Top Things to Do in Nara

Jul 16, 2019

Top Things to Do in Nara

With numerous temples and shrines, Nara is an important city for Japanese history and culture. It is also a top location for outdoor activities, especially during the fall for the autumn leaves.

Shrines and Temples

Each one of the shrines and temples in Nara is fascinating in its own way. If you’ll be spending some time in the city, it’s worthwhile trying to see as many of them as possible. At a minimum, you should visit some of the most historically significant.

• Todaiji — One of the most important temples in the country, Todaiji was part of the Seven Great Temples of Nara. It is best known today for its giant bronze Buddha statue.
• Kasuga Taisha — The most visited shrine in Nara is Kasuga Taisha. The offering hall is free to enter and there’s the option to pay if you want a closer look at the inner buildings.
• Kofukuji — Another of the Seven Great Temples, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Kofukuji. This temple has the second-largest wooden pagoda in Japan.
• Horyuji — It is believed that Horyuji’s pagoda may well be the oldest wooden building to still exist in the entire world.

Nara Park

Besides its religious buildings, Nara is most famous for Nara Park. The park is home to Todaiji and Kofukuji temples as well as tame deer, which roam freely. While at Nara Park, you’ll also want to spend at least a few hours at Nara National Museum and exploring the traditional gardens.

Mount Wakakusa

If you’re looking for more than a walk in the park, head out to Mount Wakausa. It’s open all year, except during the winter. You can reach the plateau in just 15 to 20 minutes. Keep walking for another half hour and you’ll reach the peak.

The hill’s name means “young grass” because of the festival that takes place at the end of every January when the slopes are burned after a brief fireworks display. However, the best time to visit is early April during the cherry blossom season.

Heijo Palace

Heijo Palace was the emperor’s residence when Nara was the capital of Japan in the 8th century. The original palace no longer stands, but the government has been gradually reconstructing the palace in recent years. So far, they have succeeded in building three major structures and several more foundations.

Isuien

To see fall colors in Nara, head to Isuien. Its name means “garden founded on water” for the ponds that receive their water from the Yoshikigawa River. The garden is made up of two sections, which used to be separate gardens. With your admission ticket, you’ll be able to walk through both, access the Neiraku Museum of Art, and visit many of the tea houses situated there.

Mount Ikoma

On the border between Nara and Osaka, Mount Ikoma is the perfect place to watch fireworks displays or just enjoy night views of the two prefectures. In the spring, it’s also a great place to enjoy a picnic under the cherry trees.

At just over an hour away from both Osaka and Kyoto, and with so many things to see and do, it’s worthwhile spending at least a couple days in Nara.

Cun Cun [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons