Nara City Part 2
Welcome to Part 2 of our article on Nara's Best Museums.
Former Residence of Naoya Shiga
Naoya Shiga was a Japanese novelist and short story writer in the early to mid-20th century.
From 1925-1938 the fairly nomadic Shiga (who moved about 26 times over the course of his life) called Nara his home. He finished his one and only novel, “A Dark Night’s Passing” (“Anya Koro” in Japanese) within the home he had custom made for himself and his family, and hosted “salons” for numerous contemporary artists.
Shiga's home and its grounds are now owned and operated by the Nara Gakuen Academy as both a museum and a seminar space. The house is a fine example of traditional Japanese architecture and a pleasant place to explore.
Address: 1237-2 Takabatake-cho, Nara, 630-8301
Tel: 0742-26-6490
Hours:
March - Nov: 9:30 - 17:30
Dec - Feb: 9:30 - 16:30
Closed: Dec 28th - Jan 5th
Fee: Adults ¥350,
Junior High School Students ¥160,
Elementary School Students ¥100
Place to Eat Nearby
Cafe Zuccu
Cafe Zuccu is a cafe renovated from a 150-year-old traditional house. Inside the cafe, many pieces of antique furniture are displayed and there are various kinds of books to read. It all combines to make a unique and relaxing atmosphere that makes you feel right at home.
The interior of Cafe Zuccu is full of antique and vintage items, a vast array of books and unique objects.
Address: 728 Takabatake-cho, Nara, 630-8301
Tel: 0742-87-2334
Hours: 8AM - 6PM (Wed: 8AM - 5PM)
Closed: Thursday
Irie Taikichi Memorial Museum of Photography
Irie Taikichi was a Nara born photographer renowned for photographing the landscapes and Buddhist artworks of the area. After his death in 1992 the entirety of Irie’s photographic collection, around 80,000 individual shots, was donated to Nara City and the Irie Taikichi Memorial Museum of Photography, was set up to display them.
The museum's policy is to collect and display works that show the value of nature, the intimate relationship between Nara, the Silk Road and Buddhist art, works on the history of photographic art in Nara and pieces by promising up-and-coming photographers.
1,025 Meiji era (1868-1912) and Taisho era (1912-1926) glass plate photographs created by Kudo Risaburo (all of which are “Registered Tangible Cultural Properties”), and several more photographs taken by Yoho Tsuda (another well regarded 20th century Japanese photographer) are included in the museum’s displays. The museum plays host to events and exhibitions, and its unique and beautiful architecture and grounds add to its appeal.
Address: 600-1 Takabatake-cho, Nara, 630-8301
Tel: 0742-22-9811
Hours: 9:30 - 17:00
Closed: Monday, unless a national holiday falls on a Monday in which case the museum will open and be closed the following day | Dec 27th - Jan 3
Fee: Adult ¥500 | High school/Uni students ¥ 200 | Children ¥100
Place to Eat Nearby
Gelateria Fiore
This delightful cafe restaurant is located right next to Shin-Yakushi-ji Temple. They specialize in pizza, pasta and gelato. It is frequented by locals and people who are traversing the Yamanobe-no-michi.
The interior is really stylish, a mix of Parisian cafe with a hint of goth punctuated by gorgeous displays of dried flowers. It all harmonizes perfectly to create a relaxing atmosphere where you can fully unwind and refresh yourself.
Message from the owner:
Although we have an English menu, we cannot speak English. We will do our best to communicate but please keep this in mind. Orders may take a while to serve as it's just the two of us. Our cafe is ideal for couples or small groups. We cannot accept large tour groups.
Cash only.
Address: 464 Takabatake-cho, Nara, 630-8301
Tel: 0742-93-7866
Hours: Weekdays 11:00 - 17:00 Weekends 11:00 - 18:00
Closed: Wednesdays (occasionally irregular)
Heijokyu Izanai-kan
The Heijokyu Izanai-kan is a museum dedicated to the history of Nara's ancient capital city, Heijokyo. The museum features exhibits on the city's layout, architecture, and daily life during the Nara period (710-794). Visitors can see replicas of important buildings, such as the audience hall and the emperor's residence, as well as artifacts and artwork from the period. The museum also has interactive exhibits that allow visitors to experience what life was like in Heijokyo.
A highlight of the complex is a replica of the kind of envoy ships that traveled to Tang Dynasty China during the Nara period. The envoys brought back many of the fruits of Chinese culture which henceforth went on to have a huge influence on the development of Japan. You can board the ship, have a walk around it and try to imagine what it would have been like traveling to China on it 1300 years ago.
Address: 3-5-1 Nijoojiminami, Nara, 630-8012
Tel: 0742-36-8780
Hours: 9:00 - 17:00
Closed: Second Monday of Feb, April, July, November and Dec 29th - Jan 1st
Fee: Free
Place to Eat Nearby
Pizzeria Icaro Icaro is an authentic Neapolitan pizza specialty shop that is certified by the "Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana" (True Neapolitan Pizza Association), a global organization recognized by the Italian government for preserving and promoting the quality of traditional Neapolitan pizza. The owner and pizzaiolo of Icaro obtained the certification in Naples, Italy. Additionally, he completed the association's gluten-free training and the Italian Celiac Association's training, and these skills and techniques are now used to serve mouthwatering pizza and pastas to his customers.
All vegetables are carefully selected from organic and pesticide-free vegetables from local Nara farms. The restaurant has been designed to be as health and environmentally conscious as possible creating a barrier-free space, with a ramp installed at the entrance for wheelchair and stroller access. The interior is built with cedar and cypress from the Totsukawa area of Nara prefecture, with a focus on zero chemicals.
Address: 3-5-1 Nijoojiminami, Nara, 630-8012
Tel: 0742-93-9070
Hours:
Weekday lunch 11:30-15:00 | Weekend lunch 11:30-15:00
Dinner 17:30 - 21:00
Closed: Monday (and irregular)
Kohfuku-ji National Treasure Museum
Kohfuku-ji National Treasure Museum: The Kohfuku-ji National Treasure Museum is located within the Kohfuku-ji temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the city of Nara. The museum has a collection of over 50 national treasures, including Buddhist statues, scrolls, and ceremonial objects.
Visitors can see some of Japan's finest examples of Buddhist art and learn about the history and significance of Kohfuku-ji, one of Japan's oldest and most important temples.
Address: 48 Noborioji-cho, Nara, 630-8213
Tel: 0742-22-5370
Hours: 9:00 - 17:00
Fee: Adults ¥700 | Jnr & High School ¥600 | Children ¥ 300
Place to Eat Nearby
Wagyu Suji Curry
Wagyu Suji Curry gets its beef from their sister restaurant - "Steak Ciel bleu" an up-market steak house in Nara city. Wagyu Suji Curry is quaint but has an aura of a chic Italian cafe and you may find you will have to wait to get a seat - such is their popularity.
Their menu is quite varied and their standard curry sauce is rich and a perfect complement to the high-quality wagyu beef.
Address: 2F Kasuga Sanjo st. bldg., 28 Hashimoto-cho, Nara
Tel: 0742-93-4024
Hours: 11:00 - 15:00
Foundation Oriental Folk Museum
This is a private museum that displays a collection of folk materials and other items collected by the founder and first director, Toyokatsu Tsukumo (1894-2004). Tsukumo became interested in folklore through accompanying anthropologist and prominent scholar of Japanese culture Dr. Frederick Starr on his travels. Dr. Starr and Toyokatsu's climb up Mount Fuji was even recorded in the manga of Ippei Okamoto, the father of Taro Okamoto who famously went on to design The Tower of the Sun.
In a time when overseas travel was uncommon, Tsukumo traveled around the world and collected rare artifacts, particularly valuable for their relationship to modernity. The exhibits are divided into three categories. The first is Japanese ethnic materials, the second is foreign ethnic materials, and the third is the private collection of Tsukumo housed in "The cave of images of all things in the universe."
Housed in a Renaissance-style building that was considered cutting-edge at the time of its construction, the building is now approaching 100 years of age. It features stained glass windows and originally had a glass roof. The Oriental Foundation Museum is a fascinating destination for those interested in folk studies, anthropology, and cultural history. The museum's extensive collection and unique approach to its theme make it an engaging and thought-provoking experience.
Visits to the museum are by appointment only and are guided personally by the founder's son,
Kurokawa Yumihiko (also known as Kurokawa Toyo. To fully experience what the museum has to offer, non-Japanese speakers need to be accompanied by a translator. If you would like to inquire about making a reservation to the museum, we can also introduce you to several professional and volunteer English guides.
Address: 1 Chome-5-26 Ayameikekita, Nara, 631-0032
Tel: 0742-51-3618
Hours: 10:30 - 16:30
Closed: Irregular
Fee: Adults ¥500, Children ¥300
Place to Eat Nearby
Tearoom France
Located right in front of the south exit of Kintetsu Ayameike Station, Tearoom France is an unassuming coffee shop that has been in business for over 50 years. It's the kind of retro tea room/coffee shop that often appears in Japanese anime.
The menu options may be limited but each item is prepared to perfection. The fluffy egg sandwich is lightly cut with tomato, seasoned with mayonnaise and salt. The ingredients are simple, but the taste lingers due to its delicate balance. Other options include toast, and shrimp pilaf. Drinks include rich hot coffee, as well as mixed juices. There are usually a couple of options for dessert and during summer, shaved ice is added to the menu.
The second generation owner is very warm and welcoming and also makes and sells various accessories under the name of Handcraft ecotta. The cafe has served as a common meeting point for the locals in the area and plans to do so for another 50.
Address: 2 Chome-1-1 Ayameikeminami, Nara, 631-0033
Tel: 0742-44-3908
Hours: 8:00 - 17:00
Thursday, public holidays & weekends 8:00 - 13:00
We hope you enjoyed Nara's Best Museums Parts 1 and 2.
Click the link below to go back to Part 1 or ahead to Part 3
Author: NARA Visitor Center & Inn
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