Best things to do in Nara, Japanese city that’s more than just an Osaka or Kyoto side trip
Widely regarded as the birthplace of Japanese culture, Nara offers everything from Unesco World Heritage sites to ryokans and bars
Conveniently located in the centre of western Japan’s Kansai region, Nara has long been a popular day-trip destination for tourists staying in Osaka and Kyoto, which are both less than an hour away via public transport.
Nara was Japan’s first permanent capital, from AD710 to AD794, and is famous for being home to some of the oldest temples and shrines in the country, as well as a population of tame, free-roaming deer that graze around them.
The Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara is a Unesco World Heritage site featuring complexes in and around Nara Park, just outside the city centre. The most famous of these is the majestic Todaiji Temple, which houses one of the world’s largest bronze Buddha statues.
Widely regarded as the birthplace of Japanese culture, Nara offers an awe-inspiring window back to the beginnings of Japanese civilisation, all in walkable, green surroundings. The myriad experiences it offers make it much more than just a pit stop.
“People know Nara, but many still see it as a place to stop by for a few hours on the way to somewhere else,” says Klaus Christandl, general manager of JW Marriott Hotel Nara.