Nara Park | Review by WANG

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Nara Park

A popular park in Japan.

6 Sep 2026 See More

This vast open park is not only a free-roaming paradise for more than a thousand wild Nara deer, but is also surrounded by many world-class historical sites. As you stroll along the lush approach, you can encounter the clever deer at any moment. Buy a pack of special deer crackers, and you'll instantly become the most popular person around. Watching them politely bow while also seeming a little impatient as you feed them is truly both adorable and amusing.

Besides interacting with the deer, the area around the park is home to the magnificent Todaiji Temple, with its enormous Great Buddha, the mysterious Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and scenic Sarusawa Pond. Whether you're walking along stone lantern paths beneath towering ancient trees or sitting on the grass enjoying the sunshine, every corner is rich in culture and nature.

I highly recommend setting aside half a day to a full day for Nara Park when visiting Kansai. Whether you plan a relaxing walk or fully enjoy interacting with the deer, it will definitely leave you with soothing and wonderful memories of your trip!

Other Reviews by WANG

Kinkaku-ji

During the Muromachi Period, the 3rd Ashikaga shogun, Yoshimitsu, made an abode in this temple called Kitayamadono. It was named as Rokuon-ji after the posthumous name of Yoshimitsu. He had also built Shokoku-ji Temple, and Rokuon-ji, his retirement home, was turned into a branch temple of Shokoku-ji.
- Kinkakuji, Kamigamo
- Shrines & Temples
6 Sep 2026 See More

The UNESCO World Heritage Site Kinkaku-ji is absolutely a timeless classic and top choice! After buying the unique paper admission ticket at the entrance, which looks like a protective charm, follow the lush garden path. The moment you turn the corner and the dazzling golden building comes into view, the visual impact is truly incomparable.

Its exterior walls are covered in precious gold leaf, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight. The most captivating classic view is from across the Kyoko-chi Pond, where Kinkaku-ji's elegant form is perfectly reflected on the calm water, framed by lush pine trees, blue skies, and white clouds. It looks just like a flawless postcard. Anyone standing here will find it hard to stop taking photos.

After visiting Kinkaku-ji itself, stroll along the garden path to admire the Zen-like strolling pond garden, historic teahouses such as Sekka-tei, and various elegant landscape features. Although you can't go inside the building, simply walking around and experiencing the unique atmosphere that blends the lavish culture of the Muromachi period with the tranquility of Zen is well worth the admission price.

I highly recommend adding Kinkaku-ji to your morning itinerary when visiting Kyoto. See the gold leaf sparkle when the sunlight hits at the best angle, and you're sure to come away with dazzling, unforgettable memories of your Kansai trip!
Mt. Otowa Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Opened in the year 778, the temple was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1994. In the 130, 000 m2 area of the precincts spread out on the hillside of Mt. Otowa, there are more than 30 cathedrals and monuments, including national treasures and important cultural properties.
- Gion, Higashiyama, Yamashina
- Shrines & Temples
6 Sep 2026 See More

Every time I visit Kyoto, if I could choose only one temple, Kiyomizu-dera, with over a thousand years of history and standing halfway up Mt. Otowa, would definitely be Japan's most iconic landmark! As soon as you reach Kiyomizu-zaka on the way to the main hall, the lively souvenir shops, pottery stores, and wagashi shops along the street offer so much to see. You can already feel the area's rich cultural atmosphere before even entering the temple.

After passing through the imposing Nio-mon Gate, the most breathtaking sight is the elevated Kiyomizu Stage, built entirely without a single nail and supported by enormous wooden pillars. From the stage, you can take in the cityscape of Kyoto below while surrounded by a magnificent expanse of maple and cherry trees. Whether the hills are covered in soft pink cherry blossoms in spring or fiery red leaves in fall, the changing seasonal scenery is like a huge landscape painting you could never tire of seeing.

After leaving the stage, don't miss the famous Otowa Waterfall below. Its three clear streams represent academic success, love, and longevity. Waiting in line to take a sip is both fun and filled with a sense of ritual and prayer. Before leaving, be sure to stop by the impressive Koyasu Pagoda nearby and experience the ancient capital's solemnity and tranquility.

I highly recommend putting Kiyomizu-dera on your must-visit list when traveling to Kyoto. Whether you're there to experience the grandeur of a UNESCO World Heritage Site or admire the beautiful mountain scenery through the seasons, this is a timeless classic you'll never tire of visiting!
Yasaka Koshindo

A temple built in a famous tourists spot in Kyoto called Higashiyama, where other famous sights such as the Kiyomizu Temple and Yasaka Shrine are located. The official name of the temple is "Daikokusan Kongoji Koshindo,” but is well-known as "Yasaka Koshin-san" in the local area. It is said that this was where the Koshin faith, which derived from Chinese Taoism, first started in Japan, and is also one of the three Koshin in Japan.
- Gion, Higashiyama, Yamashina
- Shrines & Temples
6 Sep 2026 See More

Whenever you're strolling through Kyoto's Higashiyama district and come across a small, colorful temple filled with a playful and prayerful atmosphere, you'll know you've arrived at Yasaka Koshindo, a hugely popular photo spot in recent years! As soon as you reach the entrance, your eyes are immediately drawn to the strings packed with brightly colored ball-shaped cloth charms.

This temple, formally named Kongoji, is one of the birthplaces of Japan's Koshin faith. The most eye-catching things upon entering the grounds are the colorful, cute cloth figures shaped like monkeys with their hands and feet bound. These are local prayer charms called kukurizaru. It is said that if you write your wish on one and give up one of your desires, your wish will come true. With countless colorful figures hanging together, they not only look great in photos but also create a soothing and distinctive sense of prayer and ritual.

Although the temple grounds aren't very large, it's conveniently located near Hokan-ji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda), making it an easy stop while walking around the area. The rustic wooden main hall, paired with the multicolored prayer charms, gives this historic temple an entirely different sense of lively energy.

I highly recommend adding Yasaka Koshindo to your itinerary for photos and prayers while exploring Kyoto's Higashiyama district. Not only can you take home a cute prayer monkey charm, but you can also add colorful and unique memories to your trip to the ancient capital!