Nara-machi

Nara-machi is a maze of lanes and alleys lined with old warehouses and machiya (traditional wooden houses) that have been converted into galleries, shops, and cafés. A lot of locals still live here, so the smell of grilled mackerel at lunchtime or roasted tea in the afternoon wafts through the air. Many of the old shops deal in Nara's renowned arts and crafts, such as akahadayaki pottery, ink, and linen. In recent years, Nara-machi has also become home to younger artisans with a contemporary take on the city's traditional crafts. A free map, available from any Nara City Tourism Information Office, guides you to the main shops, museums, and galleries, as do English signposts. Nara-machi is a good change of pace from temple viewing.