A town, quaint and nostalgic

Nara-machi is the place where visitors can see and feel good, old Nara. Narrow streets have remained unchanged and many of the houses and businesses still reflect their original 18^th century architecture with traditional design.  

Most of the photos are from my past walks before the pandemic.

Soba, buckwheat noodle shop

Nara-machi has developed centering Gangoji Temple (World Heritage), which was moved to the current site from Asuka when capital was relocated to Nara in the 8th century. It has been through repeated ups ad downs in its long history. Much of Nara-machi was inside the grounds of Gango-ji during the temple's heyday. 

Nara-machi is a unique town of Koshin faith.  Monkeys made of red cloth are hung from the eaves of each house as substitute monkeys. They protect families inside from diseases and disasters. Red color is a lucky color to ward off evil spirits. The number of the red monkeys show how many people inside they protect.  In the ongoing outbreak of the new corona, I'd like to hang them on the eves of my house.

Drum is rung before praying.

Nara-machi features traditional wooden lattice doors and white washed houses with a mezzanine story.  The slate wooden lattice-work covering the window functions like modern blinds. People can maintain privacy while keeping eyes on the street outside.

Another feature is the structure’s narrow frontage and long depth. The reason for this long rectangular design is due to the land taxes assessed on the width of a house’s façade.

Several shops share the depth of the old structure

In Edo period (1603-1868), this place was the regional commercial center. Some old pictorial shop-name boards are preserved at the Naramachi Museum.

Sorry to see the Guardian God suffering from stomachache.
ULUUS (ウルユス) is mild laxative released in 1811, the first drug with non-Japanese name.

Nara-machi Nigiwai no Ie was built in 1917 and was renovated thoroughly for future generation. It was originally the house of a wealthy merchant.

Shimenawa, an ornament made with rice sticks, ferns, a mandarine and dried persimmons

 for the New Year, is hung at the entrance.

Adapting traditional buildings for a modern lifestyle and leaving a well-maintained old town for future generation is the way of preservation of this town.  When the city had a plan to widen the streets, it was townspeople to have decided to keep the old narrow ones. I've been amazed how people are good at cornering and parking with many turning back.  Some old structures are remodeled and repurposed  as history museums, handicraft shops, cafes or restaurants, and so on.  There is a place where a tea master holds Tea Ceremony only for you or your groups.

Irina from Russia, 2016. With her permission.

How about getting dressed in rental kimono for photography as well as 

exploring the area?

Tourists from Canada, 2008.

In this small laid-back town of tourism, there are so many to see and to do 

before or after exploring around Nara Park.

The road leading up to Nara Park area via Nara Hotel

I'm always a late starter in blogging as I enjoy the slow pace of the beginning of the New Year. I'll keep blogging slow but steady this year, too. Keep tuned!  

A Post about Gangoji in Nara-machi:  

The hue of autumn at Gango-ji  (2014)

Between summer and autumn, 2016