All Reviews of Nakatanido

When in Nara, you have to check out the famous Nakatanido. The most fascinating part is watching the mochi pounding in person! The craftsmen rapidly pound the mochi with wooden mallets, moving with a fast and powerful rhythm. People nearby can’t help but stop and watch, and the whole process is very entertaining.

Watching the mochi being pounded so quickly in the wooden mortar really makes you feel like you’re right there in the action. The craftsmen are especially well coordinated, and their speed is seriously impressive! Watching it being made in person is more interesting than simply buying mochi.

You have to try Nakatanido’s mochi when you’re in Nara! The mochi I had this time was incredibly chewy, soft, and springy. It had a really pleasant texture when I bit into it and didn’t feel heavy at all.

The sweet filling went really well with it, and the mochi’s chewy texture made it hard to stop eating. Having the mochi fresh and warm on the spot made it especially delicious!

It’s just a simple piece of mochi, but it left a strong impression. If you’re out exploring Nara, I highly recommend stopping by to try one!

When visiting Nara, besides seeing the deer and visiting Todai-ji Temple, Nakatanido's mugwort mochi is another classic snack that I think you have to try!

The soft, chewy mugwort mochi is filled with sweet, rich red bean paste made from Tokachi red beans from Hokkaido. The subtle fragrance of mugwort pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the red beans. It's sweet without being too rich, with plenty of texture. The freshly made mochi is especially soft with a slight chewiness, and is worth trying for yourself.

Every time I pass Nakatanido, I'm drawn to the lively, suspenseful “mochi-pounding show” outside the shop. The two masters work in perfect coordination: one calls out loudly, while the other quickly turns the mugwort mochi in the mortar during the brief pauses, immediately followed by another fast, precise strike. Their movements are perfectly synchronized and fluid, making it impossible to look away. You can't help but wonder, “At that speed, aren't they afraid of hitting his hand?”

This is also a successful sales strategy for the shop. After all, once people watch the performance, they naturally want to buy a piece of freshly made mochi to try!

Even in the rain, there were still quite a few tourists gathered outside the shop to watch Nakatanido’s high-speed mochi pounding. I was drawn in by the lively shouts too and went over to take a look.

The whole process was really fun and felt almost like being at a festival. In the end, I bought one to try. It was still warm and freshly made, and the soybean flour aroma spread the moment I took a bite. The soft, pillowy texture was absolutely memorable.

The mochi is super chewy and soft. The red bean filling isn’t overly sweet, so it tastes really well balanced.