[2025 Nara Restaurant] Travel Guide for Nakatanidou (Updated Mar)

#newyearnewtrip No day trip to Nara would be complete without a visit to Nakatanidou, a famous Japanese confectionary shop renowned for some of the best fresh mochi you can find. Located in the heart of Nara, Nakatanidou has been a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike, offering melt-in-your-mouth mochi that is nothing short of a must-try. One of the shop’s highlights is the mochi-pounding show, which takes place in the morning and runs until early afternoon. Watching the skilled craftsmen pound the rice to create the perfect chewy, stretchy mochi is a captivating experience, and it’s a treat to see the process up close. If you’re able to catch the show, it adds an extra layer of authenticity to your visit. Even if you miss the mochi-pounding show, don’t worry – Nakatanidou’s mochi is still worth the trip. The mochi is incredibly affordable and delicious, with a soft, stretchy texture that makes it incredibly satisfying to eat. The generous filling of sweet red bean paste inside each piece is the perfect complement to the chewy exterior. As you watch, you can see the staff handcrafting the mochi, rolling it by hand and packing it neatly into containers for customers, offering a glimpse into the care and craftsmanship that goes into each piece. The queue at Nakatanidou can get long, especially during peak hours, but don’t let that deter you – it moves quickly, so you won’t have to wait long for your fresh mochi. Whether you're in Nara for the mochi-pounding show or simply to indulge in some of the freshest mochi around, Nakatanidou is a spot you can’t miss.

Nakatanido is a popular Nara shop famous for its impressive high-speed mochi pounding and delicious mugwort mochi. The craftsmanship unfolding before your eyes is overwhelming! The rhythmic mochi pounding performance is also very popular with tourists. The mugwort mochi made by craftsmen is fluffy and chewy. The subtle scent of mugwort and the sweetness of the bean paste are exquisite. It's great as a souvenir, but the freshly made mochi is also exceptional. It's recommended to visit after strolling around Nara Park or sightseeing at Todaiji Temple. 📍Nakanado 📮29 Hashimoto-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture 🚃About 5 minutes walk from Kintetsu Nara Station #Nakanado #Mugwort mochi #Nara sightseeing #Nara trip #Nara #Nara gourmet #Craftsmanship #Mochi pounding #0 yen trip January 2025

#asiatrip Visiting Nakatanidou in Nara was such a fun and delicious experience! This famous mochi shop is located just a short walk from the bustling streets of Nara, and it’s impossible to miss with its lively atmosphere. Watching the staff expertly pound the mochi with lightning speed was mesmerizing—an experience in itself! The warm, freshly made mochi was incredibly soft, with the perfect sweetness that melted in my mouth. The matcha and red bean flavors were a must-try. It’s a cozy and welcoming spot that’s perfect for a quick snack while exploring the beautiful town of Nara. Definitely a must-visit for all mochi lovers!

#naratrip Never ever I have imagine to visit this place! I always watched the man in action shouting Haik-haik-haik during the Mochi making demonstration. Very fascinating and to my surprise, the mochi is so tender and springy! Also..the mochi is warm! 😍 There are allocated time for the mochi making demonstration, if not mistaken its about 20mins every interval in the morning. Do come by earlier to stand in front to capture clearer video!

#2024wish You MUST come here if you travel to NARA🍡💫 Nakatanidou (中谷堂) has gained its name when they joined a famous Japanese TV championship program playing the mochi demonstration where the owner will beat on the mochi in a very high speed while the other one will be using a big hammer to do the same at the same time!! Ever since then, they are having the demonstrations daily in their shop and it has attracted a lot of foreign tourists to shot the video until the extend the staffs will need to stand by the street to ensure the traffic is okay!! When we visited there, the police car even patrolled the place to make sure it does not affect the car drivers. After the demonstration, remember to buy the fresh mochi as well at JPY 180 and you will be impressed with its taste and texture. They do sell it in a box (prepared earlier) too if you would like to buy some home but making comparison with the fresh 1, there is still same differences. 😅 Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ In 2024, I wish to travel to Perth!!