Japan Summer Trip. Day 9: Nara

- June 06, 2015

We started the ninth day with a Nara day trip. Embarked on the Kintetsu Limited Express at Kyoto Station, we headed to the Kintetsunara Station to meet Yoshiko Hatcho. She was our guide for that day, called Naramachi Walk.

We met her in front of the Tourist Information Center. Luckily, only 5 people, the Helens' couple from Melbourne including us, joined this tour. Considered as private tours, Mrs. Yoshiko will guide us through the old town of Nara.

We also booked a private lunch at one of the local residents. We had a splendid meal served with generosity. I recommend visiting this link if you plan to go to Nara.

We had breakfast on the train

While waiting for Mrs. Yoshiko, we took our first instant picture in Nara.

I don't think that this print machine is suitable for multiple people.

After meeting with Mrs. Hatcho, she explained to us about traditional Japanese costumes. Then she took us to the Naramachi city walk, starting with the old three-story pagoda in Kofukuji temple and seeing the local belief called 'Jizo,' the Buddhist guardian of children. We were then guided through the geisha and maiko area, where they work as professional entertainers.

We were at Kintetsu Nara Station

Locals with their traditional costumes

In Nara, sushi is wrapped using leaves.

Some of the local fruits

A shrine of the locals' beliefs

The southern octagonal hall

The three-story pagoda

We were entering the Kofukuji temple from the back; this is the front entrance

This is the Kanazawa Lake. There were many turtles.

You won't be lost in this small city with lots of signage

This could be the ancestor statue that is responsible for taking care of the river.

Mrs. Hatcho is explaining about Geisha.

We were told that the merchant house was narrow but very deep because the land taxes were assessed based on the width of the frontage. We visited the old traditional medicine shop and saw many interesting views in the residential area.

Old Machiya townhouses

A small and larger door, the latter of which is used for customer entering the restaurant

I like the peaceful neighborhood and nice surroundings

The statue that guards the local houses.

This is the house owned by one of the famous geisha in Japan.

The picture of the famous Geisha

An Italian chef sets up a restaurant

We visited one of the local tea-making shops

The Japanese rice cracker

These charms can be seen at the doorway of each house, resembling the family's guardian

For those who can read Japanese

They also leave the fire bucket in front of their house, symbolizing their readiness for fire incident

An old medicine shop

There are various types of herbal tea and they do provide a free flow of jasmine tea

The best thing about the Naramachi Walker by Ms. Hatcho is that she brings us to visit the inner part of the merchant houses and shops.

Each room in traditional Japanese houses is measured using the number of tatamis.

The Japanese Garden

Please wash your feet before entering the house!

This is how big a Japanese house is...

Let me guess... From left, red bean, soybean, and coffee bean!

This is how it looks like when the big door is opened

This lady explaining on how to operate the doors (small and large doors)

All guests are entertained in the tea room located at the front of the house

An old pot to cook rice and meals

The washbasin

Can you guys guess what this is?

Another view of the inner garden

I wonder how the Japanese enjoying the steam bath

Picture taken by Nu'man

Now, the lady showed us on how to operate the windows

The public bath, where everyone goes naked!

We had our pre-booked lunch in one of the local residents

We had an awesome lunch meal!

With the cooks...

Our walking tour ended at Daijoin Garden

After the end of the walking tour, we spent that evening in the Nara Park, which is famous for the tame deer in a large park. There are also several attractions, such as Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Shrine.