By rail
Kintetsu Nara, ~35 min from Kyoto or Osaka
East Asia · Japan
Nara, Japan
A Great Buddha and bowing deer
Getting there
By air
Kansai International (KIX), ~1.5 h
Best time to visit
March to May and October to November — mild and dry
Don't miss
Todai-ji
Kasuga Taisha
Nara Park
Kofuku-ji
Things to do
Nara Park's deer
Todai-ji's Great Buddha
The lantern paths of Kasuga Taisha
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Saigen Jiro · CC0
What to pack
Walking shoes
A quieter corner
Isuien Garden, which borrows the temple roofs for its view
Questions travellers ask
When should I visit Nara?
March to May or October to November, when it's mild and dry. Bring walking shoes.
How do I get to Nara from Kyoto or Osaka?
Take the train to Kintetsu Nara, about 35 minutes from either city. Kansai International (KIX) is roughly 1.5 hours away.
What are Nara's highlights?
The deer of Nara Park, Todai-ji's Great Buddha and the lantern paths of Kasuga Taisha. Add Kofuku-ji if you have time.
Is there a quiet garden worth finding in Nara?
Isuien Garden, which borrows the temple roofs for its view.
About Nara
- Inland
Where it is
Nara, capital of Nara Prefecture, lies in the Nara Basin in the Kansai region of Honshu, Japan, a short train ride from both Osaka and Kyoto, with the grassy slopes of Mount Wakakusa rising behind its great park.
History
As Heijo-kyo, Nara became the capital of Japan in 710, and during the Nara period Buddhism flourished under imperial patronage. Emperor Shomu founded Todai-ji and its giant bronze Buddha, consecrated in 752, before the court moved away in 784. The temples, shrines and palace site that remained are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
People
Nara's people speak Japanese with a Kansai accent, and the city is known for old crafts such as sumi ink sticks and calligraphy brushes. Its calendar includes Omizutori at Todai-ji's Nigatsu-do hall each March and Wakakusa Yamayaki in January, when the grass of Mount Wakakusa is set alight.
Known for
- Todai-ji and its Great Buddha
- The deer of Nara Park
- Kasuga Taisha's stone and bronze lanterns
- Kofuku-ji's five-storey pagoda
- Kakinoha-zushi, sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves
Did you know?
The deer of Nara Park are regarded as sacred messengers of the Kasuga deity and are protected as a Natural Monument of Japan; many bow to visitors in hope of the shika senbei crackers sold to feed them.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.