NaraExplorer

Have a comfortable and relaxing stay in Nara

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.

Hotel Nikko Nara: (Central Nara/Hotel); The perfect location for everyone! Start your day in Nara after a stay in one of our comfortable rooms.

<Overview>: Located by JR Nara Station, Hotel Nikko Nara offers first-class service and hospitality as a member of JAL Hotels. We offer 330 comfortable rooms and four restaurants (Traditional Japanese, Teppan-yaki, Western, Chinese). Some rooms have superb views of Mt. Wakakusa, the five-story pagoda of Kofuku-ji Temple and other scenic places in Nara. Stay in one of our rooms and enjoy Nara!

<Room Rates>: Single: 12,000yen; Double: 21,000yen (for 2 guests); Twin: from 21,000yen (for 2-4 guests); ∗Consumption tax & service charge included.

<General Information>: Tel: 0742-35-8831; 1-min. walk from JR Nara Station (west exit); Check-in: 13:00/Check-out: 11:00; http://www.jalhotels.com/domestic/kansai/nara/

Hotel Nikko Nara1

Hotel Nikko Nara2

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Hotel Sun Route Nara: (Central Nara/Hotel); The best location for experiencing the old Nara atmosphere and for starting your exploration in central Nara!

<Overview>: Located in the historical Naramachi area, and very close to Nara Park, Hotel Sun Route Nara offers you comfort and a memorable time in Nara. The hotel is very convenient for access to sightseeing and public transportation. Some rooms have great views of the five-story pagoda of Kofuku-ji Temple and the beautiful sights of Naramachi. There are two computers in the lobby for guests to use which are useful for research before going out. The hotel’s Japanese restaurant offers excellent traditional cuisine

<Room Rate>: Single: 9,240 yen; Twin: from 17,850 yen (for 2-3 people); *5% consumption tax is included; no service charge required.

<General Information>: Tel: 0742-22-5151; On the southeast of Sarusawa Pond, about 200 meters on the left; Check-in: 14:00; Check-out: 11:00; http://www.sunroute-nara.co.jp/index.html

Hotel Sun Route Nara1

Hotel Sun Route Nara2

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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

new shop

new shop

Tori Tamura: (Central Nara / Yakitori skewered grilled chicken); Enjoy Sizzling Hot and Tasty Yakitori, “Japanese-style BBQ Chicken Kebabs”

<Overview>: Yakitori is a popular Japanese dish. Chicken pieces are skewered on a stick and roasted with a sweet soy sauce-based sauce or salt. From a counter seat, you will enjoy watching up-close how the chefs quickly and skillfully cook your yakitori. You can order just one skewer of yakitori (from 120 yen) or try the chef’s selection set menu (from 2,500 yen) which includes the best of everything! Salad, drinks and other a la carte dishes from the menu are also worth trying.

<Recommended Menus>: You can order just one skewer of yakitori (from 120 yen) or try the set menu (from 2,500 yen) which includes the best of everything and one drink!

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-24-5665; A 3-min. walk to the northeast of JR Nara Sta., on the east side of the street; Open: 11:30-14:30 (L.O. 14:00), 17:00-24:00 (L.O. 23:00); Closed: irregularly

new shop

new shop

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/

Yume-Kaze Plaza001

Yume-Kaze Plaza001

Harushika Sake Brewery: (Central Nara / Japanese sake brewery and shop); Taste fresh Japanese sake in a classic sake brewery

<Overview>: Nara is considered to be the birth place of Japanese sake. The brewery’s best sellers is “Cho-karakuchi (super dry)” which is exported to and enjoyed in over 10 countries. Highly recommended are “Tokimeki”, which tastes like champagne, and the Daiginjo “Harushika” with it’s rich aroma. Try their sake tasting (400 yen) and find your favorite.

<Recommended items>: Sake tasting: 400 yen; Tokimeki: 493 yen (300ml); Daiginjo Harushika: 2,625-5,250 yen (720ml-1.8 litter)

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-23-2255; A 3-min. walk from Ganko-ji Temple to the west, on the left side; Open everyday: 8:15-17:15; http://www.harushika.com/

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Shop TABI-JI: (Central Nara/Jika-tabi Ninja shoes); Try New Styles for Your Stylish Footwear!

<Overview>: We offer original footwear from traditional Japanese to modern and functional. Some of our Jika-tabi, or so-called Ninja shoes use traditional color and pattern and others have modern design. Another unique footwear is Fivefingers which has separated 5-toe. All of our footwear are suitable for running and exercise, and they give healthy effect on your body as they provide stability and stimulate feet bottom muscle. Our footwear will make you look fashionable, healthy and original. What can you ask for more?

<Recommended Items>: Tabi socks: from 150 yen; Ninja shoes for children: from 2,100 yen; Ninja shoes for adults: from 3,800 yen; Fivefingers: from 9,800 yen

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-26-3588; On the south side of Sanjo, 50 meters to the west from Sarusawa Pond (2nd floor of the building); Open: 11:00-19:00 / Closed: Wed; http://www.tabi-ji.jp

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shikaya shop002

shikaya shop002

Kobaien Calligraphy Goods Retail Shop: (Central Nara/ Japanese calligraphy goods); Experience the history of Japanese calligraphy

<Overview>: Nara is well regarded as the birthplace of Japanese calligraphy ink and brush for over 1,000 years. The shop stocks the full range of Kobaien and other shop’s calligraphy materials, including brushes, ink bars, ink stones and washi paper, and also a variety of tea ceremony utensils. One of Nara’s best shops of calligraphy goods is Kobaien which specialize in all kinds of Japanese calligraphy materials. The ink bars of Kobaien are known for their high-quality ink bars which they successfully improved in its 400 years history.

<Recommended Items>: Ink bars: from 800 yen; Ink stones: from 2,500 yen; Paper weights: from 1,000 yen; Japanese calligraphy sets: from 5,000 yen

<Shop Data>: Tel:0742-22-2646; In front of the gate of Tamukeyama Shrine at the foot of Mount Wakakusa (map A, A-1, pg 6); Open everyday: 9:00-17:00

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TOYOTA Rent a Car Nara Shop: (Central Nara/ Rent a Car); Rent a car and enjoy exploring Nara in comfort

<What is special about TOYOTA Rent a Car?>: 1. No. 1 in Japan for the variety of cars available to customers. You will be able to find just the right car for you.; 2. Car navigation that will guide you everywhere. Don’t worry if you don’t know Japanese! Just type in the telephone number of your destination.; 3. Return the car to any TOYOTA Rent a Car shop. For example, it is possible to get a car in central Nara and leave it in the Asuka area.; 4. Special optional insurance services are available for your safe and enjoyable driving in Nara!; More information will be provided at the shop.

<Rates>: 6 hours: from 6,300 yen; 24 hours: from 7,875 yen

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-22-1011; A 5-min. walk to the south from JR Nara Sta., on the left side; Open everyday: 8:00-20:00; http://rent.toyota.co.jp/top.asp; https://www.hertz.com/

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Autumn 2009 (14)