Nara

Japan’s former capital city Nara is home to a National Treasure, the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), famous for being one of the largest bronze statues in the world. In the nearby Horyuji Temple you can enjoy the world's oldest wooden building, and one of the world's largest wooden buildings, the Yumedono, is in Todaiji Temple. In addition to these cultural sites, Nara Park is another popular tourist attraction - with beautiful places to hike, bike, and spot the famous wild deer that live here.
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Top places to visit

1Nara Park

4.5
(52178)
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4.5
(5751)
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Mentioned on 
9 lists 
Park
Nature & Parks
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Nara Park, situated in the heart of the city, is a well-landscaped and public park featuring ancient temples and the renowned Nara National Museum of art. It offers visitors a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Notable attractions within the park include its tame deer that freely roam around its woodlands and lawns, as well as various historical structures like the impressive Kofuku-ji Temple located adjacent to Sarusawa Pond.
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This is a must go for visiting Japan / the Kansas area (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, etc) You get to feed the deer and it’s absolutely beautiful. Good picnic spot 🧺 There’s a lake that’s worth finding (I can’t remember the name) and I would highly recommend going to the temple near the end of the park. You’ll get some great pictures and memories here ^_^
Still a decent amount of deers around . Buy the biscuit snacks that is allowable . Do bow before feeding . The most polite deer I’ve encountered . Such good manners . But also be prepared for greedy ones that will butt u when u don’t feed them. Be brave just hands up and show them u have none on your hands . Also avoid carry any plastic bags , the deer will gravitate towards you when they hear sound of plastic bags . They associate it with food.
Gorgeous grounds and endless wild deer all around. We were entertained watching folks buy deer food, then getting instantly surrounded by deer. Don't buy deer food... they almost attack you for it! Otherwise a lovely, big park, and home to the giant Buddha statue.
A very beautiful place. Have been watching many videos on social platform about the deer of japan. And finally watched lived and experience there greeting as well. However some deer are aggressive too. If you buy a food for them, they will follow you every where 😁 Access to it is very simple and convenient. However there is only few shops. The Otera is also very beautifully decorated. Nara is the old capital of Japan and the historical architecture is awesome. Must visit once.
Not just feeding deer which is fun but it’s very nice park to enjoy easily for a whole day. Rent a bicycle if u can ride which make it easier to see more of the park.
Really nice experience, better than expected, definitely worth it. The deers are very friendly and fun, the park is huge so it does not feel overcrowded as other places in Kyoto or Osaka. It is the best place we found for taking photos with cherry blossom trees as people are so distracted with the animals that they ignore the beautiful trees.
It’s a beautiful park, not much to say except the deer 🦌 are actually so, friendly I guess is the right word, they will come up to you, push their noses in your face and even nibble on your clothes. They sell crackers for the deer if you want to feed them but if you are scared then beware they can get really really “friendly” 🤣 however it was a unique experience for me to be so close and even pet the deer 🦌
Deer are slightly aggressive if they see you holding food in hand. Advice: cover the food with paper and hold the cracker out only when you are about to feed. Poop everywhere, careful where you step. Overall good experience.
Easily my most favorite experience in ALL of Japan. You order deer cookies from various vendors located around the large park. A pack of 5 cookies is 200¥ so bring plenty of coins with you. Yes the deer can be a little aggressive but they will not hurt you. One deer was so eager to eat that he put my whole hand in his mouth, but the deer recognize when it's not food, so they won't bite you. Even when they did accidentally do a little bite from excitement, it did not hurt. It can be scary when the deer push their head into you. But just keep the food hidden and close to your body so they don't steal the entire stack of cookies. Walk with your back turned to them and they will slowly follow, with your walking keeping a little distance. The larger ones with horns tend to be more aggressive than the smaller females. But they let you pet and touch them in exchange for the food, it is such a cool experience. I want to go again. As soon as you show them your empty hands, the deer will leave you alone. The park is open 24/7 but I did not see any food available to buy at night. It's still fun seeing them at night though.
We all had fun over feeding the obese deer, which I do feel bad about. Bring sanitizer and sunscreen. Also bug repellent in mosquito season. The temple is impressive and the statues are beautiful. Try to climb through a hole in one of the pillars for a fun challenge
Pretty park that is free to enter, filled with deer and temples. The museums, gardens and temples usually require further admission fees. I went early in the morning to avoid the heat and crowd, I enjoyed it a lot. There were some booths selling deer food, some deer seemed to be fighting over the food. Most of the deer are calm around humans if you don’t provoke them.
Nara, Japan•https://www3.pref.nara.jp/park/

2Kasuga Taisha Shrine

4.5
(10879)
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4.5
(1783)
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Mentioned on 
10 lists 
Shinto shrine
Sights & Landmarks
Sacred & Religious Sites
Kasuga Grand Shrine, located in the city of Nara, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. The shrine has four separate buildings dedicated to different deities, including Takemikazuchi and Futsunushi, as well as the ancestral gods of the Fujiwara family.
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(Trip was made back then on 21 Nov 2019, 2 years before the Covid-19 Pandemic hit) Nestled deep within Nara Park lies Kasuga Taisha Shrine, which is the most celebrated shrine in Nara and is considered one of the most sacred sites in Japan. It feels so otherworldly when you first step foot onto its compound, where numerous stone lanterns first great you. Over 3000 stone lanterns have been donated by worshippers. As you approach the main building, you’ll be greeted by hundreds of beautifully designed bronze lanterns. Hence, it is no surprise that the shrine is famous for its lanterns, and known for its lantern festival, where the all the lanterns will be lit up after sunset. Sadly the lantern festival only takes place twice a year, early February and mid-August, and I was here in November for their autumn season. Nevertheless, it was still a great experience and there was even a dark room lit with lanterns to give visitors a glimpse of how the the Lantern Festival would have looked like. Definitely worth the effort and one of the highlights in Nara. Would love to return and experience its Lantern Festival when we recover from the Covid-19 pandemic (and when travelling is allowed again).
This time I visited only the main shrine. The deer take a nap after passing through the first torii gate. The fawn with a little "Kanoko pattern" is cute. You can feel the virgin forest with your whole body when you pass through the torii of 2. The main shrine also has a paid area. "Ema" is a lucky charm that grants wishes. Write your wishes on the deer-shaped Ema.
Beautiful place in the center of Nara. The way up to the shrine was beautiful and quiet, the deers are friendly and lovely. It was worth it to buy the 500 yen ticket to get inside and take a look around and to feel the serenity. The shrine itself was breathtaking and we were even lucky enough to have witnessed a Japanese wedding that took place in the shrine, it was truly unique and amazing.
Shinto shrine with a ton of stone lanterns on its path. The deer are not as aggressive compared to the center of Nara Park.
Definitely try to get a bicycle or an E bike when going through to this temple, although the tree lined path full of curious deers is a wonderful walk. One you're at the gate, there is a small walk through the forest to various other shrines
My personal favourite temple i visited in Japan. It's really wonderful, looks like straight out of a ghibli movie. It was really mesmerizing. I felt like i was inside a fantasy novel. Magical. It's even more wonderous than the deers. I don't understand why people visiting Nara never talk about this temple. The forest before entering the temple area made the enterance more magnificent. The stone lanterns look really old with the mold and chipped body. It was perfectly beautiful. I can't describe it good enough. Even the photos can't really bring out the feeling i felt.
The Kasuga Shrine is within walking distance from the Todai-ji Temple and to the Nara JR Station. I did not get to go inside the temple because there was a ceremony going on but the place was packed - mainly with locals. However, the shrine really is know for what it looked to my like several thousand lanterns, which make for a very unique atmosphere. Absolutely gorgeous place. If you are going to Nara to see the Todai-ji, then take some extra time to check this place.
Very beautiful location with lots to see. The grounds during the fall are filled with brilliant colors that enhance the lanterns and the natural moss that makes the entire experience epic. The deer can be a lot of fun too. They seem to know how to bow!
Nice shrine tucked away at the corner of Nara. Entry is free but there are shops that you can buy little trinkets and amulets. We took around 30 mins to walk here from nara park. You can also see deers along the way.
Kasuga Taisha is at the end of the heritage site walk and is well worth it. Do buy the tickets and go inside and allow yourself enough time to dwell and soak in the atmosphere of this ancient place. Just a tip - once you exit, there is a walk up the hill through many small shrines. Go to the end and double back. Don’t take any of the side tracks. We took one and it put us outside the area into a neighborhood
A lovely and quiet shrine deep into Nara Park. This was our first stop when visiting Nara. We took the bus from the train station into the park as close to Kasuga-taisha, and then walked the path to the shrine. Walking among the stone lanterns covered in moss felt like a bit of a fairy tale. Our visit to the shrine was a little shorter than planned, on account of a single tour group that were yelling and shouting all over the place, and not engaging with their surroundings quietly and respectfully, as one would expect in Japan (this may be the only place/time we saw this). We never found the area with a sample of the lanterns lit, which was disappointing. But that's no fault of the shrine - just our ability to navigate it and loss of patience with certain types of tourists.
160 Kasuganocho, Nara, 630-8212, Japan•http://www.kasugataisha.or.jp/

3Todai-ji Nigatsudo (February Hall)

4.6
(2601)
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4.5
(755)
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Mentioned on 
3 lists 
Buddhist temple
Sights & Landmarks
Todaiji Nigatsudo is a Buddhist temple that has some of the best views of Nara in all of Japan. The temple is located on Mount Wakakusa, and from its balcony you can see views of Nara Park, the city of Nara, and even Kyoto to the south.
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After the pandemic ended, I went to "Omizutori" in February 2023, which was released for the first time in several years. The sacred night ceremony held at the Nigatsu-do hall at the back of Todai-ji Temple has been held every year since 752, and part of the 30-minute climax is open to the public free of charge. In the darkness of the night, the sight of the monks carrying huge torches and going back and forth through the corridors is a fantastic sight, but at the same time it wards off evil and gives the audience holy power. The use of lights such as flashes is prohibited during viewing. Below is an explanation from the Nara Prefecture Tourism Official Website. It is popularly known as "Omizutori" and "Otaimatsu", and is known as an event that heralds the arrival of spring. On the night of the 12th, there is an event to pump up the perfume to be offered to the main deity, hence the name 'Omizutori'. In addition, the name "Otaimatsu" comes from the fact that the Rengyoshu are led by a large torch that illuminates their feet when they go to Nigatsudo. It began in 752 as a repentance service performed in front of the treasure of the eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva, the principal image of Nigatsu-do, and has continued uninterrupted to the present day. During the period, the large bell at 7:00 p.m. will signal the lighting of the torches (however, on the 12th at 7:30 p.m. and on the 14th at 6:30 p.m.). Prayers for world peace and happiness are held until late at night. If you apply for a prayer at the receiving place on the south side of Nigatsu-do, you can have the amulets you prayed for at this memorial service sent to you.
(Trip was made back then on 21 Nov 2019, 2 years before the Covid-19 Pandemic hit) It is said that Nigatsudo has a beautiful view overlooking Nara, particularly during sunset. Unfortunately, I was unable to experience that as it was still daytime when I was there but the view was still just as splendid.
Very good place, I went here when there was Omizutori festival at night. They keep very good healthy protocol during this situation, although there was many people attending.
The view from here is beautiful. It is well worth the hike.
It was nice and quiet, but there was construction going on, good view from the top
Wonderful to catch the fireball March festival there. Great temple has good crowd control and volunteers to guide crowd before and after event.
406-1 Zoshicho, Nara, 630-8211, Japan•http://www.todaiji.or.jp/contents/guidance/guidance6.html

4Yakushiji Temple

4.4
(4335)
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4.0
(499)
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Mentioned on 
2 lists 
Buddhist temple
Sights & Landmarks
Sacred & Religious Sites
The Yakushi-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan. It was built in the 7th century and is one of the Seven Great Temples of Japan. The principal temple of the Hosso sect, Yakushi-ji features statues from that period as well as sculptures from later periods.
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This temple was amazing! The left side pagoda has these bronze relief scenes inside of Buddha that are incredible (no photos allowed). The Buddhas here are absolutely beautiful. It’s a rather large complex with much to view, it’s worth the higher package price of ¥1,700.
The temple is easily reached by train, although the temple entrance is on the opposite side to the station entrance. The temple compound is quite large and the buildings are well preserved. The entrance fee is 800yen. It is worth a visit if you have the time.
Whoa! Big and empty, save for school children and elders. Definitely a place that tourists miss on their way to the tourism centers of Nara. Give this place a look see if you can spare the time, they have an impressive sized Miroku (medicine buddha) image on display.
Gorgeous temple complex accented by many buildings, including two towering pagodas. Extremely helpful staff, too.
10 minutes walk from both Kintetsu Nishi no kyo station and Toshodai ji temple. Large ancient building will make you feel good. You can find some staffs related to Theravada Buddhism. Buddha statue here is very sacred.
457 Nishinokyocho, Nara, 630-8563, Japan•https://yakushiji.or.jp/

5Isuien Garden and Neiraku Museum

4.4
(826)
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4.5
(492)
Garden
Nature & Parks
Art museum
The Isui-en garden and Neiraku Art Museum house a significant assortment of Korean pottery, ancient Chinese bronze artifacts, mirrors and seals. The exhibits are stunningly beautiful and offer an opportunity for university students to gain access at a discounted rate.
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Absolutely beautiful! Had a university student price to enter!
74 Suimoncho, Nara, 630-8208, Japan•http://www.isuien.or.jp/
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Top places to eat

1Nino

4.8
(514)
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5.0
(567)
affordable
Italian restaurant
Nino is a really wonderful Italian restaurant with great service and amazing food. The waitstaff are particularly friendly and accommodating, and the food is delicious - you'll definitely want to visit here if you're looking for an enjoyable Italian dining experience.
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Amazing food in great quantity! The staff and chef are extremely professional and very welcoming :) They personally interact with their customers and are very open hearted. Could truly feel the “slow eating” experience that this restaurant wants to offer. I also got a special gift from the chef and staff - a calligraphy of my nickname in Kanji! Really special :) definitely coming back here
A must for anyone visiting Nara. The teams hospitality is top class, the food was amazing and better than most we’ve eaten in Italy. A great experience with lovely hosts, even a few free gifts and desert. For an unforgettable experience visit this place!
Came here for lunch and it was a 10/10 experience. Restaurant is ran by a lovely couple with exceptional service. They are very sincere and highly welcoming of tourists to their restaurant! Food and drinks were excellent too. Highly recommend for anyone who is at nara!
Literally the best food I've ever had, and the nicest people I've ever met. I went 4 years ago and I think about it often. The owners were so nice. They wrote our names out in Kanji, took our photos together, and served me the most amazing parmesian risotto. As I sit here in Italy, I have yet to find as memorable of a dish. I hope we meet again Nino!
Thank you for a wonderful experience! Nino and his wife showed spectacular hospitality and were so kind and welcoming. The carbonara was delicious and the quality of everything I ate was top tier. I felt like I was in Italy! They were very helpful in accommodating my gluten allergy. Thank you!! 💛
We came here for dinner in Nara, and the service was beyond excellent. It’s a homey Italian-style restaurant with Japanese owners who introduced themselves and sincerely wanted to learn our names and our backgrounds. The dish I ordered, small sized tomato and mozzarella pasta, was a perfect blend of savoury and sweet. But don’t be deterred by the size - the portion size is generous and the dish is quite filling! The owners truly care about your experience and look after tourists well by utilizing translation tools where there was a language barrier.
By far the best experience we've had during our 28 days in Japan. Nino is such a nice and illuminated person that it's even hard to find words to explain the experience of having a meal at his counter. Besides the experience, the food is also delicious and very affordable. Be aware that the lunch time is short (11h30 - 1h30pm) and it might be a good idea to reserve a place at the counter. Couldn't recommend more.
Such a wonderful restaurant. The food was brilliant, there were a lot of vegetarian options and they were even able to swap out anchovies for broccoli on one of our pizzas! The hospitality was incredible , not only was the food superb but the staff were so friendly and chatted with us a lot, took a photo with us and gave us gifts. They really went the extra mile to give us a wonderful experience. Would give infinite stars if possible!! Much love from Australia 🇦🇺
Chef Nino is a great chef. Good skill and his service is supper. The Niro signature pizza and pasta must order dishes. Especially the pasta, love it. The best I have ever tasted. The food is individually prepared and cooked, so must be patient to wait for your orders to be served. Chef Niro also gave us some surprise gifts. Thank you
Definitely the best dining experience we had so far on our Japan trip. The food was unbelievable and the hospitality from Nino and Mayumi was exceptional. They truly deserve the title of best restaurant in Nara.
Coming and having a meal at Nino was the highlight of our 10 day long trip all over Japan. The service, hospitality, and food were beyond amazing. Nino and Mayumi are so genuine and kind. If you get a chance to go to Nino, you must take it! You will not regret it! We had the margarita pizza and the Americana pizza and they were both delicious! Their dessert is so delicious as well!
11-11 Nishimikadocho, Nara, 630-8225, Japan•http://slowlyfoods-nino.com/

2Maguro Koya

4.6
(818)
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4.5
(434)
affordable
Japanese restaurant
If you're looking for some delicious tuna, you should definitely check out Maguro Koya in Hanashibacho. This izakaya has a great selection of Ootoro or pink fatty tuna as a specialty, and the food is always fresh and delicious. It can get quite crowded, but the atmosphere is friendly and everyone seems to enjoy themselves.
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Small restaurant operated and owned by an elderly couple. They were so amazing and hospitable. The tuna dishes were so delicious, we tried them all just because they looked amazing. Definitely visit here when in Nara, it was a joy eating here! Most fresh tuna I’ve had in Japan!
Great atmosphere, only serving tuna dishes, the couple manages the restaurant are super kind, one of the best tuna I ever ate! If you are in Nara don’t skip this place, we were a group of 4 and there was only one table for more than 2 persons so we had to wait 15min until the table before us finished. Also we came around 2PM and after us they didn’t enter many people due to low amount of rice left, so bottom line I would recommend coming earlier than we came to the restaurant to get the full experience.
Hands down one of my favorite meals while in Japan for 2 weeks and this was absolutely the most authentic dining experience we had. This restaurant is run by an older Japanese couple who are the cutest and so so kind. They have the best tuna that simply melts in your mouth. I'm sure you can tell by the pictures how good this tastes. You NEED to come here if you are going to Nara Park. This is a must have lunch either before or after going to see the bowing deer. 1000/10 so good! Thank you for the hospitality. We were able to get in with no line but when we left, there was a decent line. There's about 20 seats in the restaurant, which adds to the magical experience but could cause a wait if at a busy time.
I saw the other person's review where they said this was one of the best places they been to in Japan after 2 weeks and damn are they right. The quality of the fish is so good I had to order 2 meal sets. And believe it or not, I finished all of it. Owner is super friendly and the shop has a nice small run down vibe. Highly recommend after petting some deers.
Dear lord. One of the best meals I’ve had in Japan overall. Such a lovely, warm and welcoming couple that run the place. Even gave me some hot tea on a cold day. The food was delicious. Fatty tuna is to die for. Very well priced as well. If you’re in Nara please, please stop here for food!! You won’t regret it
So happy we stumbled on this tuna-only mom and pop place while in Nara. The fish soooooo good and reasonably priced for blue fin. The couple running the place have to be close to 80 and you can tell put their all into it. Definitely one of the best meals we've had in Japan so far.
Go and don’t even think twice about it! I’m a foodie and I like meat, yet this blue fin tuna sashimi was the best thing I ever had. It is just so simple yet absolutely gourmet. And the price is very friendly and affordable. No downsides!
Found this restaurant while searching on Google and I was not disappointed. Went with my family and we ordered set meal for lunch. Ate 1. Deep fried tuna, 2. Half cooked tuna, 3. Tuna sushi rice bowl, 4. High quality blue fin tuna sushi rice bowl. All dishes were fantastic. The high quality tuna melt in your mouth. My personal favorite is deep fried tuna 900 yen and tuna sushi rice bowl 1600 yen. Must try if you are near Nara park!
The sweetest, most welcoming and friendly couple running the restaurant. What a hidden gem of Nara. Tuna is their specialty. The food was amazing, some of the best tuna dishes I’ve ever had. Owners speak English and they accept cash. Must visit of Nara.
I rarely leave reviews. I’m visiting from the United States for two weeks and this is hands down the BEST meal I’ve eaten in Japan since I got here. If you are in Nara and sashimi tuna is your thing, like it is mine, there’s no question—you have to eat here. The couple that runs the place is extremely kind and welcoming. On top of all else, the wife speaks English exceptionally well!
Most important thing first: the otoro/fatty tuna belly tasted incredible and worth the wait. However, I am just unsure about the hygiene of the place based on what I have seen in front of me and it being run just by an elderly couple by themselves. The tables and cookware could be cleaner and service faster (although I understand the speed).
6 Hanashibacho, Nara, 630-8266, Japan

3Tonkatsu Ganko Nara

4.3
(1342)
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4.0
(211)
affordable
Tonkatsu restaurant
Tonkatsu Ganko is a lovely and cozy restaurant with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for enjoying some delicious Japanese cuisine. It has an inner garden with lots of wood details which really set the mood, and the staff are all dressed in kimonos which only adds to the overall feeling of elegance. The menu features healthy options through its variety of dishes, all of which are absolutely delicious!
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Well-Served Tonkatsu. The stafff are very helpful and friendly. They are quick and considerate. A waitress actually came over to our table as we’re taking photos to hell us with the group photo. The food is well prepared and beautifully arranged. Very great!!
I haven’t had katsu for awhile and been craving for one. Good thing my sister saw this when we visited Nara. Unlimited rice, miso and cabbage? Yes please! I ordered mixed katsu (¥1078) which includes pork, ebi and mushroom katsu. Definitely worth a visit when you go to Nara.
When we entered the restaurant, it was shortly after 8 PM and many customers were finished with diner. We had to wait a bit for the staff to clean the table. I had Prime pork cutlet and there was a lot of fatty part. I found the tonkatsu too oily. Other guest liked the fried chicken though. All in all an average experience.
Homaygwad! I really can't take a very hearty meal.. This place is heaven! The staff are very nice and friendly. Very reasonable price considering its large serving! Everything was delicious from crab croquette to tempura! The shredded cabbage, rice and tea are refillable.. It's just that my stomach is very very full already.
I had the pork loin cutlet rice, and it was really delicious. The pork loin was juicy, and the batter was fried to perfection, complementing well with the sauce provided. There is free flow cabbage, rice, and soup, so you can't go hungry eating at this restaurant. The service was quick, and the waiters and waitresses were very polite and helpful.
I visited the restaurant on a busy Saturday afternoon and had to wait for approximately 40 minutes before getting a seat. Instead of the recommended pork loin katsu set meal, I decided to try the curry katsu rice. The curry had a slightly sweeter taste, which personally appealed to my palate. Additionally, I ordered the beef croquette, which turned out to be incredibly delicious and offered great value for the price.
Got the premium pork cutlet. Was not disappointed. Make sure you pour the sauce in the teapot along the wall first before you use the mortar and pestle to grind up your sesame seeds! Also recommend a dash of the Japanese mustard. Service was excellent. Wait was short.
Delicious meal. We had the Porc cutlet/oyster/shrimp set. Big portion and the serve it with rice, soup and a bunch of cabbage. You have many sauces to try (among them one you make yourself with sesame seed and a special sauce). The cold free tea is also super good. Personal super friendly!! I highly recommand for the price (about 1000-1500y).
Highly recommend this restaurant, especially for tourists who are going it alone to Nara. The service is impeccable, and the servers speak English. English menus are also available. A bit on the pricier end, but the food is well worth what you pay for—succulent tonkatsu, with fine side dishes. The freshly grated wasabi was a nice touch, and the simple tofu (with freshly ground smoked pink salt) was a lovely palate cleanser. There is also a beautiful pocket garden in the middle of the restaurant. Can’t believe we were just next to the train station!
Very fresh pork cutlet, the meat is so tender and juicy. The staff is super welcome, portion is quite big and the taste is rrally good. Their seafood katsu is on the top on the list. Recommended to come here after long walk in nara park
Surprisingly there was no wait on a Tuesday at 12pm. There are several tables in the establishment. An English menu was available. The dishes were promptly ready after placing our order at the table. Get ready for huge meal if you are ordering from the recommended menu. The tonkatsu was superb!! It had the perfect exterior crunch and complemented well with sauce which you prepare yourself by grinding the seasme seeds with the pestle. The meal comes with a bowl of miso soup, white rice, and a side of shredded cabbage. Definitely would recommend!! Credit card accepted.
Tonkatsu Ganko Nara is your typical katsu spot with several combination dishes that lets you sample different fried foods like shrimp, katsu, or cheese rolls. It was a good, standard katsu. The katsu was cooked nicely, portions are large, soup was warm and flavorful and gave you the option of adding tofu. Service was okay. They gave us English menus. They didn't check on us too regularly though and we had to grab a waiter's attention to get our tea refilled. Atmosphere was pleasant. There are stools and tables that can fit groups of 4. There is a narrow walkway in the middle. It feels more like a family restaurant. Overall, it was a good standard katsu spot that had an English menu.
Brilliant service. Must try when in Nara. We had 1 pork loin meal, 1 tenderloin meal and 2 black pig with king prawn meal. Very filling. English speaking waiters. Even had time to show us how to make the sesame sauce and what all the other sauces were for. Been in kansai area for over a week now and my son said its the best meal he's had since here and that's some beating.
19 Higashimuki Nakamachi, Nara, 630-8215, Japan•http://www.gankofood.co.jp/shop/detail/ton-nara/

4Okonomiyaki Parco

4.5
(251)
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4.5
(211)
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Mentioned on 
1 list 
Okonomiyaki restaurant
The okonomiyaki restaurant Okonomiyaki Parco offers a variety of delicious Japanese pancakes with different ingredients including seafood. The owner is very friendly and the pancakes are definitely worth trying out.
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Our evening at Okonomiyaki Parco was so memorable! We watched one of the New Year Sumo bouts with Nara locals, and enjoyed top-tier okonomiyaki. To me this is a not-to-be-missed meal away from Nara’s many tourist traps.
Very friendly , very homely feel to get something decent. The okonomiyaki taste wonderful, nice and fresh. The quantity is a good amount ! I would love to bring my friends to visit here for it ! Highly recommend
Very very delicious! Never tried okonomiyaki before and this definitely makes me want more! So flavourful and many options to try. Must visit if your in Nara!
Okonomiyaki was great here, and the staff was excellent too. Small, tucked away, somewhat spot hidden by the giant park. The interior is pleasant and had the Olympics going on in the background on a small TV. If I'm ever back in Nara, I will definitely be visiting here again.
The place is small but good, the service is good, English menu with picture then is perfect. The food is super good super taste and after prepared your food, they put in the grill of your table, then your food never cold.
An amazing hidden gem! Some of the best Handmade gyoza, edamame and okonomiyaki around. Incredible value for money too. Highly recommend
After spending the day in Nara Park, we stopped by for dinner. We had the talisman, okonomiyaki, and gyoza. All three dishes hit the spot and would recommend anyone visiting the area to stop by.
Just really the most wonderful place. Warming, cooked with love and delicious, one of the best meals we’ve had since being in Japan with the sweetest staff. We loved it, definitely recommend!
Probably the best Okonomiyaki I had in Kansai area. The owner is very foreign friendly. All ingredients are fresh and deliciously prepared. A place I would definitely visit whenever I’m in Nara. Please order their Oyster and Beef (Gyusuji) flavor.
Parco, let’s do it! It’s a flavorful okonomiyaki, perfect lunch or dinner. There are lots of options, the pork kimchi is so so good. Need to come back for more types! Gyoza is flavorful and crispy skin. It’s the jewel of Nara. Little cosy nook with plenty of seating too! No waiting time. Cola and coffee float were yum dessert options. Let’s try again!
1-1 Tsurufukuincho, Nara, 630-8393, Japan•https://www.instagram.com/okonomiyaki.parco/

5江戸川 ならまち店

4.1
(646)
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4.0
(186)
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Mentioned on 
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affordable
Unagi restaurant
Japanese restaurant
The unagi restaurant 江戸川 ならまち店 in Nara is well known for its great service and soul-warming food. It is modeled after an old Machiya shop, and the atmosphere is kept traditional Japanese. There's also a hidden bar inside the restaurant, which makes it perfect for anyone who wants to have a drink. The grilled eel dish ordered was really nice, while the sukiyaki dish ordered was also good.
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This is my 2nd time patronizing this place. I really like the ambiance of the place as it follows the Japanese tradition where : 1) keeps yr shoe in a locker and exchange with a normal slipper 2) take out the slipper before entering the dinning place 3) wear a "toilet slipper" if you go toilet. The food is quite nice but slightly pricey. Highly recommended if you visit Nara
Good food with great service! I came here alone and they lead me to the area that was suitable for people who came alone to ensure that no one will walk by frequently. The food was so good!!!
Edogawa is a great eatery. They have you take off and store your shoes at the front. You can park a stroller in this area as well. You are then taken to a closed off room depending on your party size where you may share a room with a few small tables or a couple large ones. The whole restaurant feels authentic and enjoyable. The food is terrific. If it is your first visit then try to get some of the combination options to sample a lot of items. The eel is well prepared. Parking is non-existent, but it is close to the train and easy to get to by bike. Pricing is on par with the value of the food.
Amazing place. We are lucky to have last two seats before it’s closing at 15:00. Foods are yummy, furnishing and decorations are beautiful.
If you're interested in a fantastic unagi (eel) and sukiyaki experience in Nara, I highly recommend Unagi Edogawa or 江戸川 ならまち店, given that the name of the restaurant isn't listed on Google Maps in English. Everything was delicious and the bill came to just a bit over $30...a bargain for what I had and the quality of the ingredients.
Ordered the set with grilled eel with rice & beef sukiyaki. The sukiyaki was really nice! The grilled eel was alright. Ambience of the restaurant is good and the staff are very friendly. Will definitely come back again!
What a meal. Great quality Unagi with very delicious side dishes. 100% would recommend
Had an excellent lunch experience here. Food was delicious and the staff were very helpful. He explained to us how we should eat the dishes. Although they are not fluent in English, that did not stop them from trying. A for effort! If you are willing to spend a little more money, do visit this place. Will visit again if I’m ever back in Nara.
43 Shimomikadocho, Nara, 630-8365, Japan•https://unagi-edogawa.com/
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