Sightseeing
Well-known tourist attractions inside of Nara City include Nara Park which is teeming with wild deer, Todai-ji Temple which has the world’s largest Buddha statue, and Kasuga Grand Shrine (Kasuga-taisha). These are all within walking distance from Nara Station and are always bustling with tourists.
In addition, you will find an assortment of temples, shrines, and historical locations spread across Nara City and the prefecture itself. Through the national treasures including Buddha statues and buildings, you can be transported back in time to the year 1300.
Each season has its own highlight such as the beautiful cherry blossom trees in spring and red foliage in fall.
Being even older as a capital city than Kyoto, you can enjoy Nara’s townscape that remained the same in appearance since olden times.
The three most famous tourist spots within Nara City, Nara Park, Todai-ji Temple, and Kasuga Grand Shrine, are all within walking distance from JR Nara Station and Kintetsu Nara Station.
However, other tourist attractions are scattered throughout the prefecture and transportation can be inconvenient for reaching these locations. The best way to see these sites is by car, so you might want to consider renting one.
The train lines including JR and Kintetsu are inconvenient due to the infrequency of the trains and required transfers, so these are not highly recommended.
① Famous sightseeing spots
Horyu-ji Temple(法隆寺)
This temple is recognized as a World Heritage Site for having theworld’s oldest wooden building. (15 minutes from JR Nara Station on a train bound for Osaka)
Toshodai-ji Temple(唐招提寺)
Ganjin Osho(鑑真和尚)came to Japan during the Tang Dynasty in China, and this temple was built in the year 759 as a site for Buddhist training. (15 minutes from JR Nara Station by bus)
Yakushi-ji Temple(薬師寺)
Emperor Tenmu(天武天皇)built this temple in the year 680 as an attempt to help the empress recover from her illness. It is now registered as a World Heritage Site.
(15 minutes from JR Nara Station by bus)
Japanese site
Hasedera Temple(長谷寺)
This is known as the “Flower Temple.” The tree peonies in May are particularly impressive.
(After getting on at Kintetsu Nara Station transfer at Saidaiji and then again at Yamatoyagi before getting off at Hasedera Station, which totals to about 1 hour. From the station it is a 15-minute walk)
Ohmiwa-jinja Shrine(大神神社)
Built during the Mythological Period, this shrine has the highest status ranking in Japan.
(Take the JR Sakurai Line from JR Nara Station to Miwa Station, approximately 25 minutes away. The shrine is right at the station)
Muro-ji Temple(室生寺)
This temple coexists peacefully with nature deep in the mountains. Beautiful fall foliage can also be seen here.
(After getting on at Kintetsu Nara Station transfer at Saidaiji and then again at Yamatoyagi before getting off at Muroguchi-Ono Station, which totals to about 1 hour and 10 minutes. From the station it is a 15-minute walk)
Tanzan-jinja Shrine(談山神社)
(Take the JR Sakurai Line from JR Nara Station to Sakurai Station, approximately 30 minutes
away. The shrine about a 30-minute bus ride from the station)
Yoshino(吉野)
This is a famous spot for cherry blossoms.
https://www.town.yoshino.nara.jp/kanko-event/sakura/yoshinoyama/
(After getting on at Kintetsu Nara Station transfer at Saidaiji and then again at Kashiharajinju-mae before getting off at Yoshino Station, which totals to about 2 hours From the station take the ropeway)
Dorokyo Gorge(瀞峡)
From the ruggedly protruding cliffs and crags to the quiet, clear cobalt blue river, this gorge will calm your spirit. You can enjoy going downstream here by water jet.
http://totsukawa.info/joho/kanko/6doro-kyo_gorge.html
(Take the train from Kintetsu Nara Station and transfer at Saidaiji before arriving at Kintetsu Yagi Station. From the station, take a bus for 4 hours)
② Make sure to check out these breath-taking locations
Shinyakushi-ji Temple (新薬師寺) Japanese site http://www.shinyakushiji.or.jp/
Byakugou-ji Temple (百毫寺)
Akishinodera Temple (秋篠寺)
Jikoin Temple (慈光院) http://www1.kcn.ne.jp/~jikoin/English-top.html
Shoryaku-ji Temple (正暦寺) Japanese site http://shoryakuji.jp/
Mt. Shigi (信貴山) http://www.sigisan.or.jp/english.html
Umami-kyuryo Park (馬見丘陵公園) flower garden
A variety of flowers are in bloom here throughout the year
Japanese site http://www.pref.nara.jp/1780.htm
Yagyu (柳生) a ninja village where you can experience being a ninja
③ Famous spots to visit during cherry blossom season(from the end of March to the beginning of April)
Sabogawa River(佐保川) Near the Nara City Prefectural and Information Center(Kintetsu Shin-Omiya Station)
Koriyama Joshi Park(郡山城址公園) (Kintetsu Kashiwara Line, Koriyama Station)
Shirakashi(白橿町) Along Takatorikawa River(Kintetsu Okadera Station)
Tomiogawa River(富雄川) Yamatokoriyama(JR Yamato-Koizumi Station)
Takami no Sato(高見の里) (Kintetsu bus from Haibara
Station)
https://shidare-sakura.jp/sakura_map/
④ Famous spots to see autumn foliage (from mid to late November)
Shoryaku-ji Temple(正暦寺)
Mt. Shigi(信貴山)
Hasedera Temple(長谷寺)
Tanzan-Jinja Shrine(談山神社)
⑤ Lesser known tourist spots
Ryuogabuchi Pond(龍王ヶ渕)
Muroko Lake(室生湖)
Fukutani-Ryuchin Valley(深谷龍鎮渓谷)
Masuda no Iwafune Rock(益田岩船)
Matabezakura(又兵衛桜) A cherry blossom tree that is 300 years old(from the end of March to the beginning of April)