Special souvenirs of Nara to take home!/NaraExplorer

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/

Zeitaku-mame Hompo: (Central Nara / Japanese confectioneries & Nara souvenirs); The perfect place to look for sweets and souvenirs of Nara in a traditional atmosphere

<Overview>: They sell various kinds of traditional Japanese confectionery: rice crackers, cakes, sweets, candies, dumplings, fried-dough cookies, and more! Most of the packs are only a few hundreds yen and you can easily bring them with you on your travels around Nara or take them back home. A wide range of other Nara souvenirs are also available.

<Recommended items>: Japanese bean confectioneries: from 105 yen; Rice crackers: from 105 yen

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-22-6061; On the north side of Sanjo, across from movie theater; Open: 10:00-20:00 (until 19:00 in winter); Close: Tues; http://www.z-mame.com/

Uoman: (Central Nara/KAMABOKO=steamed fish cake); Kamaboko specialty shop with more than a 100-year history

<Overview>: Kamaboko is a traditional Japanese food which is made by steaming minced fish meat. At UOMAN you can watch how kamaboko is made. Some of UOMAN’s skewered type kamaboko (Kuishinbo or buttered potato) taste best when eaten hot. Why not take some of UOMAN’s kamaboko with you to nibble on as you explore Nara!

<Recommended Menu>: Kuishinbo 280yen (6 kinds: skewered deep-fried fish kamaboko with filling: cheese, squid, octopus, Kimchi Korean pickle, etc.); Buttered potato 180yen (skewered deep-fried minced fish meet with buttered potato)

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-22-3709; On the left side of Mochiidono Center Arcade, about 300 meters from the north end; Open: 9:30-19:30; closed irregularly; http://www.uoman.jp

Kikuoka Kanpo-yaku: (Central Nara/Kanpo Oriental Medicine); Extraordinary Kanpo Oriental Medicine with an 824-year history

<Overview>: Kikuoka Kanpo-yaku has extraordinary long history dating back to 824. Kanpo is an ancient Oriental medicine based on Chinese herbs. Today, the 24th generation shop owner provides the most suitable combination of medicinal herbs depending on your symptoms and physical tendencies. Kanpo is regarded as very gentle on the body and has no known side-effects. Daranisuke is a kanpo created in Nara which is very effective for the digestive system. Ginger candy and ginger drinks have been popular with Japanese people over the ages as natural remedy for colds.

<Recommended items>: Daranisuke digestive medicine: from 1,050 yen (30 pills×27packs); Ginger candy: from 380 yen (70g, about 13 candies); Ginger flavor drink: 550 yen (5 packs)

<Shop Data>: Tel: 0742-22-6611; A 3-min. walk south from the west side of Sarusawa Pond, at the end of the street (A-1, pg 7 map); Open: 9:00-19:00; Closed: Mon.