Nara Park Travel Guide: Stroll Through Scenic Views Where History and Nature Meet

Spring is recommended because we want you to see why it was selected as one of Japan’s “Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots.”
There are Approx. 1,500 cherry trees in the park, creating beautiful combinations with historic architecture.
One must-see is the enchanting scene of Ukimido Pavilion floating on Sagiike Pond, paired with illuminated cherry blossoms at night.
Cherry blossoms are typically best from late March to late April. If you visit a little earlier, from late February to mid-March, you can also enjoy the sight of 250 plum trees in full bloom.

Fall brings vivid foliage across the grounds, and that’s a big part of the draw here.
Shrines and temples throughout the park are tinted in reds and yellows, offering distinctly Japanese scenery in many different settings.
Another highlight is how the scenery changes by season: late October is best for ginkgo trees, while mid-November to early December brings the peak of Approx. 800 maple trees and Japanese maples.

Todai-ji Temple is home to many National Treasure structures, including the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall)—one of the world’s largest wooden buildings—enshrining the seated Vairocana Buddha statue beloved as the “Great Buddha of Nara,” as well as the Hokke-do (Sangatsudo) Hall, the oldest building in Todai-ji’s architecture, and the Nandaimon Gate, Japan’s largest temple gate.
Another highlight is Tegai-mon Gate on the west side of the Shosoin Repository, which survived two wars and still offers a glimpse of the original temple complex from the time of its founding.

Kofuku-ji began as Yamashina-dera, a private temple built in the Yamashina Suehara area of Yamashiro Province at the former residence of Fujiwara no Kamatari. In 710 (Wado 3), when the capital moved to Heijo-kyo, it was relocated to its present site under a plan by Fujiwara no Fuhito and renamed “Kofuku-ji.”
The grounds are lined with National Treasure structures such as the Hokuendo Hall rebuilt in the Kamakura period, as well as the Five-Story Pagoda and the Tokondo Hall rebuilt in the Muromachi period, along with Important Cultural Properties including the Nanendo Hall rebuilt in the Edo period.

Mount Mikasa (Kasugayama) has long been revered as a sacred mountain where deities reside.
Because hunting and logging were prohibited during the Heian period, the primeval forest still remains today and is designated a Special Natural Monument of Japan.
In 1998, Kasuga Taisha Shrine and the Kasugayama Primeval Forest were registered as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.”
The Kasuga Taisha National Treasure Hall on the shrine grounds is a museum housing Approx. 3,000 items, including National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.
It exhibits sacred treasures made in the Heian period, as well as armor, swords, and other weapons and military gear representative of Japan, earning it the nickname “the Heian Shosoin.”

Mount Wakakusa rises 342 meters above sea level. It’s a gently sloping hill covered entirely in grass, and because it looks like three hats stacked together, it’s also known as “Mount Mikasa.” It’s also famous for the grass-burning festival held every January, a traditional Nara event.
From the base gate to the summit, it takes around 30 minutes on foot. From the top, you can take in views over Nara, including Kofuku-ji Temple and Todai-ji Temple.

Opened in 1895 (Meiji 28) as Japan’s second national museum.
With a focus on Japanese Buddhist art from the Asuka period through the Kamakura period, it holds many National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, including Buddhist statues and ritual objects.
Located in a corner of Nara Park surrounded by Todai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, it offers a relaxed setting to learn about Buddhist art and the rich history and culture behind it.

Asajigahara Park Area is tucked into one corner of Nara Park, with cultural heritage sites scattered across wide grounds.
This hilly area spreads across the park’s south side, south of the approach leading from Kasuga Taisha’s first torii gate to the main sanctuary, and is known as a scenic spot with varied terrain.
Above all, the view of Sagiike Pond, where Ukimido Pavilion stands, is breathtakingly beautiful.

Nara Park is home to cultural heritage sites like Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Kofuku-ji Temple, along with grand natural scenery.
One of the easiest scenic stops to fit in—especially if you’re coming from the city center—is the Sarusawa Pond Park Area.
It’s an artificial pond with a 360-meter perimeter located just past the Sanjo-dori shopping street, and willow trees around the water add to its classic atmosphere.

To enjoy interacting with the deer, buy “shika senbei” (deer crackers) at a shop or vending machine in the park.
Shops and vending machines are set up around the grounds, so you should be able to find them as you walk.
Deer crackers cost 200 yen per bundle of 10.
Made mainly from rice bran and wheat flour, and without coloring agents, they’re crafted with the deer’s health in mind.
When feeding, the key is to offer them quickly and confidently, one at a time.
If the deer can’t get crackers, they may tug at your clothes or nip, so be careful.
When you run out, spread your hands to show that you have no more.
That way, you can avoid trouble and enjoy interacting with the deer safely.

The deer may be used to people, but they’re still wild animals and are not kept in captivity.
For a safe visit—and to help protect the deer that local residents have carefully looked after—please follow the guidelines below.

A beloved summer tradition in Nara, when the entire Nara Park area is wrapped in gentle candlelight.
“Toka” refers to the flower-shaped lump that forms at the tip of a candle wick, which is considered a sign of good fortune.
At Nara Tokae, candles are lit with the wish that visitors will find happiness.
It’s also fun that the atmosphere changes from place to place, even with the same candlelight—such as Ukigumo-enchi, where candles set on the lawn resemble the Milky Way, and Asajigahara, where candles are scattered among bamboo installations.

A traditional event passed down since the Edo period as part of Nara’s long history of living alongside deer.
In fall, male deer enter breeding season and can become aggressive, potentially injuring people or other deer—so the ceremony began as a safety measure to help prevent accidents.
It is typically held in October at the “Deer Park Antler Cutting Venue” set up within the Kasuga Taisha grounds.
On the day, participants called seko use red flags to drive male deer into the venue. Once captured, their antlers are cut off by Shinto priests.
Because deer have long been regarded as sacred messengers, the cut antlers are offered before the deities.

A traditional event held each year on the fourth Saturday of January across the Mount Wakakusa area of Nara Park.
After Approx. 600 fireworks light up the night sky, sacred fire is transferred to torches by Approx. 300 members of the Nara City Fire Brigade.
At the signal of conch shells and trumpets, flames are ignited all at once, and the mountainside is engulfed in fire, creating a spectacular sight as the entire mountain burns. The flames rising as if scorching the night sky are truly powerful.
During the day, Mount Wakakusa also hosts the “Deer Cracker Tossing Contest,” where participants throw giant deer crackers.
At Kasugano-enchi, an “omotenashi event” offers taiko drumming performances, yosakoi dancing, and hands-on workshops, making it an all-day celebration from daytime into the night.

Nara Park is huge, with plenty to see.
If you plan to visit all seven spots introduced in this article, you should assume it will take a full day.

While the main spots are grouped within walking distance, you’ll likely spend more time than expected once you factor in breaks, interacting with deer, and taking photos.
So if your time in Nara Park is limited, it’s recommended to narrow down your destinations in advance.
For example, a plan that visits the UNESCO World Heritage sites—Todai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine—and includes time with the deer can be comfortably enjoyed even in half a day.

As mentioned above, you can cover Nara Park’s main spots on foot.
Still, the distances add up, so taking the bus can be a smart way to cut down on fatigue or save time.
Using Nara Kotsu buses or the Nara Park Gurutto Bus, you can also access major spots such as Todai-ji Temple, Mount Wakakusa, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Ukimido Pavilion, Nara National Museum, and Kofuku-ji Temple by bus.
By mixing walking with buses, it becomes easier to plan a comfortable sightseeing route.
Choose what best fits your schedule and energy level on the day.

Right in the heart of Nara Park, on the east side of the Nara Prefectural Government Office, the Nara Park Bus Terminal is a handy base for exploring.
Use it well, and it helps you enjoy the vast Nara Park more efficiently—and in greater depth.
In the first-floor exhibition room, you can use the “Nara Stroll Map,” which lets you choose places you want to visit from nearby sightseeing spots, restaurants, and shops to create and print your own custom map.
It’s available in English as well, so international travelers can use it with confidence.
Inside, you’ll also find a diorama model that gives you an overview of Nara Park, a cafe that’s easy to drop into during a walk, and a shop where you can buy souvenirs.
Head up to the rooftop garden for a 360-degree panoramic view over Nara Park.
One major highlight is being able to take in many of Nara Park’s historic landmarks at once, including Kofuku-ji’s Five-Story Pagoda, Mount Wakakusa, and Todai-ji’s Nandaimon Gate and Great Buddha Hall.

Gango-ji traces its origins to Asuka-dera, Japan’s oldest full-scale Buddhist temple, founded in Asuka Village by Soga no Umako in the late 6th century. Later, when the capital moved to Heijo-kyo, the temple was relocated within the new capital and renamed Gango-ji.
As one of the eight component sites of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara,” the former monks’ quarters—Gokurakudo (Gokurabo Hondo) and the Zenshitsu (Gokurabo Zenshitsu)—are registered as a World Cultural Heritage site.
Some of the roof tiles relocated from Asuka-dera still remain, conveying the atmosphere of centuries past.

Nara’s old town is a nationally rare historic district, comparable to Kyoto and Kanazawa.
Machiya townhouses built from the Edo period through the Meiji period still remain in the area centered on the former grounds of Gango-ji Temple, making it a great place for a retro stroll.
Today, cafes, restaurants, and small shops line the historic streetscape, making it a popular sightseeing area for visitors of all ages.
The “Naramachi Minami Tourist Information Center” is a visitor center that makes use of traditional townhouses once found throughout the neighborhood. Maps are available at the reception window, so it’s a good first stop before exploring.

This area flourished as Japan’s capital after the move to Heijo-kyo in 710.
The vast city, modeled after Chang’an in Tang China, is said to have covered a total area of Approx. 2,500 hectares and been home to over 100,000 people.
Heijo Palace was the core of Heijo-kyo, serving as the emperor’s residence and the center for politics and ceremonies.
Today, restored sites such as the Suzakumon Gate, the First Daigokuden (Former Imperial Audience Hall), the First Daigokuden-in South Gate (under restoration), the Second Daigokuden, and the East Palace Garden are maintained and preserved as Heijo Palace Site Historical Park.

For over 60 years since its founding in 1959, the long-established kamameshi (iron pot rice) restaurant Kamameshi Shizuka has operated two locations in Nara City.
Even now, as a widely recognized name synonymous with kamameshi in Nara, it continues its commitment to carefully cooking each pot over an open flame only after an order is placed.
That’s why it’s a familiar sight to see long lunchtime lines at the Koen Branch, located in front of the Nara National Museum.

Naramachi is an area lined with many townhouses from the Edo to Meiji periods, and in recent years it has become lively with refined cafes and shops.
One pioneering spot in the neighborhood is Kanakana.
Set in a renovated traditional house over 100 years old, this cafe offers a comforting atmosphere that feels like rediscovering a nostalgic memory the moment you step inside.

A shabu-shabu and meat kaiseki specialty restaurant nestled in the atmospheric streets of Naramachi.
Housed in a renovated former residence over 100 years old, the building retains wooden latticework, earthen walls, and exposed beams, creating a calm, Japanese-modern ambience.
The signature menu features shabu-shabu made with Nara’s brand beef, Yamato beef, brand pork, and plenty of fresh Yamato vegetables grown by local farmers.

Located in a corner of Nara Park, it’s in an excellent spot for sightseeing around Nara.
The building was designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. Outside the windows, trees sway gently, letting you feel the sacred atmosphere of Nara Park. Guest rooms also come with open-air baths, so you can truly relax.
There are five all-suite room types, from stylish suites to Fufu Luxury Premium Suites, with thoughtful details such as different fabric designs and furnishings depending on the room.

A small culinary ryokan on the far northern edge of Nara Park, near where Todai-ji’s Great Buddha Hall stands, offering the charm of traditional Nara machiya townhouses.
Step past the stone-paved entrance sprinkled with water, and you’ll be welcomed by a distinctive building with features such as an earthen-floor space and an open atrium ceiling.
Each of the 12 guest rooms has its own character and furnishings, with a range of options centered on tatami rooms scented with woven rush grass, along with Japanese-Western style rooms with beds.

A refined ryokan located Approx. 10 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station, close to Nara’s main sightseeing areas such as Nara Park and Todai-ji Temple.
From inside the property, you’ll enjoy wonderful views that capture the world of ancient Nara, including Todai-ji Temple and other UNESCO-listed sites.
Guest rooms include a variety of designer rooms with different concepts, such as luxury rooms with open-air observation baths overlooking Mount Wakakusa, a premium kids’ room with a slide, and compact Japanese-modern rooms with a raised seating area.