Naramachi and Kofukuji: Nara's Old Town and Five-Story Pagoda

Explore Naramachi's wooden townhouse lanes and Kofukuji Temple's famous five-story pagoda in Nara, with history, food and easy walking tips.

Published October 18, 2026 at 4:45 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Naramachi is Nara's old merchant district of wooden machiya townhouses, close to Nara Park and Kofukuji Temple. Kofukuji, founded in 669, is known for its roughly 50 meter five-story pagoda, the second tallest wooden pagoda in Japan, though the pagoda may be covered during long-term renovation.

Nara is often visited for its friendly deer and the Great Buddha, yet some of its most charming moments happen a few streets away, in a quiet old town of wooden lattice windows and small teahouses. Naramachi, a neighborhood of traditional townhouses, sits close to Kofukuji Temple, whose five-story pagoda has long been one of the city's signature views. Together they make a relaxed half-day or full-day walk through the story of Japan's first great capital. This guide explains where Naramachi came from, what to see in the lanes, how Kofukuji fits into the picture and how to plan your visit.

What Is Naramachi and How Did It Begin?

Naramachi is the old merchant quarter of Nara, a district of narrow lanes and machiya (traditional wooden townhouses) that stands on ground once part of the ancient capital. During the Nara period, from 710 to 794, this area belonged to Heijo-kyo, the capital city, and it began as a religious and cultural center before growing into a commercial one. Over the centuries, merchants built shops, homes and storehouses here, and many buildings from the Edo period onward still survive.

The look of the district is distinctive. Wooden lattice windows, deep eaves and long, narrow house plots give the streets a warm, human scale, and several machiya have been carefully turned into cafes, craft shops, galleries and guest houses. You may notice red cloth charms shaped like monkeys hanging from the eaves. These are called migawarizaru, and they are talismans on which people write wishes, traditionally one for each member of the family.

Naramachi is not a single attraction but an atmosphere to enjoy slowly. There is no need to follow a strict route, and the best approach is to drift along the lanes, step into shops that catch your eye and pause for tea. The area is also close to Nara Park, so it combines easily with the better-known sights of the city.

What Can You See and Do in Naramachi?

In Naramachi, you can see old townhouses, small temples and shrines, and enjoy local food and craft shops. A good starting point is Naramachi Koshi-no-Ie, a recreated machiya that shows how local families once lived and offers a place to rest. Stepping inside a house like this helps you appreciate the craftsmanship of the lattice work, the wooden beams and the long, slender layout that gives machiya their character.

Gangoji, a temple within walking distance, is a World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Great Temples of the Nara period. Its roots go back to Hokoji, also known as Asuka-dera, regarded as Japan's oldest Buddhist temple, which moved to the new capital. The temple's Gokurakudo Hall is a National Treasure, and the grounds hold many small stone Buddha statues that look charming among the greenery. Nearby Goryo Shrine, said to date to the year 800, is regarded as the protector of the district, and Koshin-do is a small hall where a monkey talisman hangs at the entrance.

Food is part of the fun. The streets include kamaboko (fish cake) shops, sweet shops serving mitarashi dango, sugar and confectionery makers, and restaurants that use Nara ingredients. Nara is also known for kakinoha-zushi, a style of sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves, and for sake brewed in the region, so a tasting stop can be a pleasant detour.

What Is the Story of Kofukuji Temple?

Kofukuji is a historic Buddhist temple that was once the family temple of the powerful Fujiwara clan, and it is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara. It was established in 669 in the Yamashina area by the wife of Fujiwara no Kamatari, who hoped for her husband's recovery. The temple moved with the capital, first to Fujiwara-kyo and then, in 710, to its present location in Heijo-kyo, today's Nara. Kofukuji grew in importance alongside the Fujiwara family, and it became one of the great temples of the city.

The five-story pagoda is the temple's most recognizable structure. Empress Komyo ordered the first pagoda to be built in 730, and the current building dates to 1426. At about 50 meters, it is the second-tallest wooden pagoda in Japan, after the one at Toji in Kyoto, and it is a National Treasure. The upswept roofs, layered tiers and rich wooden color make it a beloved subject for photographers, especially when glimpsed through trees in autumn.

Other highlights include the Eastern Golden Hall, a National Treasure built in 1425 that houses a large statue of the Yakushi Buddha, and the Central Golden Hall, which was rebuilt to its original size and reopened in 2018. The National Treasure Museum displays part of the temple's art collection, including the much-loved Ashura statue, a dry-lacquer figure that is itself a National Treasure. Note that the pagoda has been scheduled for a long renovation and may be partly covered, so check the temple's official information before you go. The grounds, the golden halls and the museum still make a rich visit.

How Do You Get There and Plan a Route?

Naramachi and Kofukuji are easy to reach on foot from Nara's two main train stations. Kofukuji is about a five-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station and about twenty minutes from JR Nara Station, with local buses available as an alternative. The walk from Kintetsu Nara Station to Gangoji in Naramachi is roughly fifteen minutes, and about twenty minutes from JR Nara Station, so the whole route can be done without any transport.

A relaxed route starts at Kofukuji in the morning, when the grounds are quiet, then heads south into Naramachi for lunch and a stroll. After a visit to Gangoji or the Koshi-no-Ie, you can end the day with coffee in a converted machiya or return toward Nara Park to see the deer and the Great Buddha at Todai-ji. The park is home to more than a thousand wild sika deer, which are protected as natural monuments, so remember to be gentle and follow park guidance if you buy deer crackers.

Many travelers visit Nara as a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka, but staying overnight lets you enjoy the evening calm after the day crowds leave. The Nara City tourism association provides a walking map of Naramachi, and tourist information centers in the old town can help you find open shops.

What Are the Best Seasons and Visiting Tips?

Spring and autumn are the best seasons for walking in Nara, with mild weather and colorful trees around the temple grounds. Cherry blossoms add softness in spring, while autumn leaves frame the pagoda and halls in warm color. Summer can be hot, so carry water and pace yourself, and winter is crisp, quiet and uncrowded.

Wear comfortable shoes, because the lanes are paved with stone and the walks can add up. Be respectful in temples, speak softly, and follow any photography rules posted at the halls and museum. Many small shops and cafes in Naramachi are family-run, so a friendly greeting and a polite thank you are always appreciated.

As of autumn 2026, entry arrangements, hours and renovation coverage can change, so please consult Kofukuji's official information and the Nara tourism site before you travel. Also keep some small cash with you for small shops and snack stalls.

Quick Takeaways

Naramachi offers a gentle look at everyday life in a historic merchant town, while Kofukuji adds a grand temple setting with one of Japan's tallest wooden pagodas. Walk between them, enjoy local sweets and craft shops, and pair the visit with Nara Park. Start in the morning, wear good shoes and leave time for tea in a machiya cafe.

The best part of Nara's old town is its pace. Take your time, look up at the eaves and let the lanes tell their story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is the Kofukuji five-story pagoda?

The pagoda is about 50 meters tall, making it the second tallest wooden pagoda in Japan after the one at Toji in Kyoto. The current building dates to 1426 and is a National Treasure. A long renovation may leave it partly covered, so check the temple's information before visiting.

What can you do in Naramachi?

You can walk the lanes of wooden machiya townhouses, visit Naramachi Koshi-no-Ie, Gangoji Temple and small shrines, and enjoy cafes, sweets and craft shops. Look for red monkey-shaped migawarizaru charms hanging from the eaves, which are traditionally used to hold wishes.

How do you get to Kofukuji and Naramachi?

Kofukuji is about a five-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station and roughly twenty minutes from JR Nara Station. Gangoji in Naramachi is about fifteen minutes from Kintetsu Nara and about twenty from JR Nara, so both areas can easily be explored on foot.