Things to do in Nara

Nara Prefecture offers a wide array of attractions, including 166 temples and 161 shrines. Visitors can explore sites like Byakugō-ji Temple and Kanazuka Kofun.

Byakugō-ji Temple

Byakugō-ji Temple

Byakugō-ji Temple offers panoramic views and Kamakura-period statues, a serene stop for history...

Mount Yoshino

Mount Yoshino

A UNESCO World Heritage mountain in Nara featuring 30,000 cherry trees and significant historica...

Kanazuka Kofun

Kanazuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a 7th-century imperial tomb, notable for its large stone chamber and unique construction...

Takamatsuzuka Tomb

Takamatsuzuka Tomb

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

See a 7th-century tomb with colorful wall paintings, a designated National Treasure and World He...

Daian-ji Temple

Daian-ji Temple

Daian-ji Temple is one of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples, housing important 8th-century statues...

Komagaeri Haiji

Komagaeri Haiji

Explore ancient temple ruins from the Nara period, offering a glimpse into early Japanese Buddhi...

Ninji Haiji

Ninji Haiji

Explore ancient temple ruins, including one of Japan's largest tower foundations, at this histor...

Kuroda Otsuka Kofun

Kuroda Otsuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a large, ancient keyhole-shaped burial mound, a designated historic site in Nara.

Ichiohakayama Kofun

Ichiohakayama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a 6th-century keyhole-shaped burial mound with a unique stone chamber and artifacts.

Fudō-in Temple

Fudō-in Temple

Fudō-in Temple is a historic pilgrimage site with a newly rebuilt main hall and other structures...

Heiryū-ji

Heiryū-ji

Heiryū-ji is an ancient temple founded by Prince Shotoku, with a unique hidden stone Buddha.

Lecture Hall, Toshodai-ji

Lecture Hall, Toshodai-ji

This lecture hall, a National Treasure, is the only surviving structure with parts of the Heijo...

Golden Hall, Toshodai-ji

Golden Hall, Toshodai-ji

This eighth-century Golden Hall houses National Treasure statues, illuminated by natural light.

長谷寺本堂

長谷寺本堂

Hasedera's Main Hall, rebuilt in 1650, offers panoramic views and houses the Eleven-Headed Kanno...

Golden Hall, Murouji

Golden Hall, Murouji

This mid-ninth century hall, one of Muroji's oldest, features a unique design and rare Buddhist...

Tōindō, Yakushiji

Tōindō, Yakushiji

Tōindō is Japan's oldest Zen meditation hall, rebuilt multiple times, with unique wooden floorin...

Kōfuku-ji Temple

Kōfuku-ji Temple

Kofukuji is an ancient Buddhist temple in Nara, significant for its long history and philosophic...

Munesaka No. 1 Kofun

Munesaka No. 1 Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a large 7th-century circular burial mound, a designated historic site in Nara.

Kibiike Haiji

Kibiike Haiji

Explore Kibiike Haiji, an ancient temple ruin with a massive pagoda, offering a glimpse into ear...

Kōriyama Castle

Kōriyama Castle

Explore Kōriyama Castle ruins, a National Historic Site, famous for its cherry blossoms and uniq...

Tamon'yama Castle

Tamon'yama Castle

Explore the remains of a 16th-century mountaintop castle with strategic views.

Koizumi Ōtsuka Burial Mound

Koizumi Ōtsuka Burial Mound

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore an ancient keyhole-shaped tomb, a Nara Prefecture historic site from the 3rd-4th century...

Niukawakami Shrine Kamisha

Niukawakami Shrine Kamisha

Ancient shrine dedicated to water deities, featuring unique architecture and archaeological find...

Niukawakami Shrine Shimosha

Niukawakami Shrine Shimosha

Ancient Shinto shrine dedicated to a water deity, with unique stone formations and a sacred well...

Enjō-ji Temple

Enjō-ji Temple

Enjō-ji Temple is an ancient Shingon temple housing National Treasure statues and a scenic garde...

Murō-ji Temple

Murō-ji Temple

This temple, known as "Women's Koya," offers historical buildings and natural beauty.

Ryōsen-ji Temple

Ryōsen-ji Temple

Ancient temple in Nara with unique halls and a rose garden, part of two pilgrimages.

Chūgū-ji Temple

Chūgū-ji Temple

This nunnery, founded by Prince Shotoku, houses a bodhisattva statue and has imperial family con...

Morino Medicinal Herb Garden

Morino Medicinal Herb Garden

Japan's oldest private botanical garden, it showcases 250 medicinal herbs.

Kōriyama Nikiyama Burial Mound

Kōriyama Nikiyama Burial Mound

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore an ancient keyhole-shaped burial mound from the 4th-5th century.

Hirano Tsukaanayama Kofun

Hirano Tsukaanayama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a 7th-century burial mound with a unique stone coffin and ancient treasures.

Kamiya Site

Kamiya Site

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore ancient palace ruins and artifacts from Japan's early capitals.

Chihara Ōbaka Kofun

Chihara Ōbaka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a rare scallop-shaped Kofun, a National Historic Site from the late 4th century.

Tateishi Kai Shrine

Tateishi Kai Shrine

Tateishi Kai Shrine, founded in 1565, honors deities and offers daily spring water.

Ikoma Furusato Museum

Ikoma Furusato Museum

Explore Ikoma's history in a beautiful 1933 building, a National Registered Tangible Cultural Pr...

Yamanokami Site

Yamanokami Site

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Ancient ritual site with megaliths and artifacts, offering a glimpse into early Japanese beliefs...

Chōgosonshi-ji Temple

Chōgosonshi-ji Temple

Chogosonshi-ji Temple, founded by Prince Shotoku, offers unique insights into Japanese Buddhism...

Misome Shrine

Misome Shrine

Misome Shrine is a historic Nara shrine, rebuilt after a fire, dedicated to multiple deities.

Ayameike Shrine

Ayameike Shrine

Ayameike Shrine, dedicated to guardian deities, offers a peaceful, historical stop in Nara.

Ofusa Kannon Temple

Ofusa Kannon Temple

Ofusa Kannon Temple is a flower mandala temple known for its rose gardens and seasonal festivals...

Uwanabe Kofun

Uwanabe Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a massive 5th-century keyhole-shaped tomb, one of Japan's largest ancient burial mounds.

Yoraku Kanjo Kofun

Yoraku Kanjo Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a large, square, 6th-century burial mound with a unique domed stone chamber.

The Museum, Archaeological Institute of Kashihara, Nara Prefecture

The Museum, Archaeological Institute of Kashihara, Nara Prefecture

Explore ancient artifacts and archaeological discoveries at Japan's oldest research institution.

Gufuku-ji Temple

Gufuku-ji Temple

Explore Gufuku-ji Temple, a historic site built on the ruins of one of Asuka's Four Great Temple...

Konabe Kofun

Konabe Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Ancient keyhole-shaped tomb with unique features, part of a significant kofun group.

Hishiage Kofun

Hishiage Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a massive keyhole-shaped imperial tomb, offering a glimpse into ancient Japanese burial...

Hokenoyama Kofun

Hokenoyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore an ancient, scallop-shaped burial mound, a National Historic Site with important artifac...

Marukoyama Kofun

Marukoyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a rare 7th-century hexagonal tomb, revealing ancient burial practices and artifacts.

Mesuriyama Kofun

Mesuriyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a large, ancient keyhole-shaped burial mound with unique artifacts.

Mount Mimuro

Mount Mimuro

A historic 82-meter hill and park in Nara featuring a memorial pagoda, seasonal foliage, and vie...

Mount Miune

Mount Miune

A 1,235-meter peak in the Takami Mountains famous for winter rime ice and spring azaleas along h...

Uenomiya Site

Uenomiya Site

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Uenomiya Site is an archaeological site from Kofun and Asuka periods, revealing ancient life and...

Kamikitayama Onsen

Kamikitayama Onsen

A sodium bicarbonate hot spring facility along the Kitayama River offering day-trip bathing and...

Kamiyu Onsen

Kamiyu Onsen

A secluded sulfur hot spring in Nara known for its pure, drinkable water and riverside open-air...

Fudō-nanae Falls

Fudō-nanae Falls

A massive seven-tiered waterfall in Nara's Yoshino-Kumano National Park, ranked among Japan's to...

Fukū-in Temple

Fukū-in Temple

Fukū-in Temple is a historic Shingon Ritsu temple known for its unique Kannon statue and ties to...

Nakaoyama Kofun

Nakaoyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore an early 8th-century imperial tomb, a unique octagonal kofun and World Heritage site.

Nakayama Ōtsuka Kofun

Nakayama Ōtsuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore one of Japan's oldest keyhole-shaped burial mounds, a significant National Historic Site...

Nakano Museum of Art

Nakano Museum of Art

Nakano Museum of Art showcases Japanese modern art collected by Nakano Kanji, housed in a unique...

Kume-dera Temple

Kume-dera Temple

Kume-dera Temple is the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism, with historic pagodas and artifacts.

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