Nara City Tourism Association

We will start by introducing the representative spots of Nara, which has a history of 1300 years. The city of Nara has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites! Todaiji Temple, Kohfukuji Temple, Kasugataisha Shrine, and others are all famous places you shouldn't miss. This section features those World Heritage Sites you should include in your itinerary.

Besides World Heritage Sites, Nara offers many other fascinating spots. Enjoy a stroll through the vast Nara Park while photographing the adorable deer, walk through the nostalgic allies of Naramachi, look for souvenirs, or relax at cafes.

For those venturing a little further, various other areas with their unique characters are worth visiting. These include Tsukigase, known for its plum blossoms, and Yagyu, the renowned hometown of great samurai swordsmen.

The ancient capital of Nara offers beautiful landscapes and scenery that vary from season to season.

This section looks at the sightseeing spots and iconic events of each season where you can experience the four seasons of Nara.

Nara fascinates everyone, from romantic couples to family or group trips or a relaxing getaway for grown-ups. Here, we'd like to introduce some recommended sightseeing spots that suit everyone's purpose of travel.

Nara also has a rich food culture with its unique charm passed down across the generations.

Must-try local specialties are Narazuke, Kakinohazushi, and Chagayu.

Narazuke is a fermented pickling vegetable in sake lees (a by-product from brewing sake) characterized by its unique and deep aroma and flavor. 

Kakinohazushi is a 

formed vinegared rice with mackerel or salmon on it and rolled with persimmon leaves. The subtle aroma of persimmon leaves makes it unique. 

Chagayu is rice porridge boiled in brown hojicha (roasted green tea). Its appeal lies in its gentle flavor. The locals have traditionally served it for breakfast.

Moreover, we also recommend Asuka nabe, a traditional hot pot dish made with miso and milk for soup base that creates a rich flavor. Surprisingly, this dish is said to have been introduced in the 6th century.

If you like sweets, you must try kuzumochi, a traditional sweet of the Yoshino region made from the starch of kudzu, a legume in the. It is a traditional sweet with a smooth texture and a refined sweetness.

The city of Nara offers a wide range of accommodation options to choose from, depending on your travel style.

With your travel memories, why not pick a unique memento for Nara? One of the most popular gifts is kakinohazushi, a pressed sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves. Known as a local delicacy, it is also an ideal gift as it can be stored at room temperature. Nara is also renowned as a tea-producing region. The fragrant Yamato tea is good to bring back and perfect for soothing travel fatigue.

We also recommend traditional crafts. Nara sarashi is a white cotton cloth with excellent water absorption, making it a popular and practical gift for handkerchiefs or towels. Nara Ningyo Ittobori is a wooden doll decorated with delicate carvings. You can display it in your room to relive the atmosphere of Nara.

[Easily accessible from Osaka and Kyoto!]

【By Train】

Kintetsu Railway takes about 40 minutes on a direct service from Osaka Namba Station, and 35 minutes on a limited express service (need surcharge) from Kintetsu Kyoto Station, to Kintetsu-Nara Station.

JR line takes about 50 minutes on a direct Yamatoji Rapid service from Osaka Station and 36 minutes from Tennoji Station.

From JR Kyoto Station, it takes about 45 minutes on the JR Miyakoji Rapid service.

From March 15, 2025, JR launches a regular limited express train, Mahorobago, connecting Osaka and Nara via Shin-Osaka, making it even more convenient and comfortable.

※No direct bus is available to/from Osaka/Kyoto.

[Transportation in Nara]

The bus network (operated by Nara Kotsu Bus Line Co., Ltd.) covers all the city's tourist spots.

The Loop Bus offers great convenience. It runs frequently daily to the main sightseeing destinations around Nara Park and the city center from JR and Kintetsu Nara Stations.

You can get a good deal with the Nara Park Nishinokyo 1-Day Pass, which allows any number of rides on local buses in the Nara Park area and Nishinokyo area (where Yakukshiji Temple and Toshodaiji Temple are located), including the Loop Bus, for a single day.

https://www.narakotsu.co.jp/language/en/pass.html

■Kanko taxi (sightseeing taxi): This is a taxi service in which the driver also acts as a tour guide, allowing you to tour around efficiently.

■Rental bicycle: For those who want to explore the city at their own pace. A wide variety of bicycles, including power-assisted, are available. Bicycle stations are also dotted around the major spots.

Have we conveyed a sense of Nara's charm? 

The city of Nara has a long history that coexists alongside a rich nature.

It offers various attractions, including World Heritage Sites that exude a sense of history, delicious food, wonderful accommodations, and beautiful, distinctive scenery every season. We hope you have a special experience here in Nara. 

Head to the ancient and enjoyable capital of Nara, where all the pleasure of travel merges!

When in Nara, check the proper etiquette for visiting shrines and temples and interacting with deer that make your travel perfect.

Nara City Tourist Information Center, located in front of JR Nara Station (East exit), offers a temporary baggage drop service, so be sure to use it.