NaraExplorer
Special souvenirs of Nara to take home!
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.
- Food
- Souvenirs
- Traditional Crafts
- Arts & Antiques
- Seishi-en
- (Central Nara/original Nara accessories)
- A variety of pretty goods hand-made in Nara & Itto-bori carving display
- <Overview>
- In the Naramachi area, the historical and nostalgic center of Nara, there is a stylish space where you can find a gallery, a café and some shops. One of these shops is Seishi-en. Seishi-en started as a shop specializing in Nara’s traditional arts and crafts. The present third generation master himself is an earnest carver in Nara’s traditional Itto-bori carving style. His carvings are on display - from classic forms to cute and modern styles. The shops has a variety of pretty hand-made accessories and goods using Nara’s special linen textile.
- <Shopping Recommendations>
- Hair accessory: 400 yen
- Mobile phone strap: 380 yen
- Nara-sarashi textile pouch: 1,300 yen
- Please enquire about the Itto-bori carving
- <Shop Data>
- Tel: 080-5333-0720
- South of Sanjo Street, on the left side, in the KAI gallery space
- Open: 11:00-18:00
- Closed: Mon.
- http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/seishienakira
- Nara Crafts Museum
- (Central Nara/Traditional Nara crafts exhibit and shop)
- Experience the long history of Nara’s traditional crafts
- <Overview>
- A wide range of traditional Nara crafts are displayed here including works by living National Treasures who specialize in Itto-bori wood carving, Akahada-yaki ceramics, calligraphy brushes and inks, deer horn crafts, and more. There are special exhibitions and demonstrations by real craftsmen held occasionally. Prince Charles and his wife visited the museum last autumn and marveled at the beauty of Nara’s traditional crafts. In the museum shop, you can find a variety of Nara craft goods (old & new, reasonable & higher prices). Visit the museum and learn more about Nara culture.
- <Shopping Recommendations>
- Itto-bori carving dolls: from 3,675 yen
- Akahada-yaki ceramics: from 2,000 yen
- Deer horn crafts: from 880 yen
- <Shop Data>
- Tel: 0742-27-0033
- Go through Mochiidono and Shimomikado Shopping Arcade and turn right, about 50 meters on the right side.
- Open: 10:00-21:00
- Closed: Mon.
- http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~naramachi/
- Okai
- (Central Nara/ Nara-sarashi linen textile goods)
- Nara-sarashi linen textile and goods
- <Overview>
- Nara is famous for the production of linen or Nara-sarashi. Since the early Edo period (1600-1868), it has been regarded as the best quality linen in Japan. Okai, which started in 1863, preserves the tradition of Nara-sarashi and actively produces new goods for modern life styles. From classic white cloth for the tea ceremony to modern interior goods (tapestries, parasols, samue Japanese pant suits, table centers, etc.). They are all dyed with natural plants which have a deep and warm color. In addition, designs which use Nara-e pictures or historical patterns related to Shoso-in Temple add a sense of history.
- <Shopping Recommendations>
- Nara-sarashi pouch: from 2,625 yen
- Parasol: 15,750 yen
- Kakishibu-dyed bag: 7,875 yen
- Hats: 6,720 yen
- <Shop Data>
- Tel: 0742-24-7119
- In the Higashimuki Shopping Arcade, about 200 meters from Sanjo Street, on the left side
- Open: 10:00-19:000
- http://www.okaimafu.com
- Ikeda Ganko-do
- (Central Nara / Traditional Nara-style uchiwa fans)
- Fans with elaborate designs from the ancient Nara period
- <Overview>
- This is the only shop today in Nara which continues the tradition of Nara-style round uchiwa fans and Nara-e picture fans. The round uchiwa fans are decorated with the ancient patterns of elaborate fretwork and the seasonal beauty of Nara. Both fans are perfect for those who appreciate art as well as a practical tool for making a breeze.
- <Recommended items>
- Nara-style round uchiwa fans: from 1,470 yen
- Nara-style fans: from 3,150 yen
- <Shop Data>
- Tel: 0742-22-3690
- On the north side of Sanjo St., 50 meters to the west from Konishi St.
- Open everyday: 9:00-19:00
- Closed: Wed. and irregularly seasonally
- Hokuto Budougu
- (Horyu-ji Area/ Japanese martial art goods)
- Visit the world of Japanese martial arts on the way to Horyu-ji Temple
- <Overview>
- Located on the way to Horyu-ji Temple, near JR Horyu-ji Station, Hokuto Budogu offers a range of original Japanese martial arts goods. The owner specializes in kendo (Japanese bamboo fencing) and his wife specializes in Japanese calligraphy. Using their skills, together they create original goods such as folding fans, door curtains and other traditional Japanese items. If visiting in summer, get one of Hokuto Budogu’s traditional fans and cool yourself down as you wander around Horyu-ji Temple!
- <Recommended Items>
- Tenugui cotton towel: from 400yen
- Japanese fan: 2,000yen
- Shinai bamboo sword: from 2,400yen
- <Shop Data>
- Tel: 0745-75-6128
- About 10-min. walk north from JR Horyu-ji Sta.
- Open: 10:00-19:00
- closed: Wed
- http://www.hokuto-budougu.jp/
- Matsumori
- (Central Nara/Japanese ceramics and lacquer ware)
- Specializing in traditional Japanese ceramics and lacquer wares since 1871
- <Overview>
- Matsumori offers a wide range of traditional Japanese ceramics, lacquer ware and also glass ware from famous production areas all over Japan. Nara’s Akahada-yaki potteries with traditional Nara scenes are especially recommended. Tea cups and plates decorated with classic Japanese patterns called Shoso Monyo (from famous Shoso-in Temple) are Matsumori’s original. Choose one of Matsumori’s fine ceramics or pieces of lacquer ware for a memento of your Nara trip.
- <Recommended Items>
- Akahada-yaki ceramics: from 2,000 yen
- Shoso Monyo pattern wares: 1,100-2,500 yen
- Others: from 1,000 yen
- <Shop Data>
- Tel:0742-22-2037
- On the right side of Mochiidono Shopping Center, near the north entrance
- Open: 9:00-20:00
- Closed: Thurs.
- http://homepage2.nifty.com/matsumori/
- 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
- Shop TABI-JI
- (Central Nara/Jika-tabi Ninja shoes)
- The perfect combination of traditional and modern Japanese culture comes together in Jika-tabi footwear
- <Overview>
- Jika-tabi are a traditional style of Japanese footwear, generally worn by outdoor workers. TABI-JI offers a wide range of unique jika-tabi, or rather ‘Ninja shoes’ as they are often called. Not only traditional Japanese textiles and patterns, but also colorful and modern designs are available too. Some are very practical like sports shoes. The minimum size is from 13cm (for 1 and a half year old child). Why don’t you get some original and fashionable TABI-JI’s jika-tabi for the whole family? The friendly owner speaks English and welcomes international customers.
- <Recommended Items>
- Tabi Japanese socks: from 150 yen
- Jika-tabi Ninja shoes for children: from 2,100 yen
- Jika-tabi Ninja shoes for adults: from 3,800 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.waryu-so.jp/tabiji/
- Anzuya
- (Central Nara/Japanese Ceramics)
- Appreciate Japanese craftsmanship through ceramics
- <Overview>
- Anzuya offers a variety of fine quality Japanese ceramics and delightful textile accessories. This cozy shop represents the warmth of the owner who welcomes visitors from all over the world. Nestled in the Takabatake area, you can experience the peaceful setting and take your time finding the perfect souvenir of your visit.
- <Recommended Menus>
- Tea cups from 800yen
- Mug cups from 1,200yen
- <Shop Data>
- Tel: 0742-23-1706
- 1237-7 Takabatake-cho, Nara
- Open: 11:00-18:00
- closed Wed.
- http://anzuya.net
TRADITIONAL CRAFTS