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Nara

Japan's ancient capital delivers on culture

About Nara
Photo: Benny Marty / Shutterstock.com

Top Attractions in Nara

Todaiji
Culture

Todaiji

4.8 (4) 4 Reviews
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Nara Top 10

  1. The First Emperor of Japan
    1

    The First Emperor of Japan

    Kashihara
  2. Michimo Nissan Electric Car Rental & Drive In Kashihara Countryside
    2

    Michimo Nissan Electric Car Rental & Drive In Kashihara Countryside

    Kashihara
  3. NIPPONIA Tawaramoto Maruto Shoyu
    3

    NIPPONIA Tawaramoto Maruto Shoyu

    Accommodation
  4. Mochi Pounding at Nakatanidou
    4

    Mochi Pounding at Nakatanidou

    Nara City
  5. Todaiji Temple in Nara
    5

    Todaiji Temple in Nara

    Nara City
  6. Sakura of Mount Yoshino in Nara
    6

    Sakura of Mount Yoshino in Nara

    Activities
  7. Tōdai-ji, Deer, and Gardens in Nara
    7

    Tōdai-ji, Deer, and Gardens in Nara

    Nara City
  8. William Morris Design Exhibition
    8

    William Morris Design Exhibition

    Nara City
  9. The Stone Lanterns of Kasuga Shrine
    9

    The Stone Lanterns of Kasuga Shrine

    Nara City
  10. Nara Tokae Lantern Festival
    10

    Nara Tokae Lantern Festival

    Nara City

Upcoming Nara Events

Cosmos at the Fujiwara Palace Ruins
Activities

Cosmos at the Fujiwara Palace Ruins

Oct 1st - Oct 31st

The ruins of Fujiwara Palace in Nara are home to a range of great flower events throughout the year, and throughout October pink..

Free
Cosmos at Hannyaji Temple
Activities

Cosmos at Hannyaji Temple

Oct 10th - Nov 15th

Nara's Hannyaji Temple is often referred to as the "Cosmos Temple" for good reason - there are approximately 150,000 cosmos..

2 ¥500
Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri
Culture

Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri

Mid Dec

Traditional performing arts can be enjoyed at this annual festival held since the 12th century.

1 Free
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Where to eat in Nara

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Places to stay in Nara

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Latest Nara Reports

Horyu-ji Temple, Nara 8
Culture

Horyu-ji Temple, Nara

Lily Taki

Horyu-ji Temple in Ikaruga Town, Nara is famous for being the oldest wooden building in the world. Under the name of 'Buddhist..

3
Maximizing the Fun in Ikaruga-Cho
Culture

Maximizing the Fun in Ikaruga-Cho

Featured

Ikaruga-cho is a town in Nara Prefecture. It’s most famous for Horyuji Temple, home of the world’s oldest wooden buildings.

2
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About Nara

Okinawa Nagasaki Fukuoka Saga Kumamoto Kagoshima Miyazaki Oita Ehime Kochi Tokushima Kagawa Yamaguchi Hiroshima Okayama Tottori Shimane Hyogo Kyoto Osaka Wakayama Nara Shiga Mie Fukui Ishikawa Toyama Gifu Aichi Nagano Shizuoka Niigata Yamanashi Kanagawa Tokyo Saitama Gunma Tochigi Chiba Ibaraki Fukushima Miyagi Yamagata Iwate Akita Aomori Hokkaido
Region Kansai
Island Honshu
Population 1,400,728
Area 3,690.94 km²

Japan’s first permanent capital from AD 710 to 794 (known then as Heijo), as well as the site of the ancient capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara, it goes without saying that Nara Prefecture (奈良県, Nara-ken) is filled with history and culture.

Nara is renowned for its many prestigious temples, led by Todai-ji (home of the Nara Great Buddha) and Horyu-ji, the oldest wooden building in the world. The lesser-known Asuka Temple is considered to be the oldest temple in Japan, constructed in AD 588. The traditional performing art of Daimokutate is performed every October 12th and is a sight to behold.

One of the most iconic sights of Nara is Nara Park; in addition to it containing Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji, and Kasuga Shrine, it is famous for its roaming deer - visitors can even feed them! The town of Yoshino is arguably the best spot in Japan for cherry blossom viewing. 

Around Nara

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