Have a comfortable and relaxing stay in Nara/NaraExplorer

Imura Art Gallery: (Kyoto City / Art Gallery); Feel the beauty of contemporary Japanese art in the old capital

<Overview>: Imura Art Gallery is held in high regard by its Japanese and overseas fans. The world famous auction house Christies regularly comes to Imura Art Gallery to discover new and interesting contemporary artists. Imura Art Gallery specializes in contemporary art works born out of the rich and beautiful tradition of the ancient capitals of Japan.

<Up-coming Exhibition>: Dec. 13 (Sat.) - 27 (Sat.), 2008; Natsunosuke MISE Exhibition; Natsunosuke MISE was born in Nara prefecture, south of Kyoto in 1973. He studied Fine Arts to graduate school level in Kyoto. Mise has won several big art prizes and is considered representative of young artists specializing in Japanese painting. His work has attracted not only domestic but also international attention. What he paints expresses the places where he exists and where he was born and raised, for example, his home Nara and Japan itself.

<Shop Data>: Tel: 075-761-7372; On the north side of Marutamachi, about 300 meters to the east from Kawabata; a 3-min. walk from Keihan Marutamachi Sta.;from Nara, take JR train from Nara to Kyoto, then, take Kyoto City Bus #204 and get off at Keihan Jingu Marutamachi.; Open: 10:00-18:30; Closed: Sun. & holiday; www.imuraart.com

YUMEIDO: (Kyoto City / Japanese antiques & maccha green tea); Authentic Japanese antiques from the old capital

<Overview>: At Yumeido, you can see a wide variety of authentic Japanese antiques; from ceramics, hanging scrolls, tea ceremony tools to Buddhist art. There is a café in the shop where people can try traditional maccha green tea with seasonal home-made sweets. Stop in at Yumeido and have a bowl of green tea surrounded by Japanese history.

<Recommended items>: Japanese antiques: from 5,000 yen; Maccha green tea with traditional sweet: 1,000 yen; Thick maccha green tea with traditional sweet: 1,500 yen

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-22-3301; Across from Nara National Museum; Open: everyday 10:00-18:30

NaraExplorer