Nara
奈良県
Where is Nara?
Nara Prefecture is one of the prefectures that make up the Kinki region, which consists of two urban prefectures and five prefectures, and it also belongs to the Kansai region, which is composed of two urban prefectures and four prefectures, excluding Mie Prefecture. The prefectural capital is Nara City.
In the central and southern parts of the prefecture, the Kii Mountain Range spreads out, and due to the influence of this terrain, the actually habitable area where people can live is said to be the smallest among Japan’s 47 prefectures. For this reason, more than about 90% of Nara Prefecture’s population is concentrated in the northwestern part of the prefecture. On the other hand, because Nara Prefecture encompasses the Kii Mountain Range, it is also a region blessed with a rich natural environment, and in the southern part of the prefecture there are many nature-based leisure spots that make use of the mountains and rivers.
Nara Prefecture borders Mie Prefecture to the east, Osaka Prefecture to the west, Kyoto Prefecture to the north, and Wakayama Prefecture to the south, and is one of Japan’s eight inland prefectures among the 47 that do not face the sea. The climate is characterized by an annual average temperature that is almost the same as the national average, relatively low precipitation, and overall comfortable living conditions.
However, in areas such as Gojo City, Uda City, and Yoshino Town, snowfall and snow accumulation can be seen in winter, and several times a year this can affect transportation.
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Specialty Products of Nara
Nara Prefecture is an inland prefecture with no coastline, but it is home to expansive areas of rich natural scenery, blessed with mountains and rivers. In addition, because the climate is relatively stable throughout the year, it provides an environment well suited to growing agricultural products such as rice, fruit, and vegetables.
Although, as an inland prefecture, Nara does not have a strong association with marine products, it has, on the other hand, given rise to local dishes that make use of its geographical characteristics, such as kakinoha-zushi, in which fresh fish is preserved by salting and wrapping it in persimmon leaves.
Turning to handicrafts, there are many traditional crafts that have been cultivated over a long history, including Nara brushes, Nara ink sticks, and ittobori wood carvings, and their names are still known throughout Japan today.
Food
Kakinoha-zushi (Persimmon Leaf Sushi)
Kakinoha-zushi is a type of pressed sushi made by wrapping vinegared rice and toppings such as mackerel or salmon in persimmon leaves. It is known as a local dish that originated in Nara Prefecture, which does not face the sea, as a preserved food. Traditionally, it has long been enjoyed as a special treat for summer festivals, but today it is also sold to tourists as boxed meals and souvenirs, and has become one of Nara’s most famous specialties.
Nara Zuke
Nara-zuke is a traditional Japanese pickle made by first salting vegetables such as cucumbers, other gourd varieties, and ginger, then repeatedly re-pickling them in sake lees, mirin, sugar, and other ingredients, and aging them over a long period. By marinating the vegetables in sake lees, they take on the rich aroma derived from Japanese sake, the savory flavor of rice, and a moderate saltiness, creating a distinctive taste. It pairs well not only with rice but also as an accompaniment to alcoholic drinks, and is cherished as one of the representative fermented foods of Nara.
Strawberries
Strawberry cultivation in Nara Prefecture began in the 1960s, and it was once so widely grown that the cultivated area ranked third largest in Japan, making the prefecture well known as a strawberry-producing region. Today, many varieties are grown and sold, including Asuka Ruby, Kotoka, Tamahime, Nanoka, and Nara Akari. Each variety has its own distinctive balance of sweetness, acidity, and aroma, giving it a unique character. They are enjoyed not only fresh but are also widely used in sweets and other desserts.
Chagayu
Chagayu is a type of rice porridge cooked in tea, and it is known as a representative local dish of Nara Prefecture.Unlike typical rice porridge, it has little stickiness and is characterized by a light, smooth texture.Traditionally, it has been eaten together with seasonal ingredients such as potatoes, vegetables, and beans.The type of tea used varies by region, including roasted green tea (hojicha) and coarse green tea (bancha). The distinct flavors of each tea soak into the rice, making it a simple yet deeply flavorful dish.
Crafts & Others
Fude
Nara brushes are produced in and around Nara City and Yamatokoriyama City, and in Nara Prefecture, which is considered the birthplace of brush making in Japan, they boast a history of more than 1,200 years. The skills cultivated over many years were recognized, and in 1977 they were designated as a Traditional Craft by the national government. Animal hair from squirrels, rabbits, and other creatures is used as the raw material, and artisans carefully handle every step from selecting the hairs to the final finishing. With excellent writing quality and durability, these brushes are cherished by many people, including calligraphers.
Sumi
Nara ink is an ink produced in Nara City, Nara Prefecture, made using the technique for oil soot ink, in which rapeseed oil or tung oil is burned. It contains almost no impurities and is characterized by a glossy yet deep black color. With a history of more than 1,400 years, it is said to account for about 95% of the solid ink produced in Japan.
Itto-bori
Ittobori is a traditional craft of Nara that uses woods such as Japanese cypress, camphor, and cypress (hiba). It is characterized by bold and powerful forms that look as if they were carved in a single stroke, along with delicate and gorgeous colors created using gold leaf and mineral pigments. Its origins date back more than 900 years to the late Heian period, when it is said to have first been made as dolls used in the rituals of Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Today, many items such as Hina dolls, helmets for Boys’ Festival displays, and zodiac ornaments are produced.
Takayama Chasen
Takayama chasen are tea whisks produced in Takayama Town, Ikoma City, Nara Prefecture, and are indispensable tea utensils for preparing matcha. High-quality bamboo is used as the raw material, and artisans carry out each step by hand, from cutting the bamboo to the final finishing. Their advanced techniques have been passed down for more than 500 years. Today, more than 60 types of tea whisks are made to suit different uses and tea schools, and Takayama Town is known as the only specialized production area for tea whisks in Japan.
Access to Nara
Since there is no airport in Nara Prefecture, visitors coming from overseas generally use Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture. From the airport to Nara Prefecture, you can access the area by limousine bus or train.
The limousine bus goes directly to JR Nara Station and Kintetsu Nara Station, taking about an hour and a half. Because no transfers are required, it is convenient for first-time visitors to Nara or those with a lot of luggage. If you take the train, you can also reach Nara in about an hour and a half by transferring between JR or Nankai Railway and Kintetsu Railway.
Tourist spots within Nara City can be visited by train or bus, but when visiting mountainous or nature areas, you may need to use a taxi.
History of Nara
Nara Prefecture was first established in 1868. It was later renamed Nara-fu (Nara Municipality), but two years later it once again became Nara Prefecture.
However, in 1876, Nara Prefecture was incorporated into Sakai Prefecture (now part of Osaka Prefecture) and temporarily ceased to exist. Furthermore, in 1881, Sakai Prefecture was also incorporated into Osaka Prefecture.
After that, a movement to re-establish Nara Prefecture arose, led by people centered in what is now Yamato-Koriyama City, and in 1887 Nara Prefecture was re-established, taking on its present form.
Nara Prefecture has also played an important role in Japan’s ancient history. After Asuka-kyo and Fujiwara-kyo served as capitals, Heijo-kyo functioned as Japan’s capital for 74 years from 710 to 784, flourishing as the political and cultural center of the country.
About Nara
Numerous Famous Temples and Shrines
The Great Buddha in Todaiji Temple / Photo AC
Nara Prefecture is home to many temples and shrines that are renowned throughout Japan.
Representative examples include Tōdai-ji, known for its Great Buddha statue that stands about 15 meters tall; Hōryū-ji, whose five-story pagoda symbolizes the world’s oldest surviving group of wooden buildings; and Kasuga Taisha, the head shrine of roughly 3,000 Kasuga shrines nationwide, famous for its vermilion-painted shrine buildings and the approximately 3,000 lanterns that line its grounds.
Being able to deeply feel Japan’s history and culture through these historic structures is one of Nara Prefecture’s greatest attractions.
Three World Heritage Sites
Hokiji Temple in Horyuji Temple / Photo AC
Nara Prefecture has three properties inscribed as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites.
The first is the “Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area.” In 1993, together with Himeji Castle in Hyōgo Prefecture, it became one of the first sites in Japan to be registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
The second is the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara,” registered in 1998. It consists of the following group of cultural properties, including temples, shrine grounds, castle remains, and natural environments:
- Tōdai-ji
- Kasuga Taisha
- Kōfuku-ji
- Gangō-ji
- Tōshōdai-ji
- Yakushi-ji
- Kasugayama Primeval Forest
- The Site of Heijō-kyō
The third is the “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range,” which spans the three prefectures of Nara, Mie, and Wakayama, and was registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2004.
Deer in Nara, a National Natural Monument
A deer in Nara / Photo AC
Around Nara Park in Nara Prefecture, about 1,300 wild deer live and roam freely.
Nara’s deer were designated a National Natural Monument in 1957 and have long been carefully protected as shinka (divine messengers of the gods) of Kasuga Taisha. As a result, even today you can see a unique landscape where people and deer coexist.
It is not uncommon for deer to cross the roads, and in such cases, it is customary in Nara for cars to give priority to the deer.
There are many stalls around Nara Park that sell special deer crackers, and visitors can enjoy feeding the deer. It is one of the must-try local experiences when visiting Nara.
Protecting Small Lives
Feeding Deer Senbei / Photo AC
While feeding the deer is a popular activity, there have also been a series of accidents in which deer have died after eating human food or litter that has been carelessly thrown away by visitors from Japan and abroad.
The deer of Nara are sacred animals in the local religious tradition, and beyond that, they are precious living beings.
Please feed them only the designated deer crackers, and be sure to dispose of any trash in nearby bins or take it back with you to your accommodation, so that you can help protect their lives.