【Osaka-Kansai Expo × Nara Travel】Top Attractions Just 1 Hour from Yumeshima!
After enjoying the Osaka-Kansai Expo, why not take a trip to Nara, a city rich in history and nature?
Nara is easily accessible from Yumeshima in about an hour by train or car! From the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine to the friendly deer in Nara Park and delicious local cuisine, there are plenty of attractions to explore. Whether you’re planning a day trip or a longer stay, we’ve selected the best spots to visit. Extend the excitement of the Expo and immerse yourself in Nara’s history and tranquility!
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Recommended sightseeing spots in "Nara City"
Besides its World Heritage sites, Nara City has many other fascinating tourist spots! Take photos of the adorable deers in the vast Nara Park, or stroll around Nara Town looking for souvenirs and visiting cafes. If you go a little further, you can enjoy unique areas such as Tsukigase, known for its plum blossoms, and Yagyu, known as the home of master swordsmen.
Recommended local products
- Japanese sake
- Shoryakuji Temple in Nara City is said to be the birthplace of sake that created the epoch-making fermentation process to produce cleared sake in the 15th century. In Nara, the rich history of sake brewing has been preserved at places such as Kasugataisha Shrine where the oldest sake brewery can still be found. These facilities are known as ’sakedono’ (used to make sake offered to the gods and the imperial court). Presently there are 28 sake breweries in Nara Prefecture, each of which produces its own distinctive flavored sake. You can find your favorite ones at restaurants or liquor stores in Nara City.
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- Kakigori
- Kakigori, shaved freezing ice with sweet syrup, is a wonderful summer tradition whose roots are in Nara. Himuro jinja Shrine, founded in 710, is a shrine dedicated to the guardian deity of the ice-making pond and ice storage facility. In summer, people visit the shrine to attend the ritualistic offering of kakigori. The city has many unique kakigori shops, and one of the attractions of Nara is the availability of this dessert not only in summer but all year round.
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- Nara sumi
- It is said that Nara-sumi (ink) was first made at Kohfukuji Temple in Nara when Kukai, a famous Buddhist monk, traveled to China in 806 and brought back the manufacturing method. Since Nara was home to many shrines and temples, ink was essential for copying sutras and for academic study. Nara- sumi is highly pure and has evenly proportioned ingredients, resulting in its beautiful ink color and excellent writing feel. We recommend buying some of Nara's traditional ink to experience its appeal.
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- Nara fude
- Like Nara-sumi, Nara-fude (brushes) are traditional brushes made using techniques that Kukai brought back from China. There was a growing demand for brushes as scholarly monks studied Buddhism at the time. Nara-fude is made by hardening each type of raw hair and then determining the mix and dimensions according to the characteristics of the hair. This method makes delicate and beautiful brushes. Nara-fude, Takayama Chasen, and Nara-sumi are designated Japan's traditional crafts.
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- Yamato tea/Yamato tea sweets
- Yamato tea is a popular gift item from Nara, characterized by its refreshing aroma and flavor. It is said that the origins of Yamato tea can be traced back to 806, when seeds for tea plants were brought back from the Tang Dynasty of China and planted in Nara Prefecture. The tea is cultivated with great care in the mountainous regions, where there are significant temperature differences between the mornings and evenings, along with abundant water sources. In addition to consuming it as green tea, sweets made with Yamato tea have also gained popularity in recent years.
- Recommended Nara specialties
- Nara offers an extensive range of traditional Japanese foods, such as kaki-no-ha-zushi, Narazuke pickles, and kuzumochi, as well as historic crafts. You will be able to find the perfect item to bring home as a memento of your trip. If you are looking for food, there are many places in Nara where you can sample the food before buying, so we recommend finding your favorite before choosing what to bring back with you!
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Enjoy the Charms of the Osaka-Kansai Expo and Nara: A 2-Day, 1-Night Model Course Walking Through World Heritage Sites
EXPO 2025 Osaka-Kansai, to be held from April 13 to October 13, 2025.
This is a model course introducing a journey through Nara City starting the day after visiting the Osaka-Kansai Expo.
The route is full of highlights in and around Nara Park, including famous World Heritage Sites such as Kohfuku-ji Temple , Todai-ji Temple , and Kasuga Taisha Shrine.
Read on and be inspired to visit Nara along with the Osaka-Kansai Expo!
