Nara City Tourism Association

The former Daijo-in temple prospered as a temple whose chief priest was a member of the imperial family at the Kohfuku-ji temple from the Heian era to the Muromachi era. It is said that the garden which had temporarily been ruined was restored by Zenami, the greatest gardener in those days, in the late 15th century. Today, a part of it remains just south of the Nara Hotel. In addition, at the " Daijo-in Temple Garden Heritage Center " built in one corner, a model of the former Daijoin Temple and related materials are open to the public.

Naramachi is one of the most fashionable areas in the city, with  restaurants scattered among traditional merchant houses and townhouses. A wide variety of lunch options are available, including Japanese, Italian, and Western cuisine. There are also many restaurants where you can taste Nara's ingredients, and you will surely feel “Nara” in this area. Many of the restaurants are popular and have a limited number of seats, so advance reservations are recommended.

Naramachi Museum is located in Nishishinyacho, a district that once flourished as the temple town of Gangoji Temple, one of the Seven Great Temples of Nanto. The area still retains the atmosphere of historic Naramachi.
Established in 1985 as a private museum, Naramachi Museum houses a valuable collection of nostalgic old signboards, artworks, cultural artifacts from Naramachi, Buddhist statues, and more. The museum is open to the public free of charge.

After lunch and a tour of the museum, take a leisurely stroll down the alley characterized by machiya with lattice windows. There are also cafes and general stores that have renovated old buildings, where you can enjoy not only the exteriors but also the interior furniture and architectural style. In Naramachi, red ball-like objects are hung from the eaves here and there. These are called “migawarizaru (scapegoat monkey),” which are used to ward off evil spirits, and add a vivid accent to the calm colors of the townscape.

Image: Scenery of Naramachi

The Kohfukuji Temple was one of the seven most prominent temples of the Nara era and a tutelary temple of the Fujiwara clan, the most influential clan in Japanese history. Nara largely owed its prosperity to the temple's development.

In 710, the Fujiwara clan transferred the predecessor of the present Kohfukuji Temple from Asuka to the Nara capital. Then, the temple extended its influence with the Fujiwara family's prosperity even after the capital moved to Kyoto. The war in 1180 burned down most of the temple, however, in later years, Kohfukuji eventually became the practical ruler of Yamato Province (present Nara Pref.)   until the 16th century. They were so influential that they repeatedly appealed to the Imperial Court in Kyoto with soldier monks.

The vast precincts of the temple include the Chukon-do Hall, the Tokon-do Hall, the Hokuen-do Hall, the Nan'en-do Hall, the Five-storied Pagoda, the Three-storied Pagoda, and the Treasure Hall, some of which were constructed in and after the 13th century. As for Buddhist sculptures, many famous articles and masterpieces of the Nara era exist. Of these 136 designated national treasures　(Buddha statues, etc.) in Japan, 18 are housed at Kohfukuji Temple. The most famous statue is the Asura Statue.

The five-story pagoda is currently undergoing long-term repair work and cannot be seen from the outside.

This pond is located within Nara Park, and has a circumference of 360 meters. The five-storied pagoda of Kohfukuji Temple, as well as the willow trees surrounding the pond reflect beautifully in his surface, and are recognized as one of the Eight Views of Nara.

The Kasugataisha Shrine lies in a primeval forest. The brilliant vermillion edifices beautifully contrast with their surrounding greenery. Going through the first and second Torii gates, you can see many stone lanterns standing on both sides of the approach to the shrine. Going on further, you will reach the main hall. From the gate, a corridor extends to the left and to the right. A great number of lanterns hang from the eaves of the corridor, which are lit twice a year (2/3 and 8/14-15).

When the capital was transferred to Nara in 710, the Fujiwara clan celebrated a mass for the family's tutelary deities, which is considered to be the origin of this shrine. 

The shrine was established here in 768. Like the Kofuku-ji Temple, it prospered along with the Fujiwara family even after the capital moved to Kyoto. After the Middle Ages, this belief was prevalent among ordinary people, as shown by the fact that the dignitaries and ordinary people donated various hanging and stone lanterns.

The tutelary deities enshrined here are Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto from Kashima of Ibaraki Prefecture, Futsunushi-no-Mikoto from Katori of Chiba Prefecture, Amenokoyane-no-Mikoto and Himegami from Hiraoka of Osaka Prefecture.

(10 minutes' walk from the bus stop Kasuga Taisha Omote Sando of Loop Line Bus of the city)

Nara Park covers a large expanse of 511.52 hectares in central Nara and features World Heritage Sites like Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, and Kasugataisha Shrine. This area is particularly famous for its cherry blossoms, earning a spot among Japan's "100 Best Spots for Cherry Blossoms". Until the late 19th century, most of the current Nara Park was part of the extensive grounds of the Kofukuji Temple. The park is unique as it lacks fixed entrances or exits, allowing free access from any direction. This park harmoniously combines historical architecture with stunning nature, symbolizes Nara, and lets visitors lose themselves in tranquility.

The Deer Garden is a deer protection facility located within Nara Park and operated by the Nara Deer Protection Foundation. It protects about 300 deer, including sick and injured ones, and aims to create an environment where people and deer can coexist. The brave ceremony of "Deer Antler Cutting" held in October is a traditional event that has been passed down for about 350 years to this day in the coexistence of deer and the people of Nara.

Teahouses with an old-fashioned atmosphere are scattered around Nara Park. They are recommended for lunch, as you can take a break or have a meal at a table. There are also cafes and restaurants on the road from Nara Park to Todaiji Temple that are perfect for lunch, so use Google Maps to find one that interests you.

[Image: Mizuya Chaya

Museum that exhibits Buddhist art, national treasures and important cultural properties. The Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall contains close to 100 Buddhist sculptures that are on permanent display. Special exhibitions are held twice a year in the museum's new hall. It is in Nara Park, and you can also enjoy the sight of many deer gathering there.

The name of this shrine, “Himuro,” literally means “ice room,” a reference to the god enshrined therein: the guardian of artificial ice and refrigeration. On the first of each month, “ice lanterns” (koori kentou) are lit: votive candols are lit within ice vessels, which shine exquisitely around the shrine. Visitors in the springtime can also see an extraordinary weeping cherry tree reknowned as the most beautiful cherry blossom tree in Nara. In recent years, an event called “Himuro Shirayuki Festival” has brought together many varieties of shaved ice from around Nara and Japan.

Todaiji Temple and its principal image of the Great Buddha, widely known as Daibutu, represent Nara in all its aspects. Daibutsu is housed in an imposing wooden structure that is the largest in the world.

As the imperial ordinance for the construction in 743, the Great Buddha was cast under full state sponsorship and people's cooperation. The consecrating ceremony was held in 752. It took almost 40 years to complete the whole temple complex, including pagodas, halls, and gradually extended areas. Even after the capital moved to Kyoto, the temple enjoyed its prosperity under the protection of successive emperors. However, the two big wars attacked the temple in 1180 and 1567, severely damaging or burning most of it.

However, with tremendous efforts, the temple was restored each time. Many of the current buildings were reconstructed after that. However, a large number of noted Buddhist statues and buildings from the Nara era remain. Todaiji Temple is a Unesco World Heritage site.

A typical sightseeing course is as follows:

the Nandai-mon Gate

the Daibutsu-den Hall

the Belfry

the Shunjo-do Hall

the Sammai-do Hall (Shigatsu-do)

the Hokke-do Hall (Sangatsu-do)

the Kaisan-do Hall

the Nigatsu-do Hall

the Tegai-mon Gate

the Kaidan-in　

Even if you quickly complete the whole course, it takes 4 hours. If you don't have much time, it's better to focus on the Daibutsu-den Hall first, then the Nigatsu-do Hall (the Hall for the Shunie ceremony in March), where you can see an incredible sunset in the west.

(15 minutes' walk from Kintetsu Nara Station)

Nigatsu-dō is located on a hill at the eastern end of the Todaiji Temple grounds, and from the stage you can see the whole city of Nara. When the weather permits, visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of the cityscape and mountains at sunset. After the sun goes down, the lanterns are lit and the atmosphere becomes even more magical, making this a perfect spot to end your visit to the ancient capital of Nara.

Image: Nigatsu-dō of Todaiji Temple

Yakushiji Temple is a Unesco World Heritage site. It was established in 680 by Emperor Tenmu as a prayer for recovering his empress from illness. When the capital was moved from Fujiwara-kyo to Nara, it was moved to its current location in 718. Two three-story pagodas, the eastern and western pagodas, were built surrounding the main hall and lecture hall. The unique layout is known as the Yakushiji-style temple complex, and the magnificent exterior of those main buildings with its sloped roof and low floors is also known as "Ryugu-zukuri"(Dragn-Palace style).

Unfortunately, repeated fires destroyed most of the buildings, and only the eastern pagoda remains as it was when it was first built. The other buildings have been rebuilt.

Yakushiji is home to nine national treasures and 26 important cultural properties, and it is still a temple with strong religious followers.

After visiting this temple, why don't you visit the nearby Toshodaiji Temple?

(1 minute's walk from Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station)

Unlike the bustling Nara Park area, the historic Nishinokyo area has a peaceful atmosphere with private homes and rice paddies. Along the historical ally from Nishinokyo Station to Yakushiji Temple and Toshodaiji Temple, you can enjoy some Japanese soba noodles and other restaurants. The area also has cafes, so enjoying a leisurely lunch is recommended. Two prominent temples in this area (Yakushiji and Toshodaiji) are both Unesco World Heritage sites.

Image: Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station

Toshodaiji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was founded in 759 by the Chinese monk Ganjin, who overcame hardships to come to Japan in response to an invitation from Emperor Shomu in order to spread the correct precepts of Buddhism.

After the capital was moved to Kyoto, the temple fell into decline for a time, but has since been restored several times. The temple complex is beautifully surrounded by greenery, and still conveys the atmosphere of the time of its founding in the Nara period.

Many of the buildings from that time remain, including the Kondo Hall, known for its "Tenpyo roof," the lecture hall, and the treasure hall. The entire temple complex retains its appearance from 1,300 years ago.

(5 minutes' walk from Kintetsu Nishinokyo Station)

Dotonbori is one of Osaka's most popular tourist spots. Walking through the streets with their glittering neon lights, you can enjoy the lively and unique atmosphere.

Take a picture in front of the famous Glico sign, and then enjoy takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu, and other specialties to your heart's content.

Image: Osaka Dotonbori