GOTO-CHI is a Nara souvenir shop located in the shopping mall “Time’s Place Nara,” in front of the East Gate on Kintetsu Nara Station. Because it’s right in front of the ticket gate, it’s always crowded with tourists who are looking for Nara souvenirs. The products are reasonably priced, and they offer food goods, as well as many other items very popular among foreign visitors.

The store has offers like tax exemption for purchases of 5,000yen or more, plus discounts on purchases of 3,240 yen or more, upon presenting the IC card “KANSAI ONE PASS.” The notations in the store are in English, Chinese (simplified and traditional) and Korean. Inside Time’s Place Nara, you will find a currency exchange machine for your convenience.
Here are seven popular souvenirs to purchase from GOTO-CHI

This is a stuff animal that is extremely popular. Its secret is its cute expression and small size which makes it easy to carry. 1,320 yen (tax included)

Mini daifuku in four flavors: chocolate, custard cream, matcha, and cheese. The package picturing the landscape of Nara is also a well-liked design. 20 pieces for 540 yen (tax included)

A cotton handkerchief made in Japan with beautiful soft colors with embroideries of temples, deer, and persimmons. Women seem to particularly like this souvenir. 660 yen/ea (tax included)

Can-preserved cookies representing Nara Tourism Association’s mascot character “Shikamaro-kun.” The cookies and the can itself make for a cute souvenir. 540 yen (tax included)

These small and cute little plastic accessories are also very popular. 550 yen (tax included)

A magnet of a torii gate or of a miniature temple with a swinging Shikamaro in front of it, loved by visitors everywhere. 550 yen (tax included)

A refreshing scent of persimmon and yuzu, using fruits from Nara and Yoshino. This is one of the most popular souvenirs people take back from nara. 5 pieces, 648 yen (tax included)

Nara Park Bus Terminal opened in April 2019 on the east side of Nara Prefectural Office. There is a newly opened “Nara Meihinkan Building Nara Park Bus Terminal Store” in the building. The interior has a traditional design with a calm atmosphere, reflecting that of the ancient city. A flag marking “Nara souvenirs” can be seen from the park across the wide road.

In the store there are many products that will tickle your fancy, like Nara specialty products, famous confectionery, traditional crafted items, original dorayaki, and small packs of persimmon leaf sushi. Some items are tax-exempt with purchases of 5,000 yen or more.

A rolled cake wrapping custard cream. A popular souvenir carrying a design with the characters for “Nara” and the staple deer. 5 pieces 842 yen (tax included)

The playful Shikamaro-kun in the form of a nail clipper, and it’s a keyholder too. 385 yen (tax included)

There are many souvenirs in the shape of a deer, but the chocolate dango is also a unique treat and for a reasonable price. 20 pieces for 540 yen (tax included)

“Nara Dorayaki” is a cute deer-branded dorayaki that you can buy in single pieces. Easy to carry around, and a great on-the-go snack. 180 yen ea (tax included)

A box of 5 sets of chopsticks with decorations of different Nara attractions. A great souvenir, even for those who can’t use chopsticks. 550 yen (tax included)

Lantern-shaped magnet that will be cute to attach at home as a memento of your trip. 550 yen (tax included)

Wooden items, especially those made by hand, are popular among tourists. These coasters will be a nice and useful souvenir or gift. 935-990 yen (tax included)

A souvenir shop located in “Mochi Idono Center Gai,” a shopping street east of Kintetsu Nara Station that crosses Sanjo Street. The store opened 11 years ago as “Nara Kuta Shop” selling only Nara characters. Today there is a wide variety of products alongside the character ones. Due to the location of the shopping district, there are a lot of foreign tourists that stop by, and enjoy, among other things, the shop’s shaved ice, and cups of Nara’s famous sake “Haruka.”
The store has tax exemption for purchases over 5,000yen, and many products are presented also with notations in English.

Compact and reasonably prices sweets that are great if you want to buy in bulk. 10 pieces for 270 yen (including tax)

A brush pen with nice Japanese designs, great for yourself or as a present. 550 yen/ea (including tax)

Japanese style 3D paper craft. Selected as a decoration full of Japanese vibes and culture. 1,650 yen/ea (including tax)

Souvenir’s made by Asuka’s favorite shopkeepers are very popular. Deer lamps made with a 3D printer and laser processing machine of “Asuka Omoide-do.” (800 yen (including tax))

These polished chopsticks, made of Tenri are very popular among foreign tourists who want original and luxurious souvenirs. 1,980 yen/set (including tax)

The Coffee Bag set of “K COFFEE” in Yamatokoriyama, with its traditional goldfish logo, is very popular. Very unique, the set comes in a goldfish-marked bag. 648 yen (including tax)

Nara is visited by many tourists from Japan and abroad and the city offers a wide variety of local products and souvenirs. Aside from the three stores presented here, there are many other around the station and other tourist spots. Find the one that you like best!

*The above article is based on information from April 2020