10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Nara
Where to Shop in Nara and What to Buy?
Nara holds a significant place in the ancient history of Japan, and even today it has many shopping streets with a long history. Along Sanjo-dori, the main street of Nara City, you’ll find many shops selling souvenirs including delicacies such as vegetables pickled in sake lees and sushi pressed in persimmon leaves. Mochiido Centre Town is the longest-running shopping arcade in Nara City. You can breathe in the history of Nara simply by walking these fascinating streets.
Of course, Nara also has its share of large modern shopping complexes. Mi Nara, which is close to the Heijo Palace Ruins, and Aeon Mall Kashihara, one of the largest Aeon Malls in the Kinki region, will have everything you need.
1. Higashimuki Shopping Street
A historic shopping street facing Kofuku-ji Temple
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Ir de compras, Historia, Gastronomía en
Higashimuki Shopping Street is a shopping arcade stretching in front of Kintetsu Nara Station, linking Noborioji to Sanjo-dori from north to south. Although there are many cafés, fast food restaurants, okonomiyaki and ramen noodle shops, it also has 100-yen shops, pharmacies, and souvenir shops, so you should be able to find whatever you need.
The reason it’s called Higashimuki (meaning “eastward”) is because the eastern side of this area used to be entirely within the precincts of Kofuku-ji Temple. You can also get to Kofuku-ji Temple through this shopping street.
Ubicación: 15 Higashimuki Minamimachi, Nara City, Nara Prefecture 630-8215, Japan
Horarios: Opening times vary depending on the store.
Teléfono: +81 (0)742-24-4986
Higashimuki Shopping Street
2. Mochiido Centre Town
Nara’s oldest shopping street is opening up to a new future
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Ir de compras, Historia, Gastronomía en
Mochiido Centre Town is located in the heart of Nara, linking the street of Sanjo-dori with the Naramachi area. It’s Nara’s oldest shopping street, but in recent years it’s been overflowing with a lively vibe thanks to the many unique shops that have opened here one after the other.
There’s also been an initiative (called Mochiido Dream CUBE) by this shopping street to revitalise the local community with a project designed to support young entrepreneurs. A number of stores have been set up through this project offering the use of an open, glass-walled store space at a discount for up to 3 years, and this has contributed to making the district more attractive.
Ubicación: 2F Yume CUBE, 12-banchi Mochiidonocho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture 630-8222, Japan
Horarios: Opening times vary depending on the store.
Teléfono: +81 (0)742-22-2164
Mochiido Centre Town
3. Sanjo-dori
A historic street connecting Nara Station to Kasuga-Taisha Shrine
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Ir de compras, Historia, Gastronomía en
Sanjo-dori, also known as Kasugasando (sando meaning “approach to shrine”), is the main street connecting JR Nara Station to Nara Park and Kasuga-Taisha Shrine. The street has a long history, beginning as Sanjo Oji under the town planning of Heijo-kyo, and still maintains much of the same route today.
The area in front of JR Nara Station is especially attractive as a shopping street, with wide pedestrian paths. It’s a very walkable shopping street with a cheerful atmosphere, lined with many restaurants, izakayas, hotels, and souvenir shops.
Ubicación: Sanjo-dori, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan
Sanjo-dori
4. Nara Family
A large shopping complex spread across JR Shin-Inokuchi Station
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Ir de compras, Gastronomía en
Nara Family is Japan’s first large-scale shopping mall with two main centres, having both a department store and a supermarket. It’s a convenient one-stop shopping complex made up of the Kintetsu Department Store, Aeon Style, and zoro, which is a speciality shop area. The “Nara no Soranawa” rooftop sky garden offers a panoramic view of ancient capital Nara, including the Heijo Palace remains and Mount Kasuga.
Located just a 3-minute walk from the north exit of Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station, it also has a food court and a wide range of dining options.
Ubicación: 2-4-1 Saidaiji Higashimachi, Nara City, Nara Prefecture 631-0821, Japan
Horarios: Daily from 10 am to 8 pm (at B1 and 6F, opening times vary depending on the store)
Teléfono: +81 (0)742-33-1201
Nara Family
5. Ikeda Gankodo
Experience traditional fan-making in Nara
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Ir de compras, Historia, Foto
Ikeda Gankodo specialises in Nara uchiwa (traditional Japanese fans) with exquisite openwork designs. Shibu-uchiwa were originally made by Shinto priests from the Kasuga-Taisha Shrine in the Nara era, becoming more decorative in the Edo era and gradually developing into the modern form.
In a normal uchiwa, a single bamboo piece is split into about 30 pieces and used as the frame, but the Nara uchiwa has 60-90 pieces of framework. This makes them extremely flexible and allows air to be blown with very little force. These beautiful fans are the perfect souvenirs, as they’re designated as Traditional Handicrafts of Nara Prefecture. You can even try making your own uchiwa if you have a couple of hours to spare.
Ubicación: 16 Tsunofuricho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture 630-8224, Japan
Horarios: Daily from 9 am to 7 pm
(Closed on Mondays from September—March)
Teléfono: +81 (0)742-22-3690
Ikeda Gankodo
6. Mi Nara
A handy complex close to tourist attractions with a shuttle bus connection
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Ir de compras, Gastronomía en
Mi Nara is a popular commercial complex for both locals and tourists. Located in the historical centre of Nara’s many tourist sites such as the Heijo Palace remains, Suzakumon Gate, Toshodai-ji Temple and Yakushi-ji Temple, it’s a great place to use as a base for sightseeing trips around the area.
There are plenty of options for families and couples, such as the Lopia supermarket, Goldfish Museum, an extensive food court, clothing shops, and a bowling alley. Another convenient feature is the free shuttle bus service from Shin-Omiya Station, Kintetsu Nara Station and JR Nara Station.
Ubicación: 1-3-1 Nijoojiminami, Nara City, Nara Prefecture 630-8012, Japan
Horarios: Daily from 10 am to 8 pm
*Hours vary by store.
Teléfono: +81 (0)742-32-5133
Mi Nara
7. Yumekaze Plaza
A fashionable spot that’s perfect for lunch and souvenir-hunting
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Ir de compras, Gastronomía en
Located in front of Todai-ji Temple Gate near Todai-ji Temple, Yumekaze Plaza is a cosy space where you can spend a relaxing time while sampling and exploring Nara’s local delicacies. After visiting the Great Buddha, you can buy souvenirs here or taste the famous kakinoha zushi (pressed sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves) and sweets made from Yoshino kudzu (starch extracted from kudzu roots).
There’s not much parking space around Todai-ji Temple, but Yumekaze Plaza has space for more than 60 vehicles. Bicycle parking for rental bikes is also available.
Ubicación: 16 Kasuganocho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture 630-8212, Japan
Horarios: Daily from 9 am to 6 pm
*Opening times vary depending on the store.
Teléfono: +81 (0)742-25-0870
Yumekaze Plaza
8. Aeon Mall Kashihara
A large mall and cinema combined
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Ir de compras, Gastronomía en
Aeon Mall Kashihara is one of the largest shopping malls in the Kinki region, made up of Aeon Style and 230 speciality shops. It has restaurants, cafés, clothing and electronics stores, banks and clinics, so you can find everything you need here for everyday living.
You could easily spend the whole day here, as there’s also a cinema and an amusement arcade. The building is designed to be accessible to everyone and has toilets for people with prams and wheelchairs, a playground for children, and baby rooms.
Ubicación: 7-20-1 Magarikawacho, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture 634-0837, Japan
Horarios: Daily from 10 am to 9 pm
*Opening times vary depending on the store.
Teléfono: +81 (0)744-21-2111
Aeon Mall Kashihara
9. Hokuto Budougu
Pick up martial arts goods at this shop run by the leader of the Horyu-ji Kendo Club
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Ir de compras, Historia
Hokuto Budougu in the town of Ikaruga is a shop where you can order original shinai (bamboo sword) bags and tare-name (hanging name signs) written by calligraphers for the martial art of kendo. The shop offers equipment not only for kendo, but also for iaido, judo, karate, aikido and all other kinds of martial arts.
If you’re a fan of martial arts, this authentic martial arts shop is a must-visit and it’s conveniently located near Horyu-ji Temple and Chugu-ji Temple, so you can easily drop by while sightseeing. The owner is also a fencer who teaches at the Horyu-ji Kendo Club.
Ubicación: 2-5-1 Okidome, Ikaruga-cho, Ikoma District, Nara Prefecture 636-0123, Japan
Horarios: From 10 am to 7 pm (Sundays and holidays: 10 am to 6 pm)
(Closed on Wednesdays and 3rd Tuesday of the month)
Teléfono: +81 (0)745-75-6128
Hokuto Budougu
10. Utsuwa Matsumori
A tableware store with a wide selection of items founded in 1871
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Ir de compras
Utsuwa Matsumori is a historical tableware shop founded in 1871. Located in Nara’s oldest shopping street, Mochiidono Centre Town, here you’ll find a wide range of ceramics, glassware, lacquerware, flower vases and cutlery.
Popular souvenirs to buy include furin (wind chimes), maneki-neko (beckoning cats), yunomi (teacups) and guinomi (sake cups). The shop also offers a “painting experience” in which you can try painting and writing on unglazed vessels with a paintbrush, and the shop can send your baked vessels directly to your home (booking required).
Ubicación: 31 Hashimotocho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture 630-8217, Japan
Horarios: From 10 am to 6 pm
(closed on Thursdays)
Teléfono: +81 (0)742-22-2037
Utsuwa Matsumori
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