Naramachi

Nara

Scenic Views & Townscapes

# Machiya / Townhouses

# Street Food

# Cafe

# Sake

# Historic Preservation District

A street corner in Naramachi showing preserved merchant houses and a small wayside shrine (hokora).

A spotted deer standing on a damp street corner in Naramachi next to a small shrine and traditional shop.

The preserved Naramachi streetscape at dusk, illuminated by warm lights from the traditional wooden houses and hanging lanterns.

A wild deer from Nara Park walking across a street in Naramachi next to a red wooden fence.

Key Points

Explore the narrow streets lined with well-preserved traditional wooden townhouses from the Edo and Meiji periods
Admire the distinctive latticework and designs of the traditional wooden townhouses
Enjoy modern cafes and shops inside historic buildings

Naramachi, located in central Nara City, is a historic district that developed within the former precincts of Gango-ji Temple. Flourishing from the Edo to Meiji periods, the area evolved from a temple town into a bustling commercial hub.
The district is defined by its charming townscape of preserved wooden townhouses (machiya), many featuring distinctive latticework. One unique cultural feature found here is the migawari saru, red monkey-shaped charms hung from the eaves of homes to ward off misfortune. At the heart of the neighborhood, Gango-ji Temple houses National Treasures, including its Gokurakudo (Main Hall), which incorporates roof tiles from the Asuka period (592–710).
Today, Naramachi offers an immersive journey into Japan’s past. Visitors can explore narrow, atmospheric streets and tour the interiors of some traditional townhouses. Many of these historic buildings have been tastefully renovated to house stylish cafes, restaurants, and shops.

Information

Spot information including address, access, and website
Address	Nakanoshinya-cho, Nara City, Nara and beyond
Access from Tokyo	(1) From Tokyo Station, take the Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi to Kyoto Station (approx. 2 hr 14 min). (2) At Kyoto Station, transfer to the Kintetsu Limited Express Kanko Tokkyu Aoniyoshi to Kintetsu-Nara Station (approx. 34 min). (3) From Kintetsu-Nara Station, walk to the Naramachi (approx. 15 minutes). Show route from Tokyo Station