Food tour of Naramachi and Higashimuki

A food tour of Naramachi and the covered Higashimuki arcade is the best way to try the local cuisine of Nara in a few hours. The typical route starts from Higashimuki, the lively covered shopping passage next to Kintetsu Nara station, where you can try mochi of different flavours, wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) and tempt the deer with shika-senbei crackers. From there, the route goes into the lanes of Naramachi, where taverns and specialist shops offer kakinoha-zushi (sushi wrapped in persimmon leaf), artisanal tofu from the region (Nara is famous for its high-quality tofu), narazuke (vegetables pickled in sake, a local speciality) and sake from the Miwa area. The organised food tours last about 2-3 hours and cost between 1.500 and 2.500 ¥ in free tastings, or between 5.000 and 8.000 ¥ if you hire a specialist guide through platforms such as Airbnb Experiences or Viator. If you prefer to do it on your own, a free map of local food shops is available at the tourist office at Nara station. The morning is the best time to explore, when the stalls have the freshest produce.