Complete Nara Travel Guide: Top Attractions, Unique Eateries, & Tips for Visiting
Welcome to your complete Nara travel guide! Whether you are visiting Japan for the first time or returning to explore more, Nara offers a perfect mix of ancient temples, lush parks, and unique cultural experiences.
In this guide, weโll cover everything you need to know to enjoy the city, from getting there and getting around, to the best sights, local food, and practical tips. By the end, youโll have all the information you need to make the most of your visit to Nara.
*Please note that this blog post may contain some affiliate links, which we make a small profit on, at zero cost to you.ย Links are only used on products & services that we've used and believe in, to give you the best buying experience.ย Purchasing from these links helps us to continue providing free travel guides for you- so thank you for your support!
Our Travel Planning Recommendations
Skyscannerย (flights)
ย Booking.comย (hotels)
๐ซย Get Your Guideย (tours)
Ticket Master (events)
๐ธย Best Buy (equipment)
๐ย Rental Carsย (car rentals)
Train Lineย (train tickets)
Bus Budย (bus tickets)
Direct Ferries (ferries)
Cruise Direct (cruises)
Complete Nara Travel Guide: Basic Info for Visiting
The first part of our Nara, Japan travel guide is here to help you get an idea about what visiting Nara is about, where it's located, and whether or not you should explore with a guide.
ย Why Do Tourists Go to Nara?
Tourists are drawn to Nara for its mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. Home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara was Japanโs first permanent capital and still carries the atmosphere of ancient Japan. Visitors also love Nara Park, where hundreds of friendly deer roam freely, making it one of the most unique travel experiences in the country.
Where is Nara in Japan?
Nara is located in the Kansai region of central Japan, just a short train ride from both Kyoto and Osaka. Its convenient location makes it perfect for a day trip, but it is also accessible from other areas of Japan.
Something to keep in mind is that Nara refers to a whole prefecture, and the city of Nara is a small part of that.
Do I Need a Tour Guide for Nara?
You donโt need a tour guide to explore Nara, but having one can add depth to your experience. Guided tours provide fascinating historical context about temples, shrines, and cultural traditions. If youโre short on time, a half-day or day tour can help you see the main Nara attractions more efficiently.
If you plan on visiting for a few days, then you can certainly explore Nara on your own as well!
How To Travel Cheaper and Better in 15 minutes!
How much more would you travel, if it costed you less resources?
With our Free eBook, you will learn how to save money and time on your future trips. Plus, you'll see the exact system we use.
Grab your copy for free when you sign up for our newsletter ๐
Complete Nara Travel Guide: Getting There
Now that you know where Nara is, let's help get you there!
ย How to Get to Nara, Japan
Nara doesn't have its own airport, but it does have two nearby airports serving Osaka that are each about an hour and a half away.
You can easily reach Nara by other popular cities in Japan such as Osaka, Kyoto, and even Tokyo. The most popular way to reach Nara is by train, but you can also get there by bus, taxi, or by renting a car and driving.
In our guide about how to get to Nara we have all of the details for arriving from Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo.
If youโre planning a trip to Japan, and want to see the iconic bowing deer, then youโre probably wondering how to get to Nara. This historic city is one of the countryโs most popular destinations, famous for its friendly deer, ancient temples, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.ย Getting to Nara is
Complete Nara Travel Guide: Where to Stay
The next part of our complete Nara travel guide will help you find the best place to stay while visiting.
Where is the Best Place to Stay in Nara, Japan?
The best place to stay depends on your travel style. For first-time visitors, Nara City Center is ideal since itโs close to train stations, restaurants, and Nara Park. If you prefer a peaceful retreat, consider staying near the temples or in a traditional ryokan for an authentic Japanese experience.
The neighborhood of Naramachi is a great option because it's close to the main station, but also near enough to some of the best things to do in Nara.
ย Recommended Hotels in Nara
Now that you know what area of Nara to stay in, here are some of our top recommendations for hotels in the city of Nara.
Budget Friendly Accommodation Options in Nara
Nara Guesthouse Kamunabi: A cozy guesthouse with a homelike vibe, offering warm hospitality and a great location near many of Naraโs cultural sites.
Hotel Pagoda: A simple but convenient stay right by Kofuku-ji Temple, ideal for travelers who want an affordable base in the heart of Nara.
- Nara Deer Hostel: a fun and very clean hostel with both shared and private rooms. (This is where we stayed and we loved it!)
Mid-Range Accommodation Options in Nara
- Hotel Tenypo Naramachi: A charming ryokan with tatami rooms and traditional meals, giving guests an authentic Japanese experience at a reasonable price.
- Centurion Hotel Classic Nara Station: Stylish hotel with spacious rooms and easy access to both JR and Kintetsu stations.
- Hotel New Wakasa: Mid-range ryokan-style hotel offering stunning views of Todai-ji Temple and optional kaiseki dinners.
Luxury Accommodation Options in Nara
- Nara Hotel: A historic landmark since 1909, this grand property has hosted royalty and offers a luxurious stay with classic Japanese elegance.
- Kotonoyado Musashino: A boutique ryokan located right next to Nara Park, known for its impeccable kaiseki dining and traditional hospitality.
- Nipponia Hotel Nara Naramachi: A beautifully restored townhouse turned boutique hotel, themed around sake culture, with elegant rooms and curated dining experiences.
All Your Travels
in One Book
Transform your travel memories into a unique book, with personalized pages, country by country.
Complete Nara Travel Guide: Local Adjustments
When visiting a country or city that's not your own, there are some "know before you go" details - so the next part of our complete Nara travel guide is going to go over some of the basic info like language, currency, tipping culture, and more.
ย Language
Japanese is the main language spoken in Nara. While English is not widely spoken, youโll find English signs at most major attractions. Downloading a translation app is recommended.
ย Currency
The currency in Nara is the Japanese Yen (JPY). Credit cards are accepted at many hotels, some restaurants, and larger shops, but smaller eateries and temples often only accept cash.
ย Outlets
Japan uses Type A and Type B plugs with a voltage of 100V. If youโre traveling from outside Japan, make sure to bring a universal adapter.
ย Can You Drink Tap Water in Nara, Japan?
Yes, the tap water in Nara is safe to drink. Youโll also find vending machines and convenience stores selling bottled water everywhere.
Tipping in Japan
Tipping is not customary in Japan, including Nara. Great service is already built into the culture, so simply showing gratitude with a smile and โarigatoโ is enough.
Even if you are from the US and feel the urge to tip, please do not. It can even be considered rude in some areas!
Will You Buy Us A Coffee? โ
As coffee lovers, we always enjoy the energy of caffeine. It helps us get the best free travel guides out there for you! ๐
Complete Nara Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do
Now that you know the basics, it's time for the fun part of our complete Nara travel guide. Here are the top things to do in Nara for one day, as well as some things to do in the city if you're staying a night or more.
Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!
Things to Do in Nara on a Day Trip
ย Meet the bowing deer
ย Visit the temples
ย Relax in the gardens
ย Watch the sunset at Mount Wakakusa
Watch Locals Pounding Mochi
ย Stroll around Namarachi
ย Check out Nara National Museum
ย Experience a tea house
ย Go on a food tour
ย Try Sake
ย Join a bike tour
Things to Do in Nara for a Longer Stay
Explore Other Nearby Shrines
ย 
ย Join a Sock-making Experience
Go on a Day Trip to Uji
Visit the Tea Fields of Wazuka
Enjoy Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park
ย Explore Murou Art Forest
Complete Nara Travel Guide: Getting Around
Now that you know the top activities in Nara, let's help you get from one place to another!
ย Is Nara Walkable?
Nara is pretty compact, and all of the top attractions can easily be reached by foot. The only place we got a taxi (which was entirely too expensive) was heading up to Mount Wakakusa. We honestly should have just walked up the stairs, which would have taken 45 minutes.
ย How to Get Around Nara
Plan on exploring the outskirts of Nara? You can also reach other nearby destinations by trains leaving from the central station.
If you plan on spending a few days in the area and want to see some of the temples, shrines, and parks outside of the city, then having a car can also be really helpful.
ย Driving in Nara
Parking can be pricey inside the city of Nara though, so it's a good idea to get a hotel that has parking included if you do choose to rent a car!
ย Important Car Rental Info: Japan requires an official IDP to be able to rent a car. Make sure you have the physical copy!
Transform your photos
One click is all it takesย to make your photos look stunning. Get our latest package of Lightroom presets, Into The Wild.
Complete Nara Travel Guide: Local Food & Drink
Now is one of our favorite parts of our complete Nara travel guide! Eating and drinking our way around the city was a whole adventure in itself, so here are some of the best dishes and restaurants to check out while visiting.
What Food is Nara Famous For?
Nara is known for dishes that reflect its long history and religious traditions, with a lot of local specialties you don't typically find elsewhere.
Here are a few of the foods you should try while in Nara:
- Chagayu:ย a rice porridge with tea
- Mochi: sticky and tangy street snack
- Kakinoha-zushi: sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves
- Narazuke pickles: fresh fruit or vegetables soaked in salt and sake-no-kasu
- Sake: Nara is the birthplace of this famous rice wine!
- Miwa somen: cold noodles dipped in a broth
- Tenri ramen: noodle dish with a spicy brothย
- Yoshino Kudzu: a unique summer wagashi
Nara is known for a special type of sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves.
ย Our Favorite Eateries in Nara
- Nakatanidou: Famous for its freshly pounded yomogi mochi.
- Nakinoha Sushi: Known for its sushi special to Nara
- Edogawa Naramachi: A great spot for unagi (grilled eel).
- Mentouan: Udon restaurant specializing in their udon stuffed in a tofu pouch
- Tengyokudo Nara: has really bizarre but traditional desserts
- Gyoza no Ohsho: diner-style eatery with excellent gyoza and affordable prices
Complete Nara Travel Guide: Safety
Nara is very safe for travelers, even at night. Any type of crime is rare here, and the only potentially dangerous activity can be if you are reckless around the deer.
The deer of Nara live harmoniously in the city amongst locals and visitors, and while they love to be fed, it's wise to be mindful around them as they are still wild animals.
Want To Learn How To Get Paid To Travel?
We'll teach you everything you need.
Complete Nara Travel Guide: Other Things to Know About Visiting
It's the final section of our complete Nara travel guide! Here are a few final things you should know for planning your visit and preparing your trip to Nara, Japan.
Weather in Nara
Nara experiences four distinct seasons, with extremely hot and humid summers, and cold, snowy winters. Spring brings cherry blossoms, while autumn is mild with stunning fall foliage.
The Best Time to Visit Nara
The best times to visit Nara are spring (MarchโMay) and autumn (OctoberโNovember) for pleasant weather and beautiful scenery. Summer is the most popular time to visit and can be crowded, expensive, and excessively hot. However, if you're visiting Japan in August, then don't miss out on the Nara lantern festival!
Nara has a lantern festival every August!
Packing For a Trip to Nara, Japan
Packing for Nara is easy! You'll really just want to be prepared for sightseeing, and won't need anything crazy out-of-the-ordinary.
Here is our Nara packing list:
- Insulated water bottle (there is a lot of walking)
- Fanย if you're visiting in summer (we recommend a battery-powered one)
- Sunscreen (although you'll see most people with umbrellas)
- Comfortable shoesย to walk around
- Light clothing for the summer and layers for cool nights in the other seasons
- Mirrorless Cameraย (We use theย Sony Alpha 7riii_
- Wide Lens for capturing wide views of the temples (We use the Sony GM 14"ย which is good for capturing a lot of light)
- Cash (many places don't accept credit card)
Looking To Travel Somewhere?
Off The Beaten Tripsย is our travel agency.
But this isn't anything like you've ever experienced before. You'll have an epic trip without having to break the piggy bank.
Unique locations. Epic adventures. Lifetimeย memories.
ย Is it Worth Visiting Nara, Japan?
Nara is absolutely worth visiting! The city combines Japanโs ancient heritage with natural beauty, making it one of the most rewarding cities to visit in the Kansai region.
ย How Many Days Should You Spend in Nara?
Most travelers visit Nara on a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka, but staying one or two nights allows you to explore beyond the main sites and enjoy the cityโs quieter charm.ย
There are also some unique activities you can enjoy on a longer stay, and if you're visiting during cherry blossoms season then there are great temples and parks to enjoy the blooms, making it absolutely worth spending a few extra days.
Travel Planning Tools
Here are some useful tools that you can use for planning your upcoming trip!
So are excited to explore Nara, Japan? We hope our complete Nara travel guide has helped you organize yourself and answer any question you may have had for visiting.
Want to learn more about traveling throughout Japan? We have a bunch of other Japan Travel Guidesย coming up for you. Make sure toย subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with our most recent articles, as well as to receive special discounts on our shop.
Ready to book your trip to Nara, but don't the hassle of doing all the work? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers travel planning packages offering customized itineraries, unique hotels, and personalized activities. Simply email us today to learn more!
Here are some other articles you'll love:
September 17, 2025
September 6, 2025
August 30, 2025
January 15, 2024
April 3, 2023
November 8, 2022
Like this article? Please share it with your family and friends, so that we can continue to keep creating free travel guides for you! It takes just a second, and would mean the world to us. Thanks for being here!
