Kakinoha Sushi Hyotaro
The stylish exterior of this restaurant is eye-catching, and it serves Nara's famous kakinoha (persimmon leaf) sushi. It is made with mackerel, salmon, and vinegared rice wrapped in kakinoha (persimmon leaf), and the exquisite harmony is addictive.
As in Shiki Masaoka's poem "Kaki-shoku eboku wa kane ga naru naru, Horyu-ji Temple," every house in Nara has had a persimmon tree for a long time, and it is said that wrapping sushi in persimmon leaves is rational because of the tannin, antibacterial and antiviral effects of persimmon.
You can eat it with one hand and crunch it with the other.
There are only two types of sushi on the menu, mackerel and salmon, but even so, the restaurant is so famous that people line up to get in.
Please enjoy the simple taste of kakinoha (persimmon leaves), vinegared rice, and ingredients. It is located on the approach to Kinpusenji Zao-do Temple, so if you go there, be sure to buy some to take home as a souvenir.
＜Store Information＞
Name: Kakinoha Sushi Hyotaro
Address：429 Yoshinoyama, Yoshino-cho, Yoshino-gun, Nara Prefecture, 639-3115
Phone number: 0746-32-3070
Business hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed: Monday and Tuesday
Budget: 1,000-1,499 yen
Non-Smoking/Smoking: All seats are non-smoking
Space/facilities: Sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves that tastes best after a day's sleep.
URL：https://hyoutaro.com/
Dangosho
This is a long-established dango shop that has been in business since 1878.
The dango is a simple dumpling skewered and dipped in honey, then dipped in soybean flour. Just before eating, the dumpling is dipped in the kinako that comes with the dumpling and then in the kinako that follows.
This is all there is to the dumpling, but the flavor is so simple that it will be gone before you know it. Be careful not to eat too many. By the way, they are only available in Nara.
You can eat them in the store, but the main thing is to buy them as souvenirs!
You can eat the freshly made dumplings in the store, but it is normal to want more! You can eat freshly made dumplings in the shop, but it is normal to have a craving for more, so buy some as souvenirs.
The taste is so addictive that you will wish you had bought more, so we recommend buying more than you are sure you can eat.
By the way, there is only kinako dango on the menu, but there is always a line for it every day. It is a very popular souvenir that anyone would be pleased to receive.
＜Store Information＞
Name: Dangosho
Address：860 Higashibojo-cho, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture, 634-0835
Phone number：0744-27-4340
Business hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (closes when sold out)
Closed: Tuesday
Budget: ~999 yen
Non-Smoking/Smoking: All seats are non-smoking
Space/facilities: You can eat the best kinako dumplings only available in Nara.
URL：http://dango.kir.jp/index.html
Kasuganinaijyaya
This Japanese restaurant is located on the approach to Kasuga-taisha Shrine. The main dish is "Okayu" (rice porridge), of which there are various kinds, and Nara specialties such as Kakinoha Sushi are also available.
The signature dish is Manyo Porridge, which is porridge cooked in soup stock and simmered with seasonal vegetables. The menu changes monthly, so it is recommended that you choose one after you have a look at the contents.
A somen noodle set is also available in summer.
Sweet dishes are also available.
Shaved ice in summer, amazake and zenzai in winter, matcha green tea and cakes are also available.
Yomogi dumplings, available only in spring and fall, come with a choice of anko (red bean paste) or kinako (soybean flour). It is a recommended menu item to try after eating the famous porridge.
You can eat it inside the pure Japanese style restaurant or outside while looking at the garden. The restaurant's Japanese-style architecture and elegant exterior make it a relaxing place to visit.
＜Store Information＞
Name：Kasuganinaijaya
Address：Kasuganino-machi, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8212
Phone number：0742-27-2718
Business hours: 10:00 - 16:00
Closed: January - March, June - September, December / Monday, April, May, October, November / Open all year round
Budget: 1,000-1,999 yen
Non-Smoking/Smoking: All seats are non-smoking
Space & Facilities: A must stop by when you come to Kasuga Taisha Omotesando, Nara's porridge store.
URL：https://www.kasugataisha.or.jp/ninaijyaya/
Tenri Stamina Ramen Honten
Nara is famous for Tenri Ramen. The Tenri Stamina Ramen with Chinese cabbage and chives is a staple in Nara.
Tenri Stamina Ramen is one of the most recommended and popular Tenri Ramen restaurants.
Unlike other ramen restaurants, it undergoes the process of "stir-frying" to become an exquisite Stamina Ramen. The umami of the pork bones and vegetables intertwine perfectly, and together with the egg rice noodles, create a unique depth of flavor in the mouth.
Very popular Stamina Chashu pork
The restaurant's popular Stamina Chashu ramen is made with Chinese cabbage, chives, garlic, soybean paste, plus back fat and chashu pork to give you energy!
The spicy ramen noodles with a tangy habit are popular among people of all ages.
There are many franchise restaurants of Tenri Stamina Ramen, but you should definitely try it at the main restaurant, which is the original.
＜Store Information＞
Name: Tenri Stamina Ramen Honten
Address： 3120 ICHIHONCHO, Tenri City, Nara Prefecture, 632-0004, Japan
Phone number: 0743-65-4925
Business hours: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Closed: Wednesday
Budget: Up to 999 yen
Non-Smoking/Smoking: All seats are non-smoking
Space & Facilities: This is the main branch of Tenri Stamina Ramen in Japan. Please try the spicy Stamina Ramen.
URL: http://www.tenrisutaminaramen.com/
Yoshino Honkuzu Tengyokudo Nara Honten
This store offers authentic warabimochi made with Nara's specialty, Yoshino-honkuzu (Yoshino kudzu).
In addition to warabimochi, you can also enjoy kuzu dishes and kuzu sweets, such as rare kuzu udon and kuzu porridge. You can enjoy eating in a modern building with beautiful scenery.
However, one must not miss the warabimochi. The soft and chewy warabimochi is so delicious that you will feel like you are eating something else, something that cannot be found in convenience stores. You should definitely try it.
Kuzu cuisine is also recommended!
You can also eat a variety of dishes that feature kuzu as the main ingredient, such as a creative kuzu course meal or a kuzu-zukushi course. The dessert served at the end is, of course, the Warabi Mochi.
Located at the foot of Nara Park, the restaurant is conveniently accessible.
＜Store Information＞
Name：Yoshino Honkuzu Tengyokudo Nara Honten
Address：1-6 Oshiage-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8273
Phone number: 0742-27-5011
Business hours: 10:00 - 19:30
Closed: Tuesday
Budget: 1,000-1,999 yen
Non-Smoking/Smoking: All seats are non-smoking
Space & Facilities：Authentic warabimochi and kuzu dishes made with Nara's specialty Yoshino honkuzu (kuzu) are available.
URL：https://www.kudzu.co.jp/
Rural Restaurant Yumeichi Chaya
Asuka nabe, a traditional Nara dish, is served at this rural restaurant. Asuka nabe is a dish cooked in milk and chicken broth. It is a healthy dish containing vegetables and chicken meat.
The Asuka nabe gozen shown in the photo is Asuka nabe and ancient rice rice served with fresh vegetables and pickles.
A full menu of non-nabe dishes is also available.
Set menus include ancient rice cooked with rice, fresh vegetables, and Nara's typical soy milk (tofu) and Yoshino kuzu.
The black rice curry is so delicious that it has been certified as one of Nara's best.
Asuka nabe also does not have much milk aroma or taste, but those who do not like milk can enjoy something other than Asuka nabe.
＜Store Information＞
Name：Nouzon Restaurant Yumeichi Chaya (Rural Restaurant Yumeichi Chaya)
Address：154-3 Shimasho, Asuka-mura, Takaichi-gun, Nara Prefecture, 634-0112
Phone number: 0744-54-9450
Business hours: 11:00 - 16:00, until 17:00 on Saturdays and Sundays
Budget: 1,000-1,999 yen
Smoking and non-smoking: All seats are non-smoking
Space/facilities: Asuka nabe (Asuka hot pot) made with milk introduced to Asuka 1,300 years ago is available.
URL: http://asukadeasobo.jp/shop/yumeichi
Daibutsu Pudding Honpo Todaiji Monzen Yumekaze Hiroba Branch
Daibutsu Pudding is a new sweet made with the finest cream and ingredients from Nara.
The pudding is made in a jar that makes a big impact, and is available in various sizes and varieties. It is also famous for its recycled bottles. Mahoroba Daibutsu Pudding is custard-flavored and has a mild, thick, and imadent pudding. There is also a hard, old-fashioned pudding, so even if the family has different opinions, it's okay! Daibutsu Pudding Honpo Todaiji Monzen Yumekaze Hiroba store is the most popular, located right in front of Todaiji Temple.
The Pudding Forest Café Store has a great exterior!
The Daibutsu Pudding stores are very popular among women for their cute exteriors.
The pudding made from Nara's specialty, Yamato-cha (green tea), has won the Nara Sightseeing Souvenir Award. Most of the menu consists of pudding, but a few jelly and baked goods are also sold.
For pudding lovers, this is a must-try Nara gourmet food!
＜Store Information＞
Name: Daibutsu Pudding Honpo Todaiji Monzen Yumekaze Hiroba Store
Address: 16 Kasugano-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8212
Phone number: 0742-24-3309
Business hours: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Budget: ~1,000 yen
Non-Smoking/Smoking: All seats are non-smoking
Space & Facilities: Daibutsu Pudding, a new specialty of Nara. It comes in a variety of flavors, and Nara's specialty, Yamato Tea, is especially popular.
URL: https://daibutsu-purin.com/#1
Conclusion
Many of Nara's habit-forming gourmet foods can be taken home, so when you eat them, even if you buy them as a souvenir, before you know it you have eaten them yourself. It is recommended that you buy more than enough to take home with you.
The stores vary depending on the sightseeing spots, so you can go to eat at a store that suits the sightseeing spot, or you can decide on a sightseeing spot after you have decided on a store.
Enjoy yourself and try to eat as much as you can.
