AEON MALL Nara Tomigaoka

On our way back from Kyoto to Nara on the afternoon of 12 August 2025, we decided to take a little detour from the main road and drop by AEON Mall Nara Tomigaoka. For Malaysians, the name AEON is nothing new — we’ve all shopped there countless times back home — but visiting one in Japan feels like seeing a familiar friend in a completely different outfit. This mall, sitting right next to Gakken Nara–Tomigaoka Station, isn’t one of those gigantic, overwhelming complexes. Instead, it’s compact, easy to navigate, and surprisingly relaxing. Opened in 2006, it blends Japanese efficiency with a friendly, local vibe. The ground floor has the AEON supermarket we all know, plus gems like Kaldi Coffee Farm for imported treats, Daiso for bargain finds, and Joshin Electronics if you’re into gadgets. Upstairs, you’ll find GU for affordable fashion, Asahiya Bookstore for a literary fix, and even a nostalgic arcade for a quick round of retro games. What makes it even more charming is how it feels like a modern version of Japan’s traditional shotengai — a community hub where locals shop, eat, and gather. The food court stays open until 11 p.m., and with free Wi-Fi, tax-free shopping, and bilingual signs, it’s as tourist-friendly as it gets. For me, the highlight was buying a yukata here for my wife — a small but meaningful souvenir from Japan that I know will remind us of this trip for years. AEON might be a household name in Malaysia, but here in Nara, it’s also a warm, welcoming stop that connects everyday life with the traveller’s journey.