A guide to
temples, culture and other must-sees of Nara
by locals

 

Eye-catching photos by giuliettar2

Featured Articles

Todai-ji Temple (overview)

Todai-ji is a temple complex that has huge precincts, around which many temples and histo…

Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsu-den)

Todai-ji Temple | Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsu-den) |Although the Great Buddha Hall (Daibu…

Kasuga Grand Shrine (Kasuga Taisha…

What you must see : Beautiful vermilion-colored buildings in a quiet sacred forest. Bronz…

Kofuku-ji Temple

Kofuku-ji Temple was built in 710 in the east end of Heijyo-kyo Capital area as a tutelar…
Tobihino

Nara Park

A large open area of 660 hectares with free-roaming deer. The park is connecting Kofuku-j…
deer

Recommended Route of Central Nara …

1. Kintetsu Nara Station bus stop to Wariishicho bus stop. About 7 min ride.2. Wariishich…
  • *Todai-ji

Tegai-mon Gate

Todai-ji Temple | Tegai-mon Gate |Located in the northwest of the Todai-ji Temple precincts and to the west of the Shosoin Repository, Tegai-mon is…

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  • Mount Yoshino
  • World Heritage

Mount Yoshino

Mount Yoshino (Yoshino-yama) is undoubtedly one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan, where the mountain slopes are covered wi…

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  • Sakurai Area

Shorin-ji Temple

Away from the center of Nara and in the southeast corner of the Nara Basin, Sakurai is an area with a tranquil rural landscape. It is surprising th…

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  • Sakurai Area

Tanzan-jinja Shrine

Deep in the MountainsHead south from Sakurai Station by bus or car. The view of the town gradually gives way to a rural landscape. As you climb int…

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  • Abe Monjyuin

Abe Monjyuin Temple

Abe Monjyuin Temple, founded in 645, is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan. For more than 1300 years the temple has been popular with ordi…

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About This Site and About Us

About This SiteNara is the first permanent capital of Japan in the early eighth century and hometown of Japanese culture and Japanese spirits. And …

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  • Kombu-in

Kombu-in Temple

Tucked away in the northern part of Nara City, Kombu-in is a beautiful convent which can be depicted as a jewelry box or a secret garden. The appro…

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  • Sakurai Area

Yamanobe-no-michi trail North

Yamanobe-no-michi is one of Japanese oldest roads and runs along the foot of the mountains in the east of the Nara Basin. Today it is a pleasant hi…

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  • Sakurai Area

Yamanobe-no-michi trail South

Yamanobe-no-michi is one of Japanese oldest roads and runs along the foot of the mountains in the east of Nara Basin. Today it is a pleasant hiking…

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  • Akishino-dera

Akishino-dera Temple

Located about five kilometers from the center of Nara, Akishino-dera is a temple full of peacefulness and tranquility. Here, there are not many vis…

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  • Hase-dera

Hase-dera Temple

Eye-catching photo by giuliettar2Hase-dera Temple is widely known as the “temple of flowers.” In my opinion, it can also be described as the “templ…

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  • Gansen-ji

Gansen-ji Temple

Like Joruri-ji Temple, Gansen-ji is located in Kyoto Prefecture, almost on the border with Nara. This area was under the strong influence of Buddhi…

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  • Nishinokyo Area

Recommended Route of Nishinokyo …

Kintetsu Railway Nishinokyo Station   Walk for about 1 minute to the east.   Yakushi-ji Temple   Hakuho Precincts(main area)  Plan to stay for abou…

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  • Nishinokyo Area
  • World Heritage

Toshodai-ji Temple

If you visit Toshodai-ji Temple after Yakushi-ji, which is a popular route many tourists follow, you may notice the difference in the atmosphere be…

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  • Asuka Area

Asuka　

Asuka is loved as a home of Japanese spirit.About 1400 years ago, Japan was born as a nation with its capital in Asuka.Today people come to Asuka t…

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  • Nishinokyo Area
  • World Heritage

Yakushi-ji Temple

Eye-catching photo by giuliettar2Yakushi-ji is a large and magnificent temple located in the West Nara area. Although its history dates back to 680…

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Joruri-ji main hall
  • Joruri-ji

Joruri-ji Temple

Joruri-ji Temple is just about a 20-minute bus ride from Kintetsu Nara Station. It is the most popular temple in the Minami Yamashiro area, where m…

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  • Hokke-ji

Hokke-ji Temple and Kairyuou-ji …

Two adjacent small temples are located in the northwestern part of Nara, about 2.5 km away from the city center. Each of them houses a breathtaking…

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  • Horyu-ji (Ikaruga) Area
  • World Heritage

Horyu-ji Temple & Chugu-ji …

Horyu-ji TempleHoryu-ji Temple is the home of Japan’s Buddhism and was registered as the 1st UNESCO World Heritage Site in Japan. It was founded in…

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Ikaruga Cosmos
  • Horyu-ji (Ikaruga) Area

Horin-ji Temple & Hoki-ji …

Horin-ji Temple Horin-ji, Hoki-ji and Horyu-ji Temples are all related and all have three-story pagodas that make a symbolistic picture of the area…

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Horinji Temple Stone Buddha
  • Horyu-ji (Ikaruga) Area

Recommended Route of Horyu-ji Te…

1. JR Horyu-ji Station   Take the No.72 for 5-min ride(every 20 min) or walk for 15 min2. Horyuji Sando Bus Stop  Walk along the pine trees lined w…

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  • *Todai-ji
  • World Heritage

Todai-ji Temple (overview)

Todai-ji is a temple complex that has huge precincts, around which many temples and historic sites are scattered. It has more than a 1200-year hist…

Read more
  • *Todai-ji

Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsu-den)…

Todai-ji Temple | Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsu-den) |Although the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsu-den) was designed to house the world-famous Great Budd…

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  • Kasuga Grand Shrine
  • World Heritage

Kasuga Grand Shrine (Kasuga Tais…

What you must see : Beautiful vermilion-colored buildings in a quiet sacred forest. Bronze lanterns each featuring the name of a different donor.Wa…

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  • Kofuku-ji
  • World Heritage

Kofuku-ji Temple

Kofuku-ji Temple was built in 710 in the east end of Heijyo-kyo Capital area as a tutelary temple of the Fujiwara clan. The temple celebrated its 1…

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  • *Todai-ji

Todai-ji Museum

Todai-ji Temple | Todai-ji Museum |Two huge hands welcome you in front of the museum building. These are full-size replicas of the hands of the fam…

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Tobihino
  • Nara Park

Nara Park

A large open area of 660 hectares with free-roaming deer. The park is connecting Kofuku-ji Temple, Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Grand Shrine(Kasuga T…

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  • Nara Park Area

Shin Yakushi-ji Temple

Shin Yakushi-ji Temple might be less well-known among international tourists but is a must-visit temple for those who are fascinated by the beauty …

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deer
  • Nara Park Area

Recommended Route of Central Nar…

1. Kintetsu Nara Station bus stop to Wariishicho bus stop. About 7 min ride.2. Wariishicho bus stop, walk up the residential area, turn right and l…

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Blog

  1. Hidden wonderland on Mount Ikoma

    • Ikoma Area

  2. A rose garden in a temple?

    • Ikoma Area

  3. Yamanobe-no-michi trail in late spring　

    • Sakurai Area

  4. Cherry blossoms in Full Bloom in Yoshino

    • Yoshino

  5. Yamanobe-no-michi trail in early autumn

    • Sakurai Area

  6. Hase-dera Temple floating in a sea of cherry blossoms

    • Sakurai Area

  7. Joys of spring at Tsubosakadera Temple

    • Asuka Area
  8. deer baby

    Hello baby!

    • Nara Park Area