If you're coming from Kyoto or Osaka, you'll likely arrive at either Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station. The Kintetsu station is much closer to the park. People who take the JR line often look a bit confused when they walk out and realize they’ve got a 20-minute uphill trek through a shopping street before they even see a deer. By the end of the day, that extra walking usually feels like a lot, especially if you’re carrying bags or have kids with you.

Nara was Japan’s first permanent capital. It’s built on a scale that’s much bigger than the temples in Kyoto. You’re going to spend most of your time walking on wide gravel paths.

Todai-ji Temple and the Great Buddha

This is the main hall everyone comes for. It’s a massive wooden building—one of the largest in the world. Inside is the 15-meter-tall bronze Buddha. You’ll notice a thick smell of incense and old wood as soon as you walk in.

There’s a wooden pillar with a hole in it near the back. It’s supposed to be the size of the Buddha’s nostril. You’ll see a line of people waiting to crawl through it for good luck. Mostly it’s children, but sometimes an adult tries it and gets stuck halfway, which is always a bit awkward for everyone watching.

The Deer in Nara Park

You don't have to look for the deer; they will find you. There are about 1,200 of them wandering around. They hang out near the vendors selling shika senbei (deer crackers).

The deer have learned to bow for food, but they aren't exactly patient. If you buy crackers and don't hand them over fast enough, they will nudge you, pull at your shirt, or occasionally give you a small nip. 

I’ve seen people buy a stack of crackers and then immediately get surrounded by five or six deer, which can be a bit much if you aren't expecting it. If you want a calmer experience, walk away from the main temple entrance toward the trees. The deer further out are much less pushy.

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

The walk to this shrine is a long, sloped path lined with thousands of stone lanterns. They are covered in thick moss and it’s very shaded, so it feels cooler here even on a hot day. It’s a bit of a hike, and I often see people stop halfway, look at the remaining distance on their phone, and decide to turn back.

The shrine itself has hundreds of bronze lanterns hanging from the eaves. Most of the year, it’s just the contrast of the bright orange paint against the dark green forest. It feels a lot more disconnected from the city than the other sites.

Naramachi District

South of the main road is the old merchant area. The streets get very narrow and it’s full of traditional townhouses. Some, like the Naramachi Koshinoie, let you walk inside for free to see how people lived in these long, narrow buildings.

It’s a good place to find a cafe, though many of them have very few tables and you might find yourself walking past three or four before you find a place with an open seat.

Hidden Temples and the "Big Buddha" in Naramachi

Kofuku-ji Temple

You’ll see this first if you’re coming from the Kintetsu station. The five-story pagoda is the big landmark. You don’t have to pay to walk around the grounds, so people tend to drift through here while they’re figuring out where the park starts.

The Central Golden Hall was rebuilt recently, so it looks very clean and bright, which sometimes feels a bit out of place next to the older, weathered structures.

Isuien and Yoshikien Gardens

These two are right next to each other. Isuien costs money and is famous for "borrowed scenery"—where they’ve designed the garden so the roof of Todai-ji looks like part of the background.

Yoshikien is right next door and is often free for foreign travelers if you show your passport. It has a very quiet moss garden. Most people skip these because they are in a hurry to see the Buddha, so it’s usually a good place to escape the crowds for 20 minutes if the park feels too busy.

Mount Wakakusayama

This is the big grass hill behind the park. It’s a steep climb. Most people just look at it from the bottom and keep walking.

If you do go up, you can see all the way across the Nara plain. In late January, they set the whole hill on fire for a festival, but the rest of the year, it’s just a place where the deer are a bit more wild and the views are flat and wide.

Nigatsu-do Hall

This is technically part of the Todai-ji complex, but it’s a separate walk uphill. It has a large wooden balcony that looks out over the whole city. It’s one of the best spots to be at sunset, but even during the day, it’s a good place to catch your breath.

There’s a small rest area nearby where you can get free tea, provided you wash your own cup afterward.

Nara National Museum

This is the place to go if it starts raining or if you’ve seen enough temples and want some air conditioning. It has a huge collection of Buddhist statues. If you aren't into art history, it might feel a bit repetitive, but the sheer number of carvings is impressive.

The building itself is a mix of old European-style architecture and a newer, modern wing.

Horyu-ji Temple

This is a bit of a commitment. It’s about a 20-minute train ride away from the main Nara area, plus a walk. It has some of the oldest wooden buildings in the world. Because it’s out of the way, it’s much quieter.

I usually only suggest this if you’re staying overnight in Nara or if you’ve been to Japan before and want to see something beyond the main park loop.

Nakatanidou Mochi Pounding

You’ll hear this place before you see it. They do high-speed mochi pounding several times an hour. A crowd always forms to watch the two guys smashing the green dough with wooden mallets while shouting. It’s loud and fast. The mochi is soft and warm, and it costs about 150 yen. It’s one of those things people do just because it’s there, but the mochi is actually better than the stuff you get at the train station.

Yakushi-ji Temple

This is in the Nishinokyo area, a few train stops away from the center. It’s famous for its two pagodas—one original and one reconstructed.

The Buddhist statues inside are some of the finest in Japan. It’s a wide, open complex that feels very different from the cramped streets of Naramachi.

Toshodai-ji Temple

Right down the road from Yakushi-ji is Toshodai-ji. It was founded by a Chinese priest who tried to reach Japan five times before succeeding. It’s a very quiet, tree-filled temple.

The statues in the main hall are huge and very detailed. If you’ve already done the main park and have a few hours left, taking the train out here is a good way to see the quieter side of Nara.

Sarusawa-ike Pond and Ukimido Pavilion

Sarusawa-ike is the pond near Kofuku-ji. You’ll see people sitting on the benches watching the turtles. If you walk further into the park, there’s a wooden pavilion called Ukimido that sits in the middle of another pond. It’s a popular spot for photos, especially when the water is still. It’s a nice, low-stakes walk if you’re waiting for your dinner reservation.

Thinking About Your Itinerary

There’s also a route that covers Nara Park, Tōdai-ji, Uji, and Fushimi Inari Taisha if you want to see the tea district instead.

Is Nara Better Than Kyoto?

It’s not really a competition. Kyoto is a big city with temples scattered everywhere. Nara is basically one big park where you can walk between the main sights. Nara feels older and a bit more unpolished, which a lot of people prefer. You can see the main parts of Nara in a day, but you’ll feel like you’ve barely started Kyoto in the same amount of time.

The Best Time to Visit

Late March and early April are busy because of the Nara cherry blossoms. The park looks different when the trees are pink, but it’s very crowded. November is also popular for the autumn leaves. Mid-summer is tough—it’s very hot, there’s a lot of walking on unshaded gravel, and the smell of the deer becomes a lot more noticeable.

Things to do in Nara FAQs