Nara

①Recommended morning walking route
In the morning, Nara Station area is less crowded with tourists and the air is at its clearest. The classic route is to head east from the station and walk slowly towards Kofuku-ji Temple. The five-story pagoda of Kofuku-ji Temple is currently undergoing preservation and repair work and will be covered in scaffolding until 2033, so its completed appearance will not be visible for some time. However, this "uniquely visible appearance" also allows you to feel the flow of time in Nara. The temple grounds bathed in morning light and the quiet atmosphere of the approach remain, giving it an even more serene impression. If you extend your walk to Sarusawa Pond, the surface of the water reflects the town peacefully, creating a moment that makes you want to take a deep breath.

②Best time to visit Nara Park
The most pleasant times to walk in Nara Park are around 8 AM and after 4 PM. In the morning, there are fewer tourist buses and the deer are relaxed, making the distance between people and deer feel very natural. It's also the time when the relationship between people and deer looks most "everyday." During the day, it becomes livelier and more bustling, but the deer tend to switch to a somewhat more accustomed mode of interaction. In the evening, the light softens, and the shadows of the trees stretch long, giving the same paths a completely different appearance. Depending on the season, there are moments when golden light streams in, making it a highly satisfying time even just for walking.

③Walking the alleyways of Naramachi
Naramachi is an area where the atmosphere changes dramatically just a short walk from Nara Station. Entering the narrow alleyways lined with machiya houses with lattice windows, you'll be enveloped in a silence that feels like the sound has dropped a notch. Just one street away from the main thoroughfare, the hustle and bustle of the tourist area disappears, and you feel as if time begins to flow more slowly. Cafes and雑貨 stores are scattered throughout, but it might be most enjoyable to walk without a specific destination. Even getting lost can feel like a positive experience. The charm of this area is also how daily life and history naturally blend, with small shrines and old well remnants appearing unexpectedly, revealing the "everyday Nara" the more you walk.

④Unique local shops
Among the local shops around Nara Station, Nakatanidou, famous for its high-speed mochi pounding of yomogi mochi, is a must-visit. The sight of mochi being pounded rhythmically right before your eyes is a kind of performance, and you might find yourself queuing up without even realizing it. The freshly pounded yomogi mochi is soft and intensely aromatic, an "experience that can only be had here." Around it, small shops selling deer-themed goods and Nara crafts are scattered, exuding a strong individuality not found in chain stores. As you walk, something eye-catching appears around every corner, making it characteristic of this area that you tend to make detours and don't make much progress.

⑤Nara-like souvenirs
Nara souvenirs are characterized by often having a "quiet charm" rather than flashiness. In addition to classic deer-themed goods, calligraphy-related tools are noteworthy. Nara is also known as a production center for brushes and inkstones, and high-quality brushes and inkstones are chosen not so much as souvenirs but as tools to be used for a long time. The fact that there are shops that offer them to the Imperial Family attests to their reliable quality. Another essential Nara-like item is Tsukigase Hojicha (roasted green tea). With its fragrant and calming flavor, it quietly reminds you of the lingering impressions of Nara even after your trip.

⑥How to stop by CHAMI
CHAMI -Specialty Coffee Roaster- is located in a convenient spot to drop by when you feel like taking a moment to catch your breath while walking around Nara Station. For example, after you've walked through Naramachi, or when you want to slow down a bit while passing deer. Or, when you want to savor the lingering fragrance of Tsukigase Hojicha in a quieter space. We would be delighted if you remember it as a place to quietly stop by at such times. Rather than visiting it as a destination, we want CHAMI to be like a "breather" that naturally blends into your walk in Nara. CHAMI is such a place.