10 must-see attractions, food and shopping, and day trip itineraries for Tokyo and Nara in 2025

Nara, with a history of over a thousand years, is the city with the most world heritage sites in Japan. Walking in this ancient city full of cultural colors, it seems that you can forget the passage of time. Whether it is the picturesque Nara Park in all seasons, the sacred Kasuga Taisha Shrine, or the endless Mount Wakakusa, they are all beautiful sights that must be visited in Nara. This article has compiled in detail the recommended attractions, food, souvenirs, and one-day Tour examples in Nara for your reference!



Introduction to Nara

Nara City, the capital of Nara Prefecture, has a history of over 1,300 years. It was the "Heian-kyō" of the Nara period (710-794), and served as the political center of Japan for more than 70 years. During this period, it had frequent exchanges with the Tang Dynasty of China. It borrowed a lot from Tang Dynasty culture in terms of political system, religion, culture, and urban planning, and merged with Yamato culture to form a unique "Tempyo culture". The relevant historical sites that have been preserved to this day include Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, and Toshodaiji Temple.



Nara City is located in the inland of the Kii Peninsula in the Kansai region of Japan. The basin-shaped terrain creates a climate with a large temperature difference between winter and summer. The hottest months of the year are July and August, and the coldest months are January and February. Overall, there are four distinct seasons, and each season has different natural scenery, traditional festivals, and local cultural activities. No matter when you visit Nara, you will have an unforgettable experience.

Nara Transportation

From Kansai Airport to Nara Kansai Airport - (Take Kansai Airport Express "HARUKA", about 34 minutes) - Tennoji Station - (Take JR Yamatoji Line Yamatoji Rapid Train, about 33 minutes) - Nara Station.

From Osaka to Nara Osaka Station - (Take JR Osaka Loop Line, about 15 minutes) - Tennoji Station - (Take JR Yamatoji Line Yamatoji Rapid Train, about 33 minutes) - Nara Station

From Kyoto to Nara Kyoto Station - (Take JR Nara Line, about 45 minutes) - Nara Station.

From Tokyo to Nara Tokyo Station - (Take Shinkansen, about 131 minutes) - Kyoto Station - (Take JR Nara Line, about 45 minutes) - Nara Station.

Family-friendly attractions

Nara Park



A must-visit attraction in Nara is "Nara Park". This vast park with beautiful scenery covers an area of ​​more than 500 hectares. There are virgin forests and many elegant garden landscapes in the park. In addition, there are many ancient temples, world heritage sites, museums and other facilities. You can't explore them all in a whole day. Another highlight is of course the thousands of deer living here. Visitors can buy deer senbei to feed and interact with the deer. The healing scenery makes people linger.

Nara Park
・Address: Kasugano-cho, Zoji-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Official website

Manyo Botanical Garden



The Manyo Botanical Gardens, located in the Kasuga Taisha Shrine, opened in 1937 and is the oldest botanical garden in Japan. The garden has a wide variety of plants and flowers, which are dazzling. The most worth seeing is the "wisteria flowers" that bloom in late spring and early summer! The "Widder Garden" of Manyo Botanical Garden has planted about 200 plants and 20 types of wisteria, including the fragrant "Musk Wisteria" and the brightly colored "Showa Red Wisteria". When in full bloom, the scenery is like a purple waterfall, which is very charming.

Kasuga Taisha Shrine Manyo Botanical Gardens
・Address: 160 Kasugano-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Opening hours: 9:00-16:30
・Closed: Open from April to May, closed on Tuesdays from June to March
・Admission: 500 yen for adults, 250 yen for children
・Official website

Ikomayama



"Ikomayama" straddling Osaka Prefecture and Nara Prefecture is a very popular tourist attraction in the suburbs of Nara. There are temples of all sizes in the area, which can be said to be a gathering place for gods. In addition, there is Japan's first commercial cable car "Ikoma Cable Car", which is widely loved by adults and children because of its cute carriage shape. You can take this cable car to the "Ikomayama Amusement Park" full of nostalgic Showa style. There are more than 20 kinds of amusement rides in the park, such as the flower-scattering fairy, the pirate ship, the racing car, etc., and there is also the oldest existing flying tower facility in Japan!

Ikomayama Amusement Park
・Address: 2312-1 Nabatake, Ikoma City, Nara Prefecture
・Opening hours: Approximately mid-March to early December (the exact date varies each year, please refer to the official website for details)
・Business hours: 10:00-17:00 (closed on Thursdays)
・Admission: Free admission, and additional fees are charged for various facilities
・Official website

Nara National Museum



The Nara National Museum, which opened in 1895, consists of the Nara Buddha Museum, the Bronze Museum, the East Building, the West Building, and the underground corridor. The main building, the Nara Buddha Museum, was modeled after the Akasaka Imperial Villa in Tokyo. It combines the European palace architectural style with Japanese aesthetics and was registered as an important cultural property of Japan in 1969. The museum is famous for its large collection of Buddha statues and Buddhist art, including several national treasures of Japan. It is worth visiting to appreciate the beauty of Japanese art and religious crafts.

Nara National Museum
・Address: 50 Nobori-oji-cho, Nara City
・Opening hours: Each museum has different opening hours, please refer to the official website
・Tickets: Adults 700 yen, college students 350 yen, high school students and younger free
・Official website

Historical attractions

Todaiji Temple



The world heritage site "Todaiji Temple" originated in the Nara period in the 8th century. Emperor Shomu built the temple in 728 and started the casting of the Great Buddha and the Great Buddha Hall in 745. Later, Todaiji Temple experienced many natural disasters and man-made disasters, and the Great Buddha Hall was once burned down. The Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple that you see today was rebuilt in 1709. It is 15 meters high and the lotus seat is about 70 meters in circumference. Although the scale is only two-thirds of the original, it is still the world's leading magnificent gold and bronze Buddha statue and a must-visit place in Nara!

Todaiji Temple
・Address: 406-1 Zoji-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Daifusha Hall Visiting Hours: [April to October] 7:30-17:30, [November to March] 8:00-17:00
※ The opening hours of other facilities in Todaiji Temple are different, please refer to the official website for details
・Admission fee: Adults/high school students/junior high school students 800 yen, elementary school students 400 yen
・Official website

Kasuga Taisha Shrine



Another world heritage site that you can't miss is the "Kasuga Taisha" in Nara Park. It is said that when Nara was built as a capital, Takemaki Tsuchi-no-Mikoto came from Kashima Jingu Shrine riding a white deer to Kasuga Mountain. Since then, deer have been considered "messengers of God", and Takemaki Tsuchi-no-Mikoto has become the main deity of Kasuga Taisha. Walking into this gorgeous vermilion shrine with magnificent corridors and stone lanterns, you can feel a quiet sacred and healing feeling. You can also buy cute wisteria amulets, white deer amulets and path-shaped fortune sticks in the area, which are all very popular.

Kasuga Taisha Shrine
・Address: 160 Kasugano-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Opening hours: 7:00-17:00
・Admission fee: Free to enter the main shrine of Kasuga Taisha Shrine, 500 yen for the corridor area
・Official website

Kofuku-ji Temple



"Kofuku-ji" was built in 710 AD when Emperor Genmei moved the capital to Heijo-kyo. At one time, there were hundreds of Buddhist temples and buildings built in the area. After several fires, wars and reconstruction projects, the four national treasures that have been preserved to this day are the five-story pagoda, the three-story pagoda, the Hokuendo and the Tokindo. Among them, the "Five-story Pagoda" rebuilt in 1426 is the second largest wooden pagoda in Japan, and the "Hokuendo" is known as the most beautiful octagonal hall in Japan. In addition, the Kofuku-ji National Treasure Museum, which houses a large number of cultural relics, is also worth visiting.

Kofuku-ji
・Address: 48 Nobori-oji-cho, Nara City
・Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
・Admission fee:
National Treasure Museum admission fee: Adults (college students and above) 700 yen, students (junior high school) 600 yen, elementary school students 300 yen
Tokindo admission fee: Adults (college students and above) 300 yen, students (junior high school) 200 yen, elementary school students 100 yen
・Official website

Heijo Palace Ruins Historical Park



The "Cultural Properties of Ancient Nara" registered in 1998 covers a total of 8 historical sites, among which the "Heijo Palace Ruins" is the location of the capital relocated to Heijo-kyo in 710, and also symbolizes the starting point of the "Nara Period". After a large-scale restoration, this palace that witnessed the prosperity of the past has reproduced the Suzaku Gate, Daigokuden, and Toin Garden of the past, and is planned as the "Heijo Palace Ruins Historical Park" for tourists to visit. The park also has a "Heijo Palace Ruins Museum" to display related historical relics.

Heijo Palace Ruins Historical Park
・Address: 5-1, Nijo-oji-minami-san-chome, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Official website

Tōshōdaiji Temple



"Toshodaiji Temple" was built in 759 AD by the Chinese Tang Dynasty monk "Jianzhen Monk". Jianzhen Monk went through hardships to teach Buddhist precepts in Japan at that time. He built this temple at the order of Emperor Shomu and passed away here. His disciples also followed his instructions and made a "Seated Statue of Jianzhen Monk" for him. It was made using the dry lacquer technique popular in the Tang Dynasty of China, reproducing the sitting meditation posture of Jianzhen Monk during his lifetime. It is the oldest portrait sculpture in Japan and is regarded as a national treasure of Japan.

Toshodaiji Temple
・Address: 13-46 Gojo-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Opening hours: 8:30-17:00
・Admission fee: Adults 1,000 yen, high school students 400 yen, junior high school students 400 yen, elementary school students 200 yen
・Official website

Nighttime attractions

Wakakusayama



If you want to see the beautiful night view of the ancient capital when you come to Nara, don't miss Mount Wakakusa, which has been selected as one of the "New Three Night Views of Japan"! Mount Wakakusa is famous for its endless green grass scenery during the day. As the sun sets, you can enjoy the gradual lighting of the Nara Basin, which forms a charming scenery with the clouds in the distance. Nara City has also specially launched the "Mount Wakakusa Sunset Night View Viewing Bus", which is launched for a limited time and can take passengers from Nara Station to the top of the mountain to enjoy the sunset and night view. Those who are interested can pay attention to the official website news!

Mt. Wakakusa Sunset Night View Bus
・Boarding point: JR Nara Station (East Exit No. 4 Bus Stop)
・Official website
・Online reservation
※ This is a limited-time route. The event date and fee vary from season to season. Please refer to the official website for details.

Sarusawa Pond



"Sarusawa Pond" is an artificial pond located in front of the five-story pagoda of Kofuku-ji Temple. The pondside is planted with swaying weeping willows, and the ancient wooden pagoda is reflected in the mirror-like water surface, which has a unique elegance. It is especially recommended to visit at night. The illuminated five-story pagoda and the reflection in the pond show its sacred and magical atmosphere. You can take a very representative night view of Nara!

Sarusawa Pond
・Address: 49 Nobori-oji-cho, Nara City
・Official Website

5 Recommended Shopping Spots in Nara

MiNARA



Located in Nara City, MiNARA is a complex shopping mall that combines shopping, entertainment, food, and art facilities. It has a supermarket, a drugstore, an EDION home appliance store, and a 100-yen store. Whether you want to buy 3C products, Japanese groceries, or various daily necessities, you can get them all at once. Another highlight is the Nara Goldfish Museum in the museum, which exhibits about 40 types of goldfish and uses gorgeous sound and light and art installations to create a dazzling and gorgeous goldfish world.

MiNARA
・Address: 1-3-1 Nijo-ojiminami, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Business hours: 10:00-20:00
・Official website

Kintetsu Department Store Nara Store



"Kintetsu Department Store Nara" is located near Yamato-Saidaiji Station. The shopping mall covers B1 to 6th floor. The store is home to AEON STYLE, a lifestyle department store under the AEON Group, which sells a variety of home appliances, kitchenware and fresh food. The basement floor is home to "Yamatoji SHOP", which sells a wide variety of Nara local products and souvenirs. In addition, there are UNIQLO, MUJI, HANDS, and a wide range of Japanese brands.

Kintetsu Department Store Nara
・Address: 2-4-1 Saidaiji Higashimachi, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Business hours: 10:00-19:00
・Official website

Eastward shopping street



The Higashi-koku Shopping Street, which is close to the Nara Railway Station, is a popular arcade shopping street. It gathers many must-buy and must-eat specialty foods, restaurants, and souvenirs in Nara, such as the popular "Nakatani-do" mugwort mochi, the old Japanese confectionery shop "Kanei-do", and Nara's specialty "Persimmon Leaf Sushi". There are also 100-yen shops, drugstores, craft shops, etc. It is highly recommended to buy souvenirs or souvenirs here.

Higashi-koku Shopping Street
・Address: 15 Higashi-koku Nakamachi, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Business hours: The business hours of each store are different, please refer to the official website
・Official website

Mochi-dono Center Street



After passing through the Higashi-go shopping street, you will arrive at another historic and nostalgic "Kakihandono Shopping Street". There are many distinctive artisan shops in the approximately 250-meter-long street, such as the handmade leather studio "HARUHINO", the southern ironware specialty store "Gimatsumori", the kimono rental shop "Yumenori Honpo", and the century-old shop "Uoman" that sells delicious fried fish cakes. The old street style filled with strong human touch makes people linger.

Kakihandono Center Street
・Address: 12 Kakihandono-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Business hours: The business hours of each store are different, please refer to the official website
・Official website

Yumefu Square in front of Todaiji Temple



Located in front of the South Gate of Todaiji Temple, Yumikaze Plaza is a large recreational area with a traditional bungalow column corridor to create a nostalgic old town scenery. It gathers a total of 11 Nara specialty food and souvenir shops, including the top Yamagata beef teppanyaki "Wa ~Nagomi~", Nara's specialty persimmon leaf sushi, the popular crepe specialty store "NARAD Parcside", the Japanese cuisine restaurant "Hatana・INOUE", the outdoor leisure brand "mont-bell", etc. After visiting Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha, you may want to come here for dining and shopping.

Yumikaze Plaza in front of Todaiji Temple
・Address: 16 Kasugano-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Business hours: 9:00-18:00
・Official website

4 recommended food in Nara

Big Buddha Pudding Shop



When you come to Nara, you can find many souvenirs and gifts designed with the image of "Big Buddha". The most popular one is of course "Big Buddha Pudding"! The store uses fresh cream, milk, and eggs to make a rich and fragrant flavor, and the taste is as fine and smooth as silk. In addition to the signature original flavor, there are also many flavors such as Yamato tea and cappuccino. The cute hand-painted Big Buddha pattern is printed on the glass bottle cap, which makes people love it. "Big Buddha Pudding Honpo" has bases in JR Nara Station, Kintetsu Nara Station and the city. Remember to buy it and taste it when you come to Nara!

Daibutsu Pudding Honpo Kintetsu Nara Branch
・Address: 29 Higashi-Nakamachi, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Kintetsu Nara Station B1F East Exit Next
・Business hours: Weekdays 11:00-18:00, weekends and holidays 11:00-19:00
・Official website

Nakatani-do



"Nakatani-do" became famous for winning the title of "King of Mochi" on a famous Japanese TV show. It has an amazing high-speed mochi-making technique. It uses carefully selected mugwort and glutinous rice to make mochi with sweet red bean filling. It tastes chewy, soft and not greasy. The taste of real ingredients is well-known. Since the mochi is freshly made, it is recommended to eat it on the same day. Don't miss this super popular snack when you come to Nara.

Nakatani-do
・Address: 29 Hashimoto-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Business hours: 10:00-19:00
・Official website

Noodles



Next to Nakadani-do is Mendouan, an udon shop that often has long lines. The signature item, "Kinchakubukuro", is called "lucky bag udon". It is made by stuffing springy udon noodles into a lucky bag-shaped tofu skin and pouring soy sauce soup on it, so that the noodles can fully absorb the salty aroma of the fried tofu skin and the sweet flavor of the soup, which is very unique.

Mendouan
・Address: 30-1 Hashimoto-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Business hours: Monday and Friday 11:00-15:00, Saturday and Sunday 11:00-16:00, closed on Tuesday to Thursday
・TABELOG

Shizuka Park Store



The Kamameshi specialty store "Shizuka" has two branches in Nara City, of which the "Park Store" is located near Todaiji Temple and has become the dining choice of many tourists. The store's signature "Kamameshi" is a kind of assorted dishes that put rice, meat, wild vegetables and other ingredients into a pot and cook them with soup. The most popular "Nara Seven Kinds of Kamameshi (Nara Seven Kinds of Kamameshi)" can eat seven kinds of local Nara ingredients such as shrimp, crab, conger, and shiitake mushrooms. The rice is also full of the essence of the soup. The simple and warm taste is unforgettable after eating it once.

Shizuka Park Store
・Address: 59-11 Nobori-oji-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Business hours: Weekdays 11:00-15:00, weekends and holidays 11:00-16:00, closed on Tuesdays (one day off per month)
・Official website

3 recommended souvenirs from Nara

Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Nara Main Store (Deer Monkey Fox BUILDING)



"Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten" can be said to be the most representative cultural and creative brand in Nara. It has inherited the persistence of craftsmanship since its founding 300 years ago. From daily necessities, tableware, food, etc., it strives for the highest quality. At the same time, it also keeps pace with the times and integrates modern aesthetics, allowing Nara craftsmanship to successfully transform into the favorite groceries fashion brand of young people today. In 2021, Nakagawa Masashichi's first large-scale shopping mall "Deer Monkey Fox BUILDING" was opened. In the beautiful space built in the traditional Kyoto Machiya style, it gathers many exquisite groceries, gifts, and crafts. It is worth a visit!

Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Nara Main Store
・Address: 22 Motorinin-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Deer Monkey Fox BUILDING
・Business hours: 10:00-19:00
・Official website

Honke Kikuya "Deer Monaka Mochi"



Founded in 1585, Honke Kikuya is the oldest Japanese pastry shop in Nara. The Japanese confectionery "Kiku-no-sushi", Monaka-mochi, and chestnut mantou sold here are very popular. Among them, the "Deer Monaka" uses red beans from Tokachi and Tamba in Hokkaido to make a dense filling, which is filled into the thin and crispy Monaka-mochi. There is also a deer pattern printed on it, and the wrapping paper uses the very classic "Shokurain pattern", which is very decent as a Nara souvenir.

Honke Kikuya Nara Store
・Address: 25 Higashimukokitama, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Business hours: 9:00-18:00
・Official website

"Deer Sabre" by Yokota Fukueido



Founded in 1953, Yokota Fukueido is famous for selling the traditional miso pancakes. It is a Japanese pancake shop loved by locals. Another popular product is the "Deer Sabre" which is made into the shape of a Nara deer. You can taste the rich milky aroma and crispy texture when you bite it. The outer packaging of the cookie is also full of retro and cute style.

Yokota Fukueido
・Address: 1-3-17 Nijo-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
・Business hours: 9:00-17:00 (closed on Sundays)
・Official website

Nara has a profound cultural heritage, and many of the attractions in the city are deeply connected to local history and religion. It is recommended that you do some research before Traveling to Nara so that you will have a better understanding when visiting major world heritage sites, shrines and temples!