NaraExplorer
Up-to-date and essential English tourist information about Nara for international visitors
Nara Explorer is Nara's first and only English tourist magazine.
Our inaugual first issue will be published in June.
For further information,click here.
- Special feature
- Event
- Essential Sightseeing
- NE Recommendations
Meet the People of Nara
- Share with some locals welcoming foreign tourists to Nara
- What do foreign visitors expect to see and experience in Nara? Old temples and shrines, idyllic landscapes, local food and drink and, last but not least, meeting people in Nara are experiences visitors will never forget. Here is an introduc- tion to some people in Nara visitors can meet and talk with during their stay.
- Although what each person has to introduce and how they do it may vary, what they share is a passion to acquaint foreign visitors with the attractions of Nara/ Japan and to assist in making one's time in Nara a truly special and unforget- table event.
- Yoshiko Haccho
Tour guide and organizer of Naramachi Walker
Yoshiko Haccho, born in Okayama Prefecture, is a professional licensed tour guide. After living in different countries and cities in various parts of the world and Japan, Yoshiko finally settled in Nara in 1995. Five years ago she started her original walking tour in the Naramachi area for foreign visitors. 
- NaraExplorer(NE): Why did you choose to become a tour guide?
- Yoshiko: I worked as an English teacher for several years in a small
town in Okayama, but one day I decided to quit because I wanted to study English more. What I taught to students was not English as a communication tool but just as one of the school subjects. I wanted to teach English as a means of communication between people.
I studied in a university in the U.S. for two years and enjoyed it very much. After I came back, I got married. Luckily, I had another opportunity for further study in the U.S. with my husband at graduate school for two years. After that, we lived in Tokyo and Rome and finally settled in Nara in 1995.
While I lived in different cities, I have realized that I love old buildings and traditional townscapes. Therefore, Nara is absolutely my favorite city! I have enjoyed myself exploring and discovering Nara as it is such a special place and of course home to Japan's history and culture. As I learned more about Nara's attractions, I began to feel that I should share this great culture of Japan with foreign visitors. As I had already worked as a professional tour guide with the official license since 1988, I eventually launched an English walking tour in Naramachi, my favorite place in Nara, 1n 2007. - NE: What attracts you to Nara?
- Yoshiko: Talking about Naramachi, I think the local residents have a sense of confidence and pride in what they have succeeded from their ancestors, and have preserved this old town. At the same time, modern- day Naramachi is changing constantly by accepting the newcomers who are enchanted by its charms. Naramachi has become a popular tourist area over the last decade, and new shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants have opened, attracting many young people who enjoy
the mixture of the old and the new. The local people accepted these newcomers and the challenges that came with the changes. This is what I like about Naramachi most; not too strict and closed but open and accommodating to all people. It is really interesting to see a new fashion shop and a century old shrine standing next to each other, for example.
Of course, Nara hosts a number of incredibly old and important cultural assets. My most favorite area in Nara is Imai-cho in Kashihara City where the local people wonderfully preserve the old townscape. Once I step into Imai-cho, I always feel as if time has stopped for a few hundred years. - NE: What and how do you want to tell foreign tourists about Nara?
- Yoshiko: During my Naramachi tour, we often come across local people. For example, an old woman brings an offering to a small Buddhist alter on the street and then prays silently. What we see is "the life of people," and it is often difficult for foreigners to understand the real meaning of what they see in an unfamiliar situation of different culture. I hope my tour helps foreign visitors learn about these small pieces of Japan and enjoy their glimpses of life in Nara.
- Naramachi Walker:Every Saturday from April to July, September to November; 10:00-13:00; No reservation required; Come to the meeting point by 9:55 (in front of the tourist information center on the ground floor of Kintetsu Nara Sta.; map A, B-2); 2,000 yen/person; Tel: 0743-55-6609; http://www.eonet. ne.jp/~naramachiwalk/
- Kayoko Kuwahara
Proprietress of the Guesthouse Sakuraya
Kayoko Kuwahara, who was born in Osaka and studied in Nara during her school years, opened the Guesthouse Sakuraya in August 2010. Opening a guesthouse had been her dream for many years. Located in the nostalgic Naramachi area, Kayoko always welcomes guests to her traditional house. 
- NaraExplorer(NE): Why did you start your guesthouse in Nara?
- Kayoko:Since I was young, I loved
to travel around the world. I have traveled in 33 countries so far, including my experience of studying in France
and living in South America for a few years. While I was traveling, I always preferred to stay in a small guesthouse rather than stylish hotels since I always felt both welcome and at home.
My dream to open a guesthouse began over 15 years ago. I wanted foreign visitors to experience the life of Japan by staying in a traditional Japanese house. Based on my travel experiences, I knew the place didn't have to be gorgeous and large, but that what is the most important is how we welcome the guests and what we can offer during the limited time of their stay. - NE:What do you want the visitors to experience at your guesthouse?
- Kayoko:Nara is the perfect place for my lifestyle preference: slow and with a relaxing time flow. I myself love to live in a traditional Japanese house with lots of light and a beautiful garden. I would like my guests to also savor the slow time flow in a traditional Japanese house and town. For example, it must be such a special experience to watch how the garden changes its expression during a single day.
Sakuraya is a small guesthouse with only three guest rooms. But I would like to take my best care to ensure that my guests' stay in Sakuraya is comfortable and enjoyable. We can arrange some Japanese cultural experiences (tea ceremony, kimono dressing, etc.) not only for our overnight guests but also for day visitors as I know there are many day-trip visitors to Nara. Like I enjoyed traveling around the world and meeting people, I would like to offer the same experience to those visiting Nara. I am always here and welcome every one. - Guesthouse Sakuraya:Overnight stay: From 6,000 yen/person/night (breakfast included); Cultural experiences (kimono dressing, tea ceremony, igo board game, calligraphy) from 4,000 yen for day visitors (1,000 yen discount for overnight guests); advance reservation required; A 15-min. walk from JR Nara Sta. or a 10-min. walk from Kintetsu Nara Sta.; map A, D-2, pg 6; Tel: 0742-24- 1490; http://www.guesthouse-sakuraya.com/
- Yoko Nakamura
Staff member of Harushika Sake Brewery
Yoko Nakamura, born in Osaka, is working for Harushika Sake Brewery, one of Nara's time-honored sake breweries. Every day, she meets foreign customers who are interested in sake and introduces them to its fascinating world. 
- NaraExplorer(NE):What is fun about your work?
- Yoko: I welcome foreign customers from all around the world who are interested in the world of sake nearly every day, but how much they know about sake depends on each person. Some people try sake for the first time at our shop while others have already learned a lot about it. So I studied about sake by myself to prepare for answering all kinds of questions ranging to those from beginners to those from knowledgeable sake lovers.
I learned that many visitors are interested in how to produce sake. Few know that Nara is the birthplace of Japanese sake, so I start my explanation from this historical viewpoint. Sake tasting in our shop is very popular. Customers can try five different kinds in a little glass and compare the taste and flavor one by one. What I like to see the most is the facial expression of people changing every time they try the next sake as they are impressed that there is subtle but noticeable difference. - NE:What do you want to tell foreign visitors through sake?
- Yoko:I think that sake is one of the great cultures of Japan. Every country has its characteristic food and drink, but what I find unique and special about Japanese sake is that it reflects the delicate sense of seasons that Japanese people cherish in our daily life. For example, Japanese people name sake depending on the season: Hanami-zake (sake for cherry blossom viewing) for spring and Yukimi-zake (sake for snow viewing) for winter. I like this delicate sensitivity combining seasonal beauty and sake.
Quality, taste and aroma are of course very important but I would like foreign visitors to enjoy Japanese sake while learning about and experiencing the culture of Japan; the history of sake and how Japanese people enjoy it in their life. Sometimes I come across curious questions which Japanese customers rarely ask but I always enjoy it as a chance to learn about sake from a different perspective. - Harushika Sake Brewery:Sake tasting: 400 yen (a small sake glass will be presented); Open everyday: 8:15-17:15; A 3-min. walk from Gango-ji Temple to the east, on the right side; map A, D-3, pg 6; Tel: 0742-23-2255; http://www. harushika.com ; See their ad on inside of cover & pg 1.
