Enchanting Nara: The Must-Visit Spots You Can't Miss
Easily accessible from Kyoto and Osaka, Nara is a popular destination to include in any Japan itinerary. At Nara Park, often called Nara Deer Park internationally, you can enjoy feeding friendly, free-roaming deer with special crackers known as 'shika-senbei.' The city is dotted with numerous historical shrines and temples, including the World Heritage site of Todaiji Temple, which continue to captivate visitors. In this 47trip guide, we will introduce the best spots to visit in and around Nara City and how to best enjoy them.
Nara Park (Nara Deer Park)
In Nara Park (also known as Nara Deer Park), you can meet friendly deer that are cherished as sacred messengers of the gods. When you offer them special deer crackers, or 'shika-senbei,' they will give you a charming bow—a truly must-see sight. The scene of deer walking with World Heritage sites like Todaiji Temple and the five-storied pagoda in the background is a symbolic landscape of Nara. The park's seasonal beauty, such as cherry blossoms in spring and colorful leaves in autumn, is another major attraction, offering a different view with each visit. You are sure to enjoy the unique scenery where history and nature harmonize.
Recommended Hotel
Nara Hotel
Located on the hilltop of Nara Park, this classic hotel, one of Japan's leading hotels, has welcomed guests from Japan and abroad as the "Kansai Guest House" since it was founded in 1909. As it is adjacent to the park, deer sometimes come to play in the hotel garden, making it a place where you can best experience the unique atmosphere of Nara. Staying in the main building, a historic structure, will be a special experience in itself.
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Tsukihitei
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Shikitei
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Todaiji Temple and the Great Buddha Hall
At Todaiji, a symbol of Nara, your first stop should be the Nandaimon (South Great Gate). The Kongo Rikishi statues by Unkei and Kaikei that stand guard are truly powerful and impressive. Beyond the gate, the towering Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden) is one of the world's largest wooden structures, rebuilt in the Edo period after surviving two devastating fires. Stepping inside, you will find the Great Buddha (Rushana-butsu), approximately 15 meters tall, seated with a serene expression. Visitors are often overwhelmed by its majestic presence, finding it a deeply purifying experience. For a memorable part of your trip, be sure to try "Hashirakuguri," passing through a hole in a pillar said to be the same size as the Great Buddha's nostril. This is believed to bring good health and grant wishes.
Recommended Hotel
Shisui, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nara
Located on the western edge of Nara Park, this hotel enjoys a prime location surrounded by World Heritage sites such as Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kofuku-ji Temple, and Todai-ji Temple. Utilizing historical buildings such as the former Nara Prefectural Governor's Official Residence, built in the Meiji period, the hotel's architecture creates a beautiful space where tradition and modernity blend seamlessly. Guests can enjoy natural onsen(hot spring) in some of the guest rooms and private baths, allowing them to soothe the fatigue of their travels.
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JW Marriott Hotel Nara
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Edosan
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Kasuga Taisha Shrine emerges from a deep forest, its brilliant vermilion halls glowing against the ancient green. A sense of enchantment fills the air, amplified by some 3,000 lanterns that line the pathways—each a testament to a prayer once offered. It is from the myths of this sacred ground that Nara’s deer came to be revered as divine messengers. To wander through the crimson cloisters is to breathe in the profound spirit of the place, where history and nature are seamlessly woven together.
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Fufu Nara
Located next to Nara Park, this all-suite small luxury resort is a must-visit for travelers. Designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, the building features beautiful Japanese-style décor and Nara latticework that blends seamlessly into the scenery of the ancient capital. All rooms are equipped with open-air baths with natural onsen(hot spring) water, allowing you to relax and unwind in a private space.
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Musashino Inn
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Great Buddha Hall
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The graceful, 50-meter silhouette of the five-storied pagoda is the proud emblem of Kofukuji Temple and the city of Nara itself. For a picture-perfect moment, look to the nearby Sarusawa Pond, where the pagoda casts a perfect reflection on the water's tranquil surface. For another quintessential image of ancient Nara, frame a shot with a gentle deer from Nara Park in the foreground. Within the temple grounds, the National Treasure Museum holds priceless works of Japanese Buddhist art, headlined by the ethereal Ashura statue, a celebrated sculpture with three faces and six slender arms.
Recommended Hotel
Yoshino Sakura Natural onsen(hot spring) Onyado Nono Nara
This Japanese-style hotel is perfectly located just a minute's walk from the west exit of JR Nara Station, and features tatami flooring throughout. As a top brand of the Dormy Inn hotel chain, it also boasts a large natural onsen(hot spring) bath on the top floor. After a stroll around Kofuku-ji Temple and Nara Park, you can relax and soothe your tired body in the spacious bath and sauna.
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Asukaso
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Hotel Tenpyo Naramachi
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Wander south of Nara Park to discover Naramachi, a historic neighborhood where the charm of the Edo period still lingers in the air. Here, labyrinthine alleys are flanked by old townhouses with elegant latticework, many of which have found new life as chic cafés and artisan boutiques. As you meander through the lanes, keep an eye out for the red monkey charms watching over the homes—it's easy to imagine you've journeyed back to old Japan. With countless picturesque scenes at every turn, Naramachi’s true magic lies in its seamless blend of historical exploration, delightful shopping, and local dining.
Recommended Hotel
Hotel Nikko Nara
This city hotel is directly connected to the west exit of JR Nara Station, and boasts excellent access, allowing you to check in without getting wet in the rain. Bus stops to Nara Park are also nearby, making it an extremely convenient base for sightseeing in Nara. You can expect a comfortable stay with the stable, high-quality service that is unique to the Hotel Nikko brand and the extensive facilities within the hotel.
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Setre Naramachi
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Piazza Hotel Nara
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Horyuji Temple, Japan's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a temple said to have been founded by Prince Shotoku. Its collection of the world's oldest surviving wooden structures, which has stood quietly for 1,400 years, is nothing short of spectacular. Beyond its majestic architectural beauty, the temple's Gallery of Temple Treasures (Daihozoin) allows you to see masterpieces of Asuka-period Buddhist art up close, including the graceful National Treasure, the Kudara Kannon statue. Here, you can spend a special time connecting with the very origins of Japanese history and art.
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Temple Inn Wakyu Horyuji
This hotel boasts an unparalleled location right in front of the World Heritage Site, Horyu-ji Temple. Its greatest attraction is that it offers a variety of experiences to purify your body and mind before visiting Horyu-ji Temple and prepare for the next day's visit. You can spend a special time the night before your visit with cuisine made from traditional Yamato vegetables and a bath using Japanese and Chinese herbs.
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Toyoko Inn Naraouji Station South Exit
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Ubusunano Sato
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Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park
"Luciola" © Makoto Murakami
(Licensed under CC BY 4.0)
Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park is a charming destination with a nostalgic, retro atmosphere, featuring a variety of rides suitable for even young children. The adorable dog- and cat-shaped cable cars that ascend to the summit of Mt. Ikoma are a highlight in themselves. The park's main pride, however, is the spectacular view from the mountaintop. It offers a panoramic vista of the Osaka and Nara cityscapes, and on a clear day, you can even spot Osaka Castle to the west and the massive roof of Todaiji Temple to the east. The night view and illuminations on special evening-operation days are breathtakingly beautiful. The experience of enjoying this incredible scenery while on the attractions will surely become an unforgettable memory.
Recommended Hotel
Ikoma's Inn Shiroyama Ryokan (Japanese inn)
Surrounded by the greenery of Mt. Ikoma, Ryokan (Japanese inn) is located in a great location overlooking the Osaka Plain. The private baths, where you can enjoy the glittering Osaka cityscape, are particularly special. It is also close to Hozanji Station, a midway station on the Ikoma Cable Car that leads to Mt. Ikoma Amusement Park, making it a very convenient base for sightseeing.
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Monzen Okage-ro
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Kamenoi Hotel Yamato Heguri
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Summary
In this guide, we have introduced the highlights of Nara Prefecture and the best things to do in Nara, Japan. We covered interacting with deer in Nara Park (also known as Nara Deer Park), the charm of each mystical Nara shrine and Nara temple—such as the great Todaiji Temple Nara—and many perfect photo spots. A trip to Nara City offers a special experience where history and nature merge. Access is excellent for a Nara-Kyoto trip, so we highly recommend adding Nara to your next Japan travel plans. Please use 47trip as a reference to discover your own unique way to enjoy this historic region.
