Visit Nara

There is always a line at this popular restaurant near Nara Park, so arrive early for lunch. The Nara Park location has become very popular with tourists, so expect to wait up to an hour to be seated at peak times. Alternatively, you can visit the main restaurant near Shinomiya Station, which is also popular but a little off the beaten track and less crowded. Shizuka is known for kamameshi, a rice dish topped with a choice of vegetables and meat such as chicken, fresh oysters, eel or crab. The whole thing is cooked together in a metal pot, so it takes around 20 minutes from the time of ordering. Don’t miss the best part of the meal, the okoge, or crunchy, scorched rice from the bottom of the pot. The flavors are delicate, complemented by local pickles, simmered vegetables and miso soup. The menu has pictures for easy ordering and some staff speak a little English.