Higashimuki Shopping Street

In short

​Higashimuki Shopping Street​ is a covered arcade street that extends south from Gyoki Square in front of Kintetsu-Nara Station. Considered the liveliest shopping street in Nara, it is lined with shops for dining and shopping. The name "Higashimuki" (east-facing) is said to come from the fact that the temple buildings of Kofuku-ji Temple once lined the east side of the street, so all the houses faced east.

• ​Station-front Arcade​​: Extends north to south, from in front of Kintetsu-Nara Station to Sanjo-dori Street.
• ​Origin of the Name​​: One theory holds that houses were built only on the west side, all facing east toward Kofuku-ji Temple.
• ​Development Alongside the Railway​​: In 1914, the tracks of Osaka Electric Railway (now Kintetsu) were extended to Higashimuki-nakamachi, and the street developed as a station-front shopping district. The current arcade was rebuilt in 1984.

History and Highlights

​Higashimuki Shopping Street​ is a covered arcade street that extends south from Gyoki Square in front of Kintetsu-Nara Station. It connects Nobori-oji Avenue in front of the station to Sanjo-dori Street from north to south. Lined with a wide variety of shops and dining options, it is regarded as the liveliest shopping street in Nara.

One theory is told regarding the origin of its name. In the past, the temple buildings of Kofuku-ji Temple lined the east side of the street. Because of this, residential houses stood only on the west side of the street, all facing east. Later, as the influence of Kofuku-ji Temple waned, buildings are said to have been constructed on the east side of the street as well.

The shopping street changed significantly with the opening of the railway. In April 1914, Osaka Electric Railway (now Kintetsu) opened service between Uehommachi and Nara. Nara Station was initially a temporary station in Takama-cho, but on July 8 of the same year, the railway tracks were extended to Higashimuki-nakamachi. In this way, Higashimuki became a shopping district in front of the station and continued to develop. The current arcade was rebuilt in 1984.

Points for Viewing and Experiencing

• ​Start Walking from Gyoki Square​​: Leave through the East Ticket Gate of Kintetsu-Nara Station and go up the escalator at Exit 3 to emerge in front of the fountain statue of Bodhisattva Gyoki. This is Gyoki Square, and the shopping street extends southward from here.
• ​Long-established Shops and New Stores​​: As a premier shopping street representing the historic town, it is lined with long-established shops. Befitting a shopping street in a tourist destination, there are many souvenir shops, and it is said that stylish cafes and small lifestyle-goods shops have also been increasing recently.
• ​Walk with the East Side of the Street in Mind​​: The east side of the street is immediately adjacent to the grounds of Kofuku-ji Temple. As you recall the origin of the street's name, confirming the street's orientation and the location of Kofuku-ji Temple will help you perceive how the town took shape.

Tips for Exploring

Located just a short walk from the station, this is an easy shopping street to drop by at the start of your sightseeing walk in Nara. Walking south through the arcade brings you to Sanjo-dori Street. Kofuku-ji Temple is about 240 meters to the east, and Sarusawa Pond is about 270 meters to the southeast. Continuing south from Sanjo-dori Street leads toward Naramachi. Because you can walk under the arcade even on rainy days, you can browse the shops without worrying about the weather. Please note that business hours and closed days vary by shop.