Plenty of people know that Kyoto used to be the capital of Japan, but were you aware that the city of Nara once held that honor? Todaiji Temple was built in 752 AD, during that golden age of the city. It served as the one temple to rule them all — head of every other in Japan, and extremely powerful as a result.
Nowadays, the temple is situated within the grounds of Nara Park, and is its most popular sightseeing spot. The main building is the Big Buddha Hall, which is the biggest wooden building in the entire world. Amazingly, it was once even bigger, with the original incarnation being around 1.5 times the size of the current one. Inside, you’ll find a 15 meter Buddha, flanked by some heavenly retainers. 
Towards the back of the hall, you’ll find a pillar with an opening in the bottom. It’s said that if you can fit through it, you’ll achieve enlightenment in the next life (but don’t get stuck in front of everyone for the sake of future you). On the grounds you’ll also find a museum which details the history of the temple and showcases some of its extensive collection of artifacts.

A gigantic Buddha resides in the world’s biggest wooden building on the grounds of this temple in Nara Park, once the most significant in the entire country.

Todaiji Temple Food Experiences & Restaurants | byFood

Todaiji Temple 

Lying to the east of Osaka and south of Kyoto, Nara Prefecture is a popular day trip destination, but with enough to fill a whole month! The region has enjoyed huge significance in Japanese history as at times the political, military, and spiritual heart of the country. In fact, the very first fixed capital of Japan was modern day Nara City, then known as Heijo, in 710 AD.

Plenty of this history still stands in the region, particularly in the rural Sakurai area. Nara City also has plenty for itself. In the city park you’ll find Todaiji Temple and its gigantic carved buddha — once the head temple of all Buddhism in Japan — as well as forest shrines tucked among ancient trees. 

This park isn’t just home to spirits and buddhas: it also has by far the most famous deer in the world. The story goes that the priests of the temples made a habit out of feeding wild deer, which caused them to occupy the park en masse. Now tourists can feed them crackers and chill with them on the grass.

The prefecture also has some other photo-ops in Japan, especially at Mount Yoshino. The slopes of this mountain are covered with 30,000 cherry blossom trees, making it the most noteworthy sakura cherry blossom viewing spot in the country.

Whether you just stop off for a deer selfie on the way to Osaka, or make a fully-fledged pilgrimage around arguably Japanese history’s most significant prefecture, Nara will reveal itself as one of the most unique and memorable parts of your trip.

Come for the friendly tame deer, stay for the centuries of rich culture — Nara Prefecture has some of the most authentic experiences in all Japan.           

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The historic seat of power and faith in Japan, Nara has some of the most authentic and breathtaking culture in the entire country — and also friendly deer!

A big Buddha awaits your arrival in an even bigger grand hall, at a temple which once ruled over all the rest in Japan.

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Spanish

Located just at the edge of Nara Park, with clear views of the blossoming trees, Akordu cherishes the essence of Nara in their Spanish cuisine. Blending and reconstructing the different elements, each dish brings out aromas, colors, and textures in the best way possible.

On top of classic Spanish food like tapas and paella, expect a variety of experimental fish and meat dishes, including duck and Yamato beef. The bread dipped in olive oil, which is included in all of the courses offered at Akordu, tastes exactly like those you get in Spain.

With the calming atmosphere provided by the landscape of the park, and a soothing ambiance inside, this restaurant will set you at ease to enjoy their impeccable service and delicious food.

Located just at the edge of Nara Park, with clear views of the blossoming trees, Akordu cherishes the essence of Nara in their Spanish cuisine.

Akordu | Spanish Restaurant in Nara | byFood

Akordu

Pescetarian

Traditional Japanese / Kaiseki / Kappo

A cozy yakiniku restaurant lies on a quiet street in Osaka, and while it looks just about average on the outside, the variety and quality of beef served at Tsurugyu are second to none. Guests can enjoy grilling the meat right there at their table, with the assistance of the staff who make sure that the meat isn’t ruined by an amateur’s touch.

Offering both a la carte and set-course meals that allow you to taste a variety of beef and parts, every penny spent here is worth it. Some of the beef served includes the Kuri steak, finely-marbled and known for its ideal sweetness and tenderness,  and the Tajima beef that's from a pure breed of cattle raised in the prefecture.

With the course meals, every cut of meat comes with a different set of dips, and no two dips are ever the same. They use a mixture of simple and elaborate ones, matching to the specific meats. The best part of it all? The course meals come with a signature oxtail soup that goes extremely well with the tender, succulent, and juicy beef.

The service is impeccable as well, as the waiters constantly check on the tables to see if the meat is being overcooked, then assist their guests in flipping and arranging the meat properly. At the end of your dining experience at Tsurugyu, you'll be a veritable black-belt in the art of yakiniku grilling.

Enjoy grilling the meat right at your table at this authentic charcoal-cooked yakiniku restaurant, serving finely-marbled Kuri steak and Tajima wagyu beef.

Tsurugyu | Kaiseki Restaurant in Nara | byFood

Tsurugyu

Located in the historic city of Nara, which is home to some of the most beautiful temples and treasures in Japan, this kaiseki restaurant strives to provide the best traditional set-course dishes, steeped in the historic aesthetic traditions of Japan.

Those who have a little kanji knowledge might have read the restaurant name as "white," and while that is correct, there is also a deeper meaning to it. The unusual reading of it is "tsukumo," referring to the concept of “ninety-nine,” which is the state of incompleteness. Combining purity and whiteness in their clean interior, with the beauty of incompleteness in their slightly rustic vibe, the restaurant embodies both of these classic aesthetics.

Following the Japanese appreciation of modesty and dignity, Tsukumo intends to appeal to the cherished essence of the country’s culture. This Michelin-starred restaurant brings traditional cooking techniques that coax out the best possible flavors from ingredients.

Their classic dishes are presented in authentic forms, with improvements made in the preparation techniques so as to maximize the flavor of each premium ingredient.

This Michelin-starred restaurant in Nara strives to provide the best traditional set-course dishes, steeped in the historic aesthetic traditions of Japan.

Tsukumo | Kaiseki Restaurant in Nara | byFood

Tsukumo

French

Teleport to France with the authenticity of this humble, cozy French restaurant just three minutes from Nara Station on foot. Other than delivering the highest grade of food, La Trace's owners prioritize hospitality — whether it is warm service given to the customers or going out of the way to visit producers to personally introduce themselves.

This kindness is prominent in the course menus for both lunch and dinner, as origins of the ingredients in each dish are explained carefully to give credit to the suppliers and producers. For example, the yogurt is made in Takamatsu and the chicken is Yamato chicken.

Simplicity is also a key point of La Trace. The chef's culinary ethos is not to over-prepare or overseason any ingredient in a way that will interfere with its natural essence. The Bakuku pork is sauteed, placed in the oven and rested — these steps are repeated multiple times until all the fat has burned off. Techniques like this maximize the original flavors of the ingredients, and make their meats incredibly juicy and tender.

From the seats in La Trace, guests will be able to peek behind the scenes into the kitchen. Transparency and performance are the reasons behind the open-kitchen concept, as the staff are proud of the work they're putting in and they want you to share in the glory of the preparation with all its sights, sounds and smells.

Other than delivering authentic French cuisine, La Trace's owners prioritize hospitality, from warm service to communicating with their producers personally.

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Todaiji Temple

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