Leisure / Outdoors Spots in Nara City Area

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Nara City

Category

Leisure / Hobbies

Leisure / Outdoors

Nara Park

Leisure / Hobbies

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.
Nara National Museum

4.5

484 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Pref. Narashi Noboriojichou 50

This is a museum which opened in Nara City in 1895. The “Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall (in the main building)” which was designed by the court architect, Katayama Tokuma is a Western-style architectural structure from the Meiji period and has been designated as an Important Cultural Property. There are four exhibition halls in the museum, with the museum’s collection focusing on Japanese Buddhist art from the Asuka period up until the Kamakura period. In addition, a great number of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties are among the artifacts held and exhibited at the museum. The museum is famous for opening an exhibition of “Shosoin-ten” (Exhibition of Shosoin Treasures) in Autumn every year.

My friends and I spent about 2 and a half hours here, reading about each statue and piece we came across. There’s plenty of historic pieces to keep you busy that long!
Naramachi Mechanical Toy Museum

4.0

77 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Pref. Narashi Inyouchou 7

Located inside a traditional Naramachi townhouse, this hands-on museum allows guests to touch and play with toys from yesteryear. The museum's permanent exhibits feature reproductions of mechanical toys from the Edo and later periods which guests can play with. It also hosts events including seminars where participants can try their hand at making toys.

We had a great time here!! Ive read so many good reviews and decided to take a walk to the place with our children (12 and 10 yo). The place is filled with traditional/ancient Japanese toys. You...
Irie Taikichi Memorial Museum of Photography Nara City

4.0

44 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Pref. Narashi Takabatakechou 600-1

This is a photo gallery next to Shin-Yakushi-ji Temple in Takabatake Town, Nara City. The gallery possesses the entire 80,000 item collection of photographer Irie Taikichi, known for capturing the various Yamato scenery around Nara, and holds exhibitions based around these works and also the work of amateurs. The building itself, a work of architect Kisho Kurokawa, is another highlight and represents the importance of harmony with the environment.

Located slightly away from the main sights, this photography museum hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year. At the time of my visit it was showing two interesting exhibitions:Irie...
Nara Prefectural Museum of Art

3.5

29 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Pref. Narashi Noboriojichou 10-6

This is an art museum along Prefectural Route 754 in Noborioji Town, Nara City. They opened in 1973 based on the collection of Japanese-style paintings, ukiyo-e wood block prints and handicrafts of Edo Period donated by Kanpo Yoshikawa, a student of study of folklore history and Japanese-style painter. Since then through donations from all over they have collected around 4,100 pieces of art and crafts from the Kamakura Period to the modern day. They hold special exhibitions related to the history of Nara, and art exhibitions as exchanges with international art museums.

The National museum was closed for more than 1 month due to exhibit change over. We were sent here instead which had a super show on a well known Japanese painter with an all inclusive one man...
Shouhaku Art Museum

4.0

19 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Pref. Narashi Tomigaoka 2-1-4

The Shouhaku Art Museum is located close to the Obuchi Pond in Tomigaoka 2-chome, Nara City. It was opened in 1994 thanks to works donated by Shoko Uemura and Atsushi Uemura. The collection of Nihonga (Japanese-style paintings) on display spans three generations from Shoen Uemura who was the first woman to receive the Order of Culture, to Shoko Uemura and Atsushi Uemura.

上村松園はじめ三代の作品を所属する美術館です。上村松園好きは必見ですね。ちょっとアクセス悪いのは残念か。
Daijo-in Temple Garden Heritage Center

4.0

29 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Pref. Narashi Takabatakechou 1083-1

This Heritage Center is a museum in the Garden of the Former Daijo-in Temple, which is located along National Route 169 in Takabatake-cho in the city of Nara. It contains materials connected with Daijo-in Temple, which was founded in 1087 and abandoned during the anti-Buddhist movement in the early Meiji Period (the middle of the nineteenth century). Open to the public free of charge, this museum displays a reconstructed model of what the temple looked like. A teahouse and conference rooms are available to rent.

奈良ホテルに宿泊し、無料チケットを頂いたので、朝散歩に出かけました。徒歩５分でホテルの坂道を下った所に着きます。冬なので、茶色の芝生が広がり、白梅が咲いていました。お掃除の方に「お花がないのでね。あちらの建物にどうぞ。」と言われそちらへ。写真展をやっており、茶室丸窓からも一幅の絵画のような赤い太鼓橋と、池とお庭が見えました。奈良観光の参考になるパンフレットもいくつか置いてありました。
The Museum Yamato Bunkakan

4.0

21 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Pref. Narashi Gakuenminami 1-11-6

The Namako-style walls of The Museum Yamato Bunkakan are evocative of the architecture of the Momoyama Period. Its corridors are supported by imposing wooden framework reminiscent of the kitchen of a Zen monastery, while the soft light from the paper screen doors gives the interior a dignified atmosphere. The museum's collection, which centers primarily on paintings, writings, sculptures, ceramics, lacquer work, metalwork, textiles, and glasswork from Japan, China, and Korea, includes four National Treasures, 31 Important Cultural Properties, and 14 important art objects. The museum also holds exhibits on various themes and is a place where beautiful seasonal flowers can be enjoyed all year long.

Yamato Bunkakan is a museum of cultural objects and fin arts. It is neither too big, nor too small, and as it is usually not crowded, you can appreciate the exhibit in a tranquil ambience. It is just...
Todaiji Museum

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Pref. Narashi Suimonchou 100

A museum situated inside the Todaiji Culture Center in Nara City, Nara Prefecture which preserves and displays the treasures of the Todaiji Temple. Through designated National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, you can learn about the history of the Todaiji and the thinking of the people involved in the temple since its founding, as well as the significance of the Todaiji temple itself. The museum displays a variety of sculptures, calligraphy works, and handicrafts by era, including Nikko and Gakko Bosatsu Ritsuzo (standing statues of Suryaprabha and Candraprabha), designated National Treasures; and an Important Cultural Property-designated Senju Kannon Bosatsu standing figure of a thousand-armed Kannon. The museum also holds special exhibitions.
NARA KINGYO MUSEUM

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Nara-shi Nijoojiminami 1-3-1
Neiraku Art Museum

3.0

14 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Nara-shi Suimoncho 74

The main attraction are the gardens. The museum is just a complement with a very small collection. We entered the place to avoid the rain and it was just ok.
Nara City Museum of Calligraphy in Honour of Kason Sugioka

3.5

11 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Nara-shi Wakidocho 3

This art museum is located in Wakido-cho, Nara City. Dedicated to calligraphic art, the museum was established with a donation of works of art by Kason Sugioka, a Nara-born calligrapher and master of kana calligraphy. The museum holds calligraphic art exhibitions throughout the year, with special exhibitions in the spring and fall and exhibitions of items in its collection in summer and winter. The museum also holds lectures and courses.

書道の美術館て、やっぱり難しいなあと思います。東京の書道博物館以来だけど、どう楽しんだらいいかわからない…
Nara Prefectural Office Rooftop Garden

4.5

6 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Nara-shi Noboriojicho 30

This garden is situated on the roof of the Nara Prefectural Office situated on National Route 369 in Noborioji-cho, Nara City. Open to the general public, visitors can enjoy a sweeping view of the surrounding scenery, including downtown Nara City and the mountains of the Nara Basin. The garden is also open at night during events such as the Nara Tokae Lantern Festival, the Nara Daimonji Okuribi, and the Mt. Wakakusa Yamayaki.

エレベーターで上がれる広場の更に上に階段でしか行けないけど、展望スペースがあります。特に案内が書かれているわけでは無いので、少し分かり難いかもしれません。昼休みの時間帯は、広場も展望スペースも職員さん達が思い思いに時間を過ごしています。
Isuien Garden & Neiraku Museum

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Pref. Narashi Suimonchou 74

This is the only “chisen-kaiyu-shiki teien” or pond strolling garden in Nara City, Isuien Garden consists of two gardens built during the Edo period and the Meiji period. Its appeal lies in the fact that you can comfortably appreciate the Nara-like landscape in a peaceful location with Tōdai-ji’s Great South Gate, Mt. Wakakusa, Mt. Kasugaokuyama and Mt. Mikasa. The Neiraku Museum which is located within the park holds and exhibits fine art such as antique Chinese bronzeware, and Chinese, Korean and Japanese ceramics and porcelain.
Yoshikien Garden

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Pref. Narashi Noboriojichou

This is a Japanese-style garden and a Place of Scenic Beauty within Nara which sits adjacent to Isuien Park. It is said that it was built on the site of a branch temple of Kofukuji Temple, Manishuin Temple. You can enjoy the three aspects of the garden; the pond garden, the moss garden and the tea ceremony garden with Mt. Kasuga and Mt. Wakakusa as a backdrop. The former Shohoin family residence and the separate tearooms within the garden have been designated as Tangible Cultural Properties of Nara Prefecture. In Autumn, the fall colored leaves which flutter down into the moss garden create a beautiful scene. Advance reservation is necessary to use the tearooms.
Shika no fune

4.0

5 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Pref. Narashi Inouechou 11

Shika no fune is a facility situated in Inoue Town, Nara City, made up of Mayu, a tourism information center for south Nara; Kamado, a restaurant and grocery store, and Saezuri, a tea room and gallery. Ikebana and tea ceremony workshops, etc. are also held at the tourist information center, and in the reading room visitors can browse up to about 800 books. The restaurant serves set meals of rice cooked with firewood in a Japanese traditional oven, and they sell all sorts of food which goes well with rice. The tea room offers sweets, snacks, drinks, and a meal menu offering things like pasta, etc.

奈良町南觀光案內所「鹿之舟」是一棟兩層樓木造房屋，位在奈良町南端入口，巴士站「田中町」下車就到了。除了觀光資中心功能外，還有餐廳、咖啡廳、展示室、讀書室、各種講座，也可以租腳踏車。
Heijo Miya Ato History Park Suzaku Kado Hiroba

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Nara-shi Nijoojiminami 3-5-1
Yagyu Flower Garden

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Pref. Narashi Yagyuchou 403

Yagyu Flower Garden is a botanical garden in Yagyu Town, Nara City. The garden is open from early June through to early July. In the roughly 10,000 square meter site are planted 800,000 irises of 450 different species. The best time to visit is the two weeks after about June 10. The 55 species of hydrangea are also well worth seeing and the best time to see them is around one month after June 10.
Nakano Museum of Art

4.5

2 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Nara-shi Ayameikeminami 9-946-2

This art museum is located in 9-Chome Ayameikeminami, Nara City. The museum's collection primarily consists of early modern Japanese Western- and Japanese-style paintings accumulated by Nara forestry business owner Kanji Nakano. In addition to a standing exhibition, the museum holds artist and themed exhibitions using the pieces in its collection. Visitors can also enjoy the scenery of adjoining Kaerumata Pond.

It is a private museum near Yamato Bunkakan. If you go there, you can visit these two places at once. Although it is a small museum of just two exhibition rooms, their collection of paintings is very...
Manyo Botanical Garden (Kasugataisha shrine Garden)

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Pref. Narashi Kasuganochou 160 inside Kasuga Taisha

A spacious three hectare botanical garden which first opened in 1932. The garden is planted with some 300 varieties of plants which appear in the poems of the ancient Man'yoshu poetry anthology; the wisteria blossoms which appear from late April to late May are particularly stunning. You can enjoy viewing the elegant, light purple blossoms at eye-height.

Nara Nara City

Nara Park Naramachi / Takabatake Around JR and Kintetsu Nara Station Heijo Palace Remains / Nishinokyo

Leisure / Hobbies Leisure / Outdoors

Amusement Park / Theme Park Pool Beach Park / Green Space Aquarium Museum / Science Museum Zoo Orchard Art Museum Art Gallery / Gallery Botanical Garden Event Complex Facility / Commercial Facility Camping / Auto Camping Hiking / Walking Boat Pier Fishing / Fishing Pond / Managed Fishing Ground Fishing Equipment / Fishing Bait Shop Other Leisure Facility / Other Outdoors Facility

Nara Areas

With a reputation almost as stellar as that of Kyoto, Nara is a must-visit for those searching for the remains of "traditional Japan." The largely green Nara city holds the majority of the prefecture’s treasures, such as the iconic Todai-ji Temple, in which a 15-meter tall Great Buddha sits, and Nara Park, where deer flock to befriend passersby. While mountains are by no means hard to come by in this area, for hiking with a reward, head to the Kii Mountains’ Yoshino district in spring, when the hillsides put on an impressive display of white and pink cherry blossoms.