Close-up of a sika deer in Nara Park, Japan, during the day.Food

Nakatanidō

中谷堂

Naramachi, Nara · 奈良

A tiny mochi shop on the arcade whose two-man high-speed pounding is done in the open several times an hour, hammer and hand alternating far too fast.

Why it’s worth it

The demonstration is genuinely alarming to watch and the yomogi mochi is still warm when they hand it over. Ask when the next pounding is.

CategoryFood
AreaNaramachi
Hours10:00–19:00
Typical spend¥
mochi poundingfaststreet

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