Small StepsConveniently located less than an hour away from Kyoto and Osaka, Nara has become a popular day trip for visitors coming from these famous cities. Nara is known for its free roaming deer, ancient temples, and even shaved ice! There is something fun for everyone here and it can be enjoyed as a day trip or multi-day stay. Most accommodations are inexpensive so it can be a great option for budget travelers. I have been to Nara 3 times on 3 separate trips to Japan and its only now that I feel I can fully check it off my list. In this Nara Travel Guide I share some of my favorite things to do each time I visit.
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Hike up Mount Wakakusa
Don’t let the word “Mount” steer you away from this amazing hike. A little over 300 meters up, you’ll walk up this grassy hill to beautiful sights overlooking Nara city. It is easily accessible from Todaiji Temple. The hike takes about 45 minutes to an hour. It can be tiring since it is up hill the whole way. However, the path is wide enough to take breaks and relax in the mountain air. You can choose to stop at the grassy prairie or make your way further up to the summit.
NOTE: There is a small entrance fee to begin the hike.
Greet Deer with a Biscuit and Bow in Nara Park
This will be in every Nara travel guide you find. It’s the reason most people visit Nara, a chance to pet and feed deer. While I don’t recommend touching the deer – feeding them is a unique and fun experience. You can purchase special deer biscuits from vendors throughout the city as you approach Nara Park. It’s inexpensive, around 200 yen for a pack. I recommend hiding them in your bag or pocket once you open them. Otherwise, you’ll be bombarded and possibly nipped at by deer. I always look for solo deer or small deer away from the others to reduce the risk of a herd following. Trust me the bites hurt.
The deer in Nara have been taught to duck their heads as if they are bowing when offered a biscuit. If you bow your head they will often bow back. Be sure to give them a biscuit for their polite greeting.
Explore the Shrines
Nara has many popular shrines to explore, the most famous being Todai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, and Kasuda Grand Shrine. I highly recommend you take the back road to Todai-ji. It’s a beautiful walk along an earthen wall. Take your time to enjoy the grounds and watch as the deer wander around. At Kasuga Shrine there are stunning wisteria in the summer.
Shop for Local Souvenirs
Like most cities in Japan there are a lot of unique deer related souvenirs available in Nara. We purchased some fun deer headbands to wear and were tempted by the cute stuffed animals. It’s a small shopping area so you can certainly explore most if not all in a half day after exploring the temples and park.
Cool off with Shaved Ice
Not mentioned in most Nara Travel Guides, but well known in the region is kakigori (shaved ice). Nara is famous for its shaved ice and I highly recommend giving it a try. I mean highly! Our favorite is from Hosekibako but there are so many places to visit. Learn about Nara’s shaved ice history here.
Go Cafe Hopping
This Nara Travel Guide would not be complete without mentioning my favorite cafes and restaurants in the area.
Over Macaron – Excellent choice for k-pop stans and macaron lovers. Unique flavors that look as good as they taste.
Floresta Donuts – Grab a novelty cat donut or choose amongst other popular flavors like sugar & ginger, rum raisin, soy flour, and so much more.
Cafe Fluke – Take a break with a delicious cup of coffee. I highly recommend the burnt sugar latte. But do be careful, they brulee the sugar on top so part of the rim can be incredibly hot. Be sure to feel around the rim to make sure you don’t sip from that spot.
Pinnochio – If you’re looking for delicious omu-rice you’re in the right spot. They offer a few other menu items and desserts but their specialty is omelette rice.
Sakura Burger – If you’re looking for an American style burger or just a short escape from Japanese foods enjoy flavors from home here.
Nakatanidou Mochi – You can queue up at the TikTok famous mochi shop – they only offer one flavor (that I’ve noticed) I believe it’s green tea that is coated in soy flour. Personally it wasn’t my favorite flavor-wise, but the texture was rich and chewy. I’d recommend it if there is a short line and you like those flavors. Otherwise, don’t worry if you miss it – it’s not revolutionary.
Visit the Ukimido Pavilion in the Evening
At night the lanterns at Ukimido light up and you’ll find deer grazing and resting for the evening. This spot is slightly off the beaten path and connects to Araike Enchi Park and Ara Pond. A beautiful open grassland filled with deer. If you’re looking to get some rest from Nara Park this is a great option. Just around the corner is another wide open grassland called Tobihino with temples, deer, and heron.
Both day and night time views of Ukimido offer their own unique beauty. I highly recommend the evening as you can walk in the silence with the deer and enjoy the laterns.
Take a Stroll through the Gardens
Nara has a few beautiful gardens for plant lovers.
Isuien Garden and Neiraku Museum: A stunning escape from the crowds. You’ll enjoy a beautiful tea house, moss gardens, and a backdrop of Mt. Wakakusa. Entrance fee: 1,200 yen.
Yoshikien Garden: Free for tourists if you show your passport at the admission desk.
See the Fireflies
During the summer enjoy a light show while the fireflies illuminate the skies in this hidden gem and protected habitat. Loved by locals and tourists alike it’s a great stop for firefly and photography enthusiasts. This is a place to visit if you’ll be in Nara overnight.
I hope this Nara travel guide has been helpful for you. Please leave a comment below with any questions you may have before your trip!
