Things to Do in Nara - Grab 3 Perfect Itineraries to Go!

There are heaps of things to do in Nara for first-time as well as repeat visitors. You can’t do it all in a day, and not all people want to do the same things. Therefore, we’ve put together three perfect 1-day itineraries for Nara City.  

1. Nara essentials itinerary 

2. Nara for foodies and shoppers

3. Nara along the quiet road 

   
   

‘Nara essentials’ is great for first time visitors. It includes 10 of the best sites in Nara and other things to do. ‘Nara for foodies and shoppers’ takes you through Nara’s modern shopping area and the traditional old town of Naramachi. ‘Nara along the quiet road’ is perfect for repeat visitors or for the best experience of a mix of cultural history and nature in Nara City.

Best Things to Do in Nara in One Day

If you’re visiting Nara for the first time, this one-day itinerary includes the best 10 things to do in Nara. If you follow the itinerary in order, you will get the most out of your day, with numerous opportunities for treats and souvenir shopping.

1. Visit Nara’s best garden - Isuien Garden

2. Drop by the jewel of Nara - Todai-ji Temple

3. Wander up to views from above - Nigatsu-do

4. Write your wishes on a heart - Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine

5. Pass by Mount Wakakusa for lunch

6. Get that memorable shot at Mizuyachaya Tea House

7. Take a leisurely walk to Kasuga-taisha Shrine

8. Stop by the Nara National Museum

9. View the wonderful Kohfuku-ji Temple

10. Enjoy some downtime and souvenir shopping

    
    
    
    

Details, Tips, and Freebies

When coming to Nara for the first time, most people head straight up the main Noborioji-dori Street to the intersection for Todai-ji Temple. A more expeditious way is to walk up the left-hand shoulder of the road, and turn left at the Nara Bus Terminal for Isuien Garden (Entry 1200 yen).

Isuien is Nara’s most famous garden, but next door is Yoshikien Garden, which is free to enter. From here, double back up Noborioji Street past the Okumura Commemorative Museum (a cool earthquake science museum—free entry). The next left is a shopping enclave called Yume-kaze Hiroba, where you can stop by the Nara Visitor Center for English assistance and handy brochures.

From here, you can either head back to the main street to the busy pedestrian intersection for Todai-ji Temple or take the short cut to the Nandai-mon Gate area of Todai-ji Temple. From the temple, it's a short walk up hill to Nigatsu-do Hall with its exquisite views over Nara City.

Next door is the Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine (free entry). This shrine has English instructions on how to write wishes and prayers on ema plaques. You can also read many heart-warming messages from around the world. 

Next, follow the signs along the ridge to Mount Wakakusa, which is the halfway point. Here are more souvenir shops and restaurants for lunch. You’ll find better quality restaurants on the far end, down the stairs from the Deer Park Inn. These include the picturesque Mizuyachaya Tea House, La Terasse for French cuisine, and Le Case for quiches, cakes and light meals.

After exploring Kasuga-taisha Shrine (Entry 700 yen), you can walk back to the station or catch a bus from the Kasuga-taisha Honden bus stop. You will pass the Nara National Museum, and the last entry is 16:30 and until 17:00 for the permanent exhibition (Entry 700 yen). Near to the museum, Kohfuku-ji Temple is well-worth a visit. Last admission is 16:45 (Entry 700‒900 yen). 

From Kohfuku-ji Temple, head towards the quaint hexagonal Nanen-do Temple, wind to the right and down into the Higashimuki Shopping Arcade, or for an early evening stroll, go left and dip down the steps at Nanen-do to Sarusawa Pond.

Things to Do in Nara for Foodies and Shoppers

If you want to enjoy the best foods in Nara, sample Nara sake, and explore the quaint streets of historic Nara old town, this Naramachi one-day itinerary is for you. It has everything from green tea specialists, craft shops and museums, cafés, restaurants, and lots of shopping along the way. What’s more, if you’re doing a two-day tour of Nara, you can combine this with our Nara essentials 1-day itinerary.

1. Head into the Higashimuki Shopping Arcade

2. Take the first left for a shortcut to Kohfuku-ji Temple

3. Walk down the stairs to Nara Visitor Center & Inn to pick up some info maps on Naramachi

4. Get a coffee or tea around Sarusawa Pond

5. Explore the historic old town Naramachi around Nigiwai-no-Ie

6. Stop by Gango-ji Temple

7. Harushika Sake Brewery

8. Don’t miss the Mochiidono Shopping Arcade

9. Enjoy the hustle and bustle along Sanjo-dori Street

10. Return to the station via the Higashimuki Shopping Arcade

    
    
    
    

Details, Tips, and Freebies

On this itinerary, you can start your day with a visit to Kohfuku-ji Temple (Entry 700‒900 yen). Make sure, however, to head on down the famous 53 steps to visit us here at Nara Visitor Center and Inn alongside Sarusawa Pond. Our friendly staff will answer your questions, and you can pick up some maps and guides to Naramachi old town. 

*Currently, the 5 story pagoda is undergoing scheduled maintenance and will be undercover until 2033.

Just around and along the pond is a Starbucks where you can grab a seat, pour over your maps, and check off what you want to do. 

Things to do in Nara’s old town include visiting historic houses like the Nigiwai-no-Ie tradesman’s house, the Koshi-no-Ie lattice house, and the Toy Museum. There is also the Kogeikan Lacqueware and Pottery Museum, and the small Shiryokan Museum. Most of these are free to enter. 

Other places include Gango-ji Temple (Entry 700 yen), Goryo-jinja Shrine (free entry), and the Garden of the Former Daijo-In Temple (Entry 200 yen). A day in Naramachi guarantees a wide variety of things to do, and there are many cozy cafés, top-notch eateries, and plenty of photo opportunities. You can also enjoy Sake tasting at a couple of venues.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f964a2ru4lc)

The Mochiidono Arcade (餅飯殿商店街) running through Naramachi has many local shops including kimono shops, washi paper shops, pottery stores, sweet shops, as well as knick-knack and craft stores you may not find in the Higashimuki Shopping Arcade. At the bottom of the arcade, you will come to the lively Sanjo-dori Street. Across is the Minamimuki Arcade (南向商店街) which is the more touristy shopping area.

There are many fabulous places to enjoy lunch and dinner in Nara city, some of which we have highlighted in our Itadaki Nara series. From ramen to vegan, or udon to yakiniku or bakeries to tofu - mention the plethora of fabulous bars, izakayas and craft breweries - Nara has more than enough to satisfy a fervent foodie.

Nara Along the Quiet Road Itinerary 

‘Nara along the quiet road’ is the perfect one-day itinerary for people who love nature, a little adventure, or who have already visited Nara’s key sites and places of interest. It’s also a great option for a tight budget.

1. Stop by Yoshikien Garden

2. Take the path behind Todai-ji Temple 

3. Walk the cobbled road to Nigatsu-do Hall

4. Pray for peace at Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine

5. Grab a bite at Mount Wakakusa

6. Meander towards Kasuga-taisha Shrine

7. Find the forest path to Shin-Yakushi-ji Temple

8. Explore the Former Residence of Shiga Naoya

9. Head on down to Ukimido Gazebo

10. Pass by Kohfuku-ji Temple and into the arcade

    
    
    
    

 Details, Tips, and Freebies

On this one-day itinerary takes you around the outskirts of Nara’s key tourist areas, with an optional detour into Naramachi. The first stop is Yoshikien Garden, which is free to enter. Isuien Garden is right next door (Entry 1200 yen).

Leaving the garden, turn right and straight up towards the back of Todai-ji Temple. A couple of interesting places along this road are the Catship Museum (Entry 500 yen) and Irie Taikichi Historic Residence (Entry 200 yen). You can also detour to the Shoso-in Treasure House, the repository of Todai-ji Temple artefacts. (*The treasures inside are on display during the Shoso-in Exhibition in October.)From the repository, it’s a 15-min walk through an old residential area to Nigatsu-do Hall.

Nigatsu-do Hall is a top favorite for repeat visitors to Nara, and next door you can’t miss the Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine (free entry) for its two pigeon heart symbol. From here, follow the signs to Mount Wakakusa, which can be your lunch point.

After a well-earned rest, stroll towards Kasuga-taisha Shrine, and look for signs to Shin-Yakushi-ji Temple. However, don’t head onto the main tarred road, but look for signs for the Shimononegi-michi forest pathway (下の禰宜道). Eventually, you will come out near the Former Residence of Shiga Naoya (Entry 500 yen).

To get back to Nara Station, walk down the slope from Shiga Naoya’s house. You’ll soon come to Sagi-ike pond (in which Ukimido is located), and then it’s a 20-minute walk back to the station via Kohfuku-ji Temple. You can also head straight down into Naramachi via the Harushika Sake Store and Mochiidono Arcade - a total of 30 minutes on foot.

Alternatively, if you have time, you can walk 10 minutes up from Shiga Naoya’s house to Shin-Yakushi-ji Temple (Entry 600 yen). The last entry is 16:30 for 17:00. From there, you can catch a bus back to the station. The nearby Irie Taikichi Memorial Museum of Photography (Entry 500 yen) opens until 18:00 or 20:00 on Friday to Sunday.

Best 10 Places to See in Nara City

If you want to plan your own things to do in Nara itinerary, here are the 10 best places to visit in Nara City. We highlight the details and give tips about other things to do nearby.

1. The Great Buddha of Todai-ji Temple

• Entry 800 yen (6–12 yrs 400 yen)

• Multilingual audio guides (500 yen)

• Image tracing and calligraphy seal

Highlights of Todai-ji Temple include its Great Southern Gate and the Daibutsu Honden, the largest wooden structure in the world. The central image is a 14.98 meter seated Buddha weighing some 800 tons. On the approach, you will pass by food stalls, souvenir shops, while being greeted by roaming deer. At the reception inside the Great Hall, you can purchase tracing images of coloring (shabutsu), a sacred calligraphy seal (goshuin), as well as amulets and other religious paraphernalia. 

2. Nara Deer Park

• Entry free, no barriers

• Cherry trees in spring

• Benches, walkways, restrooms

Nara Park flanks to the right of the pedestrian thoroughfare leading to Todai-ji Temple. It’s a lovely open expanse of grass, hilly mounds, a stream and trees with benches beneath. It’s ideal for children to run around, to snap pics of deer, or to enjoy cherry blossoms in the spring. In the evening, fawns and does gather in the park for the night.

3. Kasuga-taisha Grand Shrine

• Entry 700 yen inner sanctum (Children 250 yen)

• Ninai Jajya tea house

• Manyou Bontanic Garden

Kasuga-taisha Grand Shrine is the quintessential Shinto experience of harmony with nature. Gravel pathways, stone lanterns, and roaming deer add to its charming ambiance with numerous sub shrines to explore. Just down from the main entrance is a giant deer statue, and shops to buy snacks, refreshments, and souvenirs. Alternatively, you can rest your feet in the Kasuga Ninai Jyaya Café and the Man'yo Botanic Garden is right next door.

4. Nigatsu-do Hall 

• Free entry 

• Amazing views over Nara City

• Night lanterns and sunsets

Situated just up the rise from Todai-ji Temple, Nigatsu-do Hall offers quiet and contemplative views over Nara City. You’ll love its bold pavilion architecture, and opposite is the elegant Sangatsu-do Hall with its priceless treasures. Early evening here has a special ambiance with sunset views. For the daytime, there’s a lovely ridgeway forest walk linking Nigatsu-do Hall to Mount Wakakusa and Kasuga-taisha Shrine.

5. Nara National Museum 

• 700 yen general admission (students 350 yen)

• Separate temporary exhibitions

• Souvenir shop and café

Nara National Museum is one of the best museums to visit in Nara City. It houses sculptures, paintings, scrolls, decorative and archeological works, as well as ancient Chinese bronzes. Limited photography is permitted in the sculpture hall. The last entry is 16:30 and closing time is 17:00 with extended hours on certain dates.

6. Kohfuku-ji Temple

• Entry 700 - 900 yen

• Best treasure house in Nara

• Close to Sarusawa Pond

Kohfuku-ji, one of Nara’s most illustrious temples, was often embroiled in imperial and political intrigues. Nowadays, it is an historical treasure house. The East Golden Hall’s main image is a copper-colored Medicine Buddha, and the Treasure Hall an imposing Thousand-armed Avalokitesvara. The picturesque hexagonal Nanen-do Temple, aligned to the Pagoda, is part of the complex. The Central Golden Hall, lost to fire in 1717, has recently been rebuilt. If you head down the stairs from here, you’ll come to Sarusawa Pond and the Nara Visitor Center and Inn.

*Currently, the 5 story pagoda is undergoing scheduled maintenance and will be undercover until 2035.

7. Former Residence of Shiga Naoya

• Entry 500 yen

• Early Showa Era residence

• Designed by the author himself

The Former Residence of Shiga Naoya is a delightful venture into the prewar Showa Era of Japan. The home passed through various hands, including the US military before undergoing historic restoration. Shin-Yakushi-ji Temple and the Irie Taikichi Memorial Museum of Photography are 10-min by foot. It’s a 30-min walk back to Kintetsu Nara Station via the picturesque Ukimido Gazebo and Kofhuku-ji. Alternatively, you can head straight down into Naramachi old town, or catch a bus back from Shin-Yakushi-ji Temple.

8. Isuien Gardens

• Adults 1,200 yen, teens 500 yen, kids 300 yen

• Art museum and tea house

• Edo and Meiji era gardens

Isuien is a special Nara showpiece, especially for lovers of Japanese gardens and aesthetics. It combines two uniquely different gardens, one an Edo Period and the other a Meiji Era garden. They also serve traditional desserts with green tea and light meals. It’s best to visit here on the way to Todai-ji Temple. Next door, is Yoshikien Garden, which is free to enter. 

9. Higashimuki Shopping Arcade

• Right next to Kintetsu-Nara Station   

• One stop souvenir and sweets shopping    

• English menus generally available

To preserve its historic character and low-key vibe, Nara city center does not have any typically large department stores or big supermarkets. Instead, you can browse Higashimuki arcade and its connected alleyways. There is everything here from convenience stores, conveyor belt sushi, noodle shops, izakaya beer halls, fancy wagashi sweet shops, donuts, cafés, souvenirs, and more. Many of the restaurants have English menus.

10. Naramachi and Mochiidono Shopping Street

• A local shopping experience 

• Quaint side streets    

• Many attractions nearby

Coming out of Kintetsu-Nara Station, walk straight down to the end of the Higashimuki Arcade. At the end, turn left, cross the road and you’ll see the entrance to Mochiidono Shopping Street. This arcade will also take you into the heart of old town Naramachi. Apart from many nearby attractions, this arcade is geared more towards a more local or less touristy shopping experience.

Getting to Nara and Transport Options

Nara is linked to the outside world via the Kintetsu Railway and JR West Railway networks. There is no direct train link to Kansai Airport, and the Shinkansen stops are either Kyoto or Shin-Osaka. From Kansai International Airport, you can catch a Limousine Bus to Nara. 

See our other posts for getting around Nara on the cheap, and how to use your JR or Kintetsu Rail Pass. 

• Kintetsu Railway: Connects to most sights around Nara Prefecture, Mount Ikoma, Kyoto JR Station, Osaka-Namba, and Nagoya.

• Nara Koutsu Bus: Locations in and around Nara City and links from local stations to locations further out into the countryside.

• JR West Railway: Best connection to Horyu-ji Temple, Oji and Gojo cities, Shigi Mountain, Kyoto-Uji, Osaka-Umeda, and Koyasan in Wakayama.

• Kansai Airport Limousine Bus: Stops include Yamato-Saidaiji Station, Kintetsu-Nara Station, and JR Nara Station.

If you are a fan of walking - the following three articles should be right up your street.

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Author: NARA Visitor Center & Inn