Tourist attraction • 1117 639 Banjōchō, Yamatokoriyama, Nara 639-1117, Japan
Bandajo-cho, located in Yamatokoriyama city, Nara Prefecture, was once a flourishing historic castle town. In the alleyways of this town, there stands a peculiar stone statue: the 'Monkey Statue'.
As you turn down the narrow streets, the rounded-back stone monkey statue comes into view in the grand entrance garden of a townhouse. This statue blends perfectly into the old townscape of Bandajo-cho, as if it has spent a long time in this place.
Looking around, you'll see splendid traditional townhouses lined up, exuding a unique atmosphere as if time has stood still. In this environment full of elegance, the solitary monkey statue exudes a mysterious charm.
While the exact origin of the monkey statue is unknown, it has probably been cherished by the people of Bandajo-cho for a long time. Monkeys have long been regarded as symbols of wisdom and longevity. Perhaps, this stone statue has served as a guardian deity of the townhouses or has played a role in inviting prosperity to the households.
In any case, this monkey statue has become an integral part of the historic townscape of Bandajo-cho, embodying the town's identity. This mysterious stone statue standing in the quiet alleyways can be considered as one of the symbols of Nara's charm.