Nara City Tourism Association

From JR Nara or Kintetsu Nara Stations, having visited Kohfukuji Temple, head for the Ukimidō Hall in the Asajigahara Enchi in Nara Park, right next to Kasugataisha Shrine. Rows of trees with particularly beautiful autumn foliage stand in the area around the hexagonal Ukimidō which appears to float on Sagiike Pond. You could take a single, magnificent picture of deer, the Ukimidō, and the autumn leaves.

To Todaiji Temple after having visited Kasugataisha Grand Shrine. Passing through the Nandaimon or Great South Gate with its giant, 8-meter tall Niō guardian statues, the path leads to the Daibutsuden or Great Hall. Having prayed to the Great Buddha, you might like to stroll to the area around the Daibutsuike Pond at the back of the hall. This a great spot to take photos, with the colourful ginkgo, maple, and other trees, and the hall framed by the backdrop formed by Kasugayama, Wakakusayama, and Mikasayama.

After visiting Todaiji Temple, you’ll find the Nara’s well-known strolling gardens, Isuien, if heading in the direction of the JR and Kintetsu Nara stations.

There are two adjoining gardens: the ‘Front Garden’ which dates from a time before the Edo Period (1603-1868), and the ‘Rear Garden’, which was created in the Meiji Period (1868-1912). On the same site is the Neiraku Museum. The museum has a collection and exhibitions of ceramics from China, Korea, and other countries, as well as Japanese tea utensils. The collection belongs to the Nakamura family which, over three generations, made their fortune in shipping. Walking in the garden you’ll see blazing red native azaleas (Enkianthus perulatus) and Japanese maples (Acer palmatum), as well as Jugatsuzakura (winter flowering cherry trees), a double cherry which blossoms twice a year, in late April and from October to December. You may like to rest for a bite to eat or green tea at the Sanshutei Tea House in the Front Garden.

For those who’d like to extend their route slightly and discover Nara history and more of the cultural wonders of the past, we recommend getting a Gurutto Bus pass – which travels three routes around the city – and hopping on a bus on the Omiya route to the Heijō Palace Remains Park. The spacious, about 326 acre parkland is the site of the capital in the Nara Period. Conservation work had been carried out, and there has been some reconstruction.

The Tōin Teien, or East Palace Garden, is one example. A garden where you’ll find a lovingly restored vermilion building set against a background of autumn colour. 

Another attraction is the broad area of ogi or Japanese silver grass, a tall grass related to rice. The silver ears of ogi waving in an autumn breeze and the Suzakmon Gate together evoke a real sense of the culture which flourished here in the Nara Period (710-784).