If you want to go to Nara,
- try its specialty dish, kakinoha sushi. Typical sushi comes with raw fish in vinegar rice, but kakinoha sushi comprises vinegar rice and fish - usually mackerel - pickled in salt and vinegar. These ingredients are then wrapped in persimmon leaf, which is said to have an antibacterial effect. You can keep kakinoha sushi without refrigeration for 3 days!
- buy Naraduke pickles, another Nara speciality. These pickles have clearly withstood the test of time; records of them hark back to 1,300 years ago! They are made from shirouri (a vegetable called white melon) and marinated with sake mash to imbue them with a unique flavour.
- visit its historic landmarks. As Japan’s first capital in 710, it boasts 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It thus houses the most number of such cultural heritage sites in Japan, including ancient temples like Todai-ji, Kofukuji and Kasuga Grand Shrine.
- explore the back of Todai-ji. It is an interesting area with several smaller temples for you to explore.
- join a fabulous festival called Mantou Kuyo-e, which is held at Todai-ji every August 15. Be stupefied by the amazing sight of 2,500 lanterns illuminating Todai-Jim’s grounds. These lanterns pay homage to the Daibutsu (Great Buddha) and commemorate beloved dead family members who are believed to visit the world during this period.
- visit Menfudo Shonyudo Cave, the biggest limestone cave in Kansai. Stand in awe at the magic woven by the wand of Mother Nature. A wide range of stalactites awaits to excite you.
- visit the Nigatsu-do (February Hall), which is a beautiful hall up on the side of Mount Wakakusa. History buffs will surely relish the chance to enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of Nara’s prized structures.
- observe the Wakakusa Yamayaki. Winter in Japan is notoriously cold, but it is also the time when soul-warming fire festivals are held. Dedicated locals will set the grass on the hillside of Mount Wakakusa on fire on January 23 - in an attempt to kill the demons residing on the mountain. It’s great fun to watch the fire warm the embers of your heart!
- buy shika senbei (deer biscuits) to feed the adorable deer roaming around Nara Park. Gain some karma by feeding these deer, which are considered in Shintoism to be messengers of the gods.
- head over to Imanishi Shiso Original Store, the only sake brewery remaining in Miwa. Miwa is home to Japan’s oldest shrine, Omiwa Shrine. Devotees make their way here to worship Mount Miwa itself. Hence, since Miwa is where “the Waters of Gods flow”, you can rest assured that the sake tastes refined and exquisite!