With its abundant sightseeing resources, reasonably priced Michelin-starred restaurants, and picturesque rural landscapes, Nara is worth a dedicated visit. During cherry blossom season, it offers stunning scenes of blooming sakura alongside adorable deer—a sight not to be missed!
Nara Restaurant Recommendations
1. Wa Yamamura
Wa Yamamura is Nara’s only Michelin three-star restaurant, maintaining its accolades for years with a steadfast commitment to culinary excellence and heartfelt hospitality. Despite its prestigious title, the restaurant offers a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The chef-owner, formerly a master chef at an old ryokan restaurant, ensures guests feel at home.
What’s remarkable is the affordability of Wa Yamamura’s courses. The most expensive meal is around ¥16,000, while a lunch course starts at just ¥6,000 and dinner at ¥7,000. Considering that comparable dining experiences often cost the same or more at upscale establishments elsewhere, this Michelin three-star experience is truly a bargain!
The courses feature not only exquisite flavors but also artistic presentation, with an emphasis on seasonal colors, elegant tableware, and poetic plating, offering a feast for both the palate and the eyes.
Conveniently located between Nara Park and Heijo Palace Site, Wa Yamamura makes an ideal stop for lunch or dinner between sightseeing excursions.
Tips:
• Address: 奈良県奈良市芝辻町2-11-15
• Hours:
• Lunch: 12:00–15:30 (last seating at 13:00, available Wed–Sun only)
• Dinner: 17:30–22:00 (last seating at 18:30)
• Closed: Mondays, last Sunday of each month, and Tuesday lunch
• Price Range (¥):
• Lunch: ¥6,000/¥8,000/¥10,500/¥16,000
• Dinner: ¥7,000/¥9,000/¥11,000/¥13,000/¥16,000
2. Musoan
Musoan, a Michelin two-star restaurant, is tucked away in a tranquil garden near Nara Station. Its proprietress, a former professional gardener, has skillfully integrated her aesthetic sensibilities into both the restaurant’s cuisine and its lush 1,000-square-meter traditional Japanese garden.
The restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows that offer diners serene views of the garden. The menu focuses on kaiseki cuisine crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, blending the flavors of mountain and sea.
Tips:
• Address: 奈良県奈良市水門町70-7-1-2
• Hours: 12:00–15:00, 17:00–21:00
• Closed: Mondays
• Price Range (¥):
• Lunch: ¥5,000 (non-private room)/¥8,000/¥10,000/¥13,000
• Dinner: ¥10,000 (weekday)/¥13,000 (weekend)/¥15,000/¥20,000
• Private Room Dinner: ¥10,000~
• Hearth Seating Dinner: ¥13,000~
• Children’s Meals: ~¥3,000
3. Unagi Kikusuiro
Opened in 2016, Unagi Kikusuiro is a modern eel-specialty restaurant steeped in history. Its origins trace back to a long-standing establishment from the 24th year of the Meiji era (1891). Conveniently located near Nara Park, the restaurant offers diners the unique experience of enjoying freshly prepared eel dishes in a setting surrounded by traditional pathways, torii gates, and a private garden.
The menu features a variety of eel dishes paired with side dishes and staple foods, highlighting the rich, savory flavors of the eel. As you savor your meal, you can take