12 Best Things To Do In Kohima, Nagaland

things to do in kohima
Richard Dean
Richard Dean 
Updated
| 3 min read

The north-eastern state of Nagaland is worth your time, thanks to the beauty of its capital city, Kohima. It is the home of wonderful Naga tribes. If you truly want to immerse yourself in the Naga tribe’s way of life, there are plenty of things to see and do in Kohima that tell everything about their culture and tradition. Kohima is known for its peaceful pace of life, fresh air, and nature, which makes this place the best spot for soul searching. Perhaps, Kohima is a paradise and a dream destination for many. To learn more about the simple yet exciting life here, scroll down and check out the best things to do in Kohima, Nagaland!

1. Check out the shops at Naga Bazar

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Famous for being a marketplace that sells a variety of livestock, Naga Bazar is a great attraction to visit if you’re in Kohima. Located at the center of the city, the market is a great place to get to know Nagaland’s local culture. You’ll see all kinds of animals being traded in this market like fish, toads, hamsters, and dogs. There are also other shops as well that you can check out including a couple that offers unique Naga cuisine.

Naga Bazar

Address: Kohima, Nagaland 797001, India

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2. Chill with a nice cup of coffee at Été Coffee Roasters

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

COFFEE CULTURE . . . @ete_coffee . . #etecoffee #nagacoffee #nagaland #kohima #mokokchung #mon #wokha #tuensang...

Posted by Été Coffee on Wednesday, March 24, 2021

If you’re in the mood to simply chill and enjoy a nice cup of coffee, then Été Coffee Roasters is a great place to do just that. It offers coffee that’s organically grown, naturally processed, and locally roasted for an authentic Nagaland coffee experience. Customers praised the establishment for its great ambiance, cozy environment, and delicious coffee with at least two Google reviewers saying that it is the best coffee house they had ever visited.

So if you’re tired from exploring the city, then why not drop by for a spell and just relax with a nice cup of coffee?

Été Coffee Roasters

Address: Billy Graham Rd, Kohima, Nagaland 797001, India

Website: Été Coffee Roasters

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 12pm - 8pm (closed on Sun)

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3. Pay your respects to the fallen at Kohima War Cemetery

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Buried in Kohima War Cemetery are the countless British and Indian soldiers who gave their lives to protect Kohima from the Imperial Japanese Army back in March 1944. Walk through the graves of these brave heroes who not only protected an entire city but halted the invasion of India in what historians call “Britain’s Greatest Battle”.

Kohima has a rich military history that’s sure to appeal to history buffs and this cemetery serves as a great reminder of how important it is to remember one’s history.

Kohima War Cemetery

Address: Midland Colony, Kohima, Nagaland 797005, India

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4. Learn about Kohima Cathedral Church's history

Kohima
Source: Photo by Flickr user Rita Willaert used under CC BY 2.0

The Kohima Cathedral Church represents the center of the Catholic Church in Nagaland. Offering unique design, this church incorporates traditional Naga house design with more modern architecture. An interesting note is that this church was funded by the Japanese who wished to commemorate the Japanese soldiers who died in the Battle of Kohima.

This gives the church a historical and religious significance for tourists as this attraction serves as both a place to learn about Kohima’s rich history and a place for Catholics to go on a pilgrimage while visiting Kohima.

Kohima Cathedral Church

Address: M433+2R7, Aradurah Hill, Kohima, Nagaland 797005, India

Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)

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5. Naga Keeda Bazaar

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Naga Keeda Bazaar is one of the liveliest and busiest places in Kohima alongside its supermarkets. This market offers a unique product that most markets dare serve: insects. From buzzing wasps, silkworm larva, and frogs, this market has a plethora of insect species for a wide variety of purposes, including consumption, though you either have to ask a local to cook it for you or you cook it yourself since most restaurants usually don’t serve these insects in their menus.

Naga Keeda Bazaar

Website: Naga Keeda Bazaar

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6. Relax and reflect on life at Mary Help of Christians Cathedral

KOHIMA CATHEDRAL
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user deepgoswami used under CC BY 2.0

Known for its beautiful architecture and divine atmosphere, Mary Help of Christians Cathedral (The Cathedral of Kohima) is one of the most sought-after destinations in town. Situated on the hill and surrounded by wonderful views, this place is your refuge amidst the bustling city. The construction of the cathedral was funded by Japan as a dedication to their fallen soldiers in the Battle of Kohima during World War II. All things inside the church are well thought out, from its marvelous glass paintings to interiors.

Mary Help of Christians Cathedral

Address: Aradurah Hill, Kohima, Nagaland 797005, India

Website: Mary Help of Christians Cathedral

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7. Learn more about the history of Naga at Nagaland State Museum

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Your crash course into the culture of the Naga tribe starts at Nagaland State Museum. It is situated close to the commercial area and surrounded by breathtaking scenery. The museum is committed to promoting the culture and customs of the place. It features everything that has something to do with history, from artifacts to traditional dresses, from musical instruments to sculptures, to name a few. Visiting this museum allows you to learn about Naga tribes and culture.

Nagaland State Museum

Address: Upper Bayavü Hill, Kohima, Nagaland, India

Website: Nagaland State Museum

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8. Enjoy freshly roasted organic coffee at D Cafe

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you are a coffee lover and an artist - there’s a perfect place for you in Nagaland. Introducing D Cafe, where the satisfaction of customers is their top priority and freshly roasted organic coffee is served, which includes Turkish, French press, and mocha. Salads, waffles, omelets, to name a few are also available, best paired with a cup of hot coffee. The whole ambiance is cozy and screams comfort in every corner. The good part? They also present live music.

D Cafe

Address: Jail Colony, Kohima, Nagaland 797005, India

Website: D Cafe

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9. Experience Hornbill Festival at Kisama Heritage Village

Tribe-man from Nagaland
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Siddharthdhodapkar used under CC BY-SA 4.0

People from all walks of life gather at Kisama Heritage Village to celebrate Hornbill Festival, which is held annually. This celebration allows tourists to experience the rich Naga culture of every tribe. Unlimited food, outstanding music, activities, rice beer, are must-tries in Nagaland. In the wide beautiful arena, different performances and musical concerts can be seen. The village has also a designated place for shopping where you can buy traditional handicrafts and clothes. If you truly want to immerse yourself in Naga culture, this place must be included in your list.

Kisama Heritage Village

Address: P.W.D. Colony, Kohima, Nagaland 797005, India

Traveler's tips

The Hornbill festival takes place in December, and that is the only time when the place is packed. We ended up making the drive to the site in April, and although it was open, there were only a few permanent structures. During the festival, this is a must visit.

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10. Grab some photo op at Kohima Botanical Garden

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Nature lovers get excited to see the vast variety of herbs and flowers at Kohima Botanical Garden. This garden is outstanding and has a unique charm that attracts plenty of people around the world. The green carpet of grass enclosed by tall trees is relaxing to look at. Get to see and learn more about the different kinds of flora and herb, and discover the rare ones that can be found only in Kohima. It is also a great place for a photo op.

Kohima Botanical Garden

Address: Kohima, Nagaland, India

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11. Refresh and bond with your family at Sakhrie Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Ah, peace and serenity - that’s what Sakhrie Park offers. If you want to stay away from the din and dust, this park is a wonderful place to relax, enjoy the views, and play with the kids. It features both facilities for children and adults, from the playground to the hammock area, from picnic spot to fountain. It is also a good place to host any events or reunions. Whether you want to enjoy the sun or bond with your family, Sakhrie Park is the right place to be.

Sakhrie Park

Address: Kohima-Mokokchung Rd, A.G. Colony, Kohima, Nagaland 797005, India

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12. Experience a burst of flavors at Yaotsu's Veggie-Table Restaurant

Editor’s note: establishment is permanently closed

Yaotsu’s Veggie-Table Restaurant is a combination of good and healthy food, relaxing atmosphere, impeccable service, and more. What sets apart Yaotsu’s Veggie from the rest is the extensive all-vegetarian menu at a budget-friendly price. Their dishes come in diverse flavors as they serve a variety of cuisine, from Indian to Western and Chinese food. The restaurant also has a wonderful and spacious rooftop with an amazing view of the town, which adds to the experience.

Yaotsu's Veggie-Table Restaurant

Address: Near Over Bridge, Midland Colony, Kohima, Nagaland 797005, India

Website: Yaotsu’s Veggie-Table Restaurant

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 6am - 8pm; Sun: 1pm - 8pm

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Peaceful and relaxing life in Kohima

Known for its immense beauty and nature, Kohima is a promising place to stop, relax, and reflect on life. Take a break from the world and enjoy the best that Kohima has to offer.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Richard, a writer and traveler, is also passionate about biking. When not immersed in bike parts or computers, he can be found at the market, hunting for ingredients to fuel his love for...Read more

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