2-Day Nara Itinerary – Ancient History, Majestic Temples, and Classical Architecture

About Nara Prefecture

Nara Prefecture is located in the Kansai region, bordered by Kyoto to the north and Osaka to the west.

Although Kyoto is often referred to as Japan’s ancient capital, Nara actually precedes it, having been the site of the country’s first capital during the 8th century. This time was known as the Nara period (710 - 794), and it was a political and religious turning point in Japanese history. Along with the establishment of Japan’s first permanent capital, Buddhism was widely adopted across the country, and although a short-lived era, its incredible influence can still be found throughout the prefecture today.

Nara is known for its many historic temples and shrines that boast grand architecture with bold accents and impressive roofs. It also has numerous burial mounds and imperial tombs, tracing further back into Japan’s history. Due to these invaluable sites and more, Nara is the perfect place to take a journey into Japan’s past. Not to mention the adorable deer!

How to Get to Nara Prefecture

Depending on where you’re coming from in the country and your destinations within Nara, there are two major stations to head to: JR Nara and Nara-Kintetsu. This itinerary will use Kintetsu-Nara.

From Tokyo to Kintetsu-Nara Station: Approx. 3.5 hours by train. Take the shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station, then transfer to the Kintetsu Limited Express.

From Kyoto to Kintetsu-Nara Station: Approx. 35 minutes by train. Take the Kintetsu Limited Express from Kyoto Station.

From Shin-Osaka Station to Kintetsu-Nara Station: Approx. 1 hour by train. Take the Midosuji Line to Namba Station and walk to Osaka-Namba Station. From there, take the Kintetsu Express.

From Kansai International Airport to Kintetsu-Nara Station: Approx. 1.5 hours by train. Take the Limited Express Rapi:t to Namba Station and walk to Osaka-Namba Station. From there, take the Kintetsu Express.

Day 1: Explore the Many Wonders of Nara Park

If you have an image of Nara pop into your head, it is likely of Nara Park. Filled with Nara’s famous deer and iconic buildings that date back centuries, it holds many symbols of Nara Prefecture.

The park covers a vast 660 hectares, which hold numerous culturally significant buildings, such as museums, temples, and shrines. Many of the temples and shrines have histories that can be traced back to ancient times, including Kohfukuji Temple and Kasugataisha Shrine, which were both founded in the 8th century.

・How to Get to Nara Park

It should take around 10 minutes on foot to reach Nara Park from Kintetsu Nara Station.

As Nara Park is quite large, there is a loop bus that makes stops at several of the park’s main attractions, including the Great Buddha at Todaiji and Kasugataisha Shrine. It costs 250 yen for adults and 130 yen for children per ride, which can be paid with cash, IC cards, or the Kintetsu Rail Pass (linked above). Do note that the bus only runs on weekends, except during high tourism seasons.

・Feeding Deer in Nara Park

There are over 1,000 deer in Nara Park, which have become a beloved symbol of the prefecture. As they are curious and most of the time willing to get close to humans, many visitors jump at the chance to get up close and personal with these adorable animals by feeding them.

They can be found roaming all around the park, but you are more likely to run into them around Todaiji, the Nara National Museum, Kohfukuji Temple, and Kasugataisha Shrine. Keep an eye out for them as you make your way through this itinerary!

・How to Feed the Deer in Nara Park

It is important to not feed anything other than designated deer crackers (“shika senbei”) to the deer. There are vendors (and even vending machines!) selling the deer crackers throughout the park. 

When you get the crackers, take off the paper wrapper and immediately begin giving them to the deer. Do not hesitate or tease the deer with the crackers, as this can make them aggressive. When you have run out of crackers, show both palms of your hands so that the deer understand that there are no more crackers.

Additionally, be careful to not approach mother deer and their fawn during the birthing season (usually during the spring), as mother deer may abandon their offspring if they come in contact with humans and catch their scent. Also, male deer may become more aggressive during mating season in the fall, so be wary of their behavior.

AM: Kohfukuji Temple

Access: Approx. 5-minute walk from Kintetsu-Nara Station

The magnificent Kohfukuji has been located in its present spot since 710. It held major religious and political power for centuries, until it encountered hardships in the 15th century and eventually suffered a devastating fire in the early 16th century. 

Showcasing its resilience through the turmoils of time, several of the buildings located on the temple grounds have been standing for centuries, such as the Three-Storied Pagoda and Northern Round Hall, both of which are National Treasures and can be dated back to around the beginning of the 13th century.

Although the newest building in the complex, having been reconstructed in 2018, the Central Golden Hall (pictured above) is arguably one of the most striking. Its vermilion pillars are accentuated by the striking white and green accents on the walls, and the architecture faithfully represents the style of the Nara period, when the original structure was built.

AM: Nara National Museum

Access: Approx. 7-minute walk from Kohfukuji

Those who are interested in religion and art should not miss the Nara National Museum. It was originally established to store and display invaluable artifacts from the surrounding shrines and temples, but now holds art and antiquities mainly related to Buddhism. 

The Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall (pictured above) was built in 1894 and is the first authentic Western-style building in the prefecture. It holds around 100 statues of varying sizes, mainly from Japan. These include National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, and date from the Asuka (550 - 710) to the Kamakura (1185 - 1333) periods. 

There are English explanations throughout the museum, and the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall has English audio guides that can be rented for 500 yen. The museum often holds special exhibits, offering new and fresh material for visitors to enjoy throughout the year.

Lunch: A Traditional Japanese Meal Within Nara Park at Musoan

Access: Approx. 5-minute walk from the Nara National Museum

Musoan is an elegant restaurant within Nara Park that serves authentic, exquisite Japanese cuisine. The menu is seasonal, showcasing fresh produce prepared with traditional techniques. The meal consists of multiple gorgeously plated dishes, including vegetables, rice, fish, and other seasonal ingredients that create a feast for both the eyes and stomach.

The interior is warm with wooden accents and large windows that let sunlight stream in. It overlooks bamboo and greenery, elevating the calming atmosphere.

PM: Todaiji

Access: Approx. 8-minute walk from Musoan

Todaiji is a majestic temple that was established in the 8th century when the capital of Japan was located in Nara. Although the buildings faced harm and devastation due to numerous natural disasters throughout the years, great care was put into reconstructing them. Even today, several structures such as the Daibutsu-den (pictured above) and Kaidan-do at the Kaidan-in date back centuries, having been rebuilt in the Edo period (1603 - 1868). 

Todaiji houses one of the tallest Daibutsu (Great Buddha) statues in Japan, standing at an impressive 15 meters, which is also a National Treasure. Numerous buildings on the grounds also have prestigious designations: several of the precinct’s buildings are National Treasures, including the Daibutsu-den, Nandai-mon, Bell Tower, and more.

PM: Yoshikien Garden

Access: Approx. 5-minute walk from Todaiji

While these grounds once held a sub-temple of Kohfukuji Temple, they are now home to a gorgeous traditional Japanese garden that was built in 1919. The landscaping features a serene pond, thick moss, and incorporates the surrounding mountainous scenery.

One of the garden’s highlights is a tea house that harmoniously blends in with the surrounding nature, creating a peaceful scene that may make you feel as though you have traveled back in time. Spring and autumn are particularly breathtaking, as the foliage turns vibrant green and fiery shades of orange and red, respectively.

PM: Kasugataisha Shrine

Access: Approx. 15-minute walk from Yoshikien Garden

The history of Kasugataisha Shrine can be traced back to the 8th century during the Nara period. Once every twenty years, the “Shikinen Zotai” ceremony takes place, during which the shrine’s buildings and tools are repaired and renewed. Thanks to this meaningful custom, which has been held over sixty times, the shrine has retained its majestic, historic facade since its founding. 

The bright vermilion accents of the architecture stand in stark contrast to the rich green verdure surrounding it, and the solemn structures are decorated with lanterns, carvings, and other intricate and mesmerizing details. In 1998, Kasugataisha Shrine was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara. The Main Sanctuary has been designated as a National Treasure, while the Chumon (Middle Gate, pictured above) and several other buildings are Important Cultural Properties.

Dinner: Finish the Day With a Luxurious Meal at Nara Kasuga Okuyama Tsukihitei

Access: Approx. 7-minute walk from Kasugataisha Shrine

Nara Kasuga Okuyama Tsukihitei is a ryokan inn within Nara Park that houses a traditional-style Japanese restaurant. The restaurant serves kaiseki course meals that feature seasonal and local ingredients masterfully prepared with traditional techniques. Patrons can relish luxurious ingredients such as sashimi and Yamagata beef, accompanied by vegetables and other side dishes that boast a variety of flavors.

The meals presented appear like works of art, with each element served with precision and intent. You can enjoy the meals in a beautiful Japanese-style room, creating an unforgettable dining experience in an extraordinary atmosphere.

Stay Within Nara Park at the Luxurious Ryokan Tsukihitei

Tsukihitei, where the above restaurant is located, is a gorgeous traditional Japanese ryokan that allows its guests the luxurious opportunity to spend the night within Nara Park. Hidden within the rich vegetation of the Kasugayama Primeval Forest, a World Heritage Site, the ryokan offers what feels like an otherworldly experience in a quiet escape.

It holds both Japanese- and Japanese-Western-style rooms; the former is equipped with beds, and the latter has tatami mat floors where futon beds are placed at night. Each of the rooms has refined aesthetics with traditional detailwork, as well as large windows that offer views of the forest. There are also two private baths with nature motifs and stunning stained glass windows that can be reserved at the front desk on the day.

Day 2: Pay Respect to Japan’s Ancient Foundations Outside of Nara Park

AM: Nara Palace Site Historical Park

Access: Approx. 20-minute taxi ride from Tsukihitei

This magnificent park stands on the site where Heijo-kyo, the first capital of Japan, was located some 1,300 years ago. It was registered as a World Heritage Site as part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara” in 1998, and today it allows visitors to feel as though they have traveled back to the Nara period by exploring its majestic buildings. 

Daiichiji Daigokuden Hall (pictured above) in the north of the park was the largest palace building on the premises, and it was used for major ceremonies such as the enthronement of the emperor. The Suzaku-mon Hiroba Square, located in the south of the park, was a place of festivities, having welcomed foreign emissaries and held celebrations where even the emperor was occasionally present. Archeological excavations and restorations continue to be held in the park, with numerous buildings and artifacts detailing ancient life in Japan being unearthed.

AM: Mausoleum of Emperor Suinin

Access: Approx. 25-minute walk or 10-minute taxi ride from Nara Palace Site Historical Park

Built centuries before even the Nara period, the Mausoleum of Emperor Suinin is an iconic keyhole-shaped imperial tomb that is believed to belong to the legendary 11th emperor of Japan. Dating back to the fifth century during the Kofun period, the mausoleum is covered with lush greenery and surrounded by a grand moat, making it understandable why it is considered the final resting place of an emperor.

While the kofun is gated off, its regal atmosphere can be admired from land. A white torii gate stands guard on the bank, further accentuating the spirituality of the site.

AM: Toshodai-ji

Access: Approx. 15-minute walk from the Mausoleum of Emperor Suinin

Toshodai-ji is an ancient temple located near what was once the central part of the capital during the Nara period. It occupied what was originally the former residence of Niitabe Shinno, the son of Emperor Tenmu, and became a place for Buddhist training in 759. The solemn buildings feature strong architectural details with muted colors, retaining the regal atmosphere they would have presented over 1,000 years ago.

The temple is registered as a World Heritage Site as part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara,” and many of the buildings are designated National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties, some of which date back to the 8th century. One such building is the “Kondo” (Golden Hall, pictured above), which also houses several 8th-century Buddhist statues that are also designated as National Treasures.

Lunch: Finish Your Nara Journey With a Hearty Meal at Sukiyaki Kappo Kitsune

Access: Approx. 40-minute train ride or 20-minute taxi ride from Toshodai-ji

To end your trip exploring the history and culture of Nara, head back to Kintetsu-Nara Station for a delicious lunch near the travel hub. Sitting only five minutes away from the station, Sukiyaki Kappo Kitsune is a restaurant that specializes in Japan’s beloved hot pot dish: sukiyaki. 

The restaurant utilizes local ingredients, including Nara’s own brand of wagyu beef, to create tantalizing bites paired with carefully curated dips. The expertly prepared dishes let you revel in Nara’s local flavors that will both energize you and act as a perfect close to an unforgettable journey.

Travel Back in Time to Classical Japan in the Ancient Capital of Nara

With its plethora of ancient buildings and monuments, Nara almost acts as a time machine, making you feel as though you have traveled back centuries. With a political history that even predates Kyoto, the foundations of Japanese society and culture are still prevalent here, offering deeper insight into the Japan of yore. If you are a lover of Japanese history and traditional culture, or are just looking for a quieter destination in the Kansai area, Nara is not to be missed!

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