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A short train ride from Kyoto is historic Nara, an earlier capital.
While Kyoto’s continuing eminence over the centuries has led to its development into a large, bustling city, the significance of Nara soon waned once the capital was relocated, and today it remains a relaxed town with some beautiful sights.
Exploring Nara
Nara residents are rightly proud of Todai-ji Temple, which houses Japan’s largest bronze Buddha, as well as the tranquil expanses of the surrounding deer park where the sacred deer are so little afraid of humans that they will eat food out of your hand. Nara can easily be visited as a day trip from Kyoto or as an overnight stay for those with more time.
who's been there
Start planning your tailor-made trip to Nara by contacting one of our Japan specialists
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Suggested itineraries featuring Nara
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in Nara, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places near Nara
- Osaka 17 miles away
- Kyoto 24 miles away
- Mount Koya 36 miles away
- Tokushima 83 miles away
- Kinosaki Onsen 86 miles away
- Takamatsu 103 miles away
- Naoshima 104 miles away
- Tottori 106 miles away
- Iya Valley 113 miles away
- Kurashiki 116 miles away
- Tsumago 120 miles away
- Shirakawago 127 miles away
- Takayama 130 miles away
- Kanazawa 140 miles away
- Shikoku 144 miles away
- Kamikochi 154 miles away
- Tateyama 163 miles away
- Matsumoto 164 miles away
- Matsue 164 miles away
- The Japanese Alps 177 miles away
- Izu Peninsula 181 miles away
- Hakuba 182 miles away
- Matsuyama 183 miles away
- Hakone & Mount Fuji 187 miles away
- Hiroshima 192 miles away
- Miyajima Island 201 miles away
- Yudanaka 206 miles away
- Noto Peninsula 214 miles away
- Kamakura 217 miles away
- Tokyo 235 miles away
- Nikko 262 miles away
- Beppu 267 miles away
- Yufuin 272 miles away
- Kurokawa 289 miles away
- Kyushu 297 miles away
- Aso 300 miles away
Photos of Nara
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![Nara]()
Nara -
![Todai-ji, Nara]()
Todai-ji, Nara -
![Nara deer]()
Nara deer -
![Nara deer]()
Nara deer
Our expert guides to exploring Nara
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Nara, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Nara at its best.
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Gardens of Japan ![Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa]()
Gardens of Japan
Gardens of Japan
From Kenrokuen’s venerated views to gardens hidden deep in the countryside, specialist Amanda recommends her preferred gardens to visit in Japan. She also explains what makes Japan’s gardens so interesting and why gardening is an important national art form.
Read this guide
