Introduction
Nara, an ancient city with a rich history, is full of surprises and delights. In this post, I’d like to share some photos that I haven’t been able to feature in my previous posts (about Nara sweet shop, and Kashihara city) from my recent trip to Nara, Japan.
Kakinoha Sushi Sold at a Local Supermarket
Kaki-no-ha sushi (柿の葉寿司) is one of Nara’s famous local delicacies. It originated from using kaki (persimmon) leaves to preserve seafood due to their antibacterial properties. While there are several sushi restaurants near Nara Station that serve this delicacy, I was surprised to find it being sold at a local supermarket in Kashihara City. It seems that even the locals regularly purchase it at supermarkets. They had two types: salmon and mackerel. The refreshing aroma of kaki leaves made it all the more delicious. It costs 600 yen there.
Sign Recruiting Workers for Archaeological Excavations
Having specialized companies for archaeological excavations is unique to places like Nara, which has many historical sites. In other places, recruiting volunteers through the internet or local newspapers is more common. This sign was the first of its kind that I saw. It must mean that there are many archaeological sites and excavation work is thriving enough for specialized companies to be profitable.
Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) Placed by the Bed at a Hotel in Nara
As I mentioned in a separate post, it’s common to find a Bible placed by the bed in hotels. However, in Nara, I found a Kojiki instead. It’s not surprising for a city with such an ancient history! I was amazed. By the way, the tea provided by the hotel was also local Nara tea. It had no bitterness and was so nice!
Exhibits at the Museum, Archaeological Institute of Kashihara, Nara Prefecture
At most museums, magatama (comma-shaped beads) are typically one of the most prized exhibits. However, at the Museum, Archaeological Institute of Kashihara, there are so many exhibits that magatama may end up displayed in a small corner like this, where it’s hard to see. This only means that there are even more valuable exhibits taking up prime real estate.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the unique sights we found during our visit to Nara. There were many things I saw that are not commonly found in other areas of Japan. Nara is a fascinating city for those interested in history, so I highly recommend you visit if you have the chance. Thank you for reading my post!