Wa Yamamura restaurant - Nara

Wa Yamamura restaurant was awarded three stars by the Michelin Guide Kyoto in 2012. It is a rather small restaurant, so we were lucky to get reservations there for a Saturday lunch only 5 days before.

The restaurant is located outside the touristy area of Nara, about 3 minutes walk from Kintetsu Shinomiya station.

We had counter seats, so here are our lunch neighbors.

The restaurant is quite compact. All the way to the right is the cash register, phone and fax machine. Then the drinks section with the two young waitresses busy filling some glasses. One of them spoke fluent English and took care of us throughout our lunch.

In front of us

And at the edge of the counter Chef Nobuhiro Yamamura could be seen preparing some sashimi bowls.

While reserving, we had selected the menu at ¥5,780. For each course, we were given a small card with the description in English.

STARTERS
- Hassun (assorted small dishes) and Ume
- Taro stem & okra in sweetened vinegar
- Kanpyo dressed with vinegar and miso
- broad bean, braised prawn, whelk
- conger sushi (in the reed)
- Egg yolk sauce grilled
- Japanese bay scallop

SOUP - Japanese dashi soup with shrimp fritters and egg-tofu

SASHIMI - Flatfish, Tuna, Squid

 

GRILLED DISH - Yuan-yaki (butterfish)

COLD DISH - Cooled water shield (tomato, zucchini)

FRIED DISH - Deep-fried eggplant

RICE - Steamed rice with bamboo shoots

RICE 2 - Young sardines and Japanese pepper boiled in soy sauce on white rice

DESSERT - Strawberry jelly

Coffee - some plain filtered coffee, quite disappointing.

As we left, Chef Yamamura accompanied us to the door then thanked us and bowed. He also kindly agreed to be photographed.

Overall, it was a pleasant meal during which we had the chance to discover some new flavors. Service was fine although at times amateurish (by the young waitress) but we did really feel welcome and taken care of, especially by the chef's wife. 

Now, does this restaurant deserve its Michelin 3 stars? In other words, does it serve "exceptional cuisine worth a special journey"? Not so sure about that. Wa Yamamura is a small family run restaurant that just happened to have caught the eyes and taste buds of Michelin guide editors as they decided to include Nara in their 2012 Kyoto region guide.

Wa Yamamura
Nara, Nara Prefecture
http://www15.ocn.ne.jp/~yamamura/

Japan day 9: Kyoto Inari Shrine and Nara

Before heading towards Nara, we went to Fushimi Inari Taisha, a shrine dedicated to the God of rice. The shrine in itself is nothing special, but it is surrounded by mountain trails covered with elegant rows of torii gates.

 

We walked up the mountain for half an hour...

 
until we reached the Yotsutsuji intersection, where we enjoyed the views over Kyoto before walking back.

We then took a train to Nara, Japan's first permanent capital. First site: the Kofukuji Temple.

before making our way to Wa Yamamura restaurant for lunch.

Afterwards we spent some time in Nara Park with its numerous wild deer...

before visiting one of Japan's most significant temples, Todaiji ("Great Eastern Temple"). Approaching Todaiji through the Nandaimon Gate.

The main hall, Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall), is the world's largest wooden building and houses a big bronze Buddha statue.

We noticed a gathering in a corner behind the Daibutsu, with people staring at a pillar.

There was a hole in the pillar. According to a myth, whoever can squeeze through it will be granted enlightenment.

Needless to say, several candidates were trying to squeeze through, with some friends' pulling required to get out...

Yes, she made it!

Have one more look at the hole. It was dug in such a way that only a Japanese (or East Asian) adult would manage to squeeze through. Even to reach Nirvana, some are more equal than others...

Finally, before exiting the main hall, we saw a charms stand.

 

 

I'm sure the businessmen-priests made a thorough analysis of the demand elasticity before pricing their charms, but wouldn't any rational charm-wearer rather pay more to avoid misfortune than for 'happy love' ?  :-)