Visit Nara

Running up the hill from JR Nara Station towards Sarusawa Pond and Nara Park, this is the main shopping street of Nara City. Lined with shops, restaurants and hotels, it is inevitable that you will stroll Sanjo-dori at some point in your visit. At the top of the street you’ll find the famous mochi shop Nakatanido, where regular mochi pounding demonstrations draw in the crowds. Continue up to Sarusawa Pond. You can also walk up the stairs to Kohfukuji Temple or go straight ahead into Nara Park. Shopping arcades branch off to the left and right of Sanjo-dori. Follow Nara Higashimuki Shopping Arcade to the left, and you reach Kintetsu Nara Station and the main road up to the sights of Nara Park. Or take Mochiidono Center Gai off the right side, to reach the historic Naramachi district.