Nara

This itinerary was built for an easy day trip from Kyoto, although it would be just as easily accessible from nearby Osaka.

Detail 1

Leave early in the morning for Nara

  • Take the JR Nara line from Kyoto station

    • 3 trains per hour

    • 70-minute ride for the regular line, but the rapid line takes only 60 minutes

  • Walk up Nobori-ojicho Street

  • Kofuku-ji Temple

    • One of 8 structures forming UNESCO Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara

    • Main temple was originally located in Kyoto, but taken apart nad rebuilt in Nara when the city became Japan’s capital

    • Iconic 5-story pagoda

    • See if the National Treasure Hall and Eastern Golden Hall are open

Detail 2

  • Isuien Garden

    • Reflecting ponds, tea house, views of Mount Wakakusa

    • Front and back sections, designed in Edo and then Meiji periods

    • Small pottery museum adjacent to the garden

  • Pop into Yoshiki-en Garden

    • “One of Nara’s great little secrets”

    • Garden with thatch-roof tea house located directly next to (on the south side of) Isui-en Garden

  • Todai-ji Temple

    • Nandaimon (South entrance gate)

      • The largest temple entrance gate in Japan

      • Built 1199-1203

    • The Great Buddha Hall houses the world’s largest Daibutsu (bronze Buddha statue)

    • The hall itself is also the world’s largest wooden structure

Detail 3

  • After exploring the grounds, follow the path behind the temple to the small Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine

    • Shrine was established in 749

  • Nara Park and Mt. Wakakusa

    • Buy biscuits (sender, rice crackers) from street vendors for the deer

    • Deer were believed to be the messengers of the gods, and are allowed to roam free

    • More detail: Story says that one of the four gods of Kasuga Shrine once visited Mount Mikasa (in Nara) riding a white deer; ever since, deer were considered sacred animals. Killing a deer was punishable by death

    • 40-minute walk to the peak of Mt. Wakakusa (panoramic views of Nara)

  • Kasuga Grand Shrine (Kasuga-Taisha)

    • Another UNESCO Historic Monument in Nara

    • Most famous for its thousands of stone and bronze lanterns lining walkways and corridors

    • If looking for a picturesque little teahouse, check out Mizutani-chaya

  • Higashimuki Shopping Arcade

    • Plenty of shops and restaurants

  • Lunch

    • Nakatanidou (famous mochi shop where they pound fresh mochi and serve it)

      • Their specialty is yomogi-mochi (flavored with plant called mugwort)

      • They also sell senbei (rice crackers) in sweet and savory flavors

    • Also be on the look-out for mochi dango (freshly grilled on sticks)

    • Can also grab a Coco’s Curry (comfort food); if wanting more legit curry, check out Wakasa Curry Honpo

  • Make a loop south through Naramachi, checking out Sarusawa-no-Ike Pond, Koshi-no-Ie, and the shops and galleries in the area