A Deer's Paradise in Nara, Nara, Japan

Oh deer, is city life stressing you out? If you’re visiting Osaka, do plan a half-day trip to the spiritual city of Nara where there are wild deer, gorgeous temples and shrines, and a shop selling the most delicious mochi you will ever eat!

From Osaka, you have the choice off two train lines to Nara, the JR Yamatoji Line, and the Kintetsu Nara Line. The JR line is covered by the Japan Rail Pass, while the Kintetsu Line is not. Depending on which station in Osaka you are coming from, it can range from a 34 to 50 minute journey.

On the way from the train station to Nara Park, you will pass by a stretch of shops along a narrow street. There you will find the fastest mochi pounders in the world!

Nakantanidou specializes in yomogi mochi that’s made with a Japanese wild plant that’s also known as mugwort. It gives the mochi its natural green color and slight fresh taste. Each batch of mochi is handmade and hand pounded once every half hour at the shop, drawing a crowd of curious onlookers and instant fans. The workers from the shop won the national high-speed mochitsuki championship in 2005 and 2006, and you can witness them in action at the store. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).