reservations required: yoko.urna@gmail.com
- For location and other details, please enquire.
- Ai-zome Traditional Indigo Dyeing in Yamato Koriyama
- Make original indigo dyed goods in a classic machiya-style building
Yamato Koriyama is the city adjacent to Nara City which prospered as a castle town in the 16th century (see previous page). Konya-machi is one of the streets near the castle where many indigo dye shops gathered in those days and Hakomotokan KONYA is a large classic Japanese house where you can experience traditional indigo dyeing still today. Here is a chance to make your own original indigo goods!- You can learn the traditional indigo dyeing technique using a natural knotweed pigment stored in the studio in large vases. 1) Decide on the design (simple tools to make patterns are provided). 2) Wet the textile and squeeze to get rid of excess water. 3) Soak the textile in indigo liquid for 1 min. 4) Wash the textile well in water. 5) Repeat soaking and washing 2 more times. 6) Remove the tools and dry your completed textile.
- Open: 9:00-17:00, closed Mon.
- handkerchief: 1,000 yen, towel: 1,200 yen, bag: 1,200 yen, stole: from 1,900 yen (prices include entry fee)
- 9:15, 10:45, 13:15, 15:00; Procedure lasts about 1-1.5 hours
- Reservations recommended: Tel: 0743-58-5531 (Japanese only)
- see access info. to Yamato Koriyama City and detailed location of KONYA on the next page.
- Asuka Ruby Strawberry Picking in Asuka Village
- Pick and eat as many fresh and juicy strawberries as you want!
Asuka village is located almost in the center of Nara Prefecture. It was the national capital in the 5th century and is still blessed with historical monuments set in peaceful, natural surroundings. Asuka is also known for strawberry production, specializing in a kind of strawberry known as ‘Asuka Ruby’. The fruit is bright and shiny like ruby jewelry and is very popular throughout Japan due to its sweet and succulent taste.- Spring is the best season to enjoy strawberries! There are 13 strawberry farms around the village that are open for fresh strawberry picking. Visit Asuka Village to pick these red jewels one by one and taste how sweet and juicy they are!
- Wed., Sat., Sun., national holidays until May 30; Open: 10:00-16:00 (open from 9:00 after April 3)
- Adults: 1,400 yen, children: 1,100 yen (after May 6: Adults: 1,000 yen, children: 800 yen)
- All-you-can-eat style within 30 min.
- Reservations required: Tel: 0744-54-1115 (Japanese only)
- see pg 12 for access to Asuka Village and see map D, pg 7 for each strawberry farm’s location.
