Exploring Nara is a must for anyone who wants to experience Japan’s ancient history, culture, and yes, friendly bowing deer! Here’s a detailed Nara itinerary for a perfect day, complete with temples, treats, and travel tips.
JR Kintetsu Station
Start your trip at Kintetsu Nara Station. This station is the most convenient way to get to Nara, located right near many of the city’s top sights. For travelers coming from Kyoto or Osaka, Kintetsu’s limited express trains are a quick and easy option, taking just 34 minutes from Kyoto for around 1280 yen. For the limited express train, you will need to get a special ticket. There’s a machine for the tickets right on the train platform.
You might also be interested in taking the Aoniyoshi Train, a luxury sightseeing train that connects Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto. This gorgeous train involves plush seating with great views, and gets you to Nara and back fairly quickly. Check the info about their limited timetable here.
Higashimuki Shopping Street
Just a short walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, Higashimuki Shopping Street is a bustling arcade filled with souvenir shops, snack stands, and unique finds. This covered street is great for a quick snack and shopping before or after your sightseeing adventures. Open daily, hours vary by shop, typically 10 AM to 6 PM.
Keep your eyes peeled for all the yummy food. You should try mitarashi dango—grilled rice dumplings coated in a sweet, savory soy sauce glaze—a perfect street snack that’s uniquely delicious and found at many vendors around Nara.
Nakatanidou (Famous Mochi-Pounding)
Nakatanidou is a small but famous mochi shop located on Higashimuki Shopping Street. This place is renowned for its live mochi-pounding performances, where you can see experts hand-pound rice cakes at high speeds. Try the fresh yomogi mochi (mugwort-flavored) for a taste of local flavor! Open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM.
The performances are given multiple times a day, usually on the hour. More info can be found typically posted outside the store. Even if you can’t make it for a performance, you can buy the delicious mochi for only 200 yen.
Kofuku-ji Temple (and the National Treasure Hall)
Dating back to 710, Kofuku-ji Temple is one of Nara’s most iconic temples, known for its five-story pagoda and deep historical connections to the Fujiwara clan. The temple grounds are free to enter, but the Central Golden Hall, Eastern Golden Hall, and National Treasure Museum require an admission fee. Highlights include the reconstructed Central Golden Hall, the Eastern Golden Hall with its Yakushi Buddha, and the renowned National Treasure Museum, which houses famous Buddhist artworks, like the celebrated Ashura Statue. The Octagonal Halls, dating back centuries, add to Kofukuji’s rich architectural legacy. Open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.
I personally recommend the National Treasure Hall, which costs 700 yen. The statues inside are very culturally important and you’ll definitely be in awe as you view them.
Currently, the pagoda is under construction until March 2031. Although this is a bit disappointing, it’s a needed repair and a blink of the eye in the current pagoda’s nearly 600 year history.
Yoshikien Garden (and Isuien Garden)
Yoshikien Garden is a peaceful, free garden just a short walk from Todai-ji, featuring three sections: a moss garden, a pond garden, and a tea ceremony garden. Next door is the paid Isuien Garden, known for its stunning landscaping and historical artifacts, perfect for garden enthusiasts. Yoshikien is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM and is free, while Isuien costs 900 yen.
Todai-ji Temple
Todai-ji Temple in Nara is one of Japan’s most iconic and historically significant temples, founded in 752 AD by Emperor Shomu during the Nara period. Built as a symbol of peace and unity, it was intended to protect the nation through Buddhism and house the Great Buddha, or Daibutsu, which is one of Japan’s largest bronze statues. Todai-ji played a central role in the promotion of Buddhism across Japan, aligning with the Tang Dynasty’s influence on architecture and culture at the time.
The temple’s main hall, Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), is a massive wooden structure and one of the largest of its kind in the world. Though it’s been reconstructed multiple times due to fires, the current structure, rebuilt in 1709, still holds an impressive size at two-thirds of the original. The Great Buddha statue inside stands at around 15 meters (49 feet) tall and represents Vairocana, the Buddha of cosmic light, reflecting the grandeur and scale of ancient Japanese devotion.
Namdaimon Gate, the main entrance to Todai-ji, is an imposing wooden structure built in the late 12th century and guarded by two large statues of Nio (guardian deities). The gate marks the entrance to the temple complex and gives a sense of Todai-ji’s architectural magnitude.
The Nigatsu-do and Sangatsu-do Halls (February and March Halls), located on the hills east of Daibutsuden, offer some of the best panoramic views of Nara. Nigatsu-do is famous for the annual Omizutori Festival (Water-Drawing Festival) in early March, one of Japan’s oldest continuous Buddhist ceremonies symbolizing the arrival of spring. Sangatsu-do, also known as Hokke-do, is the oldest building within the Todai-ji complex, known for its historical Buddhist statues and serene atmosphere.
Admission is 600 yen for adults and 300 yen for children. Open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM (April to October) and 8 AM to 4:30 PM (November to March).
Nara Park (Deer Feeding Tips)
Nara Park is where you’ll find Nara’s famous free-roaming deer, considered sacred and protected as national treasures. Deer crackers, or shika senbei, can be purchased nearby for 200 yen. Feeding the deer is a fun experience, but remember to be cautious – they can get a bit eager! The park is open 24/7, and entry is free.
Cafe Etranger NARAD (Deer Parfaits)
After visiting Nara Park, take a break at Cafe Etranger NARAD, known for its parfaits decorated with cute deer cookies. This cafe is located near Kintetsu Nara Station and offers a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy sweet treats inspired by Nara’s iconic deer. Hours: 10 AM to 10 PM.
Gift Shop at Kintetsu Nara Station
Before leaving Nara, stop by the gift shop in Kintetsu Nara Station for some local souvenirs. Look for specialties like yuzu peel-wrapped dried persimmons, kuzumochi (a traditional Japanese dessert made from kudzu starch), and Kakinoha-sushi (sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves). These unique Nara gifts are perfect for taking a bit of Nara’s flavor home with you.
Other Great Day-Trips
If you’re feeling ready to sight-see, you might also try visiting Uji–which you can actually do in the same day as Nara. However, be prepared to cut a few things from your Nara itinerary, as the city is surprisingly large. Don’t forget that most shops and many temples/shrines in Japan close around 5-6pm.
