Ando, town in Ikoma district, Nara prefecture, Japan
Ando is a small town in Nara Prefecture with quiet streets and friendly locals. Located in the northwestern part of the prefecture near the Nara Basin, it covers just over 4 square kilometers and is shaped by the Tomio and Yamato rivers that flow through the area.
The town was originally part of the ancient Yamato province and became a modern village in 1889. It gained town status in 1986, with archaeological traces showing settlements from many centuries before.
The name Ando means relief and peace, reflecting the calm feeling that visitors experience here. Agriculture shapes daily life, with traditional farming practices and local ingredients like Yuzaki onions remaining central to how residents eat and live.
The nearest railway station is Horyuji in a neighboring town since no station exists in Ando itself. Local roads and the Nishi-Meihan Expressway connect the town to nearby places, making it easy to explore on foot or by bicycle.
A life-sized scarecrow angel resembling Prince Shotoku towers over 12 meters high in Kakashi Park. The figure gazes toward the legendary Horyu-ji Temple and was created to show the town's lighthearted and playful spirit.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
