Travelers who come to Nara for independent travel, in addition to feeding deer and seeing the Big Buddha in Nara Park, what other recommended spots to follow? If you're planning a trip to Nara outside of deer feeding, or if you're a fan of Janis idol KinKi Kids member Tsuyoshi Domoto, don't miss out on the following locations! Allowing Nara more time and experiencing the leisurely pace of the place is the right way to unlock the charm of Nara.
▋ Travel with the gentle perspective of an idol! The "Ruins of Heijo Palace" that is still moving after the prosperity of the city
It is not an exaggeration to say that Nara is full of historical relics and world heritage sites, but in 1998, hiraijo Shrine in Nara City was classified as a World Heritage Site along with Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, and TangZhaoti Temple, along with the theme of "Cultural Wealth of the Ancient Capital of Nara". This seemingly silent and sleeping land was actually used as the political and economic center of the time of the Nara period from 710 to 794 AD, named "Heijo Kyo". Later, however, Emperor Huanwu moved the capital to Heian Kyo, which is now Kyoto, and the area gradually became abandoned and converted to farmland. It was not until the remains of the palace building "Great Pole Hall" were discovered that they were gradually rebuilt and restored, so that the world could see its appearance again. If you want to know more, you can visit the Nearby Heijo Palace Museum.
Tsuyoshi Domoto's 2008 TV show "Tsuyoshi Domoto, Heart Breathes." In the "Nara をパと奈ra を歩く", he once set foot on this land, he played a guitar under the sky, and mentioned that the preservation of this relic, "not only as a land, but with history", perhaps travelers can also look at this "barren land" from this perspective, experience the so-called sightseeing spots, sometimes not only with the eyes, but also with the "heart" to feel it.
The ruins of Heijo Palace
The interior of the Great Pole Hall
Heijo Palace Ruins
・ Location: Sawa-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Access: Take the bus in the direction of Nishidaiji Temple and get off at Heijo Miyaji Station
▋"Stone Stage Kofun" preserved for thousands of years! Domoto used to sing here
Located in the Asuka Historical Park, there is a "Stone Stage Kofun", this stone chamber kofun composed of more than 30 boulders, presumed to be a huge kofun built around the 6th and 7th centuries AD, with a total weight of 2,300 tons and a ceiling of 77 tons alone, it is amazing to think that this is a thousand years ago construction technology. As for whose tomb is the Stone Stage? It is no longer possible to examine, but scholars and experts reasonably presume that it was Su I Mazi, the ruler at that time. Stone Stage Kofun in different seasons, will present different styles, spring full of cherry blossoms, summer greenery, autumn with maple leaf substrate, winter snowfall is a different style, like to take photos of travelers can pay more attention. Domoto sang here in 2010, and later went to the Stone Stage for magazine shooting, so fans can also take photos similar to idols when they come to travel!
The appearance of the stone interior
Stone stage exterior
Stone stage kofun
・ Location: 254 Kosho, Asuka-mura, Takaichi-gun, Nara Prefecture
・Operating hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
・Access: Take the Nara Transit Bus and get off at "Stone Stage" Station (there are few bus departures, so please check the number of buses first)
▋Slightly drunk shared with idols: Imanishi Kiyoshibei Store (Haruka)
Founded in the Meiji period, the 100-year-old sake brewery "Imanishi Kiyobei Shop" has been a well-known liquor in Nara for a long time, using the image of Kasuga Taisha shrine and deer, a world cultural heritage site in Nara. Here, you can spend 500 yen of copper plate price, taste five small cups, five kinds of Japanese sake, after the experience can also take the wine glass home, very good value. In the variety show "Tsuyoshi Domoto Masayoshi", which was hosted by Tsuyoshi Domoto, he also introduced Haruka's Japanese sake, and there are still small billboards for publicity in the store, and interested fans can also buy home as souvenirs and taste the slightly drunk flavor that idols have once sipped.
Present-day Nishi Kiyobei Shop
・ Location: 24-1 Fukuchiincho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Hours: 8:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m
・ Access: About 15 minutes on foot from the Kintetsu Nara Station / About 20 minutes on foot from jr Nara / About 2 minutes on foot from the "TenriYuki" bus at Fukuchiincho Station and about 2 minutes on foot
▋Domoto's favorite local good taste: Kanakana
Nara-cho, which has a Edo-era style, retains the architectural form of the "Machiya" of the past, allowing people to experience the elegance and simplicity of the town when walking through the narrow streets, and it is like falling into a time travel. If travelers are tired of shopping, they can take a break at kanakana (カナカナ), an ancient café, and taste a piece of their own chiffon cake. If you want to have a full meal, the restaurant's signature course "KANAKANA Rice" (カナナごはん) is also recommended. There is no too strong seasoning, but the use of local ingredients, showing a simple but heartfelt temperature, sometimes the main dish is tofu burger, sometimes it is fried chicken nuggets, every day is not the same, and then with pickled konjac, vinegar mixed with wild vegetables, miso soup, and finally after the meal coffee or black tea as a knot, absolutely healthy and full. Tsuyoshi Domoto once said on the show that Kanakana is a restaurant he often comes to eat when he returns to his hometown.
KANAKANA
・ Location: 13 Kokodo-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Hours: 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (until 7:30 p.m. from December to February)
・Closed: Mondays (closed on Tuesdays if mondays are national holidays)
・ Access: About 15 minutes on foot from the Kintetsu Nara Station / About 20 minutes from the JR Nara Station / About 2 minutes from the Tenriyuki bus at Fukuchiincho Station
▋ Deer screen super cute! Nara-cho Lattice House
If you like the quaint atmosphere of Nara Town as a whole, you can't miss the opportunity to go deeper into the machiya! The "Lattice House" (格子の家) in Nara-cho is well-preserved, where the narrow and deep layout of the traditional machiya building is well preserved, including the three-room and one-column main house, atrium, and hiding parts, while the "lattice" refers to the windows, which are more harmonious and poetic when the sun is falling, which is very suitable for travelers to take a nap when they are tired. The deer screen in the house is the best place to take photos, not only because the deer painted on it are vivid, but also because Domoto has just taken a magazine photo in front of the screen.
Nara-cho Lattice House
・ Location: 44 Motokoji-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m
・Closed: Mondays (or Tuesdays if mondays are a national holiday), December 26 to January 5
・ Access: About 20 minutes on foot from the Kintetsu Nara Station / About 10 minutes on foot from the JR Kyominawa Station / About 2 minutes on foot from tanakacho Station on the City Loop Bus
▋I want to be an idol sweet! Sugar Pass Tail Shop
The name "Sugar Legend" has a cute origin. Beginning in 1854, the first master, Kino Nobujiro, originally opened a tea shop near Motokoji Town in Nara, and in order to transport tea, when there was still space on the ship, he shipped granulated sugar such as Oki Kuro Candy, Awa, and Sanbon Sugar together. Sugar used to be regarded as a valuable product, so when it comes to sugar in the local area, everyone thinks of Tsurugi Nobujiro, and even in one piece, the nickname is called "Sugar Legend", the name is getting louder and louder, and later simply changed the name of the store to "Sugar Pass". There are many Buddhist pavilions in Nara, and there are many guests from afar, and the sugar spread by sugar has old technology and old reputation, so it has become a famous long-established souvenir. In addition to selling a variety of sugar candies, there are also ice cream desserts that can be purchased and can be enjoyed in the store before departing. And Donmoto's fans must not forget to take a photo in front of the store, because he has also taken photos here.
Sugar Masuo Shoten
・ Location: 10 Motokoji-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m
Although many travelers often rank Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara together, which is of course a clever arrangement in terms of geographical location, it is a pity that the length of stay in Nara is often relatively reduced due to limited time. In fact, whether you are a fan of Tsuyoshi Domoto or not, the above introduction of attractions is touching and loving reasons, suitable for all travelers! The next time you plan a free trip to Nara, take a gentler, more leisurely step and gracefully walk around this quaint city rich in cultural heritage.
Nara "Tsuyoshi Domoto" Pedal Tour: Nara Travel Proposal Other Than Feeding Deer | Tesco! Japan