Neighbourhood in Nara City
Naramachi
ならまち
Nara's old merchant quarter of narrow wooden townhouses, cafes and small free museums, built on the grounds of the ancient Gangō-ji temple.
- places to see
- 4
- walk past the highlights
- 1.1 km
- Nara
- Nara City
The area south of Sarusawa Pond known as Naramachi was once the grounds of Gangō-ji, one of Japan's oldest temples. The temple was mostly destroyed in the Muromachi period, and a town of merchants and craftsmen grew up on its old precincts. What remains of Gangō-ji is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara World Heritage Site.
Today the narrow lanes are full of long wooden townhouses turned into cafes, craft shops and small museums, many of them free. Look for the red cloth monkeys hung under the eaves as charms. It is a ten-minute walk from Nara Park, and more of the city is in our Nara guide.
Don't miss in Naramachi
Start with these, then wander the side streets.
1. Gango-ji Temple
元興寺World Heritage temple whose old grounds became Naramachi. Some roof tiles date back to the 6th century.
2. Naramachi Museum
奈良町資料館Small free museum of local life, with the red cloth monkey charms that hang under the eaves here.
3. Naramachi Karakuri Toy Museum
奈良町からくりおもちゃ館Free museum of old wooden mechanical toys that you can pick up and play with.
4. Sarusawa Pond
猿沢池Pond on the edge of the old town with the classic view of Kōfuku-ji's pagoda.
Walk Naramachi in order
The highlights as one easy walk, about 1.1 km in all.
Stop 1
Gango-ji Temple
Start here
Stop 2
Naramachi Museum
3 min walk
Stop 3
Naramachi Karakuri Toy Museum
3 min walk
Stop 4
Sarusawa Pond
9 min walk
Naramachi on the map
Every place on this page. Tap a pin for directions.
Questions
What is Naramachi?
The old merchant quarter of Nara, south of Sarusawa Pond, built on the former grounds of Gangō-ji temple. It is known for its wooden townhouses, cafes and small museums.
How far is Naramachi from Nara Park?
About ten minutes on foot. Walk south from Kōfuku-ji past Sarusawa Pond.
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.