One day in Nara itinerary with lots of DEER! 🦌 BEST things to do in Nara as day trip from Kyoto 🗾 Backpacking Japan travel blog

Hi there!

 

One of the big reasons that Nara is on the list of top places to visit in Japan is because of the deer.

There are lots and lots of deer in Nara.

And, it’s an ancient capital of Japan.

This means that there are many UNESCO world heritage sites to be visited in Nara.

 

 

It would be nice if you had a couple of nights in Nara.

But if you have just one day, you can go to the top spots and there’s a good chance that you’ll feel like you had a good day.

It’s an easy day trip to Nara from Kyoto, and it’s an easy trip to make from Osaka too.

So if you’ll be visiting Kyoto or Osaka, Nara deserves a consideration for your Japan itinerary.

For places to visit in Kyoto, see the 1-day, 2-day, or 5-day Kyoto itineraries.

If you’re in Osaka during cherry blossom season, see perfect cherry blossom photos spots in Osaka.

 

 

Now…

First, the quick list of the best places to visit in Nara.

Then, a more detailed look into how you can fit these things into your one day Nara itinerary.

 

 

 

5 best places to visit in Nara in one day

If you’re in Nara for the deer, part of the excitement will be walking from place to place!

Follow this path by walking, and you are sure to see lots of deer along the way!

 

1. Nara Park

 

2. Kasuga Taisha shrine

 

3. Todaiji Temple with Great Buddha

 

4. Nigatsudo Temple (and Sangatsudo Temple)

 

5. Kofukuji Temple

 

 

More below about how to spend your time in Nara!

 

 

🗾🦌

 

 

Now…

How to put these into a one day Nara itinerary?

 

Now, here are some details about this itinerary to see if it’s something you want to follow!

 

Best things to do in Nara in a one day trip

 

 

Start the walk towards Nara Park

Cost: FREE!

For this itinerary, we’re making it a day trip.

So we’re going to start your day in Nara at the train station.

Basically, the walk to get to Nara Park is an activity on its own.

If you walk it straight from the Kintetsu train station to Nara Park, it’ll take about 20 minutes. (It’s about 30 minutes from the JR station.)

But if you’re visiting Nara in part for the deer, it’ll probably take you a lot longer as you stop and take pictures of the deer.

You can just start walking along the main road from the Kintetsu Nara train station, and within 5-10 minutes… deer!

 

 

And more deer.

 

 

They will even wait at the bus stop with you.

 

 

Feed the deer some special deer snacks

Cost: 150 yen (US$1)

Don’t feed the deer your own food, but instead, go with what’s provided.

You’ll find deer snacks being sold here and there.

 

And yeah, don’t leave your bag unattended… behind you is unattended! 😉

 

And if you find yourself with deer seemingly bothering you to give you food when you have none to give them…

Open up your hands and put up 10 fingers. This will show them that you have no food for them and is said to be a good way to get them to go away.

 

 

Walk around the grounds of Nara Park

Cost: FREE!

So you finally will make it to Nara Park, where you will see even more deer!

And more opportunity to feed the deer.

 

 

Be warned, that as soon as you have the deer snacks exposed, you might be swarmed!

Nara Park can also be a good place to take a rest or relax.

There are also a few restaurants nearby, or shops for some snacks too.

 

 

Start walking towards Kasuga Taisha shrine

Cost: FREE!

 

Your deer adventures aren’t over!

 

 

Once again, the walk to the Kasuga Taisha shrine can be an activity on its own with all the deer.

 

 

 

Visit Kasuga Taisha shrine

Cost: 500 yen (US$4)

 

So eventually, you’ll make it to the shrine.

From the open area of Nara Park to the Kasuga Taisha shrine is about a 10 minute walk.

Being built in the 8th century when Nara was the capital of Japan, the shrine just celebrated 1,250 years of existence.

This is also a UNESCO world heritage site.

 

 

It is said to have 1,000 hanging lanterns.

 

 

Start walking towards the Great Buddha

Cost: FREE!

 

More deer!

 

 

And more deer!

 

 

 

Visit Todaiji Temple and the Great Buddha

Cost: 600 yen (US$5)

This is another major thing to see that Nara is known for.

The Great Buddha Hall of the Todaiji Temple is said to be the largest wooden structure in the world.

 

 

Inside, the Great Buddha is said to be the largest bronze statue of Buddha in Japan.

 

 

The Todaiji Temple was also built in the 8th century, and it’s another one of the many UNESCO world heritage sites in Nara.

 

 

Squeeze through the hole in the pillar for enlightenment

Cost: FREE!

Or rather, there’s no additional cost on top of the Todaiji Temple admission fee. 

 

You can find this in the Great Buddha Hall.

 

 

It’s said that the hole in the wooden pillar is the size of the Great Buddha’s nostril. And it’s also said that if you make it through the hole that your life will be blessed.

 

 

 

Walk around temple grounds of Nigatsudo and Sangatsudo

Cost: FREE!

Next up: Amazing views!

 

 

Head on over to Nigatsudo and Sangatsudo, which are right near one another.

 

 

There is an entry fee of 600 yen (US$5) to actually visit inside Sangatsudo, but walking around the temple grounds is free.

 

 

After climbing a few stairs, you’ll be afforded with a great view of Nara! This part is free too.

 

 

 

Walk around Kofukuji Temple grounds

Cost: FREE!

 

There is a fee to enter, but once again you can also just walk around the temple grounds for free.

The Kofukuji Temple is also one of the UNESCO world heritage site in Nara.

 

 

 

Rest at Sarusawa Pond

Cost: FREE!

 

The pond itself isn’t anything special, but it could be a nice way to end your day before you head back!

 

And that’s a bit about a perfect one day in Nara!

See more about how to get to Nara:

• Kyoto to Nara by train
• Osaka to Nara by train

 

HAPPY NARA ITINERARY PLANNING!