AD May 3 (Sat) 2025-Jul 13 (Sun) 2025 68 days left Leave a rating/comment#Nihonga / Ukiyoe#StartingInMay2025RecommendedExhibitsBack to ArticlesSHARE Apr 12 (Sat) 2025-May 25 (Sun) 2025 20 days left Leave a rating/comment#Nihonga / UkiyoeBack to ArticlesSHARE The cherries in Nara are as ancient as the city itself It was described by early eleventh century poet Ise no Taifu in the poem that is included in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu: “The yaezakura / Of the ancient capital of Nara / Today extend their fragrance / To the Imperial Palace of Kyoto.” The nara no yaezakura that the poet speaks of was discovered growing in 1922 at Chisoku-in a subtemple of the Tōdai-ji complex; it was designated a natural monument in 1923 and appears in the emblem of the city of Nara Sakura 100: Japan’s Best Blossoms Subscribe! Honolulu Magazine | Honolulu Family Summers in Japan are brutal: 100-degree heatwaves coupled with 99 percent humidity kakigori or delicate shaved ice topped with fruit purees espuma foam and other delights offers a reprieve The Japan Kakigori Association designates July 25 as Kakigori Day because 7-2-5 which can creatively be pronounced as “na-tsu-go,” sounds like “natsu-gori” or summer ice so there isn’t a better day to enjoy this frozen treat The humble rainbow cone we grew up eating in Hawaii is a distant cousin to what you’ll find on a trendy rise in Japan Tiny cafes have popped up with menus that change frequently to feature seasonal fruit and other specialties some shops require reservations and others distribute tickets in advance of opening A hashtag search of #kakigori or #かき氷 on Instagram will return tens of thousands of posts many from bloggers and ethusiasts who eat hundreds of kakigori a year.  I set out to discover the art of kakigori in Osaka Kyoto and Nara and fell in love with the craft and care that go into these mountains of snow painstakingly layered with toppings and textures I risked missing my flight home to eat kakigori at a popular cafe in Osaka (I waited two hours in line) and am considering buying my own kakigori machine (it’s about $100 and comes from Japan). It’s easy to say I’m obsessed but you wouldn’t understand unless you’ve had one yourself.  Here’s a snapshot of icy heaven in Kansai with an additional famed shop in Tokyo and thankfully Tucked away in a twisty nest of a neighborhood a five-minute walk from Fukushima Station (one stop west of Osaka Station) Cafe Twelve is a small coffee shop known equally for its unbaked cheesecakes and kakigori desserts To say it has a rustic charm would be a severe understatement chalkboard menus and murals of kakigori to weathered acacia wooden dishware The owner will converse with you easily in English or Japanese as he lovingly prepares your shave ice My choice is rum raisin with rare (unbaked) cheese topping (¥1200 or $10.75) The classic Italian pairing is boozy with notes of molasses plum and spice which bring out the tang of the cheese topping Marinated raisins are layered between the light-as-fallen-snow ice as well as placed carefully on its crown Other flavors include a seasonal mango rare cheese 2 Chome-3-１２ Fukushima, Fukushima-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 553-0003   ●   @cube.cafetwelve  Perhaps the most elusive of all the kakigori shops I visit Having spent my last afternoon getting lost around Osaka I make it to the cafe an hour after I expected and am greeted with a line about seven people deep this should move by quickly – it shouldn’t take long to eat kakigori Two hours later and 30 minutes after I was supposed to catch a train to the airport I finally nab a seat overlooking the trees of Utsubo Park Knowing that the owner closes shop on any whim and that Cocoo Cafe draws lines even on cold and rainy days I am prepared to sacrifice a safe arrival time before my flight for a shot at the raspberry milk kakigori (¥600 or $5.25) It turns out to be a good gamble: The fruit puree bursts with tart raspberry flavor its crunchy pulp texture confirming I am eating something with real fruit Japanese condensed milk laced over top tames the tartness with a mellow sweetness The shop is most famous for its brulee-topped kakigori Owner Motoki Ueda will torch the whipped top of your kakigori before your eyes.  I seriously contemplate staying the rest of the evening and missing my flight. In the end I order and eat my kakigori in under 10 minutes and catch a cab back to Namba station to make my flight.  2 Chome−2−23 4th floor, Utsubohonmachi, Nishi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu, 550-0004   ●   @cocoocafe I take a day trip to Kyoto and hike up to Kiyomizudera with the goal of visiting Shimizu Ippoen a tea supplier with a matcha salon, for their ethereal green-capped mountains of snow The quality of the water in Kyoto is the key to why this kakigori is next-level good creates sheets of ice that melt in your mouth instantly airy texture reveals the ice has been barely handled; it lets the slightly bitter matcha foam float on top sweet azuki and condensed milk suggest that you create your own luxurious Uji kintoki (green tea shaved ice) I devour it all with a pot of oolong tea and set out to continue exploring with a bit more pip in my step – doesn’t the sight of this just make you happy?  665 Honkawaracho, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0963   ●   @ippoen_teasalon   ●   Tabelog page Deer and temples are not the only attractions in Nara an eight-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station (direct service to Osaka Nipponbashi) is another artisanal kakigori shop with a cult following In its new location near the center of the city in a shopping arcade the marble-and-glass facade leads you to believe this isn’t an ordinary shave ice shop There are so many moth orchids out front I mistake it for a flower shop and walk right past House Kibaco is so popular it has a system of distributing tickets from 8:30 a.m – gambatte snagging one because they often “sell out” hours before the shop opens at 11 a.m has been a catalyst for Nara becoming a kakigori haven People from across Japan line up for bowls of the stuff at a days-long kakigori festival in February The unusually blue butterfly pea and citrus kakigori catches my attention kiwi and bitter citrus kakigori topped with yogurt espuma foam (¥1200 or $10.75) The ice that’s delivered daily in transparent cubes has been frozen for 72 hours The result is an incredibly fine dusting of fresh snow Sitting at the counter affords you a front-row view of the ice artists in action and a pleasant Japanglish conversation They are surprised I came from Hawaii to eat shave ice in 40 degree weather a half-lie I contemplate making come true.  〒630-8222 Nara-ken, Nara-shi, Mochiidonochō, 餅飯殿町４７   ●   @housekibaco I have been binge-watching Netflix’s “Kantaro: The Sweet Tooth Salaryman” and there is no way I am not eating the icy creation that sent Kantaro into cross-eyed reverie the eight-seat shave ice counter he visited in Kichijoji because it’s in the middle of a building At 2:30 in the afternoon there are only two people in line but one look at the clipboard next to the door shows why: The reservation sheet is nearly full I’m trying to figure out how to add my name when an employee appears and pencils me in at 2:50 The new flavor of the season is passionfruit with kiwi-cucumber though a customer who has eaten every single shave ice on the menu recommends the pumpkin and black sesame combo with bulging eyes and vigorous nods A man at the shave ice machine uses feathery motions to craft orbs as big as a child’s head adding in periodic layers of cream cheese shave ice My creation is loaded with fresh lilikoi pulp and seeds on one side and tart-sweet kiwi with a cucumber finish on the other cheesy ice are melty lobes of fresh grape jellies the massive orb disappears under my spoon and I seriously consider ordering the pumpkin-black sesame 1 Chome−9−9 吉祥寺じぞうビル You thought I was gonna lead you down a rabbit hole of unattainable shops on I can’t do you like that! You made it this far so I’ll reward you with intel on something you can have right now Nana’s Green Tea in Waikiki Yokocho is the only shop that serves shave ice in true kakigori fashion I’ve had at least 15 kakigoris from Nana’s in the past three months and can attest that they make it as good as those I’ve had in Japan The microns of ice form a fluffy texture that other places don’t even come close to achieving The balance of syrup (your choice of strawberry matcha or hojicha) and condensed milk is unrivaled as they’re served on the side in tiny pots for pouring over yourself this $9.20 kakigori is what I crave when I need a taste of Japan.  Nana’s is running a summer special mango puree flavor Although it’s tough to tell if it’s local mango which I carefully drizzle with sweet condensed milk You’ll find me here from time to time taking a break from the heat with big ball of orange-hued ice  – just note 2250 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815   ●   @nanasgreenteahonolulu Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp Looking to do more than just sightseeing on your trip to Japan? Instead of just tasting the local cuisine, you can try making it. Instead of appreciating local culture from afar, you can immerse yourself in it. Adding cultural activities to your itinerary will make it even more memorable, especially if they accommodate the needs of Muslim tourists. Here are a few Muslim-friendly culinary and cultural activities in Kansai to include in your trip. At Japanese Food Restaurant MATSURI, enjoy delicious Muslim-friendly Japanese dishes, including local favorites, using separate serving dishes and utensils. The restaurant has an English menu. There is also a prayer space and wudu area. At Umemori Sushi School in Nara, you do not have to be a seasoned chef to make sushi. Classes allow you to experience making the Japanese national dish from scratch, including preparing shari (sushi rice) by mixing vinegar with rice. Muslim-friendly soups and other side menu items can be included in the course with at least 1 day’s notice. Afterwards, participants get to dig into their own delicious creations and are awarded a certificate of completion. The school is close to Todaiji Temple and the famous deer sanctuary, Nara Park. This makes Umemori Sushi School a great option for people who want to get the most out of Nara on the same day. If you have ever wanted to walk down the streets of Kyoto in a traditional Japanese kimono, you can have your wish granted at Kyoto Kimono Rental Yumeyakata. With advance notice, they can even provide wagara (traditional Japanese patterns) hijabs to match your kimono, giving you a uniquely Muslim makeover. Note that a separate fee is required for the wagara hijab. They also have a prayer space that can be used if you request it when booking your experience. There are lots of quaint alleys and streets lined with traditional wooden houses in the area that make for great settings for your elegant outfit. Wearing a kimono as you walk around the old city might just give you a new perspective. Ninjas were covert agents of feudal Japan, most active around the fifteenth century. They were said to be masters of espionage and remain popular icons to this day. Ninja-Do in Osaka offers an all-round ninja experience for tourists. Dress up as a ninja and learn the unique way they walk, hold their swords, and use weapons such as shuriken (throwing stars). The VR experience is highly recommended if you want to put your ninja skills to the test and battle against a virtual samurai. Make a reservation at least 1 day in advance. A prayer space with prayer mats and qibla compass can be provided with prior notice. Nearby is the bustling Dotonbori shopping district and Osaka’s famous Tsutenkaku, which has an observatory deck that overlooks the entire city.  The Kansai region has so much to offer with its vibrant culture and constant new attractions, giving you something new to discover with each visit. Experience Japan in through these attractions for an unforgettable trip. Browse the JNTO site in one of multiple languages these hotels in Nara will have you eager for one more night Kasuga Hotel is perfect for families or large groups but that’s part of the fun of staying at a ryokan For those uncomfortable with some of the public onsen at Japanese hotels Tsukihitei has two private cypress baths available to its guests Courtesy of Hotel Allamanda / Expedia This new hotel in Nara has some large Western-style rooms to stretch out in for those a little weary of small Japanese hotel rooms A delicious breakfast comes with your stay The real draw here is the outdoor jacuzzi found in most rooms If you are able to drag yourself away from the hot tub Hotel Allamanda also has rental bicycles for its guests Courtesy of Asukasou / Expedia Located within walking distance of deer-filled Nara Park Asukasou offers traditional Japanese-style rooms complete with tatami mats and yukata robes The hotel’s crowning glory is its communal open-air bath filled with hot spring water which overlooks the five-storey pagoda Goju-no-to The view from the bath is particularly impressive after dark when the pagoda is lit up Book exclusive private use of the bath for the ultimate Japanese relaxation experience or Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy Courtesy of Hotel New Wakasa / Expedia You’re minutes away from Nara’s main sights at Hotel New Wakasa The fourth floor rooftop bar puts you in the heart of the town with panoramic views across to Todaiji Temple and Mount Wakakusa A grand piano greets you in the stylish entrance hall while the hotel serves typical Japanese cuisine and its rooms feature traditional tatami mats futon beds or nara goushi (Japanese sliding doors) You’re spoilt for choice by the range of private onsen hot baths to rent – but the top floor jacuzzi is hard to beat Courtesy of Yu-Kei no Yado Heijo / Expedia There’s one reason to book a stay at this hotel – the views From its location in the forest among the foothills of Mount Wakakusa Ando Hotel’s floor-to-ceiling glass windows offer an incomparable panorama of Nara’s rooftops Western-style rooms that are light and airy lending a feeling of calm that continues in its communal spaces Terrace restaurant offers a fusion of modern cooking using local seasonal ingredients to create unique dishes Courtesy of Setre Naramachi / Expedia A hotel based on all things Nara Setre Naramachi aims to showcase the town’s history food and natural environment for a truly local experience The contemporary hotel showcases the essence of Nara in almost every detail from featuring the region’s distinctive cedar wood in its design to the locally handmade fragrances in the lobby Spend an afternoon relaxing in the library and record room tasting one of the two blends of locally roasted coffee curated by “coffee hunter” Jose Mikafate Courtesy of Henn na Hotel Nara / Expedia It doesn’t get much more Japanese than a hologram samurai checking you in at the door employs robots as well as humans to service guests’ needs serves sweet and savoury dishes for breakfast and lunch desserts and weather-based treats like the sky cream soda The hotel uses a water processing system to provide “Phiten water” to all guest rooms Judith LaFaver contributed additional reporting to this article Guides & Tips The Best Places to Travel in October See & Do The Best Things To Do in Fuji Five Lakes See & Do The Best Things to See and Do in Minami and Namba Guides & Tips The Best Places to Travel in November See & Do The Most Beautiful Places in Japan You Didn't Know Existed Guides & Tips The Most Unique Onsen Towns in Japan See & Do The Best Places to Travel in April Where Tradition Meets Modern Urban Adventure See & Do Incredible Day Hikes Near Osaka See & Do The Best Places for an Asian Spring Break Guides & Tips 10 Must-Visit UNESCO Sites in Kyoto US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd Japan’s historic former Nara prison is set to be renovated and reborn as a luxury hotel The brick building was built in 1908 and is the only surviving example of the ‘Meiji-era Five Great Prison’ After over 100 years of life as a detention center Nara prison shut down in March 2017 due to concerns about earthquake resistance it has been declared an important cultural asset and became a popular tourist spot for visitors as it remained intact since the time it was a prison the building is on its way to becoming a high-quality hotel including repair work to withstand earthquakes.  the Romanesque-style gate holds an arched entrance and a cylindrical tower on either side all images by The former Nara prison The Nara Prison was built in July 1908 and designed by Keijiro Yamashita a public worker for the Ministry of Law who designed many prisons and courthouses across the world Most of the construction work was carried out by prisoners and the bricks used were supplied from kilns they built themselves The Romanesque red brick edifice consists of five elongated buildings growing radially from the center where guards could easily oversee all hallways its form resembles a palm with outstretched fingers.  Unlike its extravagant façade that carries the history of a century inside one encounters a harsh and cold environment Small single rooms poorly sheltered from the wind and rain are hidden behind heavy doors that are impossible to open from inside setting confinement wards are positioned in a circle enabling the guards to oversee all the five wards from the watchhouse In collaboration with hotel management company Hoshino Resorts the historic Nara prison plans to open the new high-quality facility by 2024 The challenge is to preserve the landmark Meiji-era building The hotel will accommodate many rooms across four of the site’s five buildings Prison cells with high ceilings will turn into larger suites while guard quarters will transform into shared spaces it will hold the title of the first prison in Japan converted into a hotel It expects to enhance Nara’s touristic attraction each cylindrical tower features a distinct dome-shaped roof on the top of the turret is set a lightning rod the blue-green turret with a characteristic roof is made of copper sheets there are staircases that guide to the second floor within the front gate brick and concrete walls wrap the whole site radially framed ceiling features a high window that allows sunlight to come in its circular shape has enabled the guards to oversee all the five wards at a time granite was used in places where lots of people walked because of its excellent abrasion resistance some parts of the first floor’s ceiling receive light reaching from the second floor so it’s impossible to be open from the inside name: The former Nara prison AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style On the fourth Saturday of every January, the slopes of Mt. Wakakusa in Nara Park are set alight, with the resulting flames so big and bright that they can be seen from around the city and from as far away as the former Heijo Palace This carefully planned and choreographed act of pyromania is known as Yamayaki (the burning mountain) and is part of a festival that has been carried out for centuries in Nara and involves several temples and shrines While the area is a little far from Nara's major train stations Wakakusa can easily be reached with a bus ride and a walk It takes approximately 25 minutes to walk to Mt The festival's main procession starts with yamabushi dressed in period costumes, some blowing conch shells, and musicians playing traditional court music. Kasuga Taisha , Kofukuji Temple and Todaiji Temple are all involved with the ceremonies of this event The festival itself begins at Kasuga Taisha Shrine They light the torches with sacred fire near Mizuya Bridge then hold ceremonies at Nogami Shrine at the foot of the mountain before traveling up the mountainside to light a giant bonfire prepared for the festival The sight of the white-robed torch carriers with their flaming torches hiking up the mountain and the fire slowly spreading across the grassy slopes firefighters and city officials help extinguish the flames * The information on this page may be subject to change due to COVID-19 Leave a rating/comment#Archeology / History / FolkloreBack to ArticlesSHARE Leave a rating/comment#Nihonga / Ukiyoe#Exhibitions to see during GWBack to ArticlesSHARE A festival featuring a historical pageant and nighttime illumination is held during the height of the cherry blossom season Unique features include the exhibition and sale of goldfish of which the city of Yamatokōriyama is a leading producer While the festival is a lively and colorful event today as the stones used to finish the castle wall had been taken from graves and Buddhist statues Banner photo © Yamatokōriyama City Tourism Association.) Apr 24 (Thu) 2025-May 11 (Sun) 2025 6 days left Leave a rating/comment#Drawing#Painting#Craft / FolkcraftBack to ArticlesSHARE © Elena Gurzhiy/Flickr No Nara mochi list could be complete without a mention of Nakatanidou This is the best known mochi store in Nara People crowd around the shopfront to watch two men pound the glutinous rice into a smooth ball of mochi It’s a bit terrifying to watch two grown men slam hammers into the mochi but that’s why this place earned its fame for having the fastest mochi pounders in Japan Do not leave without getting one of their yomogi mochi filled with sweet bean paste and covered in soybean powder gives the mochi a bright green color and a clean refreshing taste Courtesy of Senjyuan Senjyuan has been serving treats to Nara customers for over 70 years. Their warabi mochi is one of the most popular souvenirs for domestic travelers in Nara Made with a sweet potato starch and bracken root this clear jelly mochi is delicious any time of year but it is especially refreshing in the summer a mochi cake stuffed with different fillings They have a kinako cream version made with soybean powder and sweet cream along with seasonal varieties such as grape Courtesy of Nakanishi Yosaburo While in Nara, don’t forget to check out Naramachi’s Nakanishi Yosaburo for some truly beautiful snacks. Nakanishi has been in Nara since 1913 and is currently run by a fourth generation sweets maker. Determined to preserve Nara’s traditional flavors, many of the ingredients come from Nara prefecture shops like Yamato tea. They sell beautiful wagashi Japanese sweets typically made from mochi and filled with sweet bean paste The darling café serves beautiful lunch sets along with desserts like shaved ice Nakanishi also offers classes on how to make wagashi at home Kashiya is one of the best-known traditional cafés in Nara Watch the wagashi being crafted as you sip on some local Nara tea They have 100% rice starch warabi mochi as well as a few seasonal varieties like Kashiwa mochi Kashiwa mochi is traditionally eaten on Children’s Day and is a plain bean paste-filled mochi wrapped in an oak leaf The oak leaf imparts an earthy flavor to the traditional mochi taste Their version uses a sakura leaf to wrap the fresh mochi Courtesy of Ochanoko Ochanoko is a trendy little café close to Kintestu-Nara station People travel from other prefectures for a chance to eat Ochanoko’s mochi They have two kinds of mochi: warabi mochi and kurumi mochi Kurumi mochi is a walnut-stuffed mochi cake Both of these come as sets served with Japanese tea for the affordable price of 500 yen (US$4.50) or less Those feeling decadent should try the green tea shaved ice loaded with chewy mochi balls to get the best of two of Japan’s most iconic desserts All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip Read Next Guides & Tips 10 Must-Visit UNESCO Sites in Kyoto © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd. All Rights Reserved. make sure to stop by one of these stores to try the best persimmon leaf sushi in Japan Tanaka is one of the most famous restaurants to get kakinoha sushi in all of Japan With a shop right next to Kintetsu-Nara station it’s also one of the easiest to grab a package of sushi to go or to have lunch before a day of sightseeing They offer limited lunch sets every day that serve a beautiful assortment of sushi along with persimmon leaf sushi and a bowl of soup for only 1,080 yen (US $9.70) © Kuruman/flickr The Nara city branch of Yamato is the perfect place to pick up persimmon leaf sushi for a snack or as a souvenir This is their best selling persimmon leaf sushi with the standard three flavors This variation is meant to be a fun way to “taste the seven colors” Yamato also sells beautifully packaged rice bowls and sushi sets that are popular in Nara as bentos an extremely popular Japanese river fish served whole on top of sushi rice and then pressed flat as well as tempura and seasonal side dishes Umemori is another popular place in Nara to get the persimmon leaf sushi but they offer their own variation as well they wrap rice balls in wasabi leaves and then top them with fish wasabi leaves are edible and add a nice spicy bite to the sushi One of the coolest things about this sushi restaurant is that it is halal-certified This is an extremely rare thing to see in Japan and it’s great that Umemori has gone out of its way to provide Muslims a great place to try Nara’s regional cuisine Read Next Guides & Tips The Most Unique Onsen Towns in Japan “Your Honor” has released stills of Yoon Shi Yoon sharing a sweet quiet moment with two different women Yoon Shi Yoon plays two roles in the legal drama Joo Eun (played by HELLOVENUS’s Nara) and they share a hug despite Yoon Shi Yoon looking stunned by her reappearance Han Su Ho is currently in hiding and doesn’t want to put her in danger On the other side of the spectrum, Han Kang Ho and Song So Eun (Lee Yoo Young) share a peaceful moment together on the playground Their physical comfort with one another shows that they’ve matured a lot since their first appearance together while the playground setting adds a bit of whimsy to the romantic scene It is implied that Han Kang Ho stumbled into Song So Eun’s neighborhood after getting drunk though the exact circumstances will be revealed in the episode as will the circumstances between Han Su Ho and Jung Eun’s reunion The episode in question will air on August 8 Watch the latest episode of “Your Honor” on Viki below Source (1) (2) Hello Venus member and actress Nara has been confirmed for a new drama “Your Honor” will be a legal drama that shows the difference between justice in a courtroom and the people’s definition of justice Yoon Shi Yoon will be playing the role of twin brothers and judges Han Soo Ho and Han Kang Ho while Lee Yoo Young will portray a student in the Judicial Research and Training Institute Nara will appear as an announcer named Joo Eun Yeok who’s just starting to become more experienced at her job She is also Han Soo Ho’s girlfriend who gets to know Han Kang Ho Nara made her debut as an actress by appearing as a prosecutor in SBS’s “Suspicious Partner.” She most recently portrayed a movie actress in tvN’s “My Ahjussi.” “Nara debuted as an actress through an SBS drama and decided to appear in ‘Your Honor’ as she establishes herself as an idol-actress Please look forward to Nara who will show more mature acting than before.” “Your Honor” will premiere sometime in July Source (1) “Your Honor” has released its second teaser and Hello Venus’s Nara released its second teaser the clip features the different characters of the drama as well as Yoon Shi Yoon finally displaying his impressive performance of acting as two characters “Your Honor” is about an unconventional judge and his story of growth Yoon Shi Yoon plays both Han Kang Ho and Han Su Ho The former is five-time-convicted criminal-turned-judge and the latter is an intelligent judge who has disappeared and each of the character’s different personalities can be seen The video starts off with Yoon Shi Yoon running from the police The image of him getting his mug shot taken drastically changes as the next scene switches to one of him wearing judge’s robes and sitting at the highest seat in the courtroom “We will begin the sentencing.” Other characters in the drama also make their first appearance a student in the Judicial Research and Training Institute the man who makes a meaningful offer to Yoon Shi Yoon an anchorwoman who is also Soo Ho’s girlfriend “Your Honor” will air July 25 at 10 p.m Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser Japanese version Today's print edition Home Delivery the well-known British ceramicist Bernard Leach first made rakuyaki ware — a low-fired ceramic often used for tea ceremony utensils — in 1913 Tomimoto would explore original expressions paying close attention to the history and tradition of patterns on ceramic but extensively researched the craft and often made sketches of natural Some 120 works have been selected to showcase Tomimoto's unique design aesthetic there will also be a special lecture from 1:30 p.m by the director of the Nara Prefectural Museum of Art (no additional charge 10.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Nara Prefectural Museum of Art; (0742) 23-3968; 10-6 Noborioji-cho, Nara-shi; 5-min. walk from Kintetsu Nara Station (Exit 1), Kintetsu Nara Line. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ¥600. Closed Mon., Sept. 20; open Sept. 19, Oct. 10. www.pref.nara.jp/dd_aspx_menuid-11842.htm In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division One of the most cherished themes of nihonga (Japanese-style painting) artists who celebrate the four seasons in their works is to incorporate seasonal Japanese beauties in their paintings This exhibition features three well-known nihonga artists from the Uemura family — Shoen (1875-1949) 1933) — and their works featuring summer motifs a woven fabric cover of a float used in the Gion Matsuri (one of the most famous traditional summer festivals in Kyoto) is on show with its design drawing; till Sept 25.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Shohaku Art Museum; (0742) 41-6666; 2-1-4 Tomigaoka, Nara-shi; 5-min. bus ride from Gakuen-mae Station, Kintetsu Nara Line. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. ¥800. Closed Mon., Sept. 20; open Sept. 19. www.kintetsu.jp/shohaku/ Sign up to access your saved articles across all your devices By continuing with your action, you agree to Have Halal, Will Travel’s Term of Use Password should contain atleast 8 characters with combination of alphanumeric special characters and one uppercase letter IF you have need multi face Authentication Please check your mail to get key and manually enter in on Google authenticator app and verify the token Farah Fazanna Do you want to explore more about our listings We recommend reading our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice https://www.havehalalwilltravel.comundefinedCopyBack to listBack to list TERMS OF USE: Some of the information on this website may have changed since the time of writing. By continuing to read this article, you agree to be bound by our Terms of Use and Disclaimer and verify any information before taking action DISCLOSURE: Some of our articles may contain affiliate links or sponsorships (disclosed at the bottom) We’ve enjoyed some of our most memorable meals in Japan at izakayas but they were always among the most interesting On our most recent trip to the Kansai region, we spent our last full day exploring Nara with our Japanese friend Tsutomu. There we’d be having the last meal of our week-long trip, a week that was spent eating at some of the best restaurants in Osaka it was important for us to find a place that wasn’t just good but also different from anything we’d already had during our trip a small family-run izakaya which Tsutomu would later describe as one of the best izakayas he’s ever been to in Japan Click on the red save button and pin it for later An izakaya is a type of informal Japanese pub. They’re typically small and casual spaces where Japanese salarymen would get a drink and unwind after work. Jovial and relaxed in atmosphere, you can think of them as the Japanese equivalent to American taverns or Irish pubs, maybe even Spanish tapas bars The word izakaya is a compound word consisting of i suggesting that izakayas originated from sake shops that allowed customers to stay and drink on the premises People used to stand while drinking until shops started introducing sake barrels as stools We’ve been to izakayas in Sapporo and Kyoto and both times I remember seeing groups of two or three office workers loosening their ties and enjoying beers or sake over small plates of food We sat at a U-shaped bar and exchanged light conversation and friendly nods with the owners and locals, all the while enjoying plate after plate of the most interesting Japanese food Kura is located in Naramachi, in the maze of alleyways and traditional buildings between Nara station and the main park area. It can be hard to find so you can refer to this map to see exactly where it is It’s in the building on the left below through the sliding doors with the kanji characters A few of the items we had tonight were on the specials board like this delicious plate of shirako or fish semen We’ve had it a few times at Japanese restaurants and we always enjoy it It’s briny and mild in flavor with a texture similar to oyster The Japanese woman sitting next to us highly recommended the stewed chicken (JPY 800) She told us she’s been coming here for years and often orders this dish I don’t know what gives it its dark color (soy sauce?) but it was super delicious we couldn’t enjoy all these delicious plates of food without washing them down with beer Domestic beers at Kura go for JPY 500 for small They offer a few types of sake as well for JPY 400-450 for 180 ml bottles and JPY 800-900 for 360 ml As described at the top of this post, the food in Japan is so good overall that you probably won’t find your best meal at an izakaya. That isn’t what it’s for anyway. Izakayas are casual Japanese pubs where you can relax and enjoy a few beers over small plates of bar food. I like to think of them as the Japanese version of Cheers the type of place I’d be comfortable going to on my own to enjoy a few beers simply because the atmosphere is so informal and convivial Kura has limited seating and a loyal client base so recommendations are highly recommended Many customers stay for the entire evening so unless you come early They had to turn away a few customers when we were there because the place was already full Tsutomu made reservations for us so we were seated right away then I suggest asking your hotel to make reservations for you If you plan on spending the whole day exploring Nara then I highly recommend making Kura your last stop They’re gaijin-friendly and offer interesting unique food it’s one of the best izakayas he’s been to so far in Japan HOW TO GET THERE: Kura Izakaya is about a 10-15 minute walk east of Nara station. CLICK HERE to see where it is on a map The TripAdvisor links in this post are affiliate links meaning we’ll get a small commission if you make a purchase or reservation at NO extra cost to you We really appreciate your support as this helps us keep this website going Categories DESTINATIONS, JAPAN Singapore Food Tour: Go Off the Eaten Track with A Chef’s Tour Website#d6ac6da2403d2b148a597ac6{display:none} "This is the BEST representation of my country food that I have ever seen. I’m very protective of our things and this made me proud. Thank you."– Erica on our Argentina food guide "We had the Quesabirria at Tacos Don Juan today and WOW!! That was the best taco yet! Thank you for the awesome article."– Tiffany on our Mexico City taqueria guide COPYRIGHT POLICYUnless otherwise stated, all photos, text, graphics, and videos used on this website are the intellectual property of Will Fly for Food and its contributors and protected by copyright laws. 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You can refer to our Intellectual Property policy for more information AMAZON ASSOCIATES DISCLOSUREwillflyforfood.net is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com Based on data from the past 55 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900 there are about 1,600 quakes on average per year in or near Otsu Otsu has had at least 8 quakes above magnitude 6 since 1900 which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently probably on average approximately every 15 to 20 years The quake had a very shallow depth of 15.1 km (9 mi) and was too small to be felt by people Otsu has had 2 quakes of magnitude 2.0 or above There were also 12 quakes below magnitude 2.0 which people don't normally feel The strongest earthquake in Otsu in the past 24 hours had a magnitude of 2.8 and occurred 21 hours ago: Mag. 2.8 earthquake Japan: Northern Mie Pref - writeAge(1746432339)A light magnitude 2.8 earthquake hit 8.5 km (5.3 mi) away from Tsu, Mie-ken,  Japan The quake had a very shallow depth of 18.8 km (12 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so) I have eaten "Sweet Cheese Fondue" with Pablo to eat it with fruits and waffles on melted sweet cheese sauce 60 million times was also played "What is in the Rattle Snake Rattle?" Dec 09, 2016 21:00:00 in Coverage Kyoto has a high level of seismic activity there are about 1,500 quakes on average per year in or near Kyoto City Kyoto has had at least 10 quakes above magnitude 6 since 1900 probably on average approximately every 10 to 15 years Kyoto has had 2 quakes of magnitude 2.0 or above There were also 13 quakes below magnitude 2.0 which people don't normally feel The quake had a very shallow depth of 18.8 km (12 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so).