See the Ancient City of Nara via 19 Top Historic Sites

The prime season to visit Nara is autumn. There are many spots famous for fall foliage, and the scenery of autumn leaves blending with shrines and temples is a unique and special view only found in Nara. If you’re on the fence about when to visit Nara, you might want to join the savvy lot who know to visit in the fall.

From Tokyo to Nara, the typical route is to take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto, and then transfer to the Kintetsu Railway. This route will bring you to the heart of Nara in just under three hours. From Osaka or Kyoto, the journey is about an hour, so it's easy to extend your travels and make Nara an extra add-on.

This is a park where you can enjoy the precious historical and cultural heritages of Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kofukuji Temple, Todaiji Temple, the National Museum, Shosoin Temple, etc., and the magnificent and rich green natural beauty surrounding them. The park is located in the center of the city, making it easily accessible to various tourist spots.

In the Nara period (710-794), Emperor Shomu had the Rushana Daibutsu (Great Buddha) built at his request, and a memorial service was held in 752. This temple is one of the representative temples of Nara. It took nearly 40 years to build the temple complex. After the capital was moved from Heijo-kyo to Nara, the temple was well protected and prospered. In 1180 in the Kamakura period and again in 1567 in the Edo period, most of the temple buildings including the Daibutsuden were destroyed by fire, but they were restored with the cooperation of many people.

The burial mound is located in the Ishibutai area of the National Asuka Historical Park, which has a total area of about 60 hectares and consists of five areas: the “Takamatsuzuka Area”, where the Takamatsuzuka burial mound is located; the “Amakashi Hill Area”, where there is an observatory from which visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Asuka; the “Iwaido Area”, which has a walking path leading to the Ishibutai burial mound; the “Kitora Tumulus Area” where the Kitora Tumulus (mound graves) are located, and the “Ishibutai Area”.

Mt. Yoshino is acclaimed as the best spot to see cherry blossoms in all of Japan. In the spring, the entire mountain is washed with flowering trees as they bloom from the Shimosenbon (the lower 1,000 trees) at the foothills up to the Okusembon (the inner 1,000 trees).

This temple was first built as a private residence of Fujiwara no Kamatari in Yamashina-suehara of Yamashiro-no-kuni (current Kyoto prefecture) and named Yamashina-dera, and later, Fujiwara no Fuhito decided to relocate to the current place at the time of the establishment of the Heijo Ⅽapital in 710, and the temple was renamed Kohfukuji.

Mt. Wakakusa is a grass-covered gentle mountain, 342 meters above sea level. It is also called “Mt. Mikasa” because it looks like three hats stacked on top of each other. It is well-known for its annual Yamayaki, a Nara traditional event held in January.

This museum opened in 1895 as the second national museum in Japan. It houses many national treasures and important cultural properties such as Buddhist statues and objects, mainly Japanese Buddhist art from the Asuka to the Kamakura period. It is located in a corner of Nara Park, surrounded by Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, visitors can learn about Buddhist art and the rich history and culture behind it in a relaxing environment.

This is the oldest shrine in Japan dedicated to the deity Ōmononushi-no-Okami, with Mount Miwa as its sacred body. There is no main shrine, and the style of worshiping Mt. Miwa through the three torii gates at the back of the worship hall conveys the original form of divine worship. The three torii gates and the hall of worship, which was rebuilt in 1664 by Ietsuna Tokugawa, are designated as National Important Cultural Properties.

The symbol of Mt. Yoshino in Nara and the head temple for mountaineering asceticism, which is a religion based on Japan’s ancient nature worship, mixed with Buddhism, Daoism and Onmyodo. In the late 7th century, En no Gyoja, said to be the founder, confined himself in prayers for a thousand days and had a revelation from Kongo Zao Gongen. He carved the image into cherry trees and enshrined them on top of Mt. Sanjogadake and at its foot, Mt. Yoshino.

It was a place that flourished as the capital of Japan when the imperial palace was moved to Heijo-Kyo in 710. It is said that more than 100,000 people lived in the large-scale capital of about 2,500 ha, which was modeled on Changan, the capital of Tang. The 'Heijo-kyu Palace' was the core facility of Heijo-Kyo, and politics and events were conducted as the Emperor's residence.

Tanize Suspension Bridge was built by the villagers in 1954 for daily use during the post-war reconstruction period. Surrounded by majestic mountains, it is one of the longest steel suspension bridges in Japan. The bridge connects Ueno and Tanize and is 297 meters long and 54 meters high.

At the beginning of the Nara period, Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto is said to have ridden on sacred deer from Kashima in Ibaraki Prefecture to Mt. Mikasa to protect Heijo-kyo and promote national prosperity. In 768, the Main Sanctuary was built at the foot of Mt. Mikasa, and four deities, Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto, Futsunushi-no-mikoto, Amenokoyane-no-mikoto, and Himegami were enshrined there.

In Nihon Shoki, Japan’s first imperial-commissioned history book, Kasihara is noted as the land of Japan’s founding. The coronation of the first emperor, Jinmu, took place in the palace in Kashihara, according to Nihon Shoki. Based on that record, Kashihara Jingu was built to enshrine Emperor Jinmu and his wife Empress Himetataraisuzuhime.

Its predecessor was Asukadera Temple, the oldest full-fledged Buddhist temple in Japan, which was opened in Asuka Village by Soga Umako at the end of the 6th century. Later, with the relocation of the capital to Heijo-kyo, it was moved within the Heijo-kyo Capital and its name was changed to Gangoji Temple. During the Nara period (710-794), the temple developed to the extent that it was counted as one of the seven major temples in the southern capital, but it gradually declined from the mid-Heian period (794-1185). However, since the Middle Ages, the temple has once again developed through the belief in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, centering on the Chikou Mandala.

Nestled in the mountains, this is one of the most prominent holy places in Japan housing the Kannon statue. It used to stand at the midpoint of the Hase Road which ran from Yamato Province to Ise Province. It appears in ancient poetries called Komoriku no Hatsuse and in Manyoshu.

En no Gyoja is said to have opened the trail “Omine-Okugakemichi,” which is now included in the World Heritage “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.” At the heart of the Heritage, stands Mt. Sanjogadake, the holy mountain for those who practice mountaineering asceticism, where they still keep females out to this day. Their temple, Ominesanji, is at the mountain top. Dorogawa Onsen is at the entrance of the trail to Mt. Sanjogadake, lined with more than 20 inns and lodges.

Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park is located on Mt. Ikoma at an elevation of 642 meters. 27 unique attractions are spread out in this vast site, including the “Cycle Monorail” for an aerial cycling experience with a panda or other animal car, the spinning “Kurukuru Rollercoaster,” the rapid water slide “Gold Rush” taken on a wooden boat. There are also five game areas for more fun.

In the year 663 during the Asuka period, this ancient temple was built by the monk Gien, from the wishes of Emperor Tenji. It became Japan’s first sacred site to ward off evil. It is known as “Okadera” as it is located in Oka, but its real name is Ryugaiji temple. It is named after a legend when the monk Gien sealed an evil dragon that attacked the lands of Asuka and its farmers. Gien sealed this dragon inside a lake, and trapped it with a giant rock, eventually reforming the dragon. The legend of this dragon hence became a praying ground to ward off evil spirits, and its legend and praying continues to this day.

Located in Nara Prefecture, renowned as one of Japan's prime goldfish breeding regions, this is one of the country's largest goldfish museums. Inside the tourism-focused complex "M! Nara", visitors can immerse themselves in a cutting-edge "Entertainment Aquarium" created by leading artists.

On your next trip to Nara, don’t forget to try the Yoshino Ropeway for all the best views of Mount Yoshino, a World Heritage site. Plus, if you’re planning your way through Osaka and Kyoto as well, book a trip that’s all the more relaxing with a ride on the Sightseeing Express "Aoniyoshi”, which will transport back to where you’re going with heaps of old-world charm.

Our Japanese rice cooking experience is offered at Kamado, located within the sightseeing complex, Shika no Fune in Nara City. Our food is made with local ingredients from Nara and all of our rice is cooked inside of our kamado hearth so that you can enjoy the most authentic Japanese home cooked meal.

A popular wagashi shop in the shopping area near Gangouji Temple in Nara. From namagashi to higashi and seasonal wagashi, the shop is known for its wide array of authentic confections. It’s home is a renovated Machiya-style house, giving it a vintage feel that harks back to old-world Nara streetscapes.

Conveniently located just a minute walk from Kashihara Jingu-mae Station on the Kintetsu Railway line, this izakaya is loved by locals and tourists alike. The name "Noka Sakaba" comes from the fact that the first owner was also a farmer and used the vegetables and rice he grew, and the second owner has firmly inherited this intention, serving dishes that incorporate plenty of locally grown ingredients and practicing local production for local consumption. The freshness and flavor of the ingredients as well as the reasonable prices are probably the reasons for the restaurant's popularity.

An old city area of Nara is a rare sightseeing place in Japan like Kyoto and Kanazawa. The old townhouses located in the area centering on the ancient precinct of Gangoji Temple remained as they were when they were built between the Edo and Meiji periods, which makes you feel a retro atmosphere while walking.

Higashimuki Shopping Street is located right in front of the east entrance of Kintetsu Nara Station. It has an arcade that runs north-south from Omiya Street to Sanjo Street. Kofukuji Temple is to the east, and private houses were built on the west side of the street. Since all of the buildings were facing east, the town was named "Higashimuki (facing east).” Other than Kofukuji Temple, the street also directly connects to Sarusawa Pond, Naramachi, and Nara Park, where Todaiji Temple is located. This location is convenient to stop by both on your way to and from sightseeing in Nara.

This is a facility consisting of restaurants and retail stores in Nara Park known for its wild deer. It is located in front of Todaiji Temple, famous for the Great Buddha within a walking distance from World Heritage Sites such as Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Mt. Kasuga Primeval Forest, Kofukuji Temple, and Nara National Museum, making it the perfect place to stop by during sightseeing.

Located on the edge of Nara Park, the FUFU Nara is a perfect base to travel around Nara. Kengo Kuma, one of the top Japanese architects, has designed this impressive building.The divine air of Nara Park swings trees outside of the room window. It facilitates an open-air bath in each guest room to relax and unwind.

The Nara Hotel was opened in 1909 in Nara Park as the "Guest House of Kansai." Since its establishment, the hotel has welcomed celebrities and guests from Japan and abroad for over 100 years. The hotel currently consists of the main and new buildings, each offering a different space for guests.

Asahikan was founded around 140 years ago. It is located in front of the trail entrance to the World Heritage site, Mt. Omine, and has long been popular as a restful Inn for mountain climbers. Cuisine served at the inn features a variety of local seasonal produce, with a wonderful array of dishes from sweetfish grilled with salt and fresh deer sashimi to wild mountain vegetable dishes.

“Lilionte" is a confectionery brand from Nara that was born from the idea of "bringing new and interesting souvenir sweets from Nara”. One of the most popular products here is "choco-ne", a new type of sweet that consists of crunchy ramune wrapped in rich flavored chocolate.

Kimigoromo, the famous treat that hails from Uda, was first made in the Meiji era (1886-1912) by the first Horii Shotaro of Shogetsudo at this very spot in Ouda. The texture is as fluffy as a light snow, and soft enough to vanish into thin air the moment you taste it. This sweet treat is also the 3-consecutive year gold prize winner of Japan’s National Confectionery Exposition. With its glittering accolades and dreamy flavor, it’s no surprise how many come from far and wide to taste it.

Mahoroba Daibutsu Pudding is a classic Nara souvenir that includes a line of luscious, local flavors including the Nara special custard, Yamato Tea, a spiked pudding made with regionally sourced Nara sake and the Nara yae-zakura pudding topped with Yoshino cherryblossoms. Each pudding is made painstakingly by hand without any harmful additives to ensure the ultimate taste experience.

Nara has had a lot to do with ice since the time of Heijokyo Capital - People made ice in winter, kept it in Himuro (Ice storage), and provided it to the imperial court. Himuro Shirayuki Festival began in 2014 is a new festivity of shaved ice held in Kasugano, Nara City.

During Nara Period, Yamanoue no Okura and other Japanese ambassadors might have brought one of the palace events “Kikoden” from China. The Japanese Tanabatatsume Festival was combined with it. Then, the mythology “Orihime and Hikoboshi” was blended in to make up Tanabata. The origin is said to be a lavish festival held at Heijo Palace on July 7th of the old calendar (current August).

The area around Nara Park is cradled with candle light in this summer event. Toka is the flower-like tip of a candle wick, which means good luck. In Nara Tokae, people light candles wishing visitors to find happiness.