Naramachi Old Town Stroll Course Lattice Houses and Local Crafts

Naramachi, spreading south of Nara Park, is an old district where lattice fronted town houses line the streets. Around the World Heritage Gangoji are scattered shops selling Naras traditional crafts and cafes and boutiques set in renovated town houses. Unlike touring the big temples and shrines, this half day course is all about the pleasure of wandering the back lanes.

Course Route

10:00 Start at Kintetsu Nara Station Head south from the station, passing through Sanjo Dori and the Mochiidono shopping arcade toward Naramachi. About a 15 minute walk.

10:20 Gangoji A World Heritage site that was once one of the seven great temples of the southern capital. Admission is roughly 500 yen for adults, 300 yen for senior and junior high students and 100 yen for elementary students, open 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30). Highlights include a roof with some of Japans oldest tiles, the quiet Gokurakudo hall and the National Treasure miniature five story pagoda. About 40 minutes.

11:15 Stroll the Naramachi lanes Wander streets lined with lattice town houses. The sight of houses with red migawari zaru charms hanging at the eaves is unique to Naramachi.

12:00 Lunch at a town house restaurant Have lunch at a restaurant or cafe set in an old house. Dining while gazing at an inner garden is a treat.

13:15 Naramachi Nigiwai no Ie and Koshi no Ie Visit facilities that recreate town house life. Both the Koshi no Ie and Naramachi Nigiwai no Ie are free to enter, and you can see up close the clever ideas of old Nara homes (they have closed days).

14:00 Traditional craft hopping Browse workshops and shops handling Nara specialties such as Nara ink, Nara brushes and one knife carving. Great for souvenirs too.

14:45 Break at an old house cafe Rest in a retro space with Nara sweets and coffee.

15:30 Koshindo Hall and the lattice townscape Stop by Koshindo, known for the red migawari charms. Wander the lanes as the little monkey charms sway at the eaves.

16:15 Return to Kintetsu Nara Station Pick up a few more souvenirs in the arcade on the way back to the station and finish the half day stroll.

Highlights

The biggest highlight is the townscape itself, where lattice town houses remain. The red migawari zaru charms hanging at the eaves are a signature sight of Naramachi. The old tiled roof of World Heritage Gangoji conveys the weight of history. Touching the craftsmanship of Nara ink and one knife carving is also unique to this area.

Access and Tips

The hub is Kintetsu Nara Station. Naramachi is a compact area best explored on foot, and not suited to a car. The lanes are tangled, so walking with a stroll map in hand helps you avoid getting lost. Many shops close by early evening, so it is best to move a little earlier in the afternoon.

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: the area is pleasant to walk year round, but the shops and cafes come alive from late morning to early evening. Many shops close around 17:00 and Gangoji stops entry at 16:30, so a late morning start that covers the main spots by dusk works well.
• Avoiding crowds: on weekends and holidays popular cafes fill up. Aim for an early lunch or a reservation. Weekdays are much quieter and let you savor the town house atmosphere slowly.
• Time needed: about half a day, four to five hours at an easy pace. It also fits into a full day paired with Nara Park.
• Budget: many Naramachi facilities are free to enter, with Gangoji (about 500 yen for adults) the main paid stop. Including lunch, a cafe and souvenirs, you can enjoy the day for roughly 3,000 to 5,000 yen per person.
• Nearby real spots: free sites such as Naramachi Nigiwai no Ie, Koshi no Ie and the lattice town houses are dotted about. A short walk north brings the view of Sarusawa Pond and the Kofukuji five story pagoda.

A Quick Tip

The narrow lanes include many homes, so be considerate of residents when taking photos. Because shops close early, finish shopping and workshop visits in the early afternoon to be safe. Combining the Great Buddha in the morning with Naramachi in the afternoon makes for a full and satisfying day.