December 17, 18, 2023
Having been to Nara before, I was in Nara for some R&R this time. On arrival I discovered I had arrived for the Kasuga Wakamija Onmatsuri festivities. So, after re-visiting some of the highlights of Nara and spending many hours at the festivities, I managed to squeeze in a walk in a part of Nara I had not seen before
Naramachi
Naramachi is well-mapped by the locals to guide you to the more historic places. There are also lovely ateliers and lots of small delightful restaurants.
Naramachi dates to the 17th century when it was a thriving merchant district. The area served as Nara’s economic hub during the Edo period.
The area boasts of its collection of machiya townhouses. These are traditional wooden buildings with intricate lattice windows, wooden façades, and a distinctive architectural style reflective of the times.
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Koshin-do Hall
The Koshin faith is a mix of faiths from Japan and China popularized in Naramachi during the Edo Period.
The red stuffed toys are monkeys of the servant serving the Shomenkonjgo statue, enshrined in the Koshin-do Hall. It is a lucky charm that is said to prevent evil from invading the house.
A small street of Naramachi, as you can see, the red monkeys hang everywhere.
Kozenji Temple in Naramachi
I wish I had much more time to spend in Naramachi. It is really a special place.