What to do in Nara when it rains
Grey skies over Nara are a chance to go deep on its museums and galleries, poke around an indoor market, and find the cosiest café in town.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Nara National Museum 50 Noboriōjichō, Nara, 630-8213, Japan
- Heijō Palace Site Historical Park 3-chōme-5-1 Nijōōjiminami, Nara, 630-8012, Japan
- NARA KINGYO MUSEUM Japan, 〒630-8012 Nara, Nijōōjiminami, 1-chōme−3−１ ミ・ナーラ ４F
- Isuien Garden and Neiraku Museum 74 Suimonchō, Nara, 630-8208, Japan
- Kasuga Taisha Kokuhoden (Museum) Japan, 〒630-8212 Nara, Kasuganochō, １６０ 1 階
- Kohfuku-ji Temple National Treasure Museum 48 Noboriōjichō, Nara, 630-8213, Japan
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- Cafe el mundo 8番地の４ Higashimuki Kitamachi, Nara, 630-8214, Japan
- Naramachi Millet 1 Shibatsukinukecho, Nara, 630-8385, Japan
- Yumeido 2 Kasuganochō, Nara, 630-8212, Japan
- アートスペース上三条 4 Kamisanjōchō, Nara, 630-8228, Japan
- ギャラリー勇斎 22 Nishiterabayashichō, Nara, 630-8372, Japan
- PHOTO GARDEN 1024-1 Takabatakechō, Nara, 630-8301, Japan
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Heijō Palace Site Historical Park 3-chōme-5-1 Nijōōjiminami, Nara, 630-8012, Japan
- Shoso-in Shoso 129 Zōshichō, Nara, 630-8211, Japan
- Koriyama Castle Ruins 2-255 Jōnaichō, Yamatokoriyama, Nara 639-1011, Japan
- Yoshikien Garden 60-1 Noboriōjichō, Nara, 630-8213, Japan
- Suzakumon Gate 3-chōme-209 Nijōōjiminami, Nara, 630-8003, Japan
- Shiga Naoya's Old Residence 1237-2 Takabatakechō, Nara, 630-8301, Japan
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Don Quijote Nara shop 480-1 Kashiwagichō, Nara, 630-8031, Japan
- 旬の駅 ならやま本店 2626-2 Narazakachō, Nara, 630-8104, Japan
- 生鮮＆業務スーパー ボトルワールドOK 奈良店 2-chōme-1-23 Nijōōjiminami, Nara, 630-8012, Japan
- Sanchoku Ichiba Yottette Akishino 1354 Akishinochō, Nara, 631-0811, Japan
- まほろばキッチンJR奈良駅前店 11-1098 Sanjōhonmachi, Nara, 630-8122, Japan
- Fresh & Wholesale Supermarket Bottle World OK – Daianji Store 5-chōme-328-1 Hachijō, Nara, 630-8145, Japan
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Mizuya Chaya 30 Kasuganochō, Nara, 630-8212, Japan
- Hosekibako 47 Mochiidonochō, Nara, 630-8222, Japan
- Purin no Mori Cafe 1073 Narazakachō, Nara, 630-8104, Japan
- Starbucks Coffee - Nara Konoike Sports Park 4-chōme-2-1703-1 Hōrensahoyama, Nara, 630-8108, Japan
- ROKUMEI COFFEE CO. NARA 31 Nishimikadochō, Nara, 630-8225, Japan
- Kuruminoki Japan, 〒630-8113 Nara, Hōrenchō, ５６７−１ ビィラージュ一条
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- Aeon Mall Yamato-Koriyama 741 Shimomitsuhashichō, Yamatokoriyama, Nara 639-1101, Japan
- Mi Nara 1-chōme-3-3-1 Nijōōjiminami, Nara, 630-8012, Japan
- Nara Family 2-chōme-4-1 Saidaiji Higashimachi, Nara, 631-0821, Japan
- Garden Mall Kizugawa 1-chōme-1-1-1 Kunimidai, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-0216, Japan
- Yumekaze Plaza 16 Kasuganochō, Nara, 630-8212, Japan
- Sanwa City Saidaiji 2-chōme-1-63 Saidaiji Higashimachi, Nara, 631-0821, Japan
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.