CULINARY EXPERIENCES IN NARA

✤ KUZUKIRI

This dessert consists of transparent gelatinous noodles that are extremely refreshing to eat, and is very popular in summer. It has only water and kuzu starch in it, which acts as a thickener. The starch is extracted from arrowroots, the root of the kuzu vine which helps with digestive issues and is used in various desserts. In summer, kuzukiri or kuzu mochi is relished and when the weather gets colder, kuzu powder is dissolved in warm water and used as a remedy for coughs and colds. The noodles are bland in taste, so the dessert is served with black sugar syrup, known as kuromitsu. The syrup is most commonly poured over the noodles, but some restaurants serve them separately, making it slightly more fun to eat, as diners dip chopsticks full of noodles into the syrup. The dish is sometimes served with other toppings, such as fruit or matcha.

✤ VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN FOOD

It's possible to sample vegetarian or vegan Japanese food, without compromising on diet preferences in Nara. Rice and vegan-friendly noodles make up the base of most dishes. Tofu is available in a staggering variety of shapes and textures. Miso, a seasoning made of fermented soybeans and koji is in many dishes. Natto or fermented soybeans are a staple of the cuisine and fresh or pickled seasonal veggies are also easy to find.

✤ KAKIGORI

Japan's traditional summer treat, kakigori is shaved ice with syrup. There are several specialist shops that attract long lines of tourists who are eager to try this dessert. What was once a summer-only dessert is now served year-round. The shops and cafés are also constantly innovating new and creative flavours like tiramisu, avocado and even tomatoes to keep visitors enthralled and wanting more.

✤ TOFU

Tofu is made of curdled soy milk, pressed into blocks in a process similar to making cheese. It is a good source of protein and a staple of Japanese cuisine. Tofu is an especially important ingredient in vegetarian Buddhist temple cuisine. On its own, fresh tofu has a delicate taste. It is a versatile food that can be used in a variety of sweet and savoury dishes.

✤ BARS

The locals do know how to have a good time, with a focus on good food and craft cocktails. While many restaurants tend to close around 10 pm, there are many bars that stay open late into the night where locals and visitors can enjoy local beverages like Japanese whiskey, beer, sake and international beverages. Visitors can also enjoy unique cocktails where a mixologist can craft a cocktail according to your preference. Moreover, Nara also has the bar running by world's best bartender.

✤ KAISEKI cUISINE

Kaiseki courses are categorized by distinctive cooking methods, with each dish representing one of the methods. Not all dishes may be present, however, as chefs will often include or omit dishes depending on the season and the chef's individual style. Its origins are found many centuries ago in the simple meals served at the tea ceremony, but later it evolved into an elaborate dining style popular among aristocratic circles. Today, kaiseki is served in specialised restaurants and is gaining popularity in Nara.

✤ NIGHT VIEW FROM MOUNT WAKAKUSA

Mount Wakakusa in Nara city is home to some of the most scenic landscapes that cast a spell on the imagination. The dead grass that grows on this mountain is lit up with fire in January creating a diaspora of lights. Mount Wakakusa is a small mountain which is 342 meters above sea level. The night view is recognized as one of the new three great night views of Japan and is an awe-inspiring sight. Since the hiking course closes at 5:00 p.m. the night view can only be seen by car using the Nara Okuyama driveway, or by taking a bus operated by the Nara City Tourism Association on Fridays and Saturdays.

✤ MUROU ART FOREST

A delightful open-air museum and collection of art installations located in the heart of Murou village is based on a concept originally put forward by Bukichi Inoue a local sculptor. Varied art pieces within the park were designed in 2006 by renowned Israeli sculptor Dani Karavan, based on a theme of harmony between nature and art. The park is approximately 700 meters in length and is a family-friendly destination. The visitor’s centre has tables and makes an ideal spot for a picnic on sunny days. This peaceful spot is a perfect place to relax and escape from the bustle of a stressful life.

✤ NARA PREFECTURE COMPLEX OF MAN'YO CULTURE

Designed on the theme of the Man’yoshu, a vast waka poetry anthology from the 8th century, the Nara Prefecture Complex of Man’yo culture located in Asuka village, is a museum, with vibrant displays depicting daily life at the time along with artworks inspired by the poems. Replicas of excavated items from Asuka are on display. There is also an exhibition using dolls, so even children can enjoy it. General exhibition rooms are free of charge, and special exhibitions are charged. At the free facility, visitors can see how people lived in those days. Photography is permitted.

✤ DOROGAWA ONSEN

A hidden hot spring retreat deep in the holy mountains, Dorogawa Onsen is located at the foot of sacred Mt. Omine, a major centre of worship for practitioners of Shugendo, an esoteric religion blending Buddhism, Shinto, and mountain worship that originated in the eighth century. The town's high elevation and mild hot springs, with a temperature of 26 degrees Celsius, makes it the perfect summer retreat. The quaint, well-preserved townscape lined with inns, restaurants, and souvenir shops dates back to when it was a popular onsen destination in the post-war era. At night, one can wander outside after an evening soak to see the main street transformed by the flickering lanterns lining the way.

✤ OKA-DERA TEMPLE

Established in 663 AD. Ryūgai Temple, or commonly known as Oka, literally means the Dragon Lid temple. The primary Buddha of worship is the Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu or the Buddha of wishgranting and is the largest clay Buddhist statue in Japan which was made in the 8th century. Okadera is located on the hillside of Okayama, east of Asuka Village in Nara Prefecture. According to temple lore, Okadera was built by Gibuchi Sojo at the request of Emperor Tenchi. It used to be the centre of Asuka-kyo, the capital of Japan, Asuka Itabuki-no-Miya, the place where the Taika Reforms took place. Paths at the front of the shrine lead to the start of the Mount Wakakusa hiking trail and across to Kasugataisha Shrine, with many small restaurants and tea houses along the way.

✤ JW MARRIOTT HOTEL NARA

Where To Stay

The JW Marriott Nara is the first international luxury hotel in Nara, where guests can select from 158 gracefully-appointed guest rooms, including 16 suites offering a complete range of modern amenities and conveniences. The hotel has an array of dining options including the multi-concept food theatre, Silk Road Dining, a speciality Japanese restaurant Azekura and the lounge bar Flying Stag. One can enjoy a refreshing workout in the 24-hour state-of-theart fitness centre, swim in the indoor pool or get pampered with a massage, facial or other treatments at the hotel’s luxury spa. The executive lounge offers concierge service, world-class immersive F&B offerings and a private meeting room. Professional meeting and wedding planners are available to customize the perfect event utilizing the ballroom and four additional meeting rooms as well the ample space in the connecting convention centre which is the largest in Nara. marriott.com

✤ NARA HOTEL

The grandeur of Nara Hotel and its stately appearance has remained the same for the last century. It evokes an era of compelling fashion and magnificent presence that blends seamlessly with the unique elegance of the ancient capital. The main building is a classical marvel which is built of Japanese cypress in the style of a Momoyama period residence, with numerous touches such as mantelpieces in guest rooms. All rooms combine traditional charm and contemporary comfort to create a beautiful, relaxing and enjoyable space. The new building was built in the distinctive architectural style of the Yoshino region. All rooms face a courtyard planted with soothing greenery and feature an interior design embodying the Yamato culture against a calming backdrop of oak. Nara Hotel has impressive food and beverage offerings with verdant views and delectable fares. It has six banquet venues to suit any special event. All halls can be arranged to match the occasion, from wedding receptions and special celebrations to lectures and seminars. narahotel.co.jp

✤ NIPPONIA HOTEL NARA NARAMACHI

Realising the concept of a sake hotel, Nipponia Hotel Naramachi stands on the former grounds of Gangoji Temple, in a precinct that retains distinct townscapes from the Edo to Taisho periods. The hotel was renovated from a grand traditional residence and the former brewery of the Toyosawa Shuzou company, which was founded in the Meiji period. Guests can dine at a counter in the Restaurant Le Un in a space renovated from the former doma earthen floor part of the residence. The restaurant has an extensive cellar, including rare sakes exclusive to Restaurant Le Un and raw sakes delivered directly from Nara Toyosawa Shuzou. The pleasure of pairing sakes with dishes highlighting the local produce of Nara is a delectable and unforgettable culinary journey. Experience the charm of sake and the ancient capital of Nara, the birthplace of sake. vmg.co.jp

✤ FUFU NARA JAPAN

The handwork and awe-inspiring craftsmanship of local Nara artisans is interspersed throughout Fufu Nara from Yoshino cedar wood, vases and pottery made from Nara clay, handcrafted hemp tapestries, local art adorning the walls to iron artefacts. Dining at Fufu is an unparalleled experience through dishes made from local produce, ingredients and healing plants which are characteristic of this region. Guests can indulge in kaiseki ryori a traditional course dining or teppanyaki unique to Nara. Lunch and afternoon tea services at Tekisui are also open to the public. An open-air bath of a natural hot spring in the guestroom gives a feeling of numinous air as one bathes. The spacious guestrooms combine novelty, comfort and nostalgia. At the Spa by Sisley, each guest benefits from plants and methods based on traditional rituals from around the world and an all-hand treatment method that restores health and vitality. The spa offers personal and customised treatments through a team of highly skilled specialists. fufunara.jp

Nara Events

✤ NARA TO-KAE LANTERN FESTIVAL AuguST 5-14, 2023

The Nara Tokae takes place from the 5th to the 14th of August in Nara Park. Tōdai-ji Temple, the Kōfuku-ji Temple, the Sarusawa Pond, the Nara National Museum and the Nara Prefectural Office are also lit up or have their own lantern displays and events. Participation is a part of the Tokae and it’s facilitated via Ikyaku Ittou, one person, one light. All guests are invited to light their own lantern, place it on the festival grounds and cast a wish upon that lantern. The word, toka in Tokae means light flower because the shape of the hollow around the burning wick and a candle’s melted remains are said to resemble a flower. The more that the hollow and melted remains resemble a flower the luckier the lantern is and the more likely the lighter’s wish is to be granted.

✤ SHuNI-E CEREMONY (OMIZuTORI) MARCH

Omizutori is the commonly used name for the Shuni-e ceremony which is a series of events held annually from March 1 to 14 at Tōdai-ji Temple. This collection of Buddhist repentance rituals and prayers for people’s happiness has been held every year for over 1270 years, making it one of the oldest recurring Buddhist events in Japan. Shuni-e is performed at Nigatsudo Hall, a sub-complex of Tōdai-ji, which is close to the temple's main hall on the slope of a hill. In the night from March 12 to March 13, between around 1:30 am and 2:30 am, priests descend repeatedly from the Nigatsudo by torchlight to draw water from a well at the base of the temple hall. The well's water is said to have restorative powers and will be dedicated to the main image of Nigatsudo, Eleven-faced Kannon Bosatsu. Following the water drawing event, the mysterious Dattan ceremony is performed in the building where conch horns are blown, bells are rung and priests swing burning torches. The event comes to an end around 3:30 am.

✤ YOSHINOgAWA FESTIVAL AND FIREWORKS

AuguST

1 – 31, 2023

This is a seasonal summer event which is held in Gojo city where the Father of Fireworks of Japan, Kagiya Yahei, hails from. This fireworks festival is considered to display advanced-tech fireworks and takes place on the banks of the Yoshino River, where Yahei first started making fireworks. The fireworks and laser lights set to music that brightens the night sky is a must-see sight. This is Nara Prefecture’s most popular fireworks festival with around 100 food stalls and over 4,000 fireworks. It's the biggest local event of the year. The riverside is decorated with paper lanterns and many people dress in cotton yukata, adding to the atmosphere. The fireworks start at 8 pm and attract around 80,000 people.

✤ MOuNT WAKAKuSA YAMAYAKI – JANuARY 27,2024

The Wakakusa Yamayaki is an annual festival during which the grass on the hillside of Nara's Mount Wakakusayama is set on fire. The mountain is located at the eastern end of Nara Park, and when it is set alight it can be seen throughout the city. The burning of the mountain is preceded by a fireworks display. The festival takes place on the fourth Saturday of every January but can be cancelled or postponed if the weather is bad. Tōdai-ji Temple, the Kōfuku-ji Temple, and the Kasuga Taisha Shrine are all involved with the ceremonies of the festival. The Wakakusa Yamayaki has been taking place for several centuries. Some believe that the burning of the mountainside began during boundary conflicts between Nara's great temples, while others claim the fires were used to drive away wild boars.