Waymark

Japan · Kansai

Nara travel guide

Bowing deer and Japan's biggest bronze Buddha

Tōdai-ji and its Great Buddha Hall. Photo: Wiiii, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

12hflight from London
KIXnearest main airport
26° in Augwarmest month
3° in Jancoolest month

Nara was Japan's first permanent capital, and its park is home to over a thousand friendly deer that bow for biscuits.

Tōdai-ji houses a giant bronze Buddha in one of the world's largest wooden buildings. It's an easy day trip from Kyoto or Osaka.

Good forHistoryFamiliesTemplesDay trips

What Nara is known for

  • Deer

    Over 1,000 deer roam the park.

  • Tōdai-ji

    The Great Buddha.

  • Kasuga Taisha

    A shrine of stone lanterns.

  • Mochi

    Pounded rice cakes made on the street.

Top things to do in Nara

  1. 1

    Nara Park

    Feed the deer with special biscuits.

    Find tours and tickets
  2. 2

    Tōdai-ji

    The giant Buddha.

    Find tours and tickets
  3. 3

    Kasuga Taisha

    Thousands of lanterns.

    Find tours and tickets
  4. 4

    Naramachi

    Old merchant streets.

    Find tours and tickets

See all tours and tickets in Nara

Where to stay in Nara

Find a hotel in Nara

Best time to visit Nara

Best value: May, Oct. Spring and autumn.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
2.6 C3°J3.7 C4°F6.8 C7°M12.1 C12°A17.1 C17°M21.1 C21°J25.1 C25°J25.9 C26°A22.3 C22°S16.3 C16°O10.6 C11°N5 C5°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Nara, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 12h from London to KIX, and flights from most UK airports.

Walk around the park. Trains from Kyoto and Osaka take under an hour.

Find flights to Nara (KIX)

Shows the cheapest fares for next month on Aviasales, our flight partner. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Flight times are straight-line estimates for a direct flight from Heathrow.

Good to know

  • Deer can nip: hold biscuits up and away.
  • Go early to beat the tour groups.
  • It works as a half-day or day trip.
Japan guidesWomen travellersVisasPlugs & adaptersDriving abroadEnglish spokenWhen to goFlight times

Nara FAQ

Is Nara worth a day trip?

Yes, it's one of Japan's highlights.

How long do I need?

Half a day to a full day.

More places in Japan

Back to the Japan travel guide + Add Nara to your bucket list