Thinking about taking a day trip to Nara, Japan and wondering how best to spend it? Check out this trip itinerary of how I spent a day in the peaceful and deer-packed city of Nara. Also, don’t forget to check out my Nara Deer Tips too!
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- Intro
- Getting to Nara
- Getting around Nara
- Recommended Nara Tours & Activities
- NARA DAY TRIP ITINERARY
- Final Words
Check Out
Intro
Nara, Japan is a day trip full with friendly deer, peaceful temples, and serene parks. If you’re in Osaka or Kyoto, Nara is just a train ride away and is a perfect escape to get away from the bustle of the city. In this day trip itinerary, you will stop by the must-sees of Nara, centered around Nara Park. You’ll meet the adorable bowing deer, walk through lantern-lined paths, and see beautiful ancient temples. Of course, feel free to tailor this itinerary to fit your own interests, pace, and/or schedule.
Getting to Nara
The train station you should get off at in Nara is the Kintetsu-Nara station. This is the closest station to the Nara Park and to where all the stops on this itinerary is near. To get to Kintetsu-Nara from Osaka, get on the Kintetsu-Nara Line. A couple lines from Kyoto get directly to Kintetsu-Nara Station: Kintetsu Limited Express and Kintetsu-Kyoto Line.
Getting around Nara
Once you’re in Nara, then you can walk everywhere! All stops on this itinerary are all within walking distance and, as mentioned, are all in or around Nara Park. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes!
Recommended Nara Tours & Activities
Book unforgettable experiences and check out the below recommended Nara tours, activities and attractions that are mentioned throughout this post:
NARA DAY TRIP ITINERARY
The above map shows all the points of interest mentioned in this Nara itinerary. The points are color-coordinated as:
- Train Stations → BLUE
- Points of Interest → ORANGE
HOW TO USE THE ABOVE NARA MAP:
| Action | Description / Step-by-Step Instructions |
|---|---|
| Click a Colored Star Point of Interest | Shows additional information and details of the selected Point of Interest |
| Click the STAR ☆ right of the “Nara, Japan“ | Adds the Map to your personal Google Maps account for viewing* |
| Click the Four-cornered Square at the Top Right | Opens the map in a Larger Map view in your personal Google Maps account |
| *To view the Map in your Google Maps Account (computer) | In your Google Maps, Click the “hamburger” Menu at top left → Click “Saved” → Click “Maps” → Locate “Nara, Japan” → Click it to open the Map |
| *To view the Map in your Google Maps Account (phone) | In your Google Maps app, Click “Saved” on the bottom bar → Scroll to the bottom → Click “Maps” → Locate “Nara, Japan” → Click it to open the Map |
If you want to experience all the stops on this day with a live tour guide then book it here, or in the widget below. I highly recommend booking a tour so you can have a driver/guide AND you can learn as much as you can about the Nara landmarks, history, and culture.
Nara Park
All the stops on this day trip itinerary are centered around Nara Park where all mentioned subsequent stops are actually in or near Nara Park. BUT I do have to mention it first because Nara Park is where all the free-roaming deer are located. And let’s be honest, the deer are the main event! They are adorable, intelligent, chaotic and also pretty hilarious. If you’re lucky and get to visit in June/July, then you get to see adorable baby deer during their baby season!!
There are so many deer in the park that you’ll be seeing them throughout this itinerary so I wanted to provide a couple tips before I dive in:
Best Nara Deer Tips:
- You can buy deer crackers made specially for the deer. They are called shika senbei and can be purchased on-site with yen cash.
- Most deer have learned to bow, so if you bow at them and they bow back, then in return, they usually expect a cracker treat.
- If you are not planning to continue feeding crackers, or simply run out of crackers, show both your empty palms at them so that they see you do not have any more cracker.
- Hide crackers in your pocket when you are not actively feeding them so that they don’t follow or chase you.
- Some males can be a bit aggressive and may seem like they are charging you. Just stay calm and show them your empty hands to prove you have no crackers to give them.
- Most deer antlers should have been harmlessly removed so that they are not long and pointy, but some may still have long-ish antlers. Just be careful around these guys and stay calm.
- Some deer may be okay with being petted, but if you choose to do this, approach them carefully and gently. Do not try to go and pet at them aggressively to not scare or frighten them.
- With any wild (and even semi-wild) animals treat them with respect and compassion.
Free-roaming Nara Deer • photos by Jeanie A
Stop 1: Kofuku-ji Temple
The first stop in Nara Park is at Kofuku-ji temple. It is one of Nara’s oldest temples and has a tall pagoda towering with five stories. Walk around the temple grounds and admire the traditional wooden buildings and the beautiful Nan-end-do Temple. If you’re into history or art, check out the Kohfukuji National Treasure Hall also located in the grounds.
Kofuku-ji Temple grounds • photos by Jeanie A
Pass By: Nara National Museum
Next walk towards the Nara National Museum. The Nara National Museum is super noticeable as it has European architecture. We passed by to admire the architecture but we did not enter it (we did use the toilet here though). If this interests you then you can enter and check out their art collection.
Nara National Museum • photos by Jeanie A
Stop 2: Todai-ji Nandaimon and Todai-ji Temple
Then head towards the Todai-ji Nandaimon, the gate that signifies the entry to the Today-ji Temple grounds. On the way you’ll walk past shops where you can get a pick me up at a cafe, or do some souvenir shopping.
Todai-ji Nandaimon
I found the Todai-ji Nandaimon to be a true marvel and an amazing piece of history. It is one of the largest gates in Japan and one of the oldest being initially built in the 8th century, although it has had some reconstructions since. But just by looking at it, you can feel and see how historic it is. Inside, you can find two tall guardian sculptures which have been guarding the grounds since their creation in the 13th century.
Interesting fact: If you look at the pillars, you can find gunshot holes and sword slashes made from past warriors and battles. I was really in awe of this gate.
Todai-Ji Nandaimon • photos by Jeanie A
Todai-ji Temple
The Todai-ji Temple is another massive structure and houses the Great Buddha, a massive sculpture and is the world’s largest Buddha Vairocana, or Daibutsu (giant Buddha).
Interestingly, the Great Buddha was constructed layer by layer, bottom to top, where when each bottom layer was finished, it was surrounded by dirt to create a ground level to be able to make the next layer up. This was done layer by layer until the head was complete, and then all the dirt was removed to reveal the amazing Great Buddha.
From the outside, too, you can see a little window nearing the roof. This is a window for the Great Buddha to look out of. I love interesting facts like these!
Take your time walking through the Temple and the grounds. Then exit the temple grounds by heading to the tall golden pagoda spire, the Todai-ji Shichijunoto Sorin. It is a replica of a traditional spire and was given as a gift from 1970 and kept on display here. Follow the path east to get to the next stop: a street lined with traditional shops.
Todai-Ji Temple • photos by Jeanie A
Stop 3: Walk through Traditional Shops
Then as you make your way to the next stop at Kasuga Taisha Shrine (heading south), you’ll pass through another street or traditional shops. Here, you will find the pen store Kobaien-seiboku-hanbaibu. If you enter, you will see beautiful calligraphy pieces and you can even get your own personalized calligraphy piece made here! My fiancé and I had both our names written in beautiful Japanese calligraphy.
Oh also, there’s a public restroom on this street for a pit stop if needed.
Stop 4: Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Then as you continue southward to Kasuga Taisha, you will begin to step into a fairytale. You’ll be on a path lined with hundreds of mossy stone lanterns surrounded by lush forest. Then you’ll get to shrine where you’ll find even more mossy stone lanterns, hanging bronze lanterns and bright red structures. If you’re visiting in the spring, the wisteria garden, called Sunazuri-no-Fuji Hanging Wisteria, might be in full bloom, giving an amazing sight of beautiful hanging purple flowers. This is a magical stop, so spend some time here admiring the atmosphere.
To exit, make your way west towards the “Second Torii Gate” and the “UNESCO World Heritage Monument – Kasuga-taisha Grand Shrine” (as they are named in Google Maps).
Kasuga Taisha Shrine and surrounding stone lanterns • photos by Jeanie A
Stop 5: Kataoka Bairin
As you’re making your way out of Nara Park, stop at Kataoka Bairin! This is a hidden gem and is an awesome stop if you’re visiting in late winter / early spring like I did. In this timeframe, the plum trees are blossoming, so if you are not here during cherry blossom, then the plum blossoms is a great substitute. There are tons of roaming deer here and not that many people, making it such a peaceful (and picture perfect!) stop.
Plum Blossoms in Kataoka Bairin • photos by Jeanie A
Stop 6: Higashimuki Shopping Street
Then as you exit Nara Park, head to the Higashimuki Shopping Street. You can find tons of places to eat around here and souvenir stores to shop at (&yes, I bought a plush deer, hehe I had to<3).. Try local snacks and check out the famous mochi-smashing duo at Nakatanidou.
Higashimuki Shopping Street • photos by Jeanie A
Depart at the Kintetsu-Nara Station
The nearest station is the Kintetsu-Nara Station where you can hop on a train and head back to your home base, or to your next destination.
Final Words
Nara is a beautiful city worth a visit if you’re in Osaka or Kyoto. The adorably friendly deer, the historic temples, the serene paths lined with mossy stone lanterns. How can you not fall in love with Nara? Get out of the city and add making a day trip to Nara on your Japan itinerary. You will sure to want to return to Nara to check out a different season and for much, much longer. Bon Voyage!
Have you been to Nara, Japan?
What was your experience like – Let me know in the comments below!
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