Traditional shops in Horyu-ji

Many Japanese tourist spots, even the historical religious sites, are adjoined by small commercial streets featuring tea houses, coffee shops, restaurants and traditional souvenirs shops.

I like these places, they are a great opportunity to sample the regional delicacies, to buy local souvenirs and sometimes to enjoy exchanging a few words with the residents. Photographed here is the commercial street nearby the Hōryū-ji complex in Nara...