Perfect Nara One Day Itinerary: Day Trip to Nara Japan

After a memorable time sightseeing Nara, we have crafted this ultimate Nara one day itinerary which you will be eager to claim as your own! This comprehensive Nara travel guide ensures hassle free experience while visiting Nara Japan. Feel free to make it yours!

Every new city can leave us feeling a bit disoriented, and Nara Japan was no exception for us. Questions like: What to see in Nara? What are the main Nara attractions to be covered in a day? What are the best things to do in Nara in one day? flooded our minds while visiting Nara Japan.

The consensus we found? Nara brims with sights, experiences, and attractions; don’t go by its size. But not to worry. We have got you covered in this blog, offering a comprehensive guide to ensure you make the most of your time in this captivating city Nara in one day.

Todaji Shrine – Nara One day Itinerary

About Nara Japan

No other place in Japan is quite like Nara. From majestic temples to friendly deer roaming in ancient parks, this Japanese city is a captivating blend of tradition and contemporary vibrancy. The city is a treasure trove of cultural experiences, from traditional tea ceremonies to vibrant festivals like the Omizutori held at Nigatsu-do Hall.

Nara is worth visiting for its rich historical legacy as Japan’s first permanent capital. Its heritage is embodied in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites that adorn the city, including the iconic Todai-ji Temple, home to the Great Buddha, and the picturesque Kasuga Taisha Shrine with its thousands of vermilion torii gates.

Nara’s artistic heritage is well preserved at the Nara National Museum, showcasing exquisite Buddhist art and artifacts.

Nara’s proximity to Kyoto and Osaka makes it an accessible day trip destination, making it an ideal addition to any itinerary in the Kansai region.

Nara Attractions

If you are running short of time for a complete one day Nara trip  here are some helpful links:

• Nara: Private Tour with Guide – Explore the best of Nara with a private guide on a 4 or 6-hour tour. Enjoy the full freedom and flexibility of customizing your own itinerary.
• Nara Full-Day Private Tour Osaka/Kyoto departure with Government-Licensed Guide
• Nara World Heritage Todaiji Visit and Naramachi Tour

Things to Do in Nara in One Day

The city has umpteen number of things to see, do and experience, but time, the eternal governing factor of what we see and do during our travels limit them. This blog lists the best things to do in Nara in one day, in the few hours when the sites are open. After the sites are closed by 5 PM you can explore Nara city. You can use this list if you are making a day trip to Nara from Osaka or Kyoto.

How to Explore Nara in one day

This blog on the Nara1-day itinerary assumes you are already in Nara and ready to explore first thing in the morning after a good breakfast. Nara attractions can be segregated to two parts. The part in the south-west of Nara has Horyuji Temple as the main attraction. We suggest you complete touring this first and then proceed to the northeast side of Nara which has a good concentration of major tourist attractions of Nara including the Deer Park.

Horyuji Temple Nara Japan

Horyuji Temple is the first UNESCO site of Japan but besides that one major compelling reason for me to visit this temple is that it is topmost in the list of oldest wooden buildings in the world.

The temple’s roots trace back to 607 AD, when Prince Shōtoku fervently prayed to Yakushi Nyorai for his father, Emperor Yomei’s recovery from illness. Over 1,300 years ago, the temple underwent reconstruction, preserving its sacredness through centuries. Standing before the Kondō, the main hall that is widely recognized as the world’s oldest wooden building, we were awestruck. This venerable wooden structure holds the title of the world’s oldest, a testament to enduring craftsmanship. As I gazed upon it, I sensed the same wonder that countless devotees and visitors experienced throughout the ages.

Tour time required: around 2 hours
Tickets: The tickets to Horyuji Shrine cost 1500Y per adult
Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM

Horyuji Pagoda

Iconic Todai-ji Temple Nara

Historically Todaji Temple is significant because Tōdai-ji was the chief temple in the Kokubun-ji system. From ancient times Toda-ji Temple was a center for rituals for the peace of the nation and the prosperity of the people. The temple served as a centre for the training of scholar monks who studied Buddhist doctrine. Toda-ji Temple complex has many of the buildings are reconstructions of the Edo period (1603-1868), the pagoda in particular is awe-inspiring.

And oh! the best-known relic that you shouldn’t miss at Todaiji Temple is its Daibutsu. The 15m high statue is the world’s largest gilded bronze Buddha. It is housed in an all-wood building, the Daibutsu-den. At 48m high this is the largest wooden building in the world. Stunning statistics, isn’t it?!

At Kamakura we had seen the 13 m high bronze statue of Buddha out in the open. Read here: Best Things to Do in Kamakura.

The temple’s serene ambiance, set amidst Nara’s tranquil surroundings, offers a moment of introspection and spiritual contemplation. The accompanying museum houses invaluable artifacts and treasures, which helps understanding of Japan’s cultural tapestry better.

We were so immersed admiring the sculptures and buildings belonging to ancient times, three hours simply whizzed by. And that is when it struck, we have so much more to strike off our list of things to do in Nara in one day.

Pro Tip: focus on the Daibutsu-den Hall, the Sangatsu-do Hall (Hall for the March Rite), and the Kaidan-in (Ordination Hall) for a quick visit. You need 4 to 5 hours for detailed viewing.
Tickets: A joint ticket Combined ticket for the Great Buddha Hall at Todaiji and the Todaiji Museum cost 800 Y. Ticket to enter the Great Buddha Hall cost 500 Y.
Timings: 8 AM to 4.30 PM daily from November to March and 7 AM to 5.30 PM  April to October.

Great Buddha

Lunch in Nara

There are plenty of options to have lunch in Nara. Since we were on a walking tour of Nara, the next destination after the Toda-ji Shrine was Kasagu Taisha shrine. We halted at Kasuga Ninai Jyaya,
garden cafe Restaurant which is about a 5-minute walk from the Kasuga Taisha Omote Sando bus stop. It is near the main gate to the Manyo Botanical Garden.

Time required: less than an hour

Lunch in Nara

Kasuga-Taisha Nara

Kasuga Taisha shrine is the shrine of the Fujiwara family. We read that there are 2000 stone lanterns and 1000 bronze lanterns in the shrine. Most of the stone ones were moss covered, the bronze ones lined up really looked good worth taking pictures.

My reasons to visit Kasuga-Taisha were:

• This is Nara’s oldest and most famous shrine
• It is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site
• thousands of stone and bronze lanterns line the paths and buildings in Kasuga-Taisha shrine
• Brilliant vermilion columns surrounded by lush green trees

Kasuga Taisha provides insights into Shinto beliefs, rituals, and practices. We found the Kasuga Taisha shrine the most beautiful one among the different temples and shrines we saw in Nara. This shrine is highly recommended to be added to your Nara one day itinerary.

If you can increase your pace, maybe you will have time enough to explore the nearby Kasuga Taisha Museum. It offers deeper insights into the shrine’s history and cultural significance.
Tickets: The tickets to Kasuga Taisha shrine cost 500¥
Timings: 6.30 AM to 5.30 PM

Bronze lamps Kasuga Taisha shrine

Kofukuji Shrine in Nara Japan

Kofuku-ji Shrine is one among the eight UNESCO sites of Nara Japan, which include five Buddhist temples, one Shinto shrine, one Palace and one primeval forest. Kofukuji Shrine is conveniently located near Nara Park and other attractions like Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, making it easily accessible and a perfect addition to a day of exploration in Nara.

We found the pagoda here truly unique. The Five-Story Pagoda, built in 1426, is one of the tallest pagodas in Japan at 50m high.

Another highlight within the temple complex is the Central Golden Hall, built in 1415. The Central Golden Hall is famous for housing the Yakushi Nyorai statue, meaning “Medicine Master”, the Buddha associated with healing. Many pilgrims visit seeking spiritual and physical healing.
Tickets: The National Treasure Museum – ¥600, The Eastern Golden Hall – ¥300, combined ticket for the two – ¥800.
Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM.

Kofukuji Shrine in Nara Japan

Gardens in Nara Japan

Manyo Botanical Garden

The Manyo Botanical Garden also known as the Kasuga Taisha Garden. It is a small garden with ponds, some sets of stone tables and seats and with lots of shade almost tempting you to have an impromptu picnic. If by chance you are visiting during months April-May, a narrow three week period, you will find wisteria in full bloom making the entire experience magical. Tour time required: Less than an hour
Tickets: 500¥ for adults, 250¥ for children. You are given maps of the garden along with the tickets.
Timings: The gardens are open from 9 AM to 4.30 PM. between March and October and 9 AM to 4 PM from November to February.

Read more: Oldest Wisteria Vine from Amboise France.

Isui-en Garden

Isuien Garden is an attractive Japanese garden very close to Todaiji Temple’s Nandaimon Gate. Isuien means “garden founded on water”, and as the name implies the garden’s name is derived from the fact that its ponds are fed by the small adjacent Yoshikigawa River.

A bonus experience you get here, included in the ticket, is a visit to a small museum with a decent collection of pottery, seals, mirrors and other artifacts from ancient China and Korea. They belong to the family that owns Isuien.

Deer Park Nara

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Deer Park in Nara. Hundreds of Sika deer, such gentle creatures, roam freely throughout the area. It wasn’t just about encountering friendly deer, but rather an immersive experience that combines nature, culture, and a sense of wonder. Even the briefest visit here will leave you with cherished memories of their time spent amidst these gentle creatures and serene surroundings.

Deer Park is a fantastic destination for families with children. We saw some brave tiny kids feeding and petting the deer and the deer too seemed quite at ease.

My walk here through the Nara Deer Park is closest to my heart. At one point I had run out of crackers to feed a deer that approached me expectantly. A co-tourist appeared from nowhere and passed on a cracker to me to feed the deer. A happy me was watching the happy deer munching on it.

Located near Nara’s city center, the park is easily accessible on foot from major attractions and transportation hubs, making it a convenient addition to any Nara itinerary.

Deer Park Nara Japan

Nara Koen (that’s the Japanese name for the park) is free to enter. It is open all 24 hours.
A pack of 10 crackers for deer cost 150 Y.

Nara National Museum

Before stepping in it is worth taking a moment to appreciate the museum itself. The building is a historical and architectural gem, designed in a traditional Japanese style. The Nara National Museum hosts historic, cultural, and artistic treasures, national treasures include Buddhist and Bodhisattva sculptures, age old images and documents, artefacts including one of the largest Buddha statues in the world. The permanent collection is modest but the ones on special display are unique, the entry to the special exhibitions in the museum come at an extra cost. Special exhibitions feature rare artifacts not regularly displayed. The museum is located in Nara Park, where most of the Nara city attractions can be found.
Tickets: 600 Y for adults and 300 Y for college students
Timings: 9.30 AM to 5 PM.

Walk around Naramachi District

If you are done with all the shrines, gardens and museums mentioned above you can extend your Nara experience by wandering through the Naramachi district in the neighborhood. Naramachi is worth adding to your Nara 1-day itinerary as it retains the nostalgic charm of old Japan, offering a glimpse into the traditional merchant district’s atmosphere. The preserved historic buildings, narrow streets, and traditional machiya (wooden townhouses) create an authentic setting from the Edo period. Explore the local markets, quaint shops, and artisanal boutiques to stumble on a variety of traditional crafts, local specialties, handmade goods, and souvenirs, making it an excellent place to pick up unique gifts or sample regional delicacies.

Overview of Nara One Day Itinerary

Here is a quick breakdown of what you will see with this 1 day in Nara Itinerary:

• Visit to Horyuji Temple
• Take a bus or taxi to Kasuga Taisha shrine. Distance between Horyuji Temple and Todaji Temple is 20.7 km in 38 min approx (depends on traffic).
• Head to Kasuga Taisha Temple
• Stroll in Manyo Botanical Garden
• Have lunch
• Visit Todaji Temple
• Stroll in Isuien Garden
• Visit Nara National Museum
• Stroll deer park
• Visit Kofukuji Shrine
• Walk around Naramachi District

Nara One Day Itinerary

Travel Tips for Visiting Nara Japan

1. Dress appropriately: As with most temples in Japan, visitors are expected to dress modestly.
2. Wear comfortable shoes as a lot of walking is involved.
3. There are a number of restrooms and vending machines too
4. There is a free drinking water tap too. We saw one near Kasuga Taisha shrine.
5. Maps with highlights of the ‘place of visit’ are given along with tickets. We found them very helpful.
6. Don’t visit Nara in the summer. It’s simply too hot. The shoulder season is ideal.

Is one day in Nara enough?

To explore the major landmarks in Nara, one day in Nara is sufficient. But it will be rushed for sure. You may feel compelled to skip the strolls in the beautiful gardens of Nara Japan.

Where to stay in Nara?

If you are not intending to do the day trip to Nara from Kyoto or Osaka and instead intend to stay in Nara for a night there are plenty of options.

We stayed in Comfort Hotel Nara and the stay was indeed comfortable as the name suggests. It is located 220m from Nara Station, at a walking distance of 3 minutes.

Another option is Nara Hotel,a 4 star hotel. Address: 1096 Takabatakecho, Nara, 630-8301, Japan. It is located 2.2 km from Nara station.

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Indrani Ghose is an Indian Travel Writer and Blogger based in Bangalore, India. She has written for numerous publications across the globe – including Lonely Planet, The National UAE, Whetstone Asia, Deccan Herald. You can follow her on her social media handles Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook to see the wonderful destinations, beautiful offbeat places and get instant updates about them.