8 attractions with a verified description
Nara Park · Temple
The temple of the Great Buddha: a bronze statue 14.98 meters tall, in a hall the temple describes as one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. ¥800, cash only. Arrive at opening time and combine it with Nara Park and Kasuga Taisha.
Price checked November 2026
Photo: Netherzone / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Nara Park · Nature
The open park that connects the main sites in the city, with more than 1,600 free-roaming deer. Special deer crackers, ¥200 for a bundle of 10, are sold at stands, in shops and from machines, and you must not feed them any other food.
Price checked October 2026
Photo: Daniel Lu (User:dllu) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Nara Park · Shrine
A Shinto shrine in the forest, with about 3,000 stone and hanging lanterns. The grounds are free, and the inner area, with a room where the hanging lanterns are lit, is ¥700. You continue to it on foot from Nara Park, and it is better to arrive while the area is still quiet.
Price checked October 2026
Photo: dconvertini / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Central Nara · Temple
A temple between Kintetsu Nara Station and Nara Park. The five-story pagoda has been fully covered by a restoration structure since 2025, and the work is planned to finish in fiscal year 2034, so you cannot see it. The grounds are free. The treasure hall with the Ashura statue is ¥900, 09:00 to 17:00, last entry 16:45.
Price checked October 2026
Photo: Balon Greyjoy / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Nara Park · Garden
A quiet Japanese garden near Todai-ji, in two parts: a 17th-century front garden, and a Meiji-era back garden that uses the Todai-ji gate and the mountains as borrowed scenery. ¥1,200 including a museum. Closed on Tuesdays, in late September and from the end of December to mid-January.
Price checked October 2026
Photo: Kimon Berlin (Gribeco) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Naramachi · Historic streets
Old merchant streets in south-central Nara, with machiya houses, small shops and cafes. It suits the end of the day after Nara Park.
Price checked October 2026
Photo: Kochizufan / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Nara Park · Museum
A museum of Buddhist art next to the park. A good choice for a rainy day or for anyone who wants historical context before the temples.
Photo: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)
Western Nara · Temple
An ancient temple in western Nara with impressive pagodas. You go there when you have an extra half day in the city, and you do not squeeze it into the central park route.
Photo: Zairon / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
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