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Nara, Osaka — where to start?

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Tue Oct 27, 16:09 Japan now
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Tax-free & shopping guide

Tax-freeFrom November 1, it switches to a 'refund system.' You pay tax-inclusive prices in stores and get the tax back after a customs check at the airport when you leave. Be sure to bring your passport.

SouvenirsDeer-shaped sweets and goods, Narazuke (sake-lees pickles), Nara ink sticks and brushes

Shopping tipSouvenir shops around Nara Park close early. Higashimuki shopping street by Kintetsu-Nara Station is convenient.

Shopping spots in Nara
Getting around Nara

MainKintetsu Nara Station — Nara Park and Todai-ji are 5–15 min on foot

BusFrom JR Nara Station to the park, take the Nara Kotsu loop bus; Kasuga Taisha is also reached by bus

MainVisit Horyu-ji and Uji separately by JR

On footWalk between the park's sights (deer, Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji)

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Shopping

Shopping streets & markets in Nara, Osaka · 2

Tax-free shopping changes from November 1, 2026

Instead of tax being deducted at the store, you now pay including tax and get it refunded later.

  1. Show your passport at a tax-free store and pay the tax-inclusive price
  2. When leaving Japan, customs at the airport checks your passport and purchases
  3. Once checked, the store (or a refund agent) refunds the consumption tax

Minimum spend and refund methods can vary by store, so ask before paying.

SouvenirsNara

Higashimuki Shopping Street

東向商店街

An arcade in front of Kintetsu-Nara Station with lots of deer goods and Nara sweets.

Kintetsu-Nara Sta.
Crafts·GoodsNara

Naramachi

ならまち

General stores and workshops in an old merchant quarter.

Kintetsu-Nara Sta.

Local products & gift ideas

6 gifts to bring home from Osaka and where to buy them · Nara first

FoodDotonbori

551 Horai Butaman

551蓬莱 豚まん

Big steamed pork buns; they're refrigerated, so eat them the same or next day.

SweetsDotonbori

Rikuro Ojisan Cheesecake

りくろーおじさんのチーズケーキ

Fluffy cheesecake fresh from the oven; a bell rings each time a batch is baked.

SweetsKyoto

Yatsuhashi

八ッ橋

Cinnamon-scented rice-dough sweets, either baked or as 'nama yatsuhashi' wrapped around bean paste.

SweetsKobe

Kobe Western-style sweets

神戸 洋菓子

Cookies, chocolates and puddings born in the port city of Kobe.

Most are also sold at souvenir shops in airports and major stations. Check hours and stock via the Google Maps links.