If you want to make the most out of your holiday when you travel Japan, then you should most certainly not miss out on a trip to Nara, one of the major tourist highlights in Japan. The list of Nara’s attractions is virtually endless and even includes the famous Nara Park, the public park located in the city of Nara, Japan. Because this beautiful city is just a short day trip from Kyoto & Osaka you could also easily make it a part of your travel plans. So take a look at some of the amazing things to do in Nara Park and other places to visit in Nara so you can enjoy the most fun-filled vacation you could dream of.
Credits - giphy.org
Picture Credit - commons.wikimedia.org
Located at the foot of Mount Wakakusa you will find a beautiful public park located in the city of Nara, Japan known as the Nara deer park. As part of your travel guide to Japan, it is highly recommended that you drop by this beautiful site full of over 1200 gentle sika deer roaming freely in the midst of nature. As this park was built way back in the 13th century, it is considered to be one of the oldest parks in Japan and is therefore treated as an important national treasure.
The park extends over 500 hectares and there are many amazing things to do in Nara Park. This makes it a great place to spend an afternoon with friends and family enjoying the peaceful settings that surround you.
Getting to Nara Park:
A visit to this can be easily planned out while you travel Japan during your vacation. This is just a short day trip from Kyoto & Osaka as the park is located about 30-40 minutes away from the Kintetsu Namba Station of Osaka and the Kyoto Station on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line.
· Address: 469 Zoshicho, Nara, Nara Prefecture
· Nara Park entrance fee: Free
· Opening Hours: 24 Hours
Picture Credit - commons.wikimedia.org
Undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable activities you could do at the park is witness the gentle deer wander freely, unperturbed by the presence of humans. If you want to get closer to these peaceful animals you could purchase some deer crackers available for sale (costs less than about 200 yens) and feed a few.
While the large herds of deer are a major attraction, you could also grab yourself a Nara park map (which can even be found online) and discover the many attractions scattered across the park. Due to the historical significance of the park, it is home to many ancient sites like Kofuku-ji pagoda and Todai-ji - the largest wooden building in the world. Showcasing some of the finest work of Japanese style garden architecture, the park is decorated with many beautiful ponds, streams and woody trees.
Other top tourist attractions in Nara
· Nara National Museum
Picture Credit - commons.wikimedia.org
The National Museum is one of the top tourist attractions in Nara. Located in the premises of the Nara Park, this is a great place to learn about the history of the first permanent capital of Japan and witness some interesting displays of art and historical relics. The museum is open from 9:30 to 17:00, so depending on the time you arrive at the park, you might want to separate some time to visit this site. Also, there is an admission fee of 520 yen to gain access to both wings of the museum.
· Naramachi
Picture Credit - commons.wikimedia.org
Another one of the major tourist highlights in Japan is the traditional district of Naramachi. If you can spare a few hours, this is one of Nara’s attractions not to be missed. The streets are lined with well-preserved buildings and houses displaying traditional Japanese architectural styles and you can find many shops, restaurants and cafes to stop by.
