A Complete Guide To Visiting Nara
- Ollie Toth
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
An expert overview to help you experience Nara, the ancient capital of Japan
Photo Source: Vladimir Haltakov
Overview
Nara is the most popular daytrip from Kyoto and Osaka. Although it's most famous for the local population of deer, it offers so much more with a wide range of beautiful temples, lovely restauarants and cafes, and a rich history. Nara was the capital city of Japan before Kyoto, and has been involved in many of the historical events that have occured over the last 1200 years. It also offers a nice escape from the city and enables you to feel closer to nature and the mountains. In this articles, we'll summarise everything you need to know for planning a trip to Nara.
Table of Contents
Location & Access
Photo Source: Anne Laure
Travelling to Nara is easy from both Osaka and Kyoto, there are a variety of train lines and two train stations that provide access to Nara Park, the Kentetsu-Nara Station and Nara Station. Which train you choose depends on your location, budget, and desired travel time.
From Kyoto
From Osaka
Seasons
Photo Copyright: Ollie Ronin
Nara is much like Kyoto, with expressive seasons showcasing spring, summer, and autumn, and winter. Nara is plentiful in both cherry blossoms and maple leaves, creating some lovely views during spring and autumn. Summer is also beautiful, the landscape becomes lush and green, and the summer rain adds a cinematic atmosphere to the temples and parks. Winter gets occasional snow, and is more peaceful with fewer tourists.
🌸 Cherry Blossoms
Early April
🍁 Autumn Leaves
End of November
☀️ Summer
June - August
Lush and green environment
Average temp. 32°C
❄️ Winter
December - February
Snowfall: 2-3 times per month
Offpeak: Cheaper hotels and fewer tourists
Is it worth getting a tour guide in Nara?
For sure. Nara is an amazing place filled with a rich history, many hidden gems, and incredible restaurants. If you want to take the burden out of planning, gain a deeper understanding of the various attractions, and maximise your time here, then a tour guide is the best option. Early bookings are essential if you're travelling during the cherry blossom or autumn leaf period.
The 5 Best Things To Do In Nara
1.
Visit Todaiji Temple
Photo Source: Hanna May
Todaiji Temple is the most famous temples in Nara. It's a massive 1300 year old Buddhist temple that houses one of Japan's largest statues of Buddha, standing at 15 meters tall and made neitrely of bronze. Todaiji is located in Nara Park and features many sub temples, sanmon gates, and gardens. It's quite nice to stroll around the park and temple complex, and the temple itself is very impressive is one of the largest wooden buildings in the world.
Todaiji Temple
Opening Hours: 7:30am - 5:30pm
Cost: ¥800
2.
Walk around Nara Park
Photo Source: Devin Berko
Nara Park is a huge area with beatufiul temples, ancient shrines, and hundreds of deer. It contains a vairety of cherry trees for spring, and maple trees for autumn. The deer in Nara are found not only in the park, but also around the streets and shops between the main train stations and the park itself. You'll find numerous vendors sellings crackers to feed the deer, and if you bow to the deer before feeding them, they'll bow to you in return in order to recieve the crackers. As respectful as this sounds, the deer are quite impatient, if they don't get their cracker promptly they'll give you a small, but intimidating, bite, so it's best to avoid teasing them. This can be quite funny to experience and to watch, and there's no real danger. If you prefer more peaceful deer, then save your crackers until you get into the less crowded areas of the park.
Nara Park
The Park: Free
Crackers: ¥200
Hours: 24/7
3.
Views from Nigatsudo Temple
Nigatsudo is a sub temple of Todaiji and is a lessor-known temple in Nara that offers beautiful views over the park and the city. Entry is free and it's a nice 10 walk from Todaiji temple.
Nigatsudo Temple
Cost: Free
Opening Hours: 7am - 7pm
4.
Explore the Kasuga Grand Shrine
Photo Source: 663highland
Kasuga Taisha, known in English as the Kasuga Grand Shrine, is the most famous shrine in Nara. It was established around the same time the city was founded and is beleived to help to protect the city. It's especially famous for the hundred of lanterns which have been donated by worhsippers. The lanterns are only lit twice a year during two festivals, the Setsubun Mantoro on the 3rd of February, and the Chugen Mantoro on the 14th & 15th of August. There's also a lovely teahouse inside the shrine.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Shrine Hours: 24/7
Teahouse Hours: 10am - 4pm
Cost: Free
5.
Sample Handmade Mochi
Photo Copyright: Ollie Ronin
Mochi, Japanese rice cake, was traditionally made with wooden mallets in a highly orchestrated fashion involving speed and skill. The Nakatanidou mochi shop keeps this tradition alive and on display for visitors as they walk along the streets around Nara. The mochi here is super delcious and very entertaining to watch it get made in front of your eyes. Recently, this place has eplxoded in popularity thanks to tiktok, and the owner has become a little impatient with the disorderly crowds, so be prepared as some customers find his behaviour quite rude. But don't worry, its all part of the experience, and the mochi is worth it!
Nakatanidou Mochi
Opening Hours: 10am - 7pm
Cost: ¥200