Nakatanidou, a small mochi shop near Sarusawa Pond in central Nara, has become one of the city’s most popular attractions thanks to its jaw-dropping high-speed mochi pounding (kosokumochitsuki). Several times a day, its artisans perform the traditional mochitsuki with breathtaking rhythm and speed — one wielding the heavy wooden mallet in a blur of strikes, the other flipping the sticky rice by hand between blows, the crowd counting along in astonishment. The result is yomogi mochi, a soft, warm, fragrant mugwort rice cake filled with smooth sweet red bean paste, best eaten fresh on the spot. The performances draw crowds and have gone viral worldwide.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Near Sarusawa Pond, Nara |
| Hours | Shop daytime; pounding at set times |
| Admission | Mochi ~¥150–200 each |
| Time needed | A snack stop |
| Best time | Year-round; check pounding demo times |
What to Do
- The astonishing high-speed mochi pounding performance.
- Fresh, warm yomogi (mugwort) mochi with red bean.
- The blur of flying mallets and rhythmic teamwork.
- A viral Nara street spectacle near Sarusawa Pond.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Kofukuji and Sarusawa Pond right nearby.
- Pair with a Naramachi stroll just south.
- Read our Nara overview .
Getting There
- On foot: near Sarusawa Pond, a short walk from Kintetsu Nara Station.
- Timing: the pounding runs at set times — check on arrival or online.
Tips
The high-speed pounding runs only at set times, so check the schedule (posted online and at the shop) to catch the performance rather than just buying a mochi. Eat the yomogi mochi warm and fresh on the spot for the best texture — soft, fragrant and gently sweet. It’s right by Sarusawa Pond and Kofukuji, so it slots easily into a Nara Park walk.
