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A short train ride from Kyoto is historic Nara, an earlier capital.
While Kyoto’s continuing eminence over the centuries has led to its development into a large, bustling city, the significance of Nara soon waned once the capital was relocated, and today it remains a relaxed town with some beautiful sights.
Exploring Nara
Nara residents are rightly proud of Todai-ji Temple, which houses Japan’s largest bronze Buddha, as well as the tranquil expanses of the surrounding deer park where the sacred deer are so little afraid of humans that they will eat food out of your hand. Nara can easily be visited as a day trip from Kyoto or as an overnight stay for those with more time.
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Start planning your tailor-made trip to Nara by contacting one of our Japan specialists
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Suggested itineraries featuring Nara
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Nara, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places near Nara
- Osaka 27 kilometers away
- Kyoto 38 kilometers away
- Mount Koya 57 kilometers away
- Tokushima 133 kilometers away
- Kinosaki Onsen 138 kilometers away
- Takamatsu 165 kilometers away
- Naoshima 168 kilometers away
- Tottori 170 kilometers away
- Iya Valley 182 kilometers away
- Kurashiki 186 kilometers away
- Tsumago 193 kilometers away
- Shirakawago 204 kilometers away
- Takayama 210 kilometers away
- Kanazawa 225 kilometers away
- Shikoku 231 kilometers away
- Kamikochi 247 kilometers away
- Tateyama 262 kilometers away
- Matsumoto 263 kilometers away
- Matsue 264 kilometers away
- The Japanese Alps 285 kilometers away
- Izu Peninsula 291 kilometers away
- Hakuba 292 kilometers away
- Matsuyama 294 kilometers away
- Hakone & Mount Fuji 301 kilometers away
- Hiroshima 308 kilometers away
- Miyajima Island 323 kilometers away
- Yudanaka 331 kilometers away
- Noto Peninsula 344 kilometers away
- Kamakura 348 kilometers away
- Tokyo 378 kilometers away
- Nikko 421 kilometers away
- Beppu 430 kilometers away
- Yufuin 437 kilometers away
- Kurokawa 465 kilometers away
- Kyushu 477 kilometers away
- Aso 482 kilometers away
Photos of Nara
Our expert guides to exploring Nara
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Nara, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Nara at its best.
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Gardens of Japan ![Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa]()
Gardens of Japan
Gardens of Japan
From Kenrokuen鈥檚 venerated views to gardens hidden deep in the countryside, specialist Amanda recommends her preferred gardens to visit in Japan. She also explains what makes Japan鈥檚 gardens so interesting and why gardening is an important national art form.
Read this guide
