Japan Itinerary
Nara
Nara Day Trip Guide

Nara Day Trip Guide: Practical Itinerary and Tips

Nara was Japan’s first capital and is the second-largest cultural heritage city in Japan, after Kyoto. However, most visitors come here to see the deer. o(〃’▽’〃)o" kansai map Nara Deer photo by Agathe | Alex Kolpikov

How to get to Nara from Kyoto/Osaka

Nara, Osaka, and Kyoto form a triangular relationship geographically. Most people depart from Osaka/Kyoto and visit Nara as a half-day or full-day trip.
Check Kyoto to Nara and Osaka to Nara for more details. kansai map

One-day Trip Itinerary in Nara

Depart from Osaka/Kyoto
Arrive at JR Nara Station/Kintetsu Nara Station Find a restaurant for lunch
Take photos with the Five-Storied Pagoda at Kofuku-ji Temple
Enter the deer park - take photos/feed deers
Visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Visit Todai-ji Temple
Climb Mount Wakakusa (15 minutes to the 1st viewpoint, 40 minutes to summit; closed in winter) & Enjoy the sunset
Return journey nara map

“Nara Park” often mentioned on social media refers to the entire green space including Kofuku-ji Temple, Todai-ji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
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To save energy, you can take a bus from JR Nara Station/Kintetsu Nara Station to “Todaiji Daibutsuden / Kasuga Taisha Mae/東大寺大仏殿・春日大社前” (convenient for Todai-ji Temple) or “Kasuga Taisha Honden/春日大社本殿” (convenient for Kasuga Taisha Shrine). Bus stop information available here.

Top Tourist Attractions in Nara

Kohfukuji Temple

The temple has a history of over 1300 years, but it is small in size and lacks distinctive features.

Hours: 9am - 5pm
Admission: Free to visit, 700 yen to enter the Kohfukuji National Treasure Hall
Duration: 15 minutes
Tips: Most people take photos with the Five-Storied Pagoda before leaving. Area map available here
Transportation:

  • 5-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station.
  • 15-minute walk from JR Nara Station, or you can take a bus and get off at ‘Kencho-mae/県庁前’
    Kohfukuji Five-Storied Pagoda photo by Fred Rivett
    Deer crackers cost 200 yen per pack (made from wheat flour and rice bran).
    Deer crackers photo by LU XISH | zhan zhang
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    There are too many people feeding the deer around Kofuku-ji Temple, so they are often full. It’s recommended to save the deer crackers for the deer at Kasugataisha Shrine or Mount Wakakusa.
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    For the health of the deer, please refrain from feeding them other things. The main diet of Nara deer is grass, and they are not raised by anyone.

 

Kasugataisha Shrine

Kasuga Taisha is a very popular attraction. Along the path leading to the shrine, there are about 3000 moss-covered stone lanterns, and occasionally, small deer can be seen wandering among them, creating a magical atmosphere.

Hours: Mar-Oct: 6:30am - 5:30pm, Nov-Feb: 7am - 5pm
Admission: Free to visit, 500 yen to enter the main sanctuary
Duration: 30 minutes - 1 hour
Tips: The shrine is small, main sanctuary map available here.
Website: https://www.kasugataisha.or.jp/en/about_en/
Transportation:

  • 25-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station.
  • 40-minute walk from JR Nara Station.
  • Buses from both stations stop at ‘Kasuga Taisha Honden/春日大社本殿’; a 5-minute walk from the stop.
    Kasugataisha Deer photo by Caleb Jack | Spenser Sembrat

Selected Video: 【4K Walking】Shrine and Herd of Deer in the Former Capital Kasugataisha Shrine

 

Tōdai-ji Temple

The temple has a history of over 1200 years and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the center of the temple is the Great Buddha Hall, housing a 15-meter-tall Nara Great Buddha.

Hours: 8am - 5pm
Admission: Adults 800 yen, Children 400 yen
Duration: 1 hour
Tips: After visiting the main hall, head east to see Nigatsu-dō (also known as Second Month Hall), then proceed to Mount Wakakusa. You can find the area map here. Website: https://www.todaiji.or.jp/en/
Transportation:

  • 20-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station.
  • 35-minute walk from JR Nara Station.
  • Buses from both stations stop at ‘Todaiji Daibutsuden / Kasuga Taisha Mae/東大寺大仏殿・春日大社前’; a 5-minute walk from the stop.
    Tōdai-ji Temple Tōdai-ji Temple photo by Hanna May | Paul Cuoco | Caleb Jack

Selected Video: Travel Diary to “Todaiji Temple” in Nara Tōdai-ji

 

Mount Wakakusa

Mount Wakakusa is 342 meters high, covered in large grassy fields, with three distinct slopes resembling stacked hats, hence also called Mount Mikasa.

Hours: 9am - 5pm, 3rd Saturday of Mar - 2nd Sunday of Dec
Admission: Adults 150 yen, Children 80 yen
Duration: 1 - 2 hours
Tips:
Arrive at least 1 hour early for sunset views.
If you’re feeling tired, just take a 15-minute walk to the first viewpoint for a scenic view.
Deer crackers available only at the base.

Transportation:

  • 5-minute walk from Tōdai-ji Temple to Mount Wakakusa’s north gate.
  • 10-minute walk from Kasugataisha Shrine to Mount Wakakusa’s south gate.
  • 25-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station to Mount Wakakusa’s north gate.
  • 40-minute walk from JR Nara Station to Mount Wakakusa’s north gate.
  • From JR Nara or Kintetsu Nara Station, take a bus and get off at ‘Todaiji Daibutsuden / Kasuga Taisha Mae’ (Bus Stop A in the map). It’s close to Tōdai-ji Temple, and it’s a 12-minute walk to Mount Wakakusa from here. Alternatively, get off at ‘Kasuga Taisha Honden’ (Bus Stop B in the map), convenient for Kasugataisha Shrine, with a 5-minute walk to Mount Wakakusa mt wakakusa map

Selected Video - At the Base of the Mountain: Watching the Sunset with Deer Wakakusa

Selected Video - At the 1st viewpoint: Watching the Sunset with Deer Wakakusa

Selected Video - Summit: Exploring Mount Wakakusa in Nara Wakakusa

Thank you for reading, and may you have a wonderful journey!
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