Nara City Tourism Association

Nara has a unique type of sushi called kaki-no-ha-zushi (persimmon leaf sushi). 

Mackerel or salmon are dipped in salt, placed on vinegared rice, and wrapped in fragrant persimmon leaves. The leaves subtle aroma delicately draws out the sour hints in the vinegared rice and fish, enhancing the rich flavors.

Nara is an inland region far from the sea, and seafood was once very valuable. Therefore, the locals reportedly devised the idea of improving the dish's shelf life by salting the fish and wrapping it in persimmon leaves to prevent it from drying out.

Narazuke is a traditional pickle representing Nara with a history of over 1300 years. It is made from sake lees, a byproduct left after squeezing raw sake during brewing. Salted vegetables such as cucumbers, daikon radish, carrots, and ginger are soaked in sake lees, allowing the aroma of the alcohol and the flavor of the rice to permeate deeply. Recently, unique pickle flavors such as chili oil and spicy miso have also appeared. Narazuke allows you to experience the traditional taste of Nara.

Kudzu (made from arrowroot powder) is an essential summer wagashi (traditional sweets)　from Edo period (1603-1867). The ingredient is also used in various other types of wagashi, such as yokan and kuzukiri. Many local cafes in Nara offer sweets made with kudzu, so be sure to stop by for short breaks during your trip!

Yamato tea is a popular gift item from Nara, characterized by its refreshing aroma and flavor. It is said that the origins of Yamato tea can be traced back to 806, when seeds for tea plants were brought back from the Tang Dynasty of China and planted in Nara Prefecture. The tea is cultivated with great care in the mountainous regions, where there are significant temperature differences between the mornings and evenings, along with abundant water sources. In addition to consuming it as green tea, sweets made with Yamato tea have also gained popularity in recent years.

Manju is a type of wagashi (traditional Japanese sweet) that is known and loved all over Japan, but its origins are actually in Nara. It is said that it first came about when a monk who had arrived from China in the 14th or 15th century introduced manju filled with red bean paste to Japan. To honor this achievement, Rin jinja Shrine (inside Kangou-jinja Shrine) was erected in Nara City as the only manju shrine in the country, and the Manju Festival is held every April to pray for the prosperity of the confectionery industry. Manju, characterized by its delicate skin and sweet red bean paste, is a perfect complement for Nara's specialty Yamato tea.

Shoryakuji Temple in Nara is said to be the birthplace of sake, and the rich history of sake brewing has been preserved at places such as Kasugataisha Shrine, where Japan's oldest sake brewery (known as sakedono) can still be found. There are 28 sake breweries in Nara Prefecture, each of which produces sake with its own distinctive flavor. There are also liquor stores in the city of Nara that stock all of these sakes, so sample and compare them while learning about their history, and find your favorite sake!

Nara is home to some of the most famous plum blossom viewing spots in the Kansai region, including Tsukigase and Anou. Plum liquor made from the plums grown in this area is popular for its rich aroma and mellow flavor. A wide range of unique varieties is available and would make delightful gifts, including one with a rich fragrance achieved by combining the plum liquor with cherry blossom syrup.

Soy sauce is well-known as a traditional seasoning used in Japan. In Nara, each soy sauce brewery has continued to preserve its traditional methods, producing richly flavored soy sauces unique to each brewery. There are 16 soy sauce breweries in Nara Prefecture, two of which are famous and have over 100 years of history. Experience and taste the soy sauce made with care through these age-old methods, and bring it back with you to enjoy at home!

Kakisuga is a sweet made with a generous amount of Nara's specialty persimmon. It is made by tightly wrapping candied yuzu peel in dried persimmon, creating an exquisite balance between the dried persimmon's rich sweetness and the yuzu's refreshing aroma. Presented as a long stick, it is best served sliced into 3 to 5-mm pieces.

Miso senbei (rice crackers), made by kneading Nara's traditional Gotoku miso into the dough and baking it, are one of Nara's representative specialty products. They are handmade by a long-established store beloved by the locals for more than 70 years. A half-moon shape characterizes this senbei and a fragrant sesame flavor and the refreshing aroma of nori (seaweed)  delicately accent it.

Satsuma-yaki is an adorable baked sweet created in the shape of a sweet potato. Bean paste with a light sweetness is wrapped in a thin dough made from flour and eggs and carefully baked one by one using bamboo skewers. Its delicate flavor is soothing to anyone who eats it. If you bring it home, you can enjoy it in a different but similarly delicious way by toasting it lightly in a toaster oven.

Mimuro Monaka is a famous Japanese wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) from Nara Prefecture. It is characterized by flaky skin from glutinous rice and a subtly sweet red bean paste filling. The red bean paste is a mixture of strained and whole red beans, so it offers up the enjoyment of both flavors. It also has a beautiful appearance, making it highly popular for souvenirs.

Nara deeply connects with sado, the traditional Japanese tea ceremony culture. Takayama in Ikoma City is known as the production center of chasen (thin bamboo tools used for whisking matcha tea), which is indispensable for tea ceremonies, and it boasts a domestic market share of about 90%. Various other tea ceremony accessories have also been handed down through its long history, and are made with skilled techniques and careful handwork.

It is said that Nara-sumi (ink) was first made at Kohfukuji Temple in Nara when Kukai, a famous Buddhist monk, traveled to China in 806 and brought back the manufacturing method. Since Nara was home to many shrines and temples, ink was essential for copying sutras and for academic study. Nara- sumi is highly pure and has evenly proportioned ingredients, resulting in its beautiful ink color and excellent writing feel. We recommend buying some of Nara's traditional ink to experience its appeal.

Like Nara-sumi, Nara-fude (brushes) are traditional brushes made using techniques that Kukai brought back from China. There was a growing demand for brushes as scholarly monks studied Buddhism at the time. Nara-fude is made by hardening each type of raw hair and then determining the mix and dimensions according to the characteristics of the hair. This method makes delicate and beautiful brushes. Nara-fude, Takayama Chasen, and Nara-sumi are designated Japan's traditional crafts.

Akahada ware from Nara is a long-established pottery style. It was started by Japanese military commanders in the 16th century and used to make tea utensils. Akahada ware is attractive, soft, and milky white with a reddish tinge. Its captivating designs are intended to reflect Buddhism and ancient Japanese legends and stories.

Nara's traditional uchiwa (hand-held fan) is not only an effective cooling device, but also makes a visually pleasing souvenir. It comes in distinctive designs, achieved by carving intricate patterns and pictures into beautifully dyed washi (traditional Japanese paper), allowing the carved sections to show through. The designs feature symbolic pictures of Nara, such as deer, phoenix, and the Five-Storied Pagoda, exuding a charm that is unique to Nara. It can be carried to match yukata (traditional Japanese robes), or used as beautiful interior decorations. It is a wonderful item to bring back as a memento of Nara.

Nara Sarashi is a high-quality hemp fabric primarily produced in Nara. It is woven on a handloom and bleached multiple times to achieve a pure white finish. This fabric was traditionally used to make costumes for kyogen, a classical Japanese performing art, and mosquito nets.
The mosquito net industry thrived locally in Nara. Today, it is widely made into tea towels, table centerpieces, curtains, and noren (shop curtains).

Narashikki (lacquerware) is known for its intricate craftsmanship. Beautiful turban shells, abalone shells, pearl oysters, and other materials are cut into various patterns, pasted onto a cypress wooden base, covered with lacquer, and then polished to create beautiful, lustrous patterns. The intricate craftsmanship comes through clearly in shikki, such as suzuribako (boxes to store calligraphy tools), jewellery boxes, and fubako (boxes to store letters), making them the ideal choice for those looking for a special souvenir.

Nara Ittobori, also known as Nara Ningyo (dolls), is a traditional craft that originated about 900 years ago. It is said to have originated from the dolls used in the Kasuga Wakamiya Onmatsuri Festival held at Kasugataisha Shrine. The dolls are characterized by vivid colors and simple yet powerful carvings and come in many variations, including Noh dolls and Hina dolls. They are also popular as gifts for celebrations and as mementoes for trips.

The red dolls known as Migawari Zaru, found on eaves in the Naramachi area, are talismans that ward off misfortune. They became popular among the masses during the Edo period (1603–1867). It is said that in the past, there was a practice of hanging up one doll for each member of a family. These days, it is common to hang up five of these dolls to signal go-en (Go, the Japanese word for "five," sounds the same as go-en, meaning to form a good bond). They are characterized by their brilliantly red color and adorable design, and Migawari Zaru of various sizes can be purchased at the Naramachi Museum.

Nara Prefecture is the top producer of socks in Japan, and in recent years, it has accounted for about 60% of the market share. Koryo town, in particular, is the only area in Japan where all sock manufacturing processes can be carried out within the town. Sock production has been ongoing since the Meiji period (1868–1912). Quality socks made in Nara Prefecture are highly rated for their durability and comfort.

Nara is known as the production center of setta, traditional leather soled footwear made from bamboo skin. The setta industry in Nara began as a farmer's side business. Even today, skilled artisans produce setta by hand, providing this light, breathable, and waterproof footwear that is both practical and beautiful. Why not choose setta as a souvenir, a craft item that highlights Nara's artisanal skills?

Inden is Nara's traditional leather craft. It involves painting patterns on deer or sheep leather with lacquer, highlighting the beautiful harmony of the leather's softness and the lacquer's lustre. Inden was once used in the armor of warlords and has been highly praised for its elegance. Today, the technique creates various items, including wallets, card cases, accessory cases, and backpacks. It combines practicality and beauty, making it a special souvenir from Nara.

What do you think? Other than gifts, be sure to also take a look at the following special feature on the classic gourmet cuisine for visitors to Nara!