Nara Park奈良公園
A wide park where wild deer wander freely. Feed them only the deer crackers sold there. They can get pushy.
- Nature
- With kids
- about 1.5 hr
- Free
Bus · About 15 min from Nara ・ Loop bus to Kencho-mae; or about 20 minutes on foot
Events held here
- Jan 23Wakakusa Yamayaki (Mountain Burning)After fireworks, the whole grass-covered hill is set alight, visible across Nara.
Dates, times and details can change, for example because of the weather. Please check the official information before you go.
Themes that include this place
- Old capitals & historic streetsTodaiji and Kasuga Taisha gather around a park where deer roam free.
- Festivals & seasonal eventsThe burning of Mount Wakakusa (January) and the Omizutori rite at Todaiji (March).
- Meet the animalsThe deer are a protected natural monument. Feed them only the special deer crackers, and take care — they can bite.
Nara guide
Japan's capital 1,300 years ago. Todai-ji with its Great Buddha, Kasuga Taisha and Kofuku-ji all stand around Nara Park, where deer roam freely. An easy day trip from Kyoto or Osaka.
Things to see 10 classics
"Classics" and "Hidden gems" are this site's editorial picks, not a measured popularity ranking.
By interest
By how you get there
By distance
- 1
Todai-ji (Great Buddha Hall)
A vast wooden hall housing a seated Buddha about 15 m tall. Don't miss the fierce guardian statues in the Great South Gate.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
about 60 minPaid entryFine on a rainy dayWheelchair & stroller friendly
Bus · About 20 min from Nara ・ Loop bus to Todaiji Daibutsuden / Kasuga Taisha-mae, then about 5 minutes on foot ・ 400m from here
- 2
Nara Park
A wide park where wild deer wander freely. Feed them only the deer crackers sold there. They can get pushy.
- Nature
- With kids
about 1.5 hrFree
Bus · About 15 min from Nara ・ Loop bus to Kencho-mae; or about 20 minutes on foot ・ 100m from here
- 3
Kasuga Taisha
A vermilion shrine in the forest. Countless stone lanterns line the approach, and bronze lanterns hang along the halls.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- Nature
about 60 minFreePartly step-free
Bus · About 25 min from Nara ・ Bus to Kasuga Taisha Honden; or loop bus to Kasuga Taisha Omotesando and about 10 minutes on foot ・ 900m from here
- 4
Kofuku-ji
See the Ashura and other famous statues up close in the National Treasure Hall. The vermilion Central Golden Hall was rebuilt in 2018.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- History & buildings
- Museums
about 60 minPartly paidPartly step-free
Walk · About 20 min from Nara ・ 700m from here
- 5
Naramachi
A quarter of narrow lanes and latticed townhouses around Gango-ji, a World Heritage temple. Many houses are now shops and cafes.
- History & buildings
- Shopping & strolling
- Food & markets
about 1.5 hrFree
Walk · About 20 min from Nara ・ 1.1km from here
- 6
Nigatsu-do Hall (Todai-ji)
A hall on the slope east of the Great Buddha Hall. Its balcony looks out over Nara, and is best around sunset.
- Temples, shrines & churches
- Views
about 30 minFreePartly step-free
Bus · About 35 min from Nara ・ Loop bus to Todaiji Daibutsuden / Kasuga Taisha-mae, then about 15 minutes on foot ・ 700m from here
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Nara Park
Within walking distance of here
See nearby on a mapWalking times are estimates from the straight-line distance.
- Go hereNara National MuseumAbout 5 min on foot
A museum strong in Buddhist statues and art. In autumn it shows treasures from the Shosoin storehouse, and gets very crowded.
- Go hereTodai-ji (Great Buddha Hall)About 7 min on foot
A vast wooden hall housing a seated Buddha about 15 m tall. Don't miss the fierce guardian statues in the Great South Gate.
- Go hereIsuien and Yoshikien GardensAbout 2 min on foot
Two Japanese gardens side by side, very near Todai-ji. Isuien borrows Mt. Wakakusa and the temple roofs as part of its view.
- Go hereUkimido Pavilion (Sagi-ike Pond)About 10 min on foot
A six-sided pavilion standing in a pond in the south of Nara Park. Cross the bridge and rest inside. Few people come here.
Sights are this site's picks, not a popularity ranking.
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