🗺️ Naramachi

Naramachi, alongside Kyoto and Kanazawa's old streets, is one of the few ancient towns in Japan that survived the ravages of the Pacific War. In the old town area centered around the site of Gangoji Temple, traditional townhouses (machiya) from the Edo period to the Meiji period still remain, allowing visitors to enjoy the pleasure of strolling through the quaint streets. Naramachi was planned and constructed as an outer district of Heijokyo (the old name for Nara) during the Nara period, and it rapidly developed with the rise of surrounding Buddhist temples after the capital was moved to Heian-kyo (the old name for Kyoto). In the mid-Edo period, Naramachi prospered even more as a post town on the pilgrimage route to Ise Jingu. Until the mid-Shōwa period, it remained the commercial center of Nara. Today, Naramachi has added many stylish cafes, restaurants, and shops within the traditional machiya buildings, making it a popular tourist destination for visitors of all ages. The "Naramachi South Tourist Information Center" is a building that utilizes the traditional machiya format. It features walking maps and shop guides at the window, and it is recommended to stop by here first when visiting Naramachi. Many machiya and shop eaves are adorned with red fabric decorations known as "Ushi no Koshin," which serve as protective charms. This practice, rooted in the Edo period's widespread "Kōshin faith," has made hanging "Ushi no Koshin" at the entrances of homes and businesses a unique sight in Naramachi. It is suggested to purchase an "Ushi no Koshin" as a travel souvenir at the "Naramachi Museum." The "Naramachi Museum" is a private museum aimed at disseminating local historical and cultural knowledge, and it is worth visiting while you are out for a stroll.

The townhouses that have remained from the Edo period to the Meiji period allow visitors to enjoy street scenes filled with a retro atmosphere. The amulet "Kawasaki Saru" hanging under the eaves of residential and commercial buildings is a unique sight in this ancient city. There are many cafes and shops, such as grocery stores, that have been converted from townhouses.