On your first trip to Japan, you might plan to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. But definitely add Nara to your itinerary.
Nara was Japan’s first capital (preceding Kyoto and Tokyo), so it’s home to the oldest and most significant temples as well as free-roaming deer.
Nara Park
My Japan trips always include going to Nara Park. It’s dotted with shrines, pagodas, deer, and world famous temples – including Todaiji Temple which houses one the largest Buddha statues in the world.
While the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) is Tōdaiji Temple’s most famous attraction, my favorite part is the Nigatsudo Hall. The view from the hall gives you a feel of ancient Japan, and if you visit at night, the lanterns light up creating a magical atmosphere.
The temples in Nara Park don’t close their gates at night, so you can enjoy their beauty after dark.
Kōfukuji Temple, with its iconic five-story pagoda, is located near the entrance of Nara Park. Established in 710 AD, it served as the family temple of the influential Fujiwara clan, who played a key role in shaping Japan’s politics during the Nara and Heian periods, often holding significant power alongside the emperors and empresses.
We donated a roof tile to Kōfukuji Temple’s restoration back in 2012, so one of the round roof tiles on the Central Golden Hall (red building on the left, above) would have our names and painting on the inside 😀
Even today, the Fujiwara descendants continue their tradition by gathering annually at Kasuga Taisha Shrine renowned for its thousands of stone and bronze lanterns, which is also a main attraction located in Nara Park.
Covering 660 hectares, Nara Park is a great place to take a stroll while admiring historical buildings and pause to admire – or feed – the deer.
Getting there
Easily reachable from Kyoto and Osaka, Nara makes for a great day trip. And because the park and temple grounds stay open at night – and trains run back to Osaka and Kyoto ’til late – you can visit the park after 4pm to avoid the tourist crowd (if you don’t need to enter ticketed areas like the main halls of temples).
Nara Park is a 6-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station. JR Nara Station is about 10 minutes further away, but still within walking distance. Both stations are surrounded by a variety of food options and shopping areas, making it easy to explore and enjoy the local area.
While Nara has many historical sites to explore, Nara Park is the one place I visit every time I’m in Japan. Its pretty scenery, large temples and shrines, adorable deer, and easy accessibility make it a 🥇(= worth planning a trip around) on #myrevisitlist.
[Photos taken 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2024]
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