Nara

Travel Guide

• Yoshinoyama (Nara)

  

  27.02.2019

• 2019 March Best Events in Japan

  

  22.02.2019

• Todaiji Temple: Omizutori (東大寺お水取り)

  

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• Nara

  

  22.02.2019

• World Heritage Sites of Japan

  

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Best Events

• Festivals

  

  • Uneme Festival

• Cherry Blossom

  

  • Nara Park
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  • Yoshino River Midsummer Night's Fireworks Festival
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Top Things to do

• Nara Park

  Nara Pref. Narashi Zoushichou · Kasugano Town, Noborioji Town, Takahata-machi other

  Nara Park is located directly next to the famous temples and shrine of Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Kofukuji Temple, as well as the Nara National Museum. The park is inhabited by sika deer, designated as a Natural Monument, and visitors can observe these wild animals up close. Throughout the year important buildings in the park are lit up at night, which engenders a magical atmosphere very different to that of the daytime.

• Tōdai-ji

  Nara Pref. Narashi Zoushichou 406-1

  This temple which is located in Nara City is the head temple of the Kegon sect of Buddhism. The principal object of worship at the temple is Vairocana-Buddha which has become a symbol of Nara and is known as “Nara’s Big Buddha”. Emperor Shomu issued a decree to construct the Great Buddha in 743, and in order to enshrine that Great Buddha, Tōdai-ji was constructed using all the nation’s power. National Treasures such as the Nandaimon (Great South Gate), Daibutsuden (the Great Buddha), the bell tower and the Hokke-do Hall are dotted throughout the grounds of the temple. It is known internationally as a Japanese sightseeing spot with many foreign tourists also visiting the temple.

• Kashihara Jingu Shrine

  4.0

  228 Reviews

  Nara Pref. Kashiharashi Kumechou 934

  This shrine is dedicated to Emperor Jimmu and his wife. The shrine was erected by Emperor Meiji in 1890 based on the Nihon Shoki, one of Japan’s oldest history books, which records that the Emperor Jimmu was enthroned at the site. Located at the foot of Mt. Unebi, the hinoki bark thatched, bare-wood main shrine and kagura hall harmonize perfectly with the thick and verdant forest which surround the shrine’s gravel path. The main shrine was a sanctuary in the Kyoto Imperial Palace that was moved here.

• Horyu-ji Temple

  4.5

  526 Reviews

  Nara Pref. Ikomagunikarugachou Houryujisannai 1-1

  This is a temple inside Horyuji-Sannai, Ikaruga Town. It was established in 607 by Prince Shotoku and Empress Suiko, and the current temple building is celebrated as one of the world's oldest wooden structures and Japan's first World Heritage Site. Inside the grounds are 55 pieces of architecture designated as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, and in the Daihozoin (Great Treasure Hall) are stored a great many important treasures from the Asuka period. 

• Kasuga Taisha Shrine

  4.5

  1524 Reviews

  Nara Pref. Narashi Kasuganochou 160

  This is a Shinto shrine located in Nara City. Kasuga Taisha Shrine is the grand head shrine of approximately 1,000 Kasuga shrines nationwide. The origins to the shrine lie in the early days of the Nara period, when Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto from Kashima-jingu Shrine was enshrined at Mt. Mikasa. The main shrine of the Kasuga structure which is a National Treasure has four buildings lined up, and in addition to the majestic and splendid south Gate and middle gate, there are many things such as fine and industrial art objects which have been designated as Important Cultural Properties. The Bantoro Festival (Lantern Festival) event is held on the day of Setsubun (Bean throwing night) and on the 14th and 15th of August when around 3,000 stone lanterns and hanging lanterns are lit with fire, and many worshipers come to look at this magical sight.

• Yakushiji Temple

  4.0

  422 Reviews

  Nara Pref. Narashi Nishinokyouchou 457

  Together with the Kohfukuji Temple, the Yakushiji Temple is the headquarters of the Hosso school of Buddhism. The temple was built in 680 in the then-capital of Fujiwara-kyo by Emperor Tenmu to pray for the recovery of his ill consort, who later succeeded him as Empress Jito. The temple was moved to its current location in 718. Originally, the temple was comprised of a magnificent number of structures connected via galleries, but, excluding the East Pagoda, these were destroyed by fire and war. The colorful main hall, West Pagoda, central gate, galleries, and the largest grand hall inside the grounds have been rebuilt. The East Pagoda, a National Treasure and the temple’s only original structure remaining from when it was first erected, appears at first glance to be a six-tier pagoda but is in fact a three tier-one. (Note: The East Pagoda is scheduled to undergo restoration until June 2020.)

• Kohfukuji Temple

  4.0

  1142 Reviews

  Nara Pref. Narashi Noboriojichou 48

  This is a temple located in Nara City. Yamashina-dera Temple has its origin as a temple that was established in Kyoto in 669 by the wife of Fujiwara no Kamatari. The temple was destroyed by fires many times and was rebuilt, after which it ended up similar to temple ruins during the anti-Buddhist movement in the Meiji period, although the Tokon-do Hall, the five-storied pagoda, the Hokuen-do Hall and the three-storied pagoda which survived have been designated as National Treasures. The five-storied pagoda which is illuminated at night-time has become a symbol of Nara. There are also many Buddhist images enshrined at the temple which have been designated as National Treasures and Cultural Assets such as the Ashura statue.

• Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park

  Nara Pref. Ikomashi Nabatachou 2312-1

  A long-standing family-oriented amusement park which was established in 1929 and which occupies the top of Mt. Ikoma 642 meters above the ground. The park can be reached by riding the Ikoma Cable Line from Ikoma Station. The park is filled with attractions to delight children and parents, including a merry-go-round, flume ride, and the oldest “flying tower” plane ride in Japan. Park visitors can also enjoy spectacular views of Osaka City, the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, Nara, and Kyoto; in summer, the park is open at night, and the night view is considered superb. Park entry free.

• Murouji Temple

  Nara Pref. Udashi Murou 78

  A temple of the Omoto school of Shingon Buddhism, unlike sacred Mt. Koya, this temple was open to women, thus resulting in its nickname, the Woman’s Mt. Koya. The temple was erected in the Nara period in prayer for the recovery from illness of Emperor Kammu. The rooves of buildings such as the main hall and nave are shingled and thatched with hinoki bark in place of clay tiles. The temple’s five-tier pagoda, a designated National Treasure, is Japan’s smallest outdoor five tier pagoda. The temple enshrines numerous Buddhist statues designated National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, such as the standing figure of Gautama Buddha that is the main object of worship as well as a standing image of Maitreya.