Introduction
Most people come to Nara for the deer. And yes — the deer are worth it. But if that’s all you do, you’re missing one of Japan’s most underrated destinations.
Nara was Japan’s first permanent capital, over 1,300 years ago. The temples, shrines, and crafts here aren’t tourist attractions — they’re living history. And the experiences available, from cave swimming to tea ceremony to hand-making your own chopsticks, make Nara one of the most activity-rich cities in the country.
Here’s everything you can do — and what to expect as an international visitor.
🗺️ Sightseeing
Nara Park & the Deer 🦌 Free · ✅ English signage available
This is where everyone starts — and for good reason. Around 1,200 wild deer roam freely through the park, and they will walk right up to you. You can buy deer crackers (shika senbei) from vendors throughout the park and feed them yourself.
A few things to know: the deer will bow to ask for food, but they’re wild animals — hold your crackers firmly and watch your belongings. The park is enormous, so plan at least 2–3 hours.
Best time to visit: early morning for fewer crowds
Todai-ji Temple 東大寺 🏯 ✅ English audio guide available · ⚠️ Cash only
Home to one of Japan’s most iconic sights — a 15-metre bronze Buddha that has stood here since 752 AD. The Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden) is the largest wooden structure in the world.
Entry fees (revised April 2024):
| Area | Adult | Child (Elementary) |
|---|---|---|
| Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden) | ¥800 | ¥400 |
| Hokke-do (Sangatsu-do) | ¥800 | ¥400 |
| Kaidan-do | ¥800 | ¥400 |
| Todai-ji Museum | ¥800 | ¥400 |
| 🎟️ Set ticket (Great Buddha Hall + Museum) | ¥1,200 | ¥600 |
💡 The set ticket saves you ¥400 if you’re visiting both. 🚌 Group discount available for 30+ people (Adult ¥700 / Child ¥200-500) ⚠️ Cash only — no card payments accepted
Look for the wooden pillar with a small hole at the base — legend says that passing through it brings good luck. The hole is the same size as one of the Great Buddha’s nostrils.
Allow 1–2 hours
Kasuga Taisha Shrine 春日大社 ⛩️ ✅ English signage available
One of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines, founded in 768 AD. The approach through the forest, lined with hundreds of stone lanterns, is one of the most atmospheric walks in Japan. The general shrine area is free to visit.
Entry fees:
| Area | Adult | High/Univ Student | Elementary/JH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main shrine (Otori) | Free | Free | Free |
| Special Inner Sanctuary | ¥700 | ¥700 | ¥700 |
| National Treasure Museum | ¥700 | ¥400 | ¥300 |
| Manyo Botanical Garden | ¥700 | ¥700 | ¥300 |
Allow 1–2 hours
Horyu-ji Temple 法隆寺 🏛️ ✅ English audio guide available
The world’s oldest surviving wooden structure, built in 607 AD. A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located slightly outside central Nara — about 30 minutes by train.
Entry fees (revised March 2025):
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| High school and adults | ¥2,000 |
| Junior high school | ¥1,700 |
| Elementary | ¥1,000 |
🚌 Group discount available for 30+ people 💡 Your Horyu-ji ticket also gets you a discount at the nearby Chugu-ji Temple
Allow 2 hours
Naramachi District ならまち 🚶 Free · ⚠️ Most shops Japanese only
A beautifully preserved merchant district with machiya townhouses, small galleries, and craft shops. Perfect for a slow afternoon walk. Most shops and restaurants are Japanese-only, but the atmosphere speaks for itself.
Allow 1–2 hours
🎨 Experiences
Tea Ceremony 茶道体験 ✅ English available · From ¥3,000 Near JR Nara Station
One of the most accessible ways to experience Japanese tradition. You’ll learn the basics of the tea ceremony, try matcha, and often receive a traditional sweet alongside. Several venues near the station offer English-speaking hosts.
Allow 45–60 minutes
Tea Ceremony in Kimono 茶道着物体験 ✅ English available · From ¥5,000 Near JR Nara Station
A step up from the standard tea ceremony — dress in a kimono before the experience. A popular choice for visitors who want a more immersive cultural experience. Great for photos.
Allow 90 minutes
Calligraphy in Kimono 書道着物体験 ✅ English available · From ¥4,000 · Souvenir included Near JR Nara Station · Seasonal/limited availability
Write Japanese characters with a brush, dressed in a traditional kimono. Your work becomes a souvenir to take home. Check availability in advance as this is a seasonal experience.
Allow 60–90 minutes
Mini Onigawara Making 鬼瓦づくり ⚠️ Japanese only · 📧 Contact venue to check English availability Choose from Todai-ji, Horyu-ji, or Yakushi-ji designs
Onigawara are the decorative roof tiles found on traditional Japanese temples. In this hands-on workshop, you mould your own mini version in clay and take it home. A genuinely unique souvenir you won’t find anywhere else.
Allow 60–90 minutes
Pottery — Electric Wheel 陶芸体験（電動ろくろ） ⚠️ Japanese only · 📧 Contact venue to check English availability Parent-child discount available
The most popular pottery experience in Nara. Use an electric wheel to shape your own ceramic piece — everything you make within the session gets fired and sent to you.
Allow 60–90 minutes
Chopstick Making 箸づくり体験 ⚠️ Japanese only · 📧 Contact venue to check English availability 3 minutes from Kintetsu Nara Station
Make your own personalised chopsticks to use every day — a practical, meaningful souvenir. One of the most compact experiences in Nara, perfect if you’re short on time.
Allow 40 minutes
Ring & Pendant Making 指輪・ペンダント体験 ⚠️ Japanese only · 📧 Contact venue to check English availability Tenri, Nara · Same-day pickup available · Bookable up to 1 hour before
Make two pieces of jewellery — a ring and a pendant — using just two coins. A fun and affordable craft experience with same-day pickup.
Allow 60 minutes
Cave Swimming 洞窟潜水 📧 Contact in advance to check English availability Kawakami Village, Nara
One of Japan’s most unusual adventure experiences — swimming through a crystal-clear underground river inside a cave system. Genuinely spectacular for those who want something off the beaten track.
Allow half day · Advance booking required
Canyoning — Oku-Yoshino Course キャニオニング 📧 Contact in advance to check English availability Yoshino, Nara
A full-day canyoning adventure through the rivers of Yoshino. Jumping, sliding, swimming — for those who want adventure over temples.
Allow full day · Advance booking required
🍜 Food & Drink
Kakinoha Sushi 柿の葉寿司
Nara’s most iconic food. Small pieces of fish pressed onto rice and wrapped in persimmon leaves. The leaf acts as a natural preservative and adds a subtle fragrance. Available at restaurants and souvenir shops throughout the city.
Miwa Somen 三輪そうめん
Japan’s oldest style of somen noodles, produced in Nara for over 1,200 years. Light, delicate, and served cold in summer. Worth seeking out at a local restaurant.
Narazuke 奈良漬け
Vegetables pickled in sake lees — a Nara specialty with a rich, complex flavour. Strong taste, but a fascinating piece of local food culture. Available at souvenir shops.
Craft Beer
Nara has a quietly growing craft beer scene. Several small breweries have opened in recent years, often incorporating local ingredients like Yamato tea and Yoshino cedar. Worth exploring if you’re staying overnight.
📱 A Note on Language
Many of Nara’s experiences are Japanese-only. For experiences marked ⚠️, we recommend contacting the venue in advance to ask about English availability — some shops are happy to accommodate with gestures, written communication, or translation apps. For more complex experiences, it may be worth arranging a local English-speaking guide in advance.
Getting to Nara
From Osaka
- Kintetsu Line: Osaka Namba → Kintetsu Nara / 45 min / approx. ¥680
- JR Line: JR Osaka → JR Nara / 50 min / approx. ¥820
From Kyoto
- Kintetsu Line: Kyoto → Kintetsu Nara / 45 min (Express 35 min) / approx. ¥760 (Express ¥1,290)
- JR Line: Kyoto → JR Nara / 45 min / approx. ¥720
From Tokyo
- Shinkansen: Tokyo → Kyoto / 2 hr 20 min / approx. ¥14,170
- Then transfer to one of the routes above
Within Nara
- Kintetsu Nara Station → Todai-ji: 20 min walk
- JR Nara Station → Todai-ji: 30 min walk / 10 min by bus (¥220)
- Within Nara Park: walking is best
Closing
Nara is one of those places that rewards curiosity. The deer will greet you at the gate — but the temples, crafts, food, and adventures beyond will stay with you long after you leave.
Which Nara experience are you most excited to try? Leave a comment below!
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