Scenic view of Koriyama Castle in spring, Nara Prefecture

Things to do in  Nara Prefecture

Hold on for deer life

Nara Prefecture is a region in Japan’s Kansai area that’s known for its ancient temples, shrines, and rich traditions. The capital of this area—Nara—was a former capital of Japan, and is well-known for its freely roaming deer at Nara Park. Aside from spotting these creatures, there are still plenty of other things to do in Nara Prefecture. Big draws include seeing the Great Buddha statue at Todai-ji temple and visiting the UNESCO World Heritage-listed wooden Horyu-ji temple.

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Top 4 attractions in Nara Prefecture

#1

Nara Park (Nara Koen)

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Located in the heart of Nara City, Nara Park (Nara Koen) is famous for the more than 1,000 semi-wild sika deer that roam its grounds. Spanning 1,631 acres (660 hectares), the scenic public park is also home to several popular attractions, including the Todai-ji Temple, the Isuien Garden, and the Nara National Museum.More
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#2

Todai-ji (Eastern Great Temple)

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Located in Nara Park, Todai-Ji (Great Eastern Temple is one of the most famous and historically significant temples in Japan. Dating back to the eighth century, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site is known for its Great Buddha Hall, one of the largest wooden structures in the world, which houses a massive bronze Buddha statue.More
Tours & Tickets
#3

Kasuga Taisha (Kasuga Grand Shrine)

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Kasuga Taisha (Kasuga Grand Shrine dates back to the year 768, when its construction was ordered by Emperor Shotoku (though it has been rebuilt several times since. This celebrated Shinto shrine complex is most famous for the series of giant stone lanterns that line the paths through Nara Park leading toward its entrance.More
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#4

Nara National Museum

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Established in the late 19th century, the Nara National Museum is a well-respected exhibitor of Japanese Buddhist art. In addition to the original French Renaissance–style building, a newer wing also displays temporary exhibits. In both wings, visitors can admire predominantly Japanese Buddhist statues, paintings, scrolls, and ceremonial objects.More
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Explore Nara Prefecture by interest

Top activities in Nara Prefecture

Nara Half Day Trip Walking Tour
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Nara Half Day Trip Walking Tour

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$78.14
Nara Private Tour by Public Transportation from Kyoto
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Nara Private Tour by Public Transportation from Kyoto

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$157.59
Nara Full-day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

Nara Full-day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

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$137.89
Nara - Highlights Bike Tour
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Nara - Highlights Bike Tour

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$72.23
Nara Custom Full Day Tour

Nara Custom Full Day Tour

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$216.69
All must-sees in 3 hours - Nara Park Classic Tour! From JR Nara!

All must-sees in 3 hours - Nara Park Classic Tour! From JR Nara!

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$42.68
Nara Todaiji Lazy Bird Tour
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Nara Todaiji Lazy Bird Tour

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$87.17
Relax in Nara: Deer Park, Todai-ji Temple and Merchants' Town
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Relax in Nara: Deer Park, Todai-ji Temple and Merchants' Town

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$118.80
Nara Like a Local: Customized Private Tour

Nara Like a Local: Customized Private Tour

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$55.00
Kimono rental

Kimono rental

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$28.89
Nara - Heart of Nature Bike Tour
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Nara - Heart of Nature Bike Tour

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$98.49
The best of Nara walking tour

The best of Nara walking tour

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$449.19
per group
Nara - Private Family Bike Tour
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Nara - Private Family Bike Tour

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$196.99
Nara Custom Half Day Tour

Nara Custom Half Day Tour

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$137.89
Historic and Natural Guided Hike in Yoshino

Historic and Natural Guided Hike in Yoshino

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$131.33
Learn How to Make Sushi! Light class- Nara School

Learn How to Make Sushi! Light class- Nara School

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$113.47
Kickstart Nara city with local

Kickstart Nara city with local

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$11.82
 KIX Airport to / from Nara (7 Seater)

 KIX Airport to / from Nara (7 Seater)

From
$16,415.69
per group
Authentic Experience in the Local Community

Authentic Experience in the Local Community

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$483.21
Authentic experience in the local community

Authentic experience in the local community

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$503.92
See all Nara Prefecture tours

All about Nara Prefecture

When to visit

Visiting Nara in spring (March–May) or fall (September–November) offers a feast for the eyes. In spring, spot cherry blossom, and in fall, seek out the changing colors of foliage. If you're in Nara at the end of January, look out for Yamayaki (the grass burning festival), which involves fireworks and striking hillside fires.

Getting around

Nara has great transport links—with two major railway stops—the JR Nara Station (served by JR West) and Kintetsu Nara Station (served by Kintetsu Railways). Once inside the city, you can easily explore Nara Park and its nearby temples on foot, or alternatively travel on Nara Kotsu buses. It’s worth looking into a 1-day unlimited journey day pass if you’re planning on multiple bus trips in a day.

Traveler tips

If you want to pick up some unique souvenirs while in Nara, then the narrow streets of Naramachi are well worth a visit. Here you can find old merchant houses that have been transformed into small locally run shops, restaurants, and guest houses. Hikers visiting Nara may want to consider hiking up Mt. Wakakusa in time for sunset, as it offers panoramic views. In summer, there are buses that take you to the summit.

Local Currency
Japanese Yen (¥)
Time Zone
JST (UTC +9)
Country Code
+81
Language(s)
Japanese
Attractions
4
Tours
61
Reviews
635
EN
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People Also Ask

Is Nara Japan worth visiting?

Yes, Nara is worth visiting. It’s an easy day trip from Kyoto and offers a glimpse of Japan’s past as the city is full of UNESCO World Heritage-listed temples and shrines, including Todai-ji temple and Kasuga-Taisha shrine. Its large deer population also sets it apart from other cities.

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What is Nara Prefecture known for?

Nara Prefecture is known for its abundance of wild deer that congregate in Nara Park and areas around it. It’s also known for its Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, such as Todai-ji temple—which is home to a large Buddha statue. Another notable temple is the impressive wooden structure of Horyu-ji.

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How long should you spend in Nara Japan?

Many travelers come to Nara for a day trip; however, if you want to slow down, see multiple shrines and temples, and learn about the city’s history, then it’s worth an overnight stay. For a more atmospheric environment, check out the city’s traditional inns, known as ryokans.

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Is Nara easier from Kyoto or Osaka?

Nara is easy to get to from both Kyoto and Osaka. If traveling on the Kintetsu Limited Express, it takes around 34 minutes from Kyoto Station to Kintetsu-Nara Station. Alternatively, if traveling from Osaka-Namba Station, it takes around 34 minutes to get to Kintetsu-Nara Station on the Kintetsu Express.

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Is Nara walkable?

Yes, Nara is walkable, especially as some of its biggest attractions are within walking distance of each other—like Nara Park and Todaiji temple. If traveling by train, it takes around 15 minutes to get to Nara Park from Nara’s JR station and it’s roughly a 5-minute walk from Kintetsu-Nara Station.

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What is the most visited place in Nara?

The most visited place in Nara is Todaiji temple—a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s famous for its bronze Buddha statue known as the Great Buddha. This temple dates back to the Nara Period (710-784), and the Great Buddha is a colossal size—around 49 foot ( 15 meters) tall.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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