Beyond the Deer Park — The Quiet Side of Nara in Fall

13 places in this vlog

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

1. 0:53

   Nara Park

   🌳 Park · Nara Park

   Arrive at the crack of dawn to photograph the deer before the crowds.

2. 1:24

   Nandaimon Gate

   🏛️ Historic site · Nara Park · brief mention

3. 1:24

   Todaiji Temple

   ⛩️ Temple · Nara Park

   The current hall dates from the 1700s and is smaller than the original; its 100 m pagodas were never rebuilt.

4. 2:38

   Kasugayama Primeval Forest

   🌳 Park · Nara Park

   Even on a weekend the trail is nearly empty, and it leads up to Wakakusa-yama.

5. 3:16

   Mount Wakakusa

   🥾 Hike · Nara Park

   A popular spot, but reaching it through the primeval forest avoids most of the crowds.

6. 4:24

   Imai-cho

   🏘️ Neighborhood · Kashihara

   About 45 minutes south of Nara city; look out for the alcohol vending machine in the middle of the street.

7. 5:14

   Fujiwara Palace Ruins

   🏛️ Historic site · Kashihara

   Close to Imai-cho and a good spot at sunset.

8. 6:37

   Soni Highlands

   🌳 Park · Soni

   Parking costs 800 yen and it gets very busy at sunset despite the remote location.

9. 7:48

   Muro Art Forest

   🌳 Park · Muro

   The satisfying geometry of the art pieces makes it a very photogenic walk.

10. 8:58

    Muro-ji

    ⛩️ Temple · Muro

    Its 9th-century pagoda is said to be Japan's second oldest after Horyuji's, and fall colors make it especially beautiful.

11. 11:33

    Dorogawa Onsen

    🏘️ Neighborhood · Tenkawa

    Staying the night at a ryokan here is recommended as a peak Japan experience.

12. 12:25

    Mount Omine

    🥾 Hike · Yoshino · brief mention

13. 15:12

    Kumano Kodo

    🥾 Hike · Southern Nara

    The Nara passes are nearly deserted; the pass is better in the evening, as morning light arrives late over the mountain.