Nara
Great Buddha, ancient temples, and deer everywhere.
Nara was Japan's capital in the 8th century, before Kyoto. Its main sights sit together in Nara Park, where hundreds of deer wander freely. Todai-ji houses a huge bronze Buddha in a vast wooden hall. Kasuga Taisha has paths lined with stone lanterns. The old Naramachi quarter is good for coffee and small shops. Most people come for the day, but evenings are quiet and lovely.
Best time: Early April for cherry blossoms, or November for autumn color. Weekday mornings are calmest.
Weather
Average temperature, °C. JMA 1991–2020 normals (Nara (JMA)).
Top 5
- Todai-jiThe Great Buddha in one of the world's largest wooden halls.
- Nara Park deerBow to them; only feed them deer crackers.
- Kasuga TaishaA shrine of stone and bronze lanterns in the forest.
- Kofuku-jiA five-story pagoda near the station.
- NaramachiLattice-front townhouses, cafés and craft shops.
A simple day
- Kintetsu train from Kyoto or Osaka.
- Kofuku-ji, then walk through the park.
- Todai-ji and the Great Buddha.
- Kasuga Taisha's lantern paths.
- Tea and snacks in Naramachi.
Where to stay
- Kintetsu Nara StationWalk straight into the park.
- NaramachiSmall inns in the old quarter.
Places we’ve checked
- Nara Hotelstay site ↗
- Shisui, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Narastay site ↗
- Nakatanidoucafé site ↗
- Kakinoha-zushi Hiraso Nara (annex)restaurant site ↗
- Harushika sake tasting (Imanishi Seibei Shoten)experience site ↗
- Naramachi Koshi-no-Ie (Lattice House)spot site ↗
From the psst directory. Opening days and prices change — check the official site before you go.
Getting there
Kyoto → Nara: about 35 min by Kintetsu limited express, or about 45 min by JR. Osaka-Namba → Nara: about 40 min by Kintetsu.
psst — skip this mistake: Teasing deer with food. They can push, nip or butt; hold crackers low and give them quickly.