- Nara is one of the few places in the world where Sika deer are legally protected as 'national treasures' and permitted to roam freely through public streets.
- The city's ancient grid-based urban plan was modeled directly after Chang'an, the capital of Tang Dynasty China.
- Nara was the terminus of the Silk Road, marking the eastern end of the trans-continental trade route that stretched across Eurasia.
- Local tradition dictates that the deer in Nara are messengers of the gods from Kasuga Taisha shrine, leading to their historical protection.
About Nara, Nara
Nara served as Japan's first permanent capital in the 8th century, established as Heijō-kyō in 710 AD. The city is defined by its massive parkland where hundreds of free-roaming deer interact with visitors near historic sites like Tōdai-ji. It holds a dense concentration of UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the wooden architecture of Toshodai-ji and the complex structures at Yakushi-ji. Modern Nara retains its ancient grid layout, contrasting urban development with the sprawling Heijō Palace Site Historical Park.
Highlights of Nara, Nara
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Temples
Houses the massive bronze Vairocana Buddha statue within one of the world's largest wooden buildings.
Temples
Features an enormous supporting pillar with a hole at the base, which visitors attempt to crawl through for good luck.
Temples
Provides an elevated wooden veranda that offers panoramic views over the city rooftops.
Temples
Displays two imposing 8-meter-tall wooden guardian statues flanking the entrance to the Tōdai-ji complex.
Places of interest
Offers a steep hiking trail that culminates in a wide view of the Nara basin.
Places of interest
Features a picturesque hexagonal pavilion reflected in the calm waters of Sagi-ike Pond.
Parks
Features reconstructed palace buildings that showcase the layout of the 8th-century imperial capital.
Museums
Holds an extensive collection of Buddhist art and artifacts spanning from the Nara period to the present.
Top things to do in Nara, Nara
The 512 highest-rated places in Nara, Nara, ranked by travellers.
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Temples
Tōdai-ji is a historic Buddhist temple complex in Nara, housing one of the world's largest bronze statues of the Buddha,...
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Temples
Kohfuku-ji is a historic Buddhist temple complex in Nara, Japan, originally established in 710 A.D. as the family temple...
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Temples
Yakushi-ji is a historic Buddhist temple complex in Nara, originally established in the 7th century under Emperor Tenmu....
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Temples
Toshodai-ji is an 8th-century Buddhist temple founded by the Chinese monk Ganjin in 759 AD, serving as the headquarters...
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Museums
The Nara National Museum specializes in pre-modern Japanese Buddhist art, holding a significant collection of sculpture,...
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Parks
Heijō Palace Site Historical Park marks the location of the imperial capital of Japan, Heijō-kyō, established in 710 AD....
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Temples
Todai-ji Nandaimon is the largest temple gate in Japan, serving as the main entrance to the Todai-ji complex. Originally...
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Temples
Todai-ji Daibutsuden is the world's largest wooden building, housing one of Japan's largest bronze Buddha statues, the V...
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Temples
Nigatsu-do is a sub-complex of Tōdai-ji known for its elevated wooden veranda that offers panoramic views over Nara City...
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Historical places
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Natural attractions
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Nara, Nara on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Nara, Nara
Spring (April) for cherry blossoms or Autumn (November) for vibrant maple foliage, offering the most temperate weather for walking.
2 days, as most primary temples and the central park area can be explored thoroughly within 48 hours.
The city is highly walkable in the central temple district, supplemented by a local bus network and the Kintetsu and JR rail lines.
Stay near Kintetsu-Nara Station for immediate access to the main shopping arcades and the entrance to Nara Park.
Mid-range; while temples often require modest entry fees, the majority of the city's park areas and historical walking routes are free.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 512 curated attractions in and around Nara, Nara, ranked by traveller ratings.
Tōdai-ji is the highest-rated place to visit in Nara, Nara right now.
The largest category is temples, with 248 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Toshima, Osaka, Kyoto.
Explore more of Japan
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
