Nara Prefecture Open Factory 2025

「Kakinoha Sushi」A Nara Delicacy Rich in History and Culture

Kakinoha Sushi is a local dish that has been loved for a long time in Gojo City and the Yoshino region of Nara Prefecture. The deliciousness of the mackerel and the sourness of the vinegared rice are in perfect harmony, and the aroma of the persimmon leaves whets the appetite. This dish is full of deep history and rich culture.

There are various theories about the origin of Kakinoha Sushi, but one theory is that during the Edo period, fishermen from Kishu salted mackerel caught in the Kumano Nada Sea and sold them in the Yoshino region, where summer festivals were being held in the villages at the time, and Kakinoha Sushi began to be eaten as a festival delicacy.

The bitter persimmon leaves used in Kakinoha Sushi are rich in tannins and have a preservative effect, so they help preserve the freshness of the mackerel and bring out its unique flavor.

Even today, in Gojo City and the Yoshino region, Kakinoha Sushi is made for festivals and other events, and is widely loved as a souvenir representative of Nara, sold at department stores nationwide and as ekiben.

「Socks」Japan's world-class technology and tradition

Nara Prefecture has long been known as a textile production area, and that history and technology have been passed down to the modern sock industry. Koryo Town in particular can be said to be the number one sock production area in Japan. The reason for this is the technical skills cultivated over a long history and the commitment to quality.

In Yamato, where cotton has been grown since the Edo period, sock production began in the Meiji period. Sock production, which began as a side job for farmers in barns, spread, and Koryo Town gradually developed into a sock production area.

They manufacture a wide variety of socks, including barefoot socks, sports socks, bottle coolers, organic cotton socks, and see-through socks, and they are also highly functional, such as durable barefoot socks made from fibers used in bulletproof vests and sports socks that are perfect for running.

Socks manufactured in Nara Prefecture are not just products, but they play a role in enriching people's lives and spreading Japanese traditions and technology to the world.

「NaraZuke」The traditional taste of Nara

Narazuke is a traditional pickle that represents Nara. It has a long history, with records showing that it has been eaten for over 1,300 years.

Narazuke is made by salting vegetables and then soaking them in sake lees. By changing the sake lees repeatedly, the vegetables turn tortoiseshell color and are infused with the rich aroma of sake and the umami of rice. With an exquisite balance of saltiness and sweetness, it can be enjoyed not only as an accompaniment to rice, but also as a snack with alcohol.

Narazuke originated when people drank the clear liquid from doburoku as sake, and salted vegetables were pickled in the liquid that accumulated at the bottom as a preserved food or pickle. When sake brewing began in the Muromachi period, sake lees began to be used, and the narazuke came to resemble the form we know today.

It is characterized by a deep flavor that combines the rich flavor of sake lees with the natural umami of vegetables, and is made from a variety of vegetables, including eggplant, cucumber, and watermelon, in addition to whitebait.

Today, while preserving traditional manufacturing methods, new attempts are being made. For example, Narazuke is made using a variety of vegetables and fruits, and there is a wide variety of flavors.

「Takayama Chasen」A traditional technique that continues to thrive today after more than 500 years

Takayama Chasen: A traditional technique that has lasted for 500 years Takayama Chasen is made in Takayama-cho, Ikoma City, Nara Prefecture. It is a bamboo tool used to prepare matcha tea, and its history dates back to the Muromachi period.

It is said that Takayama Chasen was first made by the second son of the lord of Takayama, Sosuke, at the request of Murata Juko, who is said to be the founder of the tea ceremony. Since then, it has been passed down from generation to generation as a technique passed down from father to son. Chasen are made by splitting bamboo into small pieces, carefully shaping them while heating them in hot water, and weaving them together. Since they are made by hand, no two are the same, and their delicate beauty is truly a work of art.

A traditional craft with a history of 500 years, making chasen requires advanced techniques and many years of experience and intuition. The beautiful patterns created by the delicate weave of the bamboo are captivating to behold.

The environment surrounding Takayama Chasen is becoming increasingly harsh, with the quality bamboo used as raw material becoming scarce every year. However, we continue to take on new challenges while preserving our traditions.

「Nara Fude」Supporting Japan's Calligraphy Culture

Brushes are an essential part of Japanese calligraphy culture. They have a long history, dating back to about 1,200 years ago, when Kukai traveled to China and mastered the art of brush making. After returning to Japan, he passed on the technique to the residents of Yamato Province.

Later, during the Edo period, many craftsmen lived in Nara, and Nara Fude were loved by many people, including calligraphers.

Nara Fude are characterized by the fact that one craftsman handles everything from purchasing the materials to finishing the brush. There are a total of 12 steps, and the quality of the brush depends on the selection of the animal hair used as the material.

Nara Fude are not only attractive for their deep history, but also for their high quality. By carefully selecting high-quality animal hair and having skilled craftsmen handcraft them, brushes that allow for delicate expression are produced.

「Akahada Yaki」beauty born from the climate of Nara

Nara Prefecture is home to Akahada Yaki, a traditional pottery that has been around for a long time. Its history is long, and it has been nurtured by the rich soil of the Nara Basin and the lifestyles of the people.

The Nishinokyo Hills around Akahada Town have long been a pottery region producing earthenware and braziers, and it is believed that they supplied products to aristocrats and temples and shrines.

As the tea ceremony developed, earthen braziers began to be made, and around the time of the Tensho and Keicho eras in the Momoyama period, Yamato Dainagon Hidenaga, lord of Yamato Koriyama Castle, is said to have invited the potter Yokuro from Tokoname, Owari, to make braziers and other tea ware.

Artists have emerged who have inherited this tradition while challenging themselves with new expressions, and it is loved by many people as a form of pottery that represents Nara.

「Yoshinono Tesuki Washi」conveys the spirit of the ancient capital

Yoshino Town in Nara Prefecture has long been known as a "Japanese paper village," with a long history thought to date back to the 7th century. In Yoshino, blessed with abundant nature and pure water, people have been making handmade Japanese paper for generations.

One theory is that Japanese paper making began in Yoshino due to the growing demand for paper to be delivered to the Imperial Court and temples. Yoshino, blessed with abundant water and a natural environment, is thought to have been the ideal place for the papermaking industry.

Yoshinono Tesuki Washi comes in a variety of types depending on the raw materials and manufacturing method. Japanese paper is made with great care, including carefully washing the raw material, paper mulberry, and removing impurities. In the process of "white paper mulberry bleaching," the paper mulberry is washed in the Yoshino River during the coldest period to produce high-quality Japanese paper.

After World War II, with the spread of Western paper, Yoshinono Tesuki Washi went into steady decline. However, in recent years, handmade washi paper has been attracting attention again due to its excellent texture and toughness.

「Nihonsyu」born in the ancient city of Nara

It is said that the roots of Japanese sake (seishu) lie in Nara. The sake brewing techniques that were born at Shorekiji Temple in Nara about 600 years ago became the basis of modern sake.

The techniques used at Shorekiji Temple, such as "shubo" for mass culturing yeast and "morohaku" for making highly transparent sake using polished rice, are considered the origins of "seishu brewing," which steadily produces high-quality, clear sake, and the area has been known as the birthplace of Japanese sake.

Kasuga Taisha Shrine also houses Japan's oldest sake brewing building, the "Sakadono." Since ancient times, many shrines have brewed sacred sake, but it is said that Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara is the only shrine in Japan that has continued to preserve this tradition without interruption even after the Meiji era.

The appeal of Nara sake is not just its history and tradition. Each brewery produces unique sake, so you can enjoy comparing the different varieties. It also pairs perfectly with the ingredients grown in Nara's lush natural environment.

Nara is home to streets that retain the atmosphere of an ancient capital, and many historic sake breweries. We recommend experiencing the history and culture of Nara while drinking sake.