When visiting Nara, besides Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, I also highly recommend adding Yoshikien Garden to your itinerary. Yoshikien Garden has three gardens, each with its own distinct character and showcasing a different kind of Japanese garden beauty. As you stroll through them, you can enjoy the ponds, moss garden, tea house, and seasonal greenery. It is quiet and full of Zen, and walking around really makes you feel especially relaxed.
It is also right next to Isuien Garden, so you can easily visit both attractions together. It makes for a very convenient itinerary. The weather was beautiful during this visit, and the sunlight shining across the gardens made the scenery even prettier. No matter where you take a photo, it has a distinctly Japanese feel. Most importantly--Yoshikien Garden is free to visit! You can enjoy such a beautiful garden without an admission fee, so it is definitely worth stopping by for a walk.
