Naramachi or Nara town in its literal meaning is an ancient historic street giving a glimpse into the ancient life and living in Nara. Formerly a dwelling place for the local merchants during and before the Edo period, the street has done exceptionally well to retain the old world charm till date. There is nothing else that you need to do in Naramachi Street except strap on your walking shoes and go unravel the priceless historic gems laid bare open all along the winding lanes of the narrow street. The street, dotted with several traditional wooden residential buildings known as Machiya, old shops, dozens of ancient temples, museums and cafes, is so full of character that it leaves you in awe in every sense of the word.
One interesting sight commonly seen all along the walk and one that lends a lot of colour to this otherwise auburn town is the sight of red coloured Migawari-zaru or ‘substitution monkeys’ hanging on the front door of houses, cafes, shops and museums as a good luck charm. The monkey, a symbolic deity of a local temple (the Koshin-do Temple), is a charm believed to ward off evil spirits and fetch good fortune, say the locals.