Nara is especially recognized for its deer park and surrounding sights, like Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, however Nara Prefecture is a lot greater than this. Right here is why I feel it is best to take into account including some further time in Nara to your Japan itinerary!
When individuals say they’re visiting Nara, they often imply Nara Deer Park and the encircling areas. And it is smart – it’s simply accessible from Kyoto and Osaka, plus there’s a lot of English data on-line about taking a day journey. Nevertheless, the deer park is barely a small a part of Nara Metropolis, not to mention Nara Prefecture!
With overtourism inflicting points in sure spots in Japan (like Nara Deer Park), it is smart to look to different close by spots to go to. Nara Prefecture has SO a lot to supply and when spending some further days there, I used to be stunned at how quiet it was exterior of the primary space.
Even in case you’re solely in Japan for a short while, I’d extremely encourage you to contemplate including one or two further days in Nara and exploring the prefecture past the deer park. Under, I’ll share a few of my favorite areas within the prefecture.
* Throughout my final go to to Nara, I set to work with the Nara Tourism Board to discover extra of the Prefecture. All analysis, views and opinions are my very own.
Causes to Keep In a single day in Nara As a substitute of a Day Journey
Nara is a highly regarded day journey from Osaka and Kyoto. You may get there inside an hour, discover the park and essential sights in round 6–8 hours and be again at your lodge in Osaka/Kyoto earlier than dinner.
My one-day Nara itinerary is among the hottest articles on this web site, and whereas I’m so blissful that folks go to this place, I wish to put a bit extra emphasis on what to see BEYOND the deer.
I’ve already rewritten my one-day information to incorporate journeys to take FROM Nara Deer Park after staying in a single day, however I needed to spotlight it even additional on this separate article. After taking a while to discover extra of Nara Prefecture, I’m particularly excited to share extra of this a part of Japan with you.
1. Quiet Mornings and Evenings
My final go to was the primary time visiting Nara after the pandemic, and the crowds had been overwhelming contained in the deer park and surrounding streets. From 10 am till round 4 pm, the primary streets had been overflowing with individuals. It was nonetheless a beautiful day re-exploring the world, it was stunning to see how busy it had gotten in comparison with my different visits through the years.
As I had deliberate to discover extra of Nara Prefecture on my most up-to-date journey, I stayed in a single day in Nara for just a few nights (and in several areas in Nara!). After my first night time, I obtained as much as have a stroll round Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha Shrine earlier than venturing out of the primary space and it was just about EMPTY.
I didn’t even need to stand up tremendous early to keep away from the crowds. I obtained to Todai-ji at round 8:00 am and it was practically 9:30 am by the point I obtained to Kusagu Shrine. The deer appeared loads calmer too, much more “pure” and fewer overwhelmed by the crowds of individuals, chasing them for meals.
This was on a Friday, and at round 9 am we observed the primary faculty busses arriving at Todai-ji. At Kusagu Shrine, it was nonetheless virtually empty round 9:30 am. Once we made our approach again to the primary space round 10, that’s when it began to choose up.
It wasn’t till 10-11 am that the streets began to fill with faculty journeys and day trippers. Experiencing Nara nearly empty early within the morning was magical, and it jogged my memory of what it was like once I visited Nara for the primary time years in the past.
2. You Get to Discover Extra of Nara Prefecture
One other large plus of staying in a single day in Nara is having the ability to discover past the deer park. When visiting Nara for the day, most individuals loop across the park, visiting Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha Shrine alongside the way in which. Whereas these spots are positively price visiting, there’s a lot extra to see and do in Nara Prefecture – with out the crowds.
A lot of the sights I visited in Nara are reachable inside 30–90 minutes on public transport from the primary prepare stations in Nara. Plus, they had been a lot quieter – even throughout peak autumn leaf season! Overtourism is commonly talked about when discussing Nara, and whereas the deer park itself is certainly very crowded these days, different areas in Nara might use the additional guests. It’s really a aim of the tourism board to get extra individuals to the center and South of the Prefecture!
As Nara is the primary everlasting capital of Japan, there’s a lot historical past to unveil right here. What many individuals don’t know is that the precise first capital was positioned just under Nara, in Asuka. It’s very simple to go to from Nara, and the city is superbly preserved – there are numerous historical tombs scattered across the areas too.
Some areas surrounding Asuka additionally carry a variety of that means and historical past. These locations are sometimes missed by guests, however I completely beloved exploring them. 4 days in Nara was nowhere close to sufficient, and I’m already planning to spend some extra time on this Prefecture hopefully this 12 months.
Even including one further day to go to one or two of those spots might add a lot to your time in Japan:
- Horyu-ji Temple (half-hour from Nara Station) – Relationship again to 607, this is among the oldest temples in Japan. This temple and Himeji Fortress had been the primary UNESCO World Heritage Websites within the nation, as the primary corridor and pagoda are the oldest surviving wood constructions on the planet. It’s very simple to go to right here from Nara, and it’s by far one of the vital stunning pagodas I’ve ever seen in actual life. The temple grounds had been extremely quiet, other than a few faculty lessons who had been visiting for the day. You may as well discover all 5 Pokemon Manhole Covers in Nara Prefecture between the prepare station and the temple.
- Omiwa Shrine (half-hour from Nara Station) – This shrine is taken into account to be one of many oldest in Japan, regardless of the precise age isn’t recognized. Positioned in the midst of a dense forest, Omiwa Shrine is sort of spectacular. Many individuals go away sake and eggs as choices right here. Between the station and the shrine, you will discover many outlets and eating places too, making it a beautiful half-day journey from Nara.
- Asuka (one hour from Nara Station) – As beforehand talked about, Asuka is the official first capital of Japan. The world could be very well-preserved, very quiet and really stunning. You possibly can rent a motorbike on the rental subsequent to the station and luxuriate in biking by rice fields and expertise the Japanese countryside. Asuka is very recognized for the numerous historical tombs that may be discovered within the space. The invention of the Takamatsuzuka tomb within the Nineteen Seventies performed an enormous function within the preservation of Japanese tradition in trendy occasions.
- Mount Yoshino (one hour from Nara Station) – Mount Yoshino is arguably probably the most well-known spot in Nara exterior of Nara Deer Park. With over 30,000 cherry timber, this mountain is among the greatest locations to get pleasure from cherry blossoms in spring. It’s additionally exceptionally stunning throughout the autumn.
- Imaicho City (one hour from Nara Station) – Not removed from Asuka, you will discover this well-preserved service provider city from the Edo Interval. Positioned in Kashihara Metropolis, this district has a very good variety of previous homes and outlets.
- Hasedera Temple (1.5 hours from Nara Station) – A bit of bit farther from Nara Deer Park, however you’ll be able to mix this with a number of the different sights additional South in Nara Prefecture. Hasedera dates again to 686 and is commonly considered one of the vital stunning temples within the space. The temple is commonly lined in flowers. A lot in order that it goes by the nickname “temple of flowers”. It’s particularly stunning in June when the hydrangeas bloom.
- Tsubosakadera Temple (1.5 hours from Nara Station) – One other one that may be mixed with an space additional South, like Asuka. As this temple is a mixture of Japanese and Indian types, it’s fairly distinctive. The big Buddha in the midst of the temple is very stunning throughout autumn when a viewpoint reveals it surrounded by purple leaves. There are additionally some Indian-style Buddhas across the temple grounds.
3. You’re Supporting the Prefecture Extra
Trying on the knowledge from Japan Tourism Statistics, Nara Prefecture solely accounts for 0.2% of overseas in a single day stays in 2023, rating 32 out of all 47 prefectures. That is regardless of the prefecture rating seventh of visited prefectures by overseas vacationers (at 7.8%).
I used to be fairly shocked to see this quantity, particularly when how Kyoto and Osaka account for 10.1% and 16.8% of overseas in a single day guests retrospectively.
Whereas revenue by tourism isn’t all the pieces, it will possibly assist keep the prefectures and fund areas. Staying in a single day brings far more cash to a prefecture in comparison with solely visiting for the day.
When visiting Nara on a day journey, you in all probability solely spent a bit of cash within the prefecture for some lunch, some deer crackers and perhaps a memento or cup of espresso. When staying in a single day, that spending will increase – assume lodging, extra meals and perhaps even travelling contained in the prefecture.
This shouldn’t be your solely motive so as to add a few nights in Nara to your itinerary, however it’s positively price contemplating at a time by which overtourism in Japan is inflicting some points in sure areas.
The place To Keep in Nara
I perceive that staying in a single day isn’t at all times an choice, particularly in case you’re visiting Japan for the primary time and also you’re wanting to tick off all the primary spots. Nevertheless, if you wish to see a bit extra of Japan with out the big crowds, I feel including one or two further days in Nara Prefecture is the right likelihood to seamlessly match this into your itinerary.
It’s additionally price mentioning that altering inns doesn’t need to be too sophisticated. As a substitute of dragging your baggage to Nara, you should use providers like Yamato to ahead your essential baggage to the subsequent lodge, whereas taking a smaller in a single day bag to Nara. Or, you should use one of many many baggage storage spots on the essential prepare stations (in both Kyoto or Osaka for instance).
Listed here are the inns I stayed in throughout my final journey to Nara:
HARUYA Naramachi
This beautiful ryokan is positioned inside strolling distance of Nara Deer Park and each Nara stations, making it an ideal budget-friendly spot to remain for one night time. The Naramachi neighbourhood is a former service provider space and the streets are nonetheless lined with many conventional buildings.
On this 100-year-old Japanese ryokan, you’ll be able to both lease one of many Japanese-styled rooms for the night time or go for a non-public backyard home. My husband and I stayed in one of many backyard homes, which was very trendy, plus it was good to have our personal house.
Noborioji Resort Nara
The Noboroji Resort in Nara is among the most luxurious inns I’ve ever obtained to remain in. Positioned just about subsequent to one of many essential stations in Nara, it’s excellent for exploring the Prefecture a bit additional however staying central.
This beautiful lodge is acclaimed by the Michelin Information. They maintain completely something throughout your keep, permitting you to have probably the most stress-free time in Nara doable. Our room regarded out over the Kofuku-ji temple grounds.
Candeo Resorts Nara Kashihara
This lodge is positioned in Kashihara, simply south of Nara Metropolis. In the event you’re seeking to discover Nara Prefecture a bit additional and go to spots like Asuka, Imaicho, Tsubosakadera and/or Mount Yoshino, this may very well be a terrific midway level!
Candeo is a lodge chain I personally actually like. I’ve stayed of their inns in several areas of Japan they usually’ve by no means disillusioned, so I used to be blissful to see in addition they have one in Kashihara. The largest plus of this lodge is the sky spa, the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from a sento overlooking town – it’s stunning at night time!
(SPECIAL STAY) Nipponia Tawaramoto Maruto Shoyu
In the event you’re in search of a singular keep in Nara Prefecture, this previous soy sauce brewery is the one. Being the oldest soy sauce manufacturing unit in the entire prefecture, I can’t consider a spot extra genuine and distinctive.
Not solely are you able to keep in a single day in one of many refurbished rooms, you too can take a tour all through the brewery to find out how soy sauce is made. We even obtained to attempt urgent our personal soy sauce, which we then obtained to attempt afterwards.
Dinner and breakfast are additionally included, incorporating their soy sauce in each dish. It was an unimaginable expertise, and since this spot is positioned close to Kashihara and Sakurai, it may be a terrific mid-way cease earlier than you discover extra of South Nara.
Staying In a single day in Nara – Conclusion
Placing collectively a plan in your personal journey to Japan may be overwhelming, and it could appear simpler to stick with the common Golden Route, particularly in your first time. Nevertheless, making a small detour and including off-the-beaten-path areas like Nara into your plan could make a world of distinction.
I feel including one or two further days in Nara Prefecture, particularly within the South or Center, is a superb thought for first-time guests. Since Kyoto/Osaka with a day journey to Nara are sometimes already on first-time guests’ plans, an additional day in Nara may be deliberate nearly effortlessly. Plus, it will provide you with an opportunity to see components of Japan that aren’t overcrowded.
Spending a bit extra time in Nara Prefecture was one of many highlights of our final keep, and I’m already keen to return and see extra!