Nara Tourism Guide
For those traveling to Osaka, we would like to introduce tourist attractions in Kodo Nara, located about 45 minutes from Osaka Namba Station to the final stop, Kintetsu Nara Station. How about taking a trip to Nara along with your trip to Osaka? If you rent a kimono or yukata and take a lot of pretty photos, it will become a great memory.
Recommended tourism plans wearing Kimono in Nara during travel to Osaka
Here is one of the sightseeing plans recommended by Sakura Kimono Kyoto. Please refer to this when planning your travel itinerary.
8:00: Departure from Kintetsu Osaka Namba Station
9:00: Arrived at Sakura Kimono Kyoto to rent a kimono and start your kimono experince.
10:00: Naramachi
11:30: Kofukuji Temple
13:30: Ukimidoh
13:50: Kasuga Taisha Shrine
14:30: Todaiji Temple
16:00: Nigatsudo
17:00: Visit Sakura Kimono Kyoto to return the kimono
17:20: Shopping for souvenirs at Sanjo Street and Higashimuki Shopping Mall
17:50: Departure from Nara Station
18:30: Dinner at Tsuruhashi
Tōdai-ji Temple
A must-visit course for any trip to Nara: “Todaiji”
Todaiji Temple, famous for Nara's Great Buddha Statue, is located about a 20-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station and is the head temple of the Kegon sect with a history of over 1,200 years. Its principal image is Rushanabutsu, known as the "Great Buddha of Nara." In 1998, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara." The existing Great Buddha has undergone numerous restorations, and was rebuilt on a smaller scale in 1709 in the middle of the Edo period, with only some original parts remaining, such as the pedestal (lotus position). If you visit once, you will be overwhelmed by its enormous size.
Opening hours 8:00 - 17:00 (November - March), 7:30 - 17:30 (April - October)
Admission Fee: Adult 800JPY, 6~12yo 400JPY
*Admission fees are charged at the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsu-den), Hokke-dō, Kaidan-dō and Tōdai-ji Museum. Cash Only.
The Great Buddha Hall / Todai-ji Museum joint pass: Adult 1200JPY, 6~12yo 600JPY
Nigatsu-dō (二月堂)
Nigatsu-dō (二月堂) is a temple located on the hillside of Mount Wakakusa, east of the Great Buddha Hall in Nara, Japan. It’s a National Treasure and reflects Edo-period architecture and famous for hosting the Shuni-e Ceremony during the second month of the lunar calendar. Nigatsu-dō was originally built in the 8th century, and was later rebuilt after a fire in 1667.
You can enjoy the serene atmosphere and appreciate its historical value when you visit!
Kohfukuji Temple
It is a major temple in Nara that passes on Tenpyo culture to future generations and offers many things to see. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was destroyed by fire several times, but each time it was restored and rebuilt in the style of the Nara period. Kukita-do, where the Buddha statue created by Unkai is enshrined, is a Buddhist temple rebuilt in the early Kamakura period and is known as the most beautiful octagonal-do in Japan.
Opening hours are 9:00~17:00 (last entry time 16:45)
Kasugataisha Shrine
Nara's Kasuga Taisha Shrine is a world cultural heritage site with a history of approximately 1,300 years. It is also the head shrine of over 3,000 Kasuga Shrines throughout the country. A beautiful red shrine is built on the grounds surrounded by virgin forest. It has been famous as a wisteria spot for a long time. The sacred animal of Kasuga Taisha Shrine is deer, and currently there are over 1,000 deer in Kasuga Taisha Shrine's Nara Park. Here, deer and humans live together. They are graced in the Kasuga Taisha Shrine National Treasure Exhibition. Approximately 3,000 national treasures and important cultural assets, including beautiful crafts and paintings, are stored here. Kasuga Taisha Shrine is also famous for having the largest variety of lanterns in Japan. There are 2,000 stone lanterns and 1,000 hanging lanterns within the shrine. Since 800, nobles, samurai, and even ordinary people have offered lanterns to pray for the well-being of their families, prosperity in business, and safety from illness. You can feel the passage of time in the moss-covered lanterns. There is an event to light up all 3,000 lanterns at Setsubun in February and in the central plains of August. When the entire lantern is lit, a fantastic world unfolds along the corridor.
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General Worship of Main Sanctuary: 6:30~17:30 (7:00~17:00 from November to February)
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Kasugataisha Museum: 10:00~17:00 (admission until 16:30)
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Man’yo Botanical Garden: 9:00~16:30 (9:00-16:00 from December to February)
Ukimidoh
The hexagonal Ukimido floating in the middle of the pond is located in Nara Park, and there is a hexagonal pavilion floating in the middle of the pond. There are pavilions and bridges harmonized with nature, and you can even ride a ferry on the pond, making it a place where you can enjoy a very elegant and refined place. It is a place where cherry blossoms bloom in spring and maple leaves bloom in abundance in fall. At night during the light-up period (mid-July to late September 19:00-22:00), Ukimido and Todaiji Kofukuji Five-story Pagoda are illuminated, making the scenery elegant and beautiful.
Yuugayamaenchi (瑜伽山園地)
Yuugayamaenchi (瑜伽山園地) is a beautiful garden in Nara City, Japan, which is known for its natural beauty and hiking trails. It is approximately 1.3 hectares in size and is located on the south side of Ukimido and Sagi Pond. This place is also where the villa of Mr. Yoshirobe Yamaguchi, who was active in the Osaka business world from the Meiji period to the Taisho period, was located. As a scenic spot where Mt. Yuga and Sagi Pond come together, it has been added to the nationally designated cultural property Nara Park, a place of scenic beauty. You can enjoy the garden style and stone lanterns. There is also a tea room called Takuan, which you can use by making a reservation. You can enter the garden from the south side of Ukimido and Sagi Pond. Remember to take in the fresh air and enjoy the tranquility of this lovely area!
Gangoji is a Buddhist temple which is located in Nara, Japan. Gangoji is a National Treasure and a World Heritage Site in Nara which has a rich history spanning 1,300 years and is considered one of the seven great temples of Nanto. Gangoji’s origins trace back to the very first Buddhist temple built in Japan, known as Asuka-dera (Hoko-ji). Asuka-dera was later rebuilt and moved as part of the capital transfer to Heijo-kyo (the ancient capital of Nara). During this relocation, the temple’s name was changed from Hoko-ji (Asuka-dera) to Gangoji. While deceptively simple from the outside, Gangoji houses fascinating secrets within its temple and grounds.
Visitors can explore mandala art and encounter mischievous ogre statues.
Yoshikien (吉城園)
Yoshikien (吉城園) is a traditional Japanese garden located in central Nara, Japan. It is named after the Yoshikigawa River, a small river that runs beside the garden. Within Yoshikien, you’ll find three unique garden areas:
Pond Garden: A serene space surrounding a pond.
Moss Garden: A tranquil area featuring lush moss and stone arrangements.
Tea Ceremony Flower Garden: Designed for tea ceremonies and adorned with seasonal flowers.
The garden is spacious, covering approximately 8,900 square meters. It’s a delightful spot to explore if you’re visiting Nara. You can easily combine a visit to Yoshikien with other nearby attractions such as Todaiji Temple and Kofukuji Temple. If you’re interested in exploring more Japanese gardens, the Isuien Garden is conveniently located just across the small river from Yoshikien.
Sanjo Dori Shopping Street
Sanjo-dori Street is a delightful place to experience Japanese culture, crafts, and local specialties. It runs up the hill from JR Nara Station towards Sarusawa Pond and Nara Park. It’s the main shopping street in Nara City, lined with shops selling souvenirs, arts, crafts, clothing, kimonos, traditional Japanese snacks, and decorations, restaurants, and hotels. You’ll inevitably stroll along Sanjo-dori during your visit. As you walk along the shopping street, you will find Nakatanido, a very famous mugwort rice shop in Nara Prefecture, and right next to it is the kimono rental shop Sakura Kimono Kyoto.
Naramachi
Located right next to Nara Park, this is a street where you can experience the streets of the Edo and Meiji eras. Most of the stores are built from renovated old houses, and there are many cafes and general stores, making it a place with many things to see and do. Among them, each house is open to the public for free and is a place where you can experience the lifestyle and architectural style of the old Japanese people. This is also in Naramachi. Why not take a photo while feeling the emotions of the Edo people against the background of a street scene that seems to have taken you back to the Edo period?
Sarusawa Pond (猿沢池)
Sarusawa Pond (猿沢池) is a picturesque artificial pond located within Nara Park in Nara, Japan. It has a circumference of approximately 360 meters. The five-storied pagoda of Kofuku-ji Temple and the surrounding willow trees beautifully reflect on its surface, making it one of the Eight Views of Nara. According to legend, during the Nara Period, a court maid tragically drowned herself in the pond after falling out of favor due to a love affair with an emperor. The pond offers stunning views and is a serene spot to visit in Nara.
Toukae
Nara Tokae is a beautiful lantern festival held in the ancient city of Nara, Japan. It takes place during the first ten days of August each year.
It is held in various areas within Nara Park, including Ukigumo-enchi, Sarusawa Pond, Kofuku-ji Temple, Todai-ji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine to illuminate the historic city of Nara with the gentle glow of candlelight.
The name "Tokae" refers to the flower-like shape formed at the tip of a candle wick. It is considered auspicious when this shape appears.
Tens of thousands of candles are lit, creating a magical atmosphere throughout the park and surrounding temples and shrines.
If you're in Nara during early August, it is highly recommended experiencing the Nara Tokae festival wearing yukata — it's a captivating celebration that adds a warm glow to the historic cityscape!
August 5th to 14th, 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm in 2024
