Discover the neighborhoods of Nara, Japan

Nara may not be Japan’s biggest city, but historically it is one of the most important regions in the entire country. Whether you want shopping, dining, history, or nature, there is a Nara neighborhood to suit your travel needs.

Downtown Nara

The 1 km stretch between JR Nara station and Kintetsu-Nara station is considered the downtown area of Nara. While not full of historical sites to see, this is the best place for dining and shopping options. Sanjo-dori starts near JR Nara and is the quickest path for getting to Nara Park. Lined with traditional shops, popular restaurants, and bars, downtown is a great place to base your travels if you prefer to stay in livelier areas. This would also be a great base to explore the rest of Nara prefecture due to the proximity of the train and bus stations.

Nara Park

It would be any history lovers’ dream to stay in the Nara Park area. One of the oldest parks in Japan, it also contains Nara’s most popular areas. With places like Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara Park is one of the most historically significant spots in the country. It’s impossible to understand Japanese history without understanding its roots in ancient Nara. While not far from the station, this area doesn’t have a lot to offer after nightfall, so it’s best to stay close and soak in the perspective that only a thousand years of history can provide.

Naramachi

Naramachi is an older merchant area of Nara that has managed to retain most of its traditional charm. Older homes line the road as well as a public bathing house, trendy shops, restaurants, and boutique hotels. This is a wonderful way to spend a quiet few hours absorbing Japanese culture while seeing how people here used to live. Culture lovers will enjoy walking through these streets to see the older-style architecture and the attention to detail the restaurants and shops observe to preserve this area. Naramachi would also be perfect for anyone wanting a quiet getaway while still having access to restaurants and bars.

Nishinokyo

Nishinokyo is considered to be the area west of JR Nara station and is mostly ignored by tourists heading to the more popular Nara Park. Home of two different world heritage sites, Yakushi-ji Temple and Toshodai-ji Temple, this place is great for finding that opportunity to explore something off the beaten path. As the site of the former Imperial Palace, Nishinokyo has history stretching back over 1,300 years and is the start of Nara’s time as Japan’s first capital city. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Nishinokyo is where Japan as a country began.

Totsukawa

While not part of Nara city, Totsukawa is one of the most beautiful parts of Nara prefecture and an area any nature lover needs to see. Hike one of the many trails scattered throughout the village, like the famous Kumano Kodo, or cross the Tanize Suspension Bridge, one of the longest in Japan, to get your heart pounding. In the summertime, Totsukawa is considered one of the best areas for firefly spotting in Japan. After all that outdoor activity, it would be crime to pass up on one of the areas’ hot springs. The Hotel Subaru is well-known for their restorative outdoors baths and offer late night hours to star gaze while soaking in the warm mineral rich waters.

See more: Commune with nature in Hakone, Japan

Source: Internet

What to do in Ba Na Hills aside from the Golden Bridge

In the mountains above Da Nang, there hides a mystical world of castles, amusement park rides and pagodas. Aside from the famous Golden Bridge, the Ba Na Hills mountain resort is a wonderful mix of surreal fun and classic beauty - the perfect place for you and your family to escape the heat.

The longest cable car gap in the world

The cable car ride up to the Ba Na Hills is an amazing experience. The gap stretches 5,801 meters (19,042 feet) and elevates 1,368 meters (4,488 feet), both of which are world records. But don’t worry, the system was built to European standards, with equipment imported from Germany, Switzerland and Sweden.

Le Jardin D’Amour

These French style gardens feature a colorful variety of tropical flowers. The gardens aren’t very big, but they are an interesting scene to take in — reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland (1865). To complete the French experience, head to the Ancient Wine Cellar nearby.

Giant Buddha Statue

At 27 meters (89 feet), this concrete statue of the founder of Buddhism makes for some beautiful photographs. You can also visit the Linh Ung Pagoda to ask for blessings before you head into the fantasy park and subject yourself to some hair-raising rides.

Mercure Bana Hills French Village

Here’s your chance to stay in a 4-star castle resort at the top of a Vietnamese mountain. The resort complex has 494 rooms styled like old French villas, complete with antiques and artwork, and the restaurants also serve French cuisine, with imported wines and cheeses. After you’ve finished strolling around the cobblestone streets, gazing at the lights of Danang far below, enjoy a few nightcaps at one of the medieval bars.

Fantasy Park

The Fantasy Park is 21,000 square meters of indoor fun and games for the whole family. The theme is based on two novels by Jules Verne: Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1864) and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870). There are familiar carnival rides, like a carousal and a big spinner, but also some oddities, such as a Jurassic Park area and even a wax museum.

Gamers will feel right at home in the giant arcade area, while thrill seekers can get their adrenaline rush on the 29-meter (95 feet) tower drop. And if the tower drop in the Fantasy Park isn’t enough of a rush for you, then give the alpine coaster a try.

See more: Dishes you must try when visiting Da Nang

Source: Internet

Best art museums in Asia for art lovers

Experience fine art at one of the top museums and galleries in Asia.

Art Science Museum - Singapore

As the name suggests, Art Science Museum at Marina Bay Sands beautifully fuses art and science to tell fascinating stories. This premier venue houses a constantly changing line-up of major international touring exhibitions, brought in through collaborations with organizations such as the American Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian Institute, and world-renowned furniture designer Herman Miller.

Address: 6 Bayfront Ave, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) - Thailand

A must for any lover of art, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Bangkok (MOCA) houses the most comprehensive collection of modern painting and sculpture in Thailand inside a striking, purpose-built gallery. The five storeys of MOCA contain over 800 pieces of art collected by communications magnate Boonchai Bencharongkul and showcase the development of Thai fine art since the introduction of modern western concepts.

Address: 499 Kamphaeng Phet 6 Rd, Chatuchak, Khet Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Thailand

MOA Museum of Art - Japan

The MOA Museum of Art is spectacularly located on the slopes above Atami and exhibits an impressive collection of Japanese and East Asian art. The MOA Museum of Art was opened in 1982 by the Mokichi Okada Association (MOA). Okada Mokichi was an avid art collector who lived from 1882 to 1955 and also founded the Hakone Museum of Art in Gora.

Address: 26-2 Momoyamacho, Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai - China

The best part of the Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai (MOCA) is the prime location smack dab in a lovely green portion of People's Square. Sunlight and panoramic views pour in through the museum's floor to ceiling glass walls. International exhibitions are the name of the game at MOCA with Spain's flamboyant architect, Antoni Gaudi, highlighting last year's exhibitions and Salvatore Ferragamo this year. The ArtLab, a new, trendy space for stage events just opened in the spring.

Address: 231 Nanjing W Rd, RenMin GuangChang, Huangpu Qu, Shanghai Shi, China

See more: The interesting museums to visit in Yogyakarta, Indonesia