Best Things to Do in Nara, Japan

Nara sits in the Yamato Basin surrounded by the Yamato hills, 40 km south of Kyoto and 50 km east of Osaka. As Japan’s capital from 710-784 AD (the Nara period), it accumulated an extraordinary concentration of Buddhist and Shinto heritage. The things to do in Nara are anchored by the Nara Park complex. Todai-ji (Eastern Great Temple), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden) — at 57m x 50m, the world’s largest wooden building (though only two-thirds the size of the original); inside, the 15m Daibutsu (Great Buddha, cast in bronze in 752 AD) is one of Japan’s most iconic art objects; the wooden columns holding up the hall are worth examining closely. The deer of Nara Park (approximately 1,300 sika deer, considered sacred messengers of the gods) bow for deer crackers (shika senbei) sold by vendors throughout the park; they roam freely and are generally gentle but can be insistent for food. Kasuga Grand Shrine has 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns lining its approaches; the lantern lighting ceremonies in February and August are spectacular. Kofuku-ji (Nara’s main Fujiwara clan temple) has a five-story pagoda visible across the park’s central pond. Isuien Garden (a two-part stroll garden using the borrowed scenery of the Eastern Precinct hills) is one of Japan’s finest Meiji-period gardens.

Best time to visit

March-April (cherry blossom, particularly magnificent in Nara Park and along the Yoshino mountain, 60 km south) and October-November (autumn foliage) are the most beautiful times. Summer (June-September) is very hot (33-38°C) and the deer are in poor condition from summer moult. Winter is cold but uncrowded; the lantern festivals in February are atmospheric. Golden Week (late April-early May) and weekends throughout the year see very heavy crowds at Todai-ji.

Getting around

Nara is 35-45 minutes from Kyoto (JR or Kintetsu lines), 45 minutes from Osaka (Kintetsu Nara), and 35 minutes from Nagoya. JR Nara Station and Kintetsu Nara Station are both 10-15 minutes’ walk from Nara Park; buses also serve the park from both stations. The park, Todai-ji, Kasuga Shrine, and Kofuku-ji are all walkable from the city center. For Horyu-ji (the oldest surviving wooden structure in the world, 12 km southwest), a local bus or taxi is needed.

What to eat

Nara is known for kakinoha-zushi (mackerel and salmon sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves, a preservation technique from the era before refrigeration), mochi (particularly in autumn after the rice harvest), and Yoshino’s kuzu (arrowroot starch used in desserts and noodles). The shopping street from Kintetsu Station to the park has the highest concentration of food stalls and restaurants; kakinoha-zushi is available in most traditional restaurants. Nakatanidou on the approach to Todai-ji is famous for its yomogi mochi (green mochi pounded to order, eaten while still warm).