In a nutshell
- Not sure where to start with Nara? We’ve been there and will tell you what’s truly worth seeing — and what you can skip.
- We’ve put together the 7 top Nara highlights you absolutely shouldn’t miss — from Todaiji Temple to the famous deer park.
- For each attraction, you’ll find our personal tips to help you visit smarter.
- We also cover where to stay, how to get there, and the best ways to get around Nara.
All Nara Attractions on One Map
First, we’ve pinned all our highlights in Nara on a map so you can get a quick overview for your Japan travel planning.
The attractions in Nara are relatively spread out, but you can still reach most of them on foot.
Todaiji Temple
Let’s kick things off with the highlight of all highlights: Todaiji Temple. Plenty of visitors come to Nara just for this one temple.
And honestly, they’re right to do so. Todaiji is simply stunning — from the grand gate to the massive wooden main hall, it’s seriously impressive.
Inside sits an enormous bronze Buddha, standing 15 meters tall — the largest bronze Buddha in all of Japan. It’s even slightly taller than the famous Buddha in Kamakura.
Admission costs 600 yen.
Nara Park and the Deer of Nara
Surrounding Todaiji Temple is Nara Park, home to the city’s famous Nara deer. More than 1,500 of them have roamed freely here for centuries.
The deer are tame and absolutely love being fed by visitors. Special crackers for feeding them are sold all around the park — just be warned: they can get pretty pushy once they spot food in your hands.
You’ll run into the deer near the temples too. They’re seriously everywhere in Nara!
Kofukuji Temple
Right at the entrance to Nara Park stands Kofukuji Temple — one of the oldest in the country, founded way back in 710.
The standout is the five-story pagoda, which looks absolutely stunning and is one of the most photographed spots in the city.
If you’re into history and culture, Kofukuji is totally worth your time. Three of the buildings charge admission, and the combination ticket at 900 yen gets you into all three.
Gangoji Temple
Gangoji Temple isn’t on most visitors’ radar, which means it was refreshingly uncrowded when we visited.
Built in the 6th century, Gangoji is considered the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan.
It’s not particularly large, but this small temple complex is still really worth seeing — especially if you want to escape the crowds for a bit.
500 Yen
Isuien Garden
Isuien Garden is a beautiful Japanese garden with winding pathways, two ponds, and lovely plantings. It’s not huge — you can stroll through in about ten minutes.
When we visited it was nice and quiet, so we could take some great photos. If you enjoy Japanese gardens, this one is definitely worth a stop.
Your garden ticket also gets you into the neighboring Neiraku Museum, which displays the art and antique collection of the Nakamura family.
Closed on Tuesdays
1200 Yen
Horyuji Temple
Horyuji Temple is one of the places we unfortunately didn’t get to visit ourselves. It’s located several kilometers outside of central Nara, which makes it a bit harder to reach.
On the grounds you’ll find the oldest wooden structures in the world. Like the temples in the city center, Horyuji is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site — so if you have extra time, it’s absolutely worth the trip.
Admission costs 1,500 yen.
Shopping Streets in Nara
One of the best streets for a leisurely browse is Naramachi.
You’ll find lots of traditional little shops here selling all kinds of things — some brew sake, others sell tea. If you walk from the train station to Gangoji Temple, you’ll pass right through it.
Nearby is the shopping street Higashimuki, which has plenty of souvenir shops and lots of good restaurants. We especially recommend the tonkatsu restaurant — you can get a seriously delicious meal there for very little money.
More Sights in Nara
Those are the seven most important things to do in Nara. If you’re spending more than one day here on your road trip through Japan, here are a few more highlights worth checking out.
Toshodaiji Temple and Yakushiji Temple
Check out Toshodaiji Temple and Yakushiji Temple — both are about 4 kilometers from the train station. From there you can also swing by Heijo Palace, the former imperial palace from when Nara was Japan’s capital. The easiest way to reach that area is by taking bus lines 70 and 97.
Earthquake Simulator at the Okumura Commemorative Museum
Here’s a more unusual tip: the earthquake simulator at the Okumura Commemorative Museum. The lobby with the simulator is free to enter.
You strap into a chair with a seatbelt and experience simulations of three major earthquakes from Japan’s recent history — including the quake that triggered the Fukushima disaster. It’s a genuinely eye-opening experience.
Extra: Mochi from Nakatanidou
One more thing we can’t leave out: one of the most famous mochi shops in Japan.
Mochi is incredibly popular in Japan — it’s a sticky, chewy treat made from steamed glutinous rice and filled with sweet bean paste. At the small shop Nakatanidou, you can try it for yourself.
Our verdict: These are definitely a matter of taste, but they’re not bad at all. Best to just try them and decide for yourself. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to watch the mochi master pound and shape them right in front of you.
Where to Stay in Nara
If you have the time, it’s really worth spending one or two nights in Nara. There are plenty of small guesthouses and some larger hotels to choose from. We’ve picked out three great options in top locations:
Alternatively, you can book a place to stay in Kyoto or overnight in Osaka and visit Nara as a day trip.
Here you'll find all our hotel recommendations for Japan:
Great Guided Tours of Nara
Want to do more than just tick off the top Nara attractions — and actually learn something along the way? A guided tour is the way to go. Here are three we’d recommend.
Nara Like a Local: A local guide takes you to the highlights or shows you the best restaurants and shops in the neighborhood. The tour adapts completely to your interests.
Bike Tour of Nara: Explore the best spots in Nara by bicycle — a fun and efficient way to cover more ground.
Craft Beer, Sake and Food Walking Tour: Already seen the main highlights and want something a bit different? Treat yourself to this tour: delicious sushi, mochi, sake, craft beer, and ramen at some great local spots.
Practical Tips for Visiting Nara
How much time to plan for Nara?
We spent one full day in Nara and covered the absolute must-sees. So a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto is totally doable for the highlights.
That said, we’ll be honest: we really wished we’d had more time. The day flew by, and with so many temples and museums to explore, you could easily fill two to three days here.
One important thing to know: the temples all close by 5 PM at the latest, and last entry is often half an hour before closing.
Getting to Nara
Nara is super easy to reach by public transportation in Japan. It combines perfectly with a visit to Osaka or the highlights of Kyoto — from either city, the journey takes just over half an hour.
From Osaka, you have two line options.
If you have the Japan Rail Pass, go with the Yamatoji Line — it’s covered by the pass.
Otherwise, the Kintetsu Railways express train is your best bet for value.
From Kyoto, it works the same way: two lines to choose from.
With the Rail Pass, take the Miyakoji Line.
Without a pass, the Kintetsu Railways express is again the smart choice.
All the info you need about the Japan Rail Pass and traveling by train in Japan is right here:
Getting Around Nara
If you’re exploring Nara on foot, be prepared for some fairly long stretches between attractions.
For easier getting around, there are bike rentals near both train stations, plus a well-developed bus network.
For 500 yen, you can grab a day pass (Nara Bus Pass) that covers all buses within the city area.
For 1,000 yen, there’s an extended ticket that also gets you all the way out to Horyuji Temple. You can buy both at a counter right inside the train station.
The most useful route is the City Loop Line (lines 1 and 2), which circles the city center and stops at all the major temples.
