1 Day Nara Itinerary From Kyoto: See Nara’s Top Sights, From Temples and Deer to Historic Streets
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CONTENTS
Plan the perfect Nara day trip from Kyoto with this itinerary including deer in Nara Park, Todaiji’s Great Buddha, Kasuga Shrine, and the charming streets of Naramachi.
Nara: An 8th-Century Metropolis, Now a Deer Park!
Nara was Japan’s first permanent capital, and the wealth of historical spots and beautiful structures left behind after the city’s time in the spotlight make the area a must-visit for history and nature lovers. Just a 40-minute train ride via the Kintetsu Kyoto Line, it’s the perfect day trip from Kyoto (and accessible from Osaka, too)!
Start From Kintetsu Nara Station
First thing, begin your journey at Kintetsu Nara Station. Nara has two major train stations, but this one is closer to major attractions than JR Nara Station, making it a better place for sightseers to start.
① Nara Park
Enjoy a relaxing stroll in Nara Park, where wild deer roam freely. You can feed them special “deer crackers,” but be respectful – these are protected national treasures, and when they’re upset, they aren’t afraid to headbutt.
② Kofukuji Temple
Stop in for a quick visit to Kofukuji, just a 5-minute walk from the station. This 1300-year-old temple complex is home to an iconic Five-Story Pagoda and was the original home to a renowned Ashura statue, which can now be seen inside the National Treasure Museum.
③ Todaiji Temple
Walk deeper into Nara Park to take in the majestic height of Todaiji Temple’s towering Great Buddha, housed in one of the world’s largest wooden buildings. Officially designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you won’t want to leave Nara until you’ve seen Todaiji!
④ Lunch Near Nara Park
Restaurants near Kofukuji Temple are convenient and varied, making it a good place to grab lunch before our next destination. It’s a good chance to try local specialties, like kakinoha zushi (persimmon leaf-wrapped sushi).
⑤ Kasuga Taisha Shrine
This vermillion-colored shrine is famous for its thousands of stone and bronze lanterns, and the sacred deer around Nara Park are said to be divine messengers for the god enshrined within.
⑥ Gangoji Temple
Head into the historic Naramachi area to visit this ancient temple, which was established in the year 718 AD, and traces its origins to Japan’s very first Buddhist temple (built sometime from late 6th to early 8th century). Make sure to look up during your visit – Gangoji features some of Japan’s oldest roof tiles.
⑦ The Streets of Naramachi
Spend whatever’s left of your afternoon wandering through the Edo-era (1603-1868) alleyways of Naramachi to admire the traditional Edo-era wooden machiya townhouses and hidden pathways, as well as plenty of cafes and shops selling tempting souvenirs.
⑧ Dinner in Naramachi
From ramen and sushi to traditional multi-course kaiseki meals, Naramachi has a wide variety of Japanese dinner options, making it a great place to enjoy a relaxing meal before heading back to your hotel. Popular restaurants can get busy, though – make reservations in advance if you can!
Return to Kyoto
Trains from Kintetsu Nara Station to Kyoto run until around 10 or 11 pm, which should be fine unless you really let the time get away from you at dinner. The real time crunch is souvenir shopping, since many stores close by 7 or 8 pm – give yourself plenty of time to enjoy your last moments in Nara before you hop on the train!
This content has been edited and republished from Japan Web Magazine with permission. The original article was published on Jan 31, 2024. ©2025 Inbound Platform Corp. All Rights Reserved
Japan Web Magazine is an online media platform delivering expert insights into travel, food, culture, and local experiences in Japan. We share insider tips, hidden gems, and must-visit spots to help you explore Japan like a local. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re a seasoned traveler, we’ve got you covered!
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Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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