Top 10 Things to do in Nara, Japan 🇯🇵 🦌

20 places in this vlog

In the order they appear. Tap a time to play it here, or ↗ to open YouTube at that second.

1. 1:15

   Nara Park

   🌳 Park · Nara Park

   Skip the first cracker stall and buy deeper in the park, where the deer are calmer.

2. 5:46

   Kasugano-enchi

   🌳 Park · Nara Park · brief mention

3. 5:52

   Ukimido Pavilion

   🏢 Landmark · Nara Park

   Best photographed in autumn, framed by red leaves, or in the low morning or late-afternoon sun.

4. 6:12

   Nandaimon Gate

   🏛️ Historic site · Nara Park · brief mention

5. 6:17

   Todaiji Temple

   ⛩️ Temple · Nara Park

   Night openings run on August 13–14.

6. 8:39

   Kasuga Taisha

   ⛩️ Temple · Nara Park

   The lantern-lined approach takes about 10 minutes from the Todaiji area.

7. 10:14

   Nakatanidou

   🍜 Street food · Kintetsu Nara Station

   Demonstrations run roughly every 30 minutes without a fixed schedule, and buying the mochi itself is quick.

8. 11:01

   Higashimuki Shopping Street

   🛍️ Shopping · Kintetsu Nara Station

   A good option on hot or rainy days; the side alleys hide more street food.

9. 11:37

   Kamaiki

   🍴 Restaurant · Higashimuki

   There is always a lunchtime line; toppings include tempura and fried chicken.

10. 12:03

    Nakame Coffee

    ☕ Cafe · Kintetsu Nara Station

    Espresso drinks come in a choice of light or dark roast, oat milk is available, and there is a one-drink minimum for dining in.

11. 13:32

    Nara National Museum

    🏛️ Museum · Nara Park

    Get the English brochure explaining the Buddhist icons, and allow 1–2 hours.

12. 14:12

    Nigatsudo Hall

    ⛩️ Temple · Nara Park

    Rarely crowded, it has free self-serve tea next door (wash your cup) and is lovely in late March or April.

13. 15:03

    Mount Wakakusa

    🥾 Hike · Nara Park

    Open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. with last entry by 4:30 p.m., and closed December to March.

14. 17:34

    Izakaya One

    🍴 Restaurant · JR Nara Station

    A convenient dinner stop before catching a train home.

15. 17:53

    Izakaya Tsunofuri

    🍴 Restaurant · Higashimuki

    Serves marbled beef, shirako and sashimi, but the simple steamed pork with vegetables stood out.

16. 18:25

    Wakakusa Curry

    🍴 Restaurant · Mochiidono

    The signature is a four-in-one curry plate; open 11:30 a.m. with last order 7:30 p.m., so go between rushes.

17. 20:33

    Shikayose (Deer Calling)

    🚡 Activity · Nara Park

    Held only on a few dates a year at 9 or 10 a.m.; check the official website for dates.

18. 22:00

    Former Residence of Shiga Naoya

    🏛️ Historic site · Takabatake

    Entry costs a small fee.

19. 22:27

    Naramachi

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Naramachi

20. 22:44

    Naramachi Nigiwai no Ie

    🏛️ Historic site · Naramachi

    Entry is free; open 9:00–5:00 daily except Wednesdays.