Nara

City

Last updated August 05, 2026 Reviewed by the Japan Voyage editorial team

Prefecture

Nara

Type

City

N/A

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About This Destination

Japan's first permanent capital, famous for free-roaming sacred deer and the world's largest bronze Buddha at Todai-ji.

Nara was Japan's first permanent capital, established in 710. The city is famous for its free-roaming deer in Nara Park, considered messengers of the gods, and for Todai-ji Temple which houses the world's largest bronze Buddha statue in the world's largest wooden building. Over 1,000 deer roam freely in the park and surrounding areas, and visitors can purchase deer crackers (shika senbei) to feed them. Other highlights include Kasuga Taisha shrine with its thousands of stone and bronze lanterns, and Kofuku-ji Temple's five-story pagoda. The town is compact and easily explored on foot from either Kintetsu Nara or JR Nara Station. Nara makes an excellent day trip from Kyoto (35 minutes) or Osaka (45 minutes), though an overnight stay allows a more relaxed pace.

Location

Prefecture: Nara

Address: Nara, Japan

Nearest Station: Nara Station

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Accepted

Food Options: Kakinoha-zushi (persimmon leaf sushi), warabi mochi, narazuke pickles, and mochi near Todai-ji.

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Nara from Kyoto or Osaka?

From Kyoto, the Kintetsu Limited Express reaches Kintetsu-Nara in about 35 minutes, or the JR Nara Line takes about 45 minutes. From Osaka (Namba), the Kintetsu Nara Line takes about 40 minutes. Nara Park and Todai-ji are a short walk from Kintetsu-Nara Station.

Can I feed the deer in Nara Park?

Yes. Around 1,300 wild sika deer roam Nara Park freely, and you can buy 'shika senbei' (deer crackers) from licensed vendors for about ¥200 to feed them. The deer are wild animals, hold the crackers high and feed them calmly, and don't tease them, as they may nudge or nip.

What are the must-see sights in Nara?

Top sights include Todai-ji, home to the giant bronze Great Buddha; Kasuga Taisha, famous for its thousands of bronze and stone lanterns; Kofuku-ji with its five-storey pagoda; and the strolling garden of Isuien. Most are within or beside Nara Park, so they can be combined in a single day on foot.