Food · Nara · Japan
What to eat in Nara
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Nara, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wiiii, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Start with Persimmon-leaf sushi, Nara-zuke pickles and Miwa somen. Buy kakinoha-zushi near the station and eat it on the lawns near Ukimido pavilion, keeping it away from the deer. Many Nara restaurants close early in the evening, as day-trippers leave; book or plan dinner if you stay overnight.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Persimmon-leaf sushi
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 6
- Tipping
- Tipping is not practised in Japan.
- Food experiences
- 3
9 foods to try
Dish
1.Persimmon-leaf sushi (Kakinoha-zushi)
Pressed sushi of rice topped with salted mackerel or salmon, each piece wrapped in a persimmon leaf that adds a faint aroma. It was created in the inland Yoshino area, where salted fish had to travel from the coast.
Where: Specialist shops along Sanjo-dori, in Higashimuki and at the stations; good as a take-away lunch in the park.
Snack · Vegetarian
2.Nara-zuke pickles
Gourds, cucumbers and melons pickled for months or years in sake lees, turning dark brown and taking on a sweet, boozy flavour.
Where: Pickle shops on Sanjo-dori, Higashimuki and in Naramachi, often with samples.
Dish
3.Miwa somen
Very thin wheat noodles from Miwa, south of Nara, a region said to be the birthplace of somen; served chilled in summer and in hot broth (nyūmen) in winter.
Where: Noodle restaurants in Naramachi and near the stations, especially in summer.
Breakfast · Vegetarian
4.Tea porridge (Chagayu)
Rice simmered in roasted green tea, a light, traditional Nara dish once eaten in temples, served with pickles in set meals.
Where: Traditional restaurants and some ryokan breakfasts around Nara Park.
Snack · Vegetarian
5.Yomogi mochi
Soft rice cakes made with mugwort and filled with sweet red-bean paste, dusted with soybean flour. One Nara shop on Sanjo-dori is known for pounding its mochi at high speed in front of crowds.
Where: Mochi shops on Sanjo-dori and Higashimuki near Kintetsu Nara station.
Dessert · Vegetarian
6.Kuzu sweets (Kuzumochi and kuzukiri)
Translucent jellies and noodles made from Yoshino kuzu starch, served with brown-sugar syrup. Yoshino kuzu is regarded as the finest in Japan.
Where: Traditional sweet shops and tea rooms in Naramachi and around the park.
Dessert · Vegetarian
7.Shaved ice (Kakigōri)
Nara takes kakigōri seriously, with fluffy shaved ice topped with fruit syrups, matcha or kuzu. Himuro Shrine, dedicated to the god of ice, holds an ice festival each spring.
Where: Specialist kakigōri cafés in Naramachi and near Himuro Shrine, with queues in summer.
Drink · Vegetarian
8.Nara sake
Nara counts itself among the birthplaces of Japanese sake, and Shoryaku-ji temple is associated with early refined-sake brewing. Local breweries make sake in a range of styles.
Where: Sake shops and tasting bars in Naramachi, and restaurants across the city.
Dish
9.Asuka-nabe
A hotpot of chicken and vegetables simmered in a broth made with milk, traced back to the Asuka period, when dairy was brought from the continent. A winter dish.
Where: Some traditional restaurants in Nara city and Asuka, mainly in the cold months.
Food experiences
Picnic lunch in Nara Park
Buy kakinoha-zushi near the station and eat it on the lawns near Ukimido pavilion, keeping it away from the deer.
Naramachi café afternoon
Spend an afternoon among Naramachi's machiya cafés, trying matcha, kuzu sweets or kakigōri in old townhouses.
Sake tasting in Naramachi
Several sake shops in the old quarter offer tasting flights of Nara Prefecture's breweries.
Quick bites and street food
- Nara-zuke pickles — Pickle shops on Sanjo-dori, Higashimuki and in Naramachi, often with samples.
- Tea porridge — Traditional restaurants and some ryokan breakfasts around Nara Park.
- Yomogi mochi — Mochi shops on Sanjo-dori and Higashimuki near Kintetsu Nara station.
Vegetarian options
Of the 9 foods in this guide, 6 are usually vegetarian: Nara-zuke pickles, Tea porridge, Yomogi mochi, Kuzu sweets, Shaved ice and Nara sake. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Many Nara restaurants close early in the evening, as day-trippers leave; book or plan dinner if you stay overnight.
- Lunch sets (teishoku) offer the best value, especially around Higashimuki and Naramachi.
- Never eat in front of the deer in the park; they will try to take food and paper bags.
- Shops in Naramachi may close one or two weekdays; check before planning a café crawl.
- Tap water is safe and served free.
Tipping
Tipping is not practised in Japan. Ryokan and some hotels include a service charge.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Konnichiwa | Hello |
| Arigatō gozaimasu | Thank you very much |
| Sumimasen | Excuse me / sorry |
| Shika senbei | Deer crackers |
| Kore o kudasai | This one, please |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Nara famous for?
Persimmon-leaf sushi, Nara-zuke pickles, Miwa somen and Tea porridge. Pressed sushi of rice topped with salted mackerel or salmon, each piece wrapped in a persimmon leaf that adds a faint aroma.
+Is Nara good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Nara-zuke pickles, Tea porridge and Yomogi mochi.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Nara?
Tipping is not practised in Japan. Ryokan and some hotels include a service charge.