Discover the Best Things to Do in Nara

Discover Nara City in Nara Prefecture—where world heritage sites, beautiful Japanese gardens, and the legacy of Japanese Buddhism come alive. Just a short train ride from both Kyoto and Osaka Station, this guide from Designer Journeys helps you design a seamless, unforgettable Nara day trip itinerary.

Best Time to Visit Nara

When planning your Nara day trip itinerary, timing can truly transform your experience. Nara Prefecture is a year-round destination, but each season brings its own unique charm and highlights:

• Cherry Blossom Season (Late March–Early April): This is arguably the most magical time to visit Nara. Stroll through Nara Park, Deer Park, and the temple grounds of Todai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine beneath a canopy of delicate pink cherry blossoms. Both famous temples and beautiful Japanese gardens are especially photogenic, with local events celebrating the season.
• Autumn (Late October–Mid November): The historical significance of Nara is even more vivid as Japanese gardens and temple grounds glow with red maples and golden ginkgo leaves. Places like Isuien Garden, the Moss Garden, and paths to Kasuga Shrine become a showcase of borrowed scenery and natural artistry.
• Winter (December–February): Fewer crowds, clear air, and peaceful landscapes make winter an excellent time for a contemplative visit. Enjoy serene views at world heritage sites, sip matcha in a warm tea house, and even find special hot springs experiences in luxury ryokan. The famous deer look especially photogenic against the crisp scenery.
• Spring and Early Summer (May–June): Lush greenery returns to Nara City, and traditional festivals fill the air with excitement. Nara National Museum often hosts special exhibitions during this period, and the tea ceremony gardens are particularly lovely.
• Summer (July–September): While warmer, summer brings vibrant festivals, open-air events, and the lushest moss in the Moss Garden. Morning visits are recommended for a cooler, more comfortable experience.

No matter when you visit Nara, bring comfortable walking shoes and a sense of curiosity. With every season, the city’s world heritage sites, ancient temples, beautiful Japanese gardens, and famous deer offer new reasons to explore, discover, and design the perfect Nara adventure.

Trips you may like

9-Day Authentic Samurai and Sake Experience

This 9-day trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will immerse you in rich history and culture, as you uncover two of the things that make Japan truly unique; Sake and Samurai. When it comes to Sake, you’ll learn about the various processes behind making sake and the unique properties that make each style of sake different – and just how many different ways there are as you explore local sake breweries throughout Niigata and Yamagata. Now, it is time for your first introduction to the history of the Samurai. You’ll start in Nagoya and head out to Inuyama, where your swordsmith training will begin. Beginning with an exploration of Inuyama Castle, one of Japan’s five national treasures, you will then spend the next two days learning the art of sword-making, its importance in Samurai and Japanese culture, its origins and the training behind it. Next, you will have the rare opportunity to meet with katana artisans in their own ateliers, where you will watch their crafts being practised firsthand and learn the history of their trade. You’ll visit a tsukamakishi (hilt-wrapper), a shiroganeshi (habaki-maker), a sayashi (scabbard-maker), and a togishi (sword polisher), and might even see their own personal antique collections on this tour! This bucket-list trip captures the heart and history of Japan; Samurai and Sake, but also allows you time to explore the spiritual side of Japan, following walking trails to temples, meeting extraordinary locals and embracing the culture of this unique destination. Accommodation listed or similar.

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6-Day Tradition Meets Future in Tokyo & Kyoto

Japan is a real feast for all of your senses, with sumo, geisha, sake, karaoke, onsen, and izakaya waiting to be discovered. Spend six days exploring the highlights of this enthralling country, centred around Japan’s two major cities, Tokyo and Kyoto. Begin your trip with a guided tour of incredible Tokyo, where you will explore Tokyo’s dazzling lights, the Tsukji Market, famous for its tuna auctions and the ultra-cool shopping district of Shibuya, complete with a never-ending array of lights and mega-street crossings. Boarding the Shinkansen bullet train, you will travel at up to 320km/h from Tokyo to Kyoto in complete comfort. Arriving in Kyoto, you will be guided through the wonders of this city, visiting the famous Gion ‘Geisha’ district, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Nishiki Market, otherwise known as Kyoto’s kitchen! The highlight of this trip is a traditional group tea ceremony with an authentic Geisha, where you will learn the importance of this sacred Japanese ritual. Transferring back to Tokyo for the final leg of your journey, you will have the opportunity for last minute sightseeing and shopping before your private airport transfer! Thousands of years of history are concentrated in this fascinating nation – come and explore Japan’s attractions for yourself. Accommodation listed or similar.

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10-Day Nature and Unique Culture of Japan

This 10-day journey highlights the hotspots, hidden gems, nature and unique culture of Japan! Taking you through parts of modern Tokyo, to the traditional and historical former capital Kyoto, stopping along the way in the food and nightlife capital of Japan, Osaka. From the serenity of grand gardens to conveyor belt sushi restaurants at the top of skyscrapers; from the observation decks sprinkled around the city to the humble little ramen shops tucked away on side streets, it’s understandable why Tokyo is the most popular starting point for travellers coming to Japan. Tokyo is where you will uncover the hot-spots and the hidden gems of the city. Next stop, historic Kyoto. From your first day in Kyoto, you may very well feel the elegant ambience of a city entrenched in history. Here you will be immersed in Japan’s culture with a local guide, exploring the beautiful scenery that is Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, taking part in a traditional tea-ceremony and wandering amongst free-roaming deer in nearby Nara . Known by many as the food capital of Japan, the city of Osaka, your next stop is bright, vivacious, and friendly, however it also has a historical side. Here, you will explore Osaka Castle, a monument that played an integral role in the unification of Japan, before strolling down Dotonbori, where you can see the popular Glico running man display and try out Osaka’s signature foods: Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki. This trip is the perfect trip for travellers looking for a combination of Japanese culture, nature and food. Accommodation listed or similar.

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from USD 5,811

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Top 10nar Things to do in Nara

1. Visit Todai-ji Temple

Start your journey at Todai-ji Temple, also known as the Great Eastern Temple—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a highlight of any visit to Nara. Pass through the iconic Nandaimon Gate, one of the oldest surviving wooden structures in Japan, and step into the Great Buddha Hall (main hall). Here you’ll encounter the Vairocana Buddha, one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world. Don’t miss the chance to squeeze through the pillar known as the Buddha’s nostril for good luck!

The Great Buddha Hall is the Main Hall of Tōdai-ji Temple.

Image source: Todai-ji Temple

2. Wander Nara Park and Feed the Famous Deer

Nara Park, also known as Nara Deer Park or simply Deer Park, is renowned for its population of over 1,200 free-roaming deer, which are regarded as messengers of the gods. Feed them deer crackers and stroll the vast lawns beneath cherry blossoms in season. The interaction is a favourite for families and kids—just be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes, as the park is expansive. The park is a must for any perfect Nara day trip and is just a short walk from Nara Station.

Wild deer in Nara Park.

3. Explore Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Kasuga Taisha Shrine, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, is celebrated for its thousands of bronze lanterns and hanging lanterns along mossy paths. Visit during a festival to see every lantern aglow, or come in quieter times for fewer crowds and an immersive connection with Japanese culture and spiritual history.

Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara.

4. Experience the Nara National Museum

The Nara National Museum is renowned for its incredible collection of Buddhist art and artefacts, offering insight into both the Nara Period and the Edo Period. Be sure to visit during special exhibitions to see rare treasures with immense historical significance.

Nara National Museum facade in Nara. Credit: WE_S – stock.adobe.com

5. Visit Kofuku-ji Temple

Take a short walk from Nara Park to Kofuku-ji Temple (also spelt Kofukuji Temple), one of Nara’s most beautiful temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the temple grounds, including the Eastern Golden Hall, Central Golden Hall, and the striking Five Story Pagoda—all reminders of the city’s role as Japan’s permanent capital during the Nara Period.

Kofuku-ji temple in Nara.

6. Discover Isuien Garden

Isuien Garden, a Japanese garden founded in the Edo Period, is a tranquil retreat known for its borrowed scenery—artfully framing Todai-ji’s Great Buddha Hall and the Five Story Pagoda in the background. Enjoy quiet tea houses, serene ponds, and seasonal blooms.

Isuien Garden in Nara.

7. Find Tranquillity in Nara’s Moss Garden

Step off the beaten path and relax in the Moss Garden, a hidden gem offering peaceful walks and a soft green landscape. Photographers and solo travellers love its quiet, meditative ambience and gentle beauty.

Traditional moss Yoshikien garden during spring.

8. Experience an Authentic Tea Ceremony Garden

Participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in one of Nara’s exquisite tea ceremony gardens. Expert hosts will guide you through every detail, serving matcha and delicate wagashi in beautiful tea houses set amid Japanese gardens—a true immersion in Japanese culture.

Mizutani Chaya in Nara Park in autumn.

9. Savour Fresh Mochi and Persimmon Leaf Sweets

Nara is known for its fresh mochi, often pounded in live demonstrations near the train station. Don’t miss the chance to try traditional persimmon leaf-wrapped sweets—a local delicacy reflecting the flavours of Nara Prefecture.

Green tea mochi with red bean rice ball, famous sweet food of Nara.

10. Unwind in a Luxury Ryokan with Hot Springs

Enhance your visit to Nara by staying in a luxury ryokan. Soak in hot springs, enjoy kaiseki cuisine, and relax in rooms designed with seamless comfort in mind. Many ryokan offer views of Japanese gardens and provide a serene end to a day of discovery.

Ryokan in Japan.

Practical Tips

• Getting There: Nara City is easily accessible via a short train ride from both Kyoto and Osaka Stations. Most visitors arrive at Nara Station or Kintetsu-Nara Station, both conveniently located near major world heritage sites and temple grounds.
• Planning Your Itinerary: Many highlights are just a short walk from each other—Todai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and the Nara National Museum all cluster in the heart of the city. For a seamless visit, follow a curated Nara day trip itinerary to maximise your time and discover fewer crowds in the early morning.
• What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes are a must—expect to spend time exploring beautiful Japanese gardens, temple grounds, and even gentle slopes if you add Mt. Wakakusa to your plans. Carry cash for small purchases like deer crackers, fresh mochi, and entrance fees to gardens and museums.
• Local Etiquette: When feeding the famous free-roaming deer in Nara Deer Park, use only the official deer crackers and handle the deer with care—they are cherished as a symbol of Nara Prefecture’s spiritual heritage. Respect the peaceful atmosphere of temple grounds and tea ceremony gardens; photography may be restricted in some indoor areas.
• Food and Refreshments: Try local treats such as fresh mochi, persimmon leaf sweets, and seasonal specialities sold by street vendors near the main hall of Todai-ji Temple and around Nara Park. Enjoy a meal in a traditional tea house or a luxury ryokan—many serve dishes inspired by Japanese Buddhism and local produce.
• Seasonal Tips: Bring layers if visiting in spring or autumn—mornings and evenings can be cool, especially in the moss garden or temple grounds. During cherry blossom season, arrive early to secure the best views and photos of Nara’s famous deer beneath the blooms.

F.A.Qs

What not to miss in Nara?

Don’t miss Todai-ji Temple’s Great Buddha Hall, the giant bronze Vairocana Buddha, free-roaming deer in Nara Park, the Five-Story Pagoda at Kofuku-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine’s bronze lanterns, and the tranquil beauty of Isuien Garden and its tea houses.

What to do in Nara for a day?

Start at Nara Station, visit Todai-ji Temple, stroll through Nara Park to feed the famous deer, explore Kofuku-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and relax in a Japanese garden like Isuien or Yoshiki-en. Sample fresh mochi and enjoy local tea ceremony experiences.

Is Nara really worth visiting?

Absolutely—Nara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with historical significance, beautiful temples, Japanese gardens, and unique experiences like interacting with free-roaming deer. A visit to Nara is essential for anyone wanting to experience authentic Japanese culture.

How much time do I need in Nara?

A single day is enough to see the highlights on a perfect Nara day trip itinerary, especially if you start early. For a more relaxed pace and fewer crowds, or to enjoy hot springs and evening lanterns, consider staying overnight in Nara Prefecture.

Design Your Seamless Nara Experience

Ready to visit Japan and discover the best of Nara Prefecture? Let Designer Journeys create your personal itinerary—complete with world heritage sites, beautiful temples, local insight, and 24/7 support. Bring your walking shoes, sense of wonder, and let Nara’s ancient heritage, famous deer, and Japanese gardens inspire every step of your journey. Visit Nara—where every moment is expertly crafted for you.

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