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.

Shōgaku-ji Temple

Shōgaku-ji Temple

Shōgaku-ji Temple is a historic Jōdo Shinshū temple, preserving its original main hall and signi...

Himuro Shrine

Himuro Shrine

An ancient Nara shrine dedicated to the deity of ice, featuring historic architecture and famous...

Eikei-ji Temple

Eikei-ji Temple

Eikei-ji Temple is a historic family temple with unique Obaku sect art and documents.

Kawamata Shrine

Kawamata Shrine

Ancient shrine dedicated to a protective deity, known for its historical significance and unique...

Hōnen-ji Temple

Hōnen-ji Temple

Hōnen-ji Temple is a historic Jōdo-shū temple with important statues, founded by Hōnen himself.

Hōki-in

Hōki-in

Hōki-in is a historic temple dedicated to the founder of a famous pilgrimage.

Dorogawa Onsen

Dorogawa Onsen

A traditional hot spring town in Nara serving as a gateway for mountain practitioners with histo...

Kairyūō-ji Temple

Kairyūō-ji Temple

A historic Nara temple featuring Japan's smallest National Treasure pagoda and a sacred eleven-f...

Shibutani Mukaiyama Kofun

Shibutani Mukaiyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore Japan's 8th largest keyhole-shaped tumulus, the ancient tomb of Emperor Keiko.

Genkurō Inari Shrine

Genkurō Inari Shrine

One of Japan's Great Inari shrines, known for fox legends and blessings.

Kangō Shrine

Kangō Shrine

Kangō Shrine: a historic Nara shrine with unique manju connections and Tokugawa Ieyasu artifacts...

Kataoka Castle

Kataoka Castle

Kataoka Castle is a historic hill castle ruin in Nara, notable for its large dry moat.

Kengoshizuka Kofun

Kengoshizuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

An octagonal imperial tomb in Asuka Village, a World Heritage site with unique stone architectur...

Tamaki Shrine

Tamaki Shrine

This ancient mountain shrine, a World Heritage Site, offers purification and healing for visitor...

Ikomayamaguchi Shrine

Ikomayamaguchi Shrine

Ancient shrine in Nara dedicated to powerful deities, known for its unique folk cultural propert...

Amakashi-ni-imasu Shrine

Amakashi-ni-imasu Shrine

Ancient shrine on a historic hill, dedicated to Empress Suiko and other deities.

Kudo Shrine

Kudo Shrine

Kudo Shrine is an ancient shrine dedicated to the hearth god, easily accessible from Oji Station...

Ikoma Sanjō Amusement Park

Ikoma Sanjō Amusement Park

Historic amusement park on Mount Ikoma, offering free entry and panoramic views.

Ikoma Sanroku Park

Ikoma Sanroku Park

Ikoma Sanroku Park offers outdoor recreation and a preserved train on Mount Ikoma.

Unebiyamaguchi Shrine

Unebiyamaguchi Shrine

Ancient shrine at Mount Unebi's foot, known for safe childbirth blessings.

Kudara-ji Temple

Kudara-ji Temple

Kudaraji Temple: a historic site with a beautiful pagoda and main hall, worth a quick visit.

Mount Hyakkai

Mount Hyakkai

A peak in the Omine range featuring a historic temple with serpent remains and multiple hiking t...

Yata ni Imasu Kushitamahiko Shrine

Yata ni Imasu Kushitamahiko Shrine

Ancient Nara shrine with important cultural properties, celebrating aviation annually.

Ishinokarato Kofun

Ishinokarato Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Ishinokarato Kofun is an 8th-century tomb with a unique shape, offering a glimpse into ancient b...

Iwazononiimasu Takumushitama Shrine

Iwazononiimasu Takumushitama Shrine

Ancient Shinto shrine in Nara, dedicated to important deities, with a rich history.

Mount Jinpuku

Mount Jinpuku

A 792-meter peak on the Osaka-Nara border featuring ancient shrine sites and ruins of a medieval...

Kōno-ji Temple

Kōno-ji Temple

Kono-ji Temple, founded in 740, holds historical significance and houses important cultural prop...

Fukuchi-in Temple

Fukuchi-in Temple

Fukuchi-in Temple is a historic site in Nara with an impressive Jizo Bodhisattva statue.

Akitsu Site

Akitsu Site

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Akitsu Site is an archaeological site revealing ancient Japanese life from Jomon to medieval tim...

Shomyo-ji Temple

Shomyo-ji Temple

Shomyo-ji Temple is a historic Jodo-shu Buddhist temple with important statues, worth visiting f...

Shōnen-ji Temple

Shōnen-ji Temple

Shōnen-ji Temple is a historic Jōdo Shinshū temple with a nationally important main hall.

Anashi-Nimasu Hyōzu Shrine

Anashi-Nimasu Hyōzu Shrine

Ancient shrine in Nara with unique merged history, housing distinct deities and sacred objects.

Mount Ryūmon

Mount Ryūmon

A historic peak in Nara featuring temple ruins, a legendary cave, and panoramic views of the sur...

Chikurin-in Temple

Chikurin-in Temple

Chikurin-in Temple is a historic Shugendo site with a beautiful garden, founded by Prince Shotok...

Sasa Falls

Sasa Falls

A scenic waterfall in Nara Prefecture ranked among Japan's top 100, featuring granite cliffs and...

Tomi Shrine

Tomi Shrine

Tomi Shrine is a historic Nara shrine with unique monuments, easily accessible for a quick visit...

Hashihaka Kofun

Hashihaka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore Japan's oldest keyhole-shaped tumulus, a significant ancient imperial tomb.

Ōbara-dera temple ruins

Ōbara-dera temple ruins

Explore ancient temple ruins on a hill, a National Historic Site with a National Treasure.

Makimuku Katsuyama Kofun

Makimuku Katsuyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a large, ancient keyhole-shaped burial mound from Japan's early Kofun period.

Makimuku Yazuka Kofun

Makimuku Yazuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Ancient burial mound, a National Historic Site, offers a glimpse into early Kofun period Japan.

Makimuku Ishizuka Kofun

Makimuku Ishizuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore an ancient keyhole-shaped burial mound, possibly the oldest in its group.

Makimuku ruins

Makimuku ruins

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore Makimuku Ruins, an ancient site believed to be an early city of the Yamato kingship.

Mount Miminashi

Mount Miminashi

A historic volcanic peak in Nara offering a scenic shrine, imperial history, and a designated Na...

Miminashi Yamaguchi Shrine

Miminashi Yamaguchi Shrine

Miminashi Yamaguchi Shrine, dedicated to mountain gods, offers blessings for safe childbirth.

Shōrin-ji Temple

Shōrin-ji Temple

This temple offers mountain views of ancient Yamato, housing an eighth-century Eleven-Headed Kan...

Konbu-in

Konbu-in

Konbu-in is a historic Jodo-shu Buddhist temple in Nara with important cultural properties.

Senshuku-ji Temple

Senshuku-ji Temple

Senshukuji is an ancient temple with beautiful azaleas and a unique garden.

Hōtoku-ji Temple

Hōtoku-ji Temple

This historic temple, founded by a samurai and a monk, offers a glimpse into samurai history.

Wakakusa-garan

Wakakusa-garan

Explore the ruins of Wakakusa-garan, believed to be the original Horyuji Temple, for a glimpse i...

Chihara Kitsunezuka Kofun

Chihara Kitsunezuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a large 7th-century tomb with unique stone chambers and ancient artifacts.

Sabō Haseji

Sabō Haseji

A historic garden cafe, restaurant, and printmaking museum near Hase-dera Temple.

Sugawara Tenmangū

Sugawara Tenmangū

Sugawara Tenmangu is a historic shrine in Nara, dedicated to learning, with a pond believed to b...

Sugyō-ji Temple

Sugyō-ji Temple

Sugyō-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple, rebuilt multiple times, and a pilgrimage site.

Katsuragi Hitokotonushi Shrine

Katsuragi Hitokotonushi Shrine

Ancient shrine on Mount Katsuragi's foot, known for its sacred ginkgo and unique deity.

The Museum, History of Katsuragi

The Museum, History of Katsuragi

Explore Katsuragi City's history through archaeological finds and folklore exhibits.

Katsuragi City Sumo Museum “Kehayaza”

Katsuragi City Sumo Museum “Kehayaza”

Explore sumo's origins and artifacts at this museum, a short walk from Taimadera Station.

Katsuragi Futakami Shrine

Katsuragi Futakami Shrine

Ancient mountain shrine in Nara, dedicated to two kami, with a sacred tree and a prince's tomb.

Katsuraki Shitori ni Imasu Ame no Ha Ikazuchi no Mikoto Shrine

Katsuraki Shitori ni Imasu Ame no Ha Ikazuchi no Mikoto Shrine

Ancient Shinto shrine dedicated to the Shitori clan's ancestral deity, an important historical s...

Katsuraki ni Imasu Honoikaduchi Shrine

Katsuraki ni Imasu Honoikaduchi Shrine

Ancient shrine dedicated to fire and other deities, featuring unique historical artifacts and se...

Katsuragi Mitoshi Shrine

Katsuragi Mitoshi Shrine

Ancient head shrine of Mitoshigami, offering a glimpse into early Japanese religious history.

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