Travel Plans
Nara

Plan an easy Nara trip with guidance on the Great Buddha at Todaiji, the deer of Nara Park, ancient temples such as Kasuga Taisha and Kofuku-ji, and the Naramachi old town — enjoyable even as a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka.

Nara is one of Japan's oldest capitals, the former site of Heijo-kyo, and retains many World Heritage temples and shrines. Its great advantage is that the main sights cluster around Nara Park within walking distance, so even a short stay covers them efficiently. The deer roaming freely in the park are an emblem of Nara and, together with the Great Buddha at Todaiji, draw many visitors. With good access from Kyoto and Osaka, it makes a satisfying day trip.

Todaiji's Great Buddha Hall is among the largest wooden structures in the world, and the scale of the Buddha inside is overwhelming. In Nara Park you can stroll among the deer, and feeding them shika-senbei crackers is a popular experience. Kasuga Taisha is beautiful for its vermilion halls and countless lanterns, with an atmospheric forested approach. The five-story pagoda of Kofuku-ji is iconic of Nara's skyline, and nearby Naramachi offers cafes and craft shops set in old townhouses.

Since the area around Nara Park is walkable, starting from Kintetsu Nara Station is efficient. The deer are wild animals, so a little care with how you show food and with young children makes the visit smoother. Todaiji and Kasuga Taisha are relatively quiet in the morning, allowing a calm visit. As temples have set hours, planning from the morning is best. Prepare for heat in summer and cold in winter, and comfortable shoes make exploring more pleasant.