Discover Nara

Over a thousand free-roaming sika deer roam Nara Park and, according to Shinto tradition, are considered sacred messengers of the gods; visitors can feed them special crackers called shika-senbei.

Tōdai-ji houses, within its monumental hall — one of the largest wooden structures in the world — a 15-meter bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana, ranking among the largest Buddha statues in Japan.

The bright orange-red Kasuga-Taisha shrine is lined with thousands of donated stone lanterns, all lit simultaneously twice a year during traditional lantern festivals for a magical sight.

The striking five-story pagoda of the 8th-century Kōfuku-ji temple is the second-tallest wooden pagoda in Japan and, together with the adjacent National Museum, defines Nara's historic cityscape.

From Kyoto, a local train connects both cities in about 45 minutes; from Osaka the ride takes about half an hour. Nara is ideal for a day trip from either city.

Over a thousand free-roaming sika deer roam Nara Park and, according to Shinto tradition, are considered sacred messengers of the gods; visitors can feed them special crackers called shika-senbei.

Tōdai-ji houses, within its monumental hall — one of the largest wooden structures in the world — a 15-meter bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana, ranking among the largest Buddha statues in Japan.

The bright orange-red Kasuga-Taisha shrine is lined with thousands of donated stone lanterns, all lit simultaneously twice a year during traditional lantern festivals for a magical sight.