5 Local Experiences Not Found in Guidebooks: Nara Edition

Mount Yoshino is deeply revered as the spiritual center of "Shugendo," Japan’s ancient practice of mountain asceticism. In 2004, this majestic mountain and the surrounding "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, a designation that helps preserve its priceless natural scenery and historic landmarks for generations to come.

Mount Yoshino is home to numerous World Heritage-listed shrines and temples, many of which can be explored on foot. The mountain is also closely tied to notable historical figures, including En no Gyoja, the founder of Shugendo; the legendary warrior Minamoto no Yoshitsune; and the renowned poet Matsuo Basho.

Beyond the popular Mount Yoshino lies a hidden world of unspoiled rural beauty. This 3.5-hour E-bike and hiking tour takes you deep into Yoshino’s satoyama (traditional countryside landscapes), guided by knowledgeable locals. With English-language support available, communication is smooth and stress-free. Explore peaceful hiking trails, tranquil lakes, cascading waterfalls, and untouched natural scenery - the perfect escape to refresh both mind and body.

Spanning 660 hectares, Nara Park is home to a remarkable collection of historical and cultural landmarks, including the World Heritage sites of Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha, and Kofukuji Temple, as well as the Nara National Museum and the Shosoin Repository. These ancient sites are beautifully integrated into the natural landscape, surrounded by lush trees, open lawns, and gently rolling hills. Throughout the park, friendly deer roam freely, enchanting visitors from around the globe. The iconic scene of the Great Buddha, vibrant greenery, and graceful deer captures the spirit of Nara Park - an exceptional destination that reflects the enduring charm of Japan’s ancient capital.

The Perfect Nara Park Tour offers a comfortable half-day journey through the natural beauty and World Heritage sites surrounding Nara Park, all aboard an English-guided sightseeing bus. Highlights include visits to Todaiji Temple, home to the Great South Gate and the Great Buddha Hall; Kasuga Taisha’s Main Sanctuary; and the scenic summit of Mount Wakakusa. Travel in a spacious bus with independent three-row seating, accompanied by a certified English-speaking guide who ensures an enjoyable experience for all, even those with little or no Japanese ability.

The all-inclusive tour price covers transportation, admission fees, and professional guide services. It also includes unique cultural experiences like drawing an “omikuji” fortune and feeding the deer with special crackers in Nara Park. At Kasuga Taisha, you can try the English version of the whimsical shika-mikuji - fortunes “delivered” by small adorable deer figurines.

From the summit of Mount Wakakusa, take in sweeping views of Nara City and enjoy close encounters with the local deer. As a bonus, the tour includes the “Nara Yamatoji 2-Day Pass,” giving you unlimited access to local buses the next day - ideal for continuing your Nara adventure at your own pace.

Founded in 1853, Nakatani is a historic sake brewery with deep roots in Yamatokoriyama City, Nara Prefecture. In 2022, they launched their innovative Yanagimachi branch along a shopping street in the heart of the castle town, just a 5-minute walk from Kintetsu Koriyama Station and within an hour of both Osaka and Kyoto. This location offers hands-on sake brewing experiences by reservation.

What makes Nakatani unique is its small-batch production method: compact tanks allow multiple brews each month, meaning fresh sake is available almost every day of the year. The facility’s open-beam architecture captures the essence of traditional sake brewing, creating an inviting atmosphere for a truly memorable visit.

While the brewery specializes in sake and serves traditional dried snacks to accompany their brews, guests are more than welcome to bring their own food or order delivery from nearby shops in the shopping district as accompaniment instead. This way, they can enjoy Koriyama’s local flavors alongside Nakatani’s exceptional Japanese sake.

The Yanagimachi brewery is known for its signature freshly-pressed, vibrant flavor. Whether you're a longtime sake lover or trying it for the first time, this unique destination offers a refreshing and memorable sake experience sure to surprise and delight.

This immersive experience (reservation required) includes a guided tour of the brewery and a tasting of three distinct sake varieties (90 ml each), each paired with thoughtfully selected snacks. It begins with an engaging introduction to the history of Nakatani Sake Brewery and an explanation of the sake you'll be sampling, leading into a professionally guided tasting session. International guests are warmly welcomed, with staff fluent in English and Chinese ready to explain everything from rice polishing to the intricacies of the brewing process. The dried snacks are carefully chosen to enhance the flavor of each sake, offering a truly enjoyable experience for sake enthusiasts of all levels.

The building’s striking open-beam ceiling reflects traditional brewery design and houses a fascinating display of historical brewing tools and museum-quality exhibits, presented in Japanese, English, and Chinese. The brewery also has a serene garden - the perfect setting to savor your sake in peaceful, elegant surroundings.

Japanese brush making has thrived in Nara for over 1,300 years, with each brush still carefully handcrafted without the use of machines. This unwavering commitment to tradition has earned Nara brushes recognition as a designated National Traditional Craft.

This immersive experience takes place at Akashiya, a venerable 300-year-old establishment where you'll learn the ancient art of brush making by shaping your own brush tip using traditional glue techniques.

Expert traditional craftspeople lead you into the captivating world of brush making through interactive quizzes and live demonstrations, offering insights into the craft’s rich history and showcasing a wide range of brushes - from oversized calligraphy tools to finely crafted brushes made with various animal hairs. This hands-on experience is ideal for curious minds eager to explore Japanese culture more deeply. International visitors are fully welcome, with English support provided via translation apps to ensure that language differences won’t stand in the way of enjoying this authentic and immersive cultural experience.

Following the hands-on workshop, browse their extensive collection of traditional brushes, modern brush pens, and professional makeup brushes available for purchase. The beautifully designed brush pens featuring vibrant Japanese motifs have become especially popular as distinctive and affordable souvenirs.

Naramachi, nourished by the pristine waters flowing from Kasuga Taisha, is a remarkable district where historic sake breweries once flourished along streets that still retain the charm of the Edo to Taisho periods. Nestled in this atmospheric neighborhood is NIPPONIA HOTEL Nara Naramachi - a unique accommodation that revitalizes the former brewing facilities of the esteemed Toyosawa Sake Brewery.

Thoughtfully designed to offer a full immersion into the world of premium Japanese sake and Nara’s deep historical roots, this one-of-a-kind hotel invites you to relax in serene surroundings. Here, you can savor the delicate flavors and aromas of exceptional sake while taking in the timeless beauty and cultural richness of Nara.

The meticulously restored buildings preserve the elegance of traditional Japanese architecture while seamlessly integrating modern comforts, including stylish modern bathrooms and plush bedding, offering guests an experience that blends authentic charm with contemporary luxury.

NIPPONIA HOTEL Nara Naramachi offers a range of accommodation packages and dining courses featuring sake delivered directly from Toyosawa Sake Brewery, expertly paired with seasonal dishes. The hotel is happy to accommodate various dietary needs, including vegetarian, halal, and other special requests, with advance notice. English-speaking staff ensure that international guests can enjoy a seamless and comfortable experience. Choose from a selection of carefully curated packages to find the perfect fit for your stay, and immerse yourself in the refined world of Japanese sake paired with the seasonal flavors of Nara - all within a beautifully preserved historical setting.

These experiences transcend typical sightseeing to discover the true essence of Nara. A mix of nature, history, culture, and exquisite sake, they promise to create truly memorable and transformative moments.